Magical 24 Days 23 Nights Maasai Mara National Reserve - Nairobi Tour Package

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We depart the city early and make our way across the Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, enjoying views of the vast vista en route. We travel in small specialized safari vehicles that enable us to have a more intimate view of wildlife. We spend two nights camping on the edge of the Reserve with time to explore the park on morning and afternoon game drives.

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We have the day to explore the Reserve in search for wildlife including the big 5 lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo and leopard.

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From the Mara we make our way back across the Great Rift Valley to Nairobi, where we overnight.

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After crossing the border into Tanzania at the busy Namanga frontier we arrive at our destination, Arusha, in the late afternoon. Situated mid way between Cape Town and Cairo, this is very much Tanzania/’s safari capital a bustling city with colorful markets, shops, vehicles and people, all nestling in the shadow of the brooding Mt Meru (4556 m). After exploring the curio markets, we head to our camp just outside Arusha on the open plains to the west of the city. It is from here that we prepare for our two night three day excursion to the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. This afternoon, if time allows, we enjoy a walk to one of the local Maasai villages to enjoy an insight into everyday life and traditions of this colorful culture.

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This morning we transfer to smaller, more game park friendly vehicles and drive west across the Great Rift Valley, passing through Mto Wa Mbo and enter the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area. We enter the park and drive around the Crater/’s rim and down onto the Serengeti plains. Green after the rains, brown and burnt in the dry, this is home to an enormous variety of grazing animals, predators, and bird life. Flatter and larger than the Maasai Mara the Serengeti is simply huge - indeed the name derives from the Maasai word Siringitu the place where the land moves on forever. We game drive to our designated (but non fenced) campsite for the evening where lion and hyena roam nearby, for an unforgettable experience.

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We drive out of the plains, game driving en route, and after lunch ascend the outer wall of the Ngorongoro Crater. We spend the night camping on the rim (you may need a jacket; it can be cold at night due to the altitude), where wildlife also roams free. At 326 square kilometers, the Ngorongoro is Africa/’s largest intact caldera and a World Heritage Site. If the view from the rim (2400 meters above sea level) is spectacular, the site from the Crater floor (some 600 meters below) is equally enjoyable.

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We wake early and descend the steep dirt road of the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning of game driving in this spectacular wildlife haven. All the large mammals are present except giraffe (which cannot manage the steep slopes leading down onto the Crater floor). After our game drive we ascend to our campsite on the rim for a final view over the Ngorongoro Crater, pack up our camp and have lunch before retracing our steps to Arusha and our campsite at the Meserani Snake Park.

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This morning we wake early and head south via Moshi to Bagamoyo. If the weather is clear we will be afforded a view of the magnificent snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa/’s highest peak (5895 m). The quaint town of Bagamoyo was founded at the end of the 18th century and was one of the most significant trading ports along the East African coast. Our camp for the evening is situated close by to the palm fringed beaches of the Indian Ocean.

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Leaving Bagamoyo we make our way south to Dar es Salaam. /‘Dar/’ is Tanzania/’s main port and is a hub of commerce and industry - a hot, humid and bustling seaport city of high rises, colorful markets and Arab influenced architecture on the coast, accessing one of the most important sea routes in the world. To most travelers, this city is the port of entry to the more exotic island of Zanzibar and other archipelago islands. We set up camp on the beach just outside of the city, take in the balmy Indian Ocean sea breeze, and prepare for our trip to Zanzibar.

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Evocative and exotic, Zanzibar conjures up images of idyllic, sandy, palm fringed beaches; romantic winding cobbled alleys and lush tropical forests. You will find all these here /– and an intriguing history. Zanzibar was the base of the great 19th century explorers such as John Hanning Speke, Richard Burton and David Livingstone and once was a major trading center of spices. Indeed, the spice trade here is centuries old: Zanzibaris have traded with the people of the Arabian Peninsula for many generations, navigating the ocean in simple dhow sailboats, relying on the annual trade winds for passage. The Arab influence is evident in the architecture and diverse street stall offerings of the capital, Stone Town. This influence can be seen right along the Eastern coast /– the Swahili language itself is a result of the mixing of Arab and African languages and cultures over many centuries.

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Enjoy free time on Zanzibar and transfer to the northern beaches from Stone Town. Relax on the sun kissed beaches of Kendwa, in the northwest part of the island, take an optional diving trip to the rich colorful reefs or grab a snorkel and goggles to explore these from above.

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Browse markets or enjoy hanging in a hammock with a cocktail and a good book. The beach is a great place to catch up with the locals who will pass by selling their wares, offering henna tattoos and inexpensive massages. Round the day off with a sunset dhow cruise or chilling to the tunes from the nearby beach bars.

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We have the morning to do any last minute shopping or enjoy one last swim before catching the ferry back to the African mainland and Dar es Salaam and onward to our campsite on the coast for the evening.

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Leaving the bustling city and warm coast, we drive inland through the Mikumi National Park where we may, with luck, spot forest elephant or giraffe feeding near the side of the road. Our campsite is located a short stone/’s throw from the park and we enjoy sun downers at the local bar restaurant followed by the evening around the open fire under the blanket of stars.

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We continue our journey heading to the town of Iringa and the Kisolanza Farm. At an altitude of 1600 m Kisolanza ensures a pleasant fresh climate in one of the most scenic areas in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Home to the Ghaui family for over 70 years, Kisolanza remains a working farm providing organic meat (beef, lamb and chicken) and vegetables to the surrounding markets as well as Dar es Salaam. The farm house is a well known spot to camp and is the overnight near our mid-way point for our journey from the ocean to the Malawi border.

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After our last night in Tanzania, we head through lush mountain passes, rich grazing land, and banana and tea plantations to the Songwe border post into Malawi.

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Relax on the beach, take a leisurely village walk or do the full day trip to Manchewe Falls where, after an 11 km hike, you can cool off in a natural bath. The surrounding hills are home to the Livingstonia Mission where David Livingstone worked from for a time while staying in Malawi. The views from here are simply magnificent and well worth the effort of hiking to. For those staying at the campsite, there is a local craft market where you can enjoy learning the ins and outs of woodcarving your own souvenir, or learn to play the game of Bao, haggle for some souvenirs or enjoy a relaxing day admiring the shimmering waters from the beach.

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Today we take a nice scenic drive through rubber plantations to Mzuzu the capital of the northern region and the third largest town in Malawi - where we stop for a short while to grab supplies and check out the markets, before arriving to Kande Beach. Try some of the optional water sports typically available, horse riding or else simply relax and enjoy the warm fresh waters of Lake Malawi. There is the opportunity to meet the local people, generally known as some of the friendliest in Africa, to gain insight into their way of life.

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Today you/’ll have some free time to try some of the water sports available including diving, snorkeling, and horse riding along the beach. Or simply relax and enjoy the warm fresh waters of Lake Malawi. There is the opportunity to meet the local people, by tradition very friendly, on an optional guided Village Walk, or you can simply head out and explore the lakeside, craft market and meet some of the locals.

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Saying our goodbye to the Lake, we head to the border crossing into Zambia to Chipata. Formally named Fort Jamerson, the border town has a population of approx. 98,000, and is the capital of Zambia/’s Eastern Province. The town has colorful fruit and vegetable markets and an unexpected number of ornate mosques due to its large Indian community. If time allows, we will stop in Chipata before arriving to our campsite situated a short distance from the town center.

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Today we leave early and take the Great Eastern Road through lush country and small villages, cross the Luangwa River to Lusaka, Zambia/’s capital. Lusaka is Southern Africa/’s fastest growing city with approx. 1.7 m inhabitants. It is located on Zambia/’s southern plateau at an elevation of 1300 m with four main highways running north, south, east and west to different parts of Africa. Our campsite for the evening is set in a tranquil and relaxing setting on a farm.

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We head south to Livingstone and set up camp at the Waterfront campsite on the banks of the Zambezi River, just a few kilometers from the Victoria Falls. At various times of year, the spray from the Falls can be seen from up to 20 or 30 kilometers away, hence the local name Mosi oa Tunya the Smoke that Thunders. Don/’t forget your raincoat to keep you and your camera dry.

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We have a free day in Livingstone today to explore the town, pop over to neighboring Zimbabwe or enjoy the many optional activities on offer such as rafting, bungee jumping, river cruises, flights over the falls, just to name a few.

Our tour ends after breakfast, but we highly recommend staying a few more days in the area in order to explore the Victoria Falls area to the full. Apart from the adventure activities already mentioned check out the markets, volunteer a day in some worthwhile local projects, or simply relax at the beautiful waterfront and watch the Zambezi River flow quickly past on its way to Victoria Falls.