SAFARI IN TANZANIA & KENYA
Prepared for Tim Humphreys
ITINERARY
Day 1: Mount Kilimanjaro
Arrive into Kilimanjaro International Airport, a representative will assist you through customs and find your luggage. Your helicopter and pilot will be waiting to take you to Kili Villa for the night.
Kili Villa, 1 night.
Day 2: The Ngorongoro Crater
The following morning take off with a picnic breakfast for an early flight around Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. We continue on to the Northern Rift, some of the most spectacular scenic flying in Tanzania. We will land on the edge of Ol Doinyo Lengai, where we walk across to peer into the active volcano. The views of the Ngorongoro Highlands are spectacular here. Land at the Crater Airstrip where a vehcile will take you to the lodge.
Entamanu Ngorongoro, 1 night.
Day 3 - 4: Manyara and Tarangire
Spend the morning on a game drive in the Crater before flying to the next stop, Little Chem Chem, based by Lake Manyara.
Spend time out on games drives, on guided walks and relaxing at the lodge.
One morning we will fly to Lake Eyasi where we will meet the Hadzabe Tribe, join the tribe as they hunt and gather.
Little Chem Chem, 2 nights.
Day 5 - 6: Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
A charter plane will take you to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy via Kilimanjaro Airport and Wilson Airport to clear customs into Kenya.
E-biking, rhino tracking, guided walks, horse riding and game drives are some of the many activities offered on Lewa.
One morning we will fly up to Mount Kenya to fly around the peaks and land at one of the lakes for fly fishing and breakfast.
Sirikoi Tents, 2 nights.
Day 7 - 9: Northern Kenya
Take off for 7am with a packed picnic breakfast, fly up through the Mathews and Ndotos mountain range. Stopping for breakfast on Mount Ol Lolokwe.
Continue on to Lake Turkana the largest permanent desert lake in the world. We fly into Koros Camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon take the quadbikes out to a sundonwer location.
The following morning fly into the Chalbi desert where we land at an oasis to watch the Sand Grouse and potentially meet the Rendille tribe watering their livestock. Next we fly over Mount Kulal to South island where we meet the fishing boat. Spend the day out on the boat before ending at the fly camp. Camp out under the stars.
Fly up the eastern side of the lake to Central Island and Sibiloi to explore the petrified forest. Return to Koros camp for the night.
Koros Camp, 3 nights.
Day 10: Lake Baringo
Fly down the the Suguta Valley, past Lake Logipi, over crocodile pools and the sand dunes. We will stop at the Siale Crater where we meet the Pokot tribe. Next we fly over Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo. Our final night will be spent on Samatian Island in the centre of Lake Baringo.
Samatian Island, 1 night.
End of Safari
Fly to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your flight home.
TANZANIA
DAY 1
KILI VILLA
A relaxing and exciting start to your safari in Tanzania, in Kili Villa. The villa is located in the Dolly Estate with views of both Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Sit on the verrandah with an open fire or take a dip in the pool before the adventure begins.
* If you arrive on an early flight into Kilimanjaro International Airport then we can remove this night and add an additional night at Entamanu Ngorongoro instead.
DAY 2
MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Mount Kilimanjaro, the vast dormant volcano stands at 19,341 feet above sea level, the highest and most famous mountain in Africa. Mount Kili has three peaks, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira.
The peaks are topped with glaciers and often in cloud. A helicopter tour brings a new perspective to the grandeur of its slopes, the magnitude of life it supports and the beauty of its contours. We approach the mountain through West Kili, where you will gain a real perspective of how vast the mountain really is. We will fly up the Shira plateau, around Kibo and the ice fields down through the Saddle and below into the forests.
- THE NORTHERN RIFT -
LAKE NATRON & OL DOINYO LENGAI
A spectacular scenic flight over the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the volcanoes that make up the Northern Rift of Tanzania, a totally unique and dramatic area. The volcanic region of northern Tanzania has an incredible diversity of landscapes and is rich in Maasai culture.
Fly up Lake Manyara to the Ngorongoro Crater and over the highlands. Land at Ol Doinyo Lengai, where we walk across to the active volcano and peer into its bubbling crater. This conical mountain is known at the "Mountain of God' in Maasai. It is the only active volcano on the Eastern Rift. It is the coolest volcano in the world, being the only known volcano to erupt natrocarbonatite (sodium-rich) lave, which is half the temperature of typical glowing basaltic lava. Its lava fountains harden midair, then shatter like glass.
Next we fly to Lake Natron, a primeval-soup like shallow alkaline lake which is high in cynobacteria, an algae that releases a chemical which damages the cells, nervous system and liver of most of the organisms that consume it. These salt loving microorganisms thrive in this alkaline water, creating the rich red colour. The lake is a flamingo paradise as they do not have to contend with any predators and can feed on the algae, as a result 75% of the worlds population of lesser flamingo are born on the shores of Lake Natron.
ENTAMANU NGORONGORO
Entamanu Ngorongoro (meaning ‘circle’ in Maa) is the only place in the world where you can enjoy views into both the Crater and the Serengeti. Offering an unspoilt, unparalleled experience of the Crater, and the land and culture that surrounds it. It is a place to escape to, from which to learn and understand where the Crater fits as part of the wider environment.
Entamanu Ngorongoro has seven cottage-style rooms elevated on wooden platforms, with two family rooms made up of two full size rooms. Each room
has indoor heating and en-suite bathrooms with hot and cold running water, and flush loos. Every effort has been made to create comfort in this elemental place.
DAY 3 - 4
LAKE MANYARA & TARANGIRE
An alkaline lake surrounded by marshlands, grassy plains and acacia woodlands. Thousands of flamingos can be found on the lake shores and the park is also famous for its tree climbing lions. Hot springs are dotted around the shores of the lake, which you can even take a dip in!
THE HADZABE TRIBE
On the shores of Lake Eyasi, lives one of the world’s last hunter-gatherer tribe - the Hadzabe. They live a life unchanged for more than ten thousand years, hunting baboons, birds, antelope and buffalo with hand-made bows and arrows, in a hot desolate landscape. Their language, Hadzane, is rhythmic and punctuated by clicks, and believed to be the oldest language still spoken. You will have the opportunity to land and walk with the Hadza, accompanying them whilst they hunt.
LITTLE CHEM CHEM
Set amidst a canopy of ancient baobabs, this quintessential safari camp weaves understated luxury into every experience. Dine in the wilderness, and marvel at the abundance of wildlife surrounding you. From dawn to dusk, relish in the tranquillity and rhythmic pace of a slower Africa. Spend time in the beautiful mess tent and by the fire in the evenings.
The camp is made up of eight safari tents, each with an indoor and outdoor shower.
KENYA
DAY 5 - 6
LEWA WILDLIFE CONSERVANCY
- LAIKIPIA -
There is no landscape in Kenya, outside of National Parks, more crucial for the future of elephants than Laikipia. 7,000 elephants are protected by private and communal landowners and a network of inspiring conservation organizations. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is amongst this area, with 32,000 acres of conservation area. Home to the Black and White Rhino and a number of other endangered species, this conservancy is dedicated to the sustainable conservation of wildlife, habitat and building local livelihoods.
MOUNT KENYA
Iconic in shape and size, Mount Kenya is situated in the heart of Kenya, on the equator - its highest point ‘Batian’ reaches 5,199 meters. The snowy peaks can be seen on clear days from as far as Mt Kilimanjaro some 300 kilometers away. As you spend time at Arijiju, Mount Kenya will become a daily view, which makes it even more exciting to explore.
We will fly around the peaks of the mountain and land at Lake Alice or Lake Michaelson for a picnic breakfast. Almost inaccessible and well off the beaten track, they offer an exciting morning of fly fishing.
SIRIKOI LUXURY TENTS
Sirikoi is surrounded by 68,000 acres of pure wilderness, on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Lewa is a vital wildlife corridor connecting Kenya's wild and arid north with the lush Mt Kenya ecosystem.
Sirikoi has eight luxury tented rooms with a sitting area, leading on to its own private open deck. Breakfast, lunch and supper are served at the deck overlooking the watering hole where you will often spot elephant and other plains game.
DAY 7 - 9
- NORTHERN KENYA -
THE MATHEWS & NDOTOS
Within the Suguta Valley are the extensive and empty sand dunes, which adds to the incredible diversity of the landscape. The strong winds cause the dunes to constantly change. The Hoodoo and Painted Valleys are spectacularly interesting parts of the Great Rift Valley, geologists have been fascinated with this area studying ancient sediments and fossil remains, and pieced together the history of a lake that rose and fell multiple times over the past 18,000 years.
The largest alkaline desert lake in the world lies in Northern Kenya. One of the most remote and hostile places on Earth, with black volcanic rocks and soaring daytime temperatures. The lake covers an area of 6,405 kilometeres squared and stretches 290 kilometers in length. The lake is known for its striking turquoise color, leading to its nickname, the "Jade Sea."
The collapsed volcano of Nabuyatom lies at the southern end of Lake Turkana. Surrounded by jade waters, this is the most iconic feature on the lake’s shore.
LAKE TURKANA
THE CHALBI DESERT
Chalbi means bare and salty, once thought to be a dried up lake. The hottest and most arid place in Kenya. This desert stretches 100,000 square kilometers to the Ethiopian boarder. On the northern edge of the desert lies an area of oasis with groves of palm trees that attract sand grouse and other birds looking for food and water. The desert has areas of salt that are used by pastoralists as natural salt licks.
The southern part of the Chalbi is home to the Rendillie people, whislt the eastern part towards the Ethiopian boarder is home to the Gabra people.
KOROS CAMP
What started as a simple family base, has evolved into a unique six bed thatched cottage camp for the ultimate private retreat. In a remote and unspoilt spot, Koros Camp is nestled away amongst acacia trees and semi arid scrubland at the northern end of the South Horr valley.
The camp has a large open airy mess tent, with plenty of seating area to seek shade in the heat of the day. The plunge pool is perfect for cooling off and sunbathing on the built in beds.
FISHING ON LAKE TURKANA, QUAD BIKING & FLY CAMPING
The Lake sustains multiple species of fish, including Nile Perch - much sought after by avid anglers.
Exploring the arid landscape by quadbikes is a thrilling way to traverse the sandy luggas and rocky hillsides, whilst spotting a variety of wildlife - small and large!
DAY 10
THE SUGUTA VALLEY
Within the Suguta Valley are the extensive and empty sand dunes, which adds to the incredible diversity of the landscape. The strong winds cause the dunes to constantly change. The Hoodoo and Painted Valleys are spectacularly interesting parts of the Great Rift Valley, geologists have been fascinated with this area studying ancient sediments and fossil remains, and pieced together the history of a lake that rose and fell multiple times over the past 18,000 years.
POKOT TRIBE
The Silale crater is a vast caldera, carpeted by grasses and shrubs, located at the southern tip of the Suguta Valley. It is here where the Pokot tribe live. Stop on the edge of the crater to meet the Pokot tribe and allow them to showcase one of there spectacular traditional dances. The Pokot are nomadic pastoralists, independent and conservative by nature, with deep rooted cultural systems of governance.
SAMATIAN ISLAND
Samatian Island is set in the middle of Lake Baringo. The beauty of Baringo is legendary, with its spectacular sunsets, dazzling array of bird life, and the Njemps fishermen continuing a lifestyle little changed over 200 years. A truly beautiful fresh water lake - critical habitat for nearly 500 bird species, and home to hippo and crocodile.
