Highlights Of East Africa (2009)

Set off on safari this morning, driving south towards Amboseli, a park famous for its big game and superb views of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro. After lunch and a chance to get settled in, your afternoon is spent game viewing in this photogenic area. This evening enjoy a special welcome dinner and safari briefing. Amboseli Serena Lodge B L D

Leaving your lodge early this morning, you have a full day of game viewing in this area. At dawn, all the animals are moving, making this the most exciting time to view wildlife. Watch for elephant, zebra and wildebeest along the saltpan trails. Swamps and springs, fed by underground rivers from Kilimanjaro's melting snows, form permanent watering places for the wildlife in times of drought. The middle of the day is at leisure to relax before setting off in the late afternoon for a game drive. This is an ideal time of day to see predators as they begin to stir from the shade and roam onto the plains in search of prey. Amboseli Serena Lodge B L D

Today you clear immigration and customs before driving across the border into Tanzania, arriving in Arusha in time for lunch. Later, continue on to your next lodge, located in the Lake Manyara region. Lake Manyara, one of a chain of lakes in Africa's Great Rift Valley, is nestled at the foot of a spectacular 2,000-foot escarpment decorated by magnificent forests of towering mahogany trees and giant figs. Lake Manyara Serena Lodge B L D

This morning enjoy a game drive in Lake Manyara National Park. With its verdant foliage and variety of bird life, the park resembles a tropical rainforest. At the conclusion of your game drive, continue by road to quaint Gibb's Farm, where you stop for a farm-fresh lunch. After lunch, continue on to one of the most magnificent wildlife arenas in all of Africa, the Ngorongoro Crater. Ngorongoro Serena Lodge B L D

Today you drive down into the Ngorongoro Crater. The entire conservation area is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its geological and ecological importance. Up to 12 miles in diameter, the crater's grass prairies are an ideal haven for animals, and you may see lion, elephant, hyena, wildebeest and gazelle. Even the rare and elusive black rhinoceros, one of Africa's most endangered species, is a resident here. Following a picnic lunch in the crater, visit a Maasai Village to gain insight into this fascinating culture. Ngorongoro Serena Lodge B L D

This morning, drive to the vast Serengeti plains. On your way, stop at Olduvai Gorge where the Leakey family discovered many fossilized remnants of human ancestors. Descend to the gorge and enjoy a privately guided visit of this renowned archaeological site. From here, continue your drive into the arid and spectacular country of Serengeti National Park. Serengeti Serena Lodge

The Serengeti's breathtaking panorama of plains, rivers and rocky outcroppings reveal resident populations of wildlife. Spend your day on morning and afternoon safaris, searching for the large predators, including lion, leopard, cheetah and their herbivorous prey. Serengeti Serena Lodge B L D

Board your flight to the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya's finest wildlife spectacle. A vast expanse of plain with its resident animals, the Masai Mara is the height of your safari. In the Mara you find the greatest concentration of species in Kenya. The action never seems to stop and the chain of command begins with the Mara's lion population, the largest in the country. Mara Intrepids Club B L D

Spend two days in savannah country. Drive across the limitless plains in search of abundant game in one of Kenya's most beautiful areas. Running along the Tanzanian border, the Mara forms an essential part of the Serengeti ecosystem. Here lies the destination of the annual wildebeest migration, where more than one million wildebeest, accompanied by zebra and gazelle, stampede their way north to graze the Mara's lush grasses. The lion population is very large and presents excellent photographic opportunities. Your final evening in the Mara concludes with a special "Farewell to Africa" dinner. Mara Intrepids Club B L D

Return to Nairobi, with free time prior to this evening's international flight. B

Connect with your homebound flight.