CLASSIC KENYA SAFARI & ZANZIBAR

Day 1
Depart London.

Day 2
On arrival, we meet with those not travelling on the group flight at our joining hotel. We drive north to the edge of the escarpment over the Rift Valley before descending into the valley and running parallel to Lake Naivasha, arriving at Lake Elementaita after approximately three hours. This is one of Kenya's famous lakes and home to many thousands of flamingos. After lunch at the lodge there is plenty of time for an afternoon optional game walk (recommended) on which you might see plains game including gazelle, impala and sometimes giraffe as well as plenty of bird life. Alternatively you can simply relax by the pleasant hotel swimming pool with views down to the lake.

Day 3
Early start for a full day's game drive at Lake Nakuru, about 30 minutes away. The National Park (285 km sq) is world-renowned for its teeming flamingo population made famous by Denys Finch Hatton's flight over it in the film 'Out of Africa'. Nakuru is also the best place in East Africa for white rhino and it is not unusual to see at least a dozen in a day. Coupled with this, there is a healthy buffalo population, many other plains game and frequent leopard sightings. A picnic lunch is taken at one of the picturesque sites in the Park. We head back to Elementaita as the sunsets and enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Day 4 - 6
A long, beautiful and bumpy drive to the Mara, stopping for lunch in Narok. We will arrive in the Mara in the mid to late afternoon and after being shown to our large walk-in tents, there will be a short evening game drive. This is the first of several game drives in this remarkable game area. During time off you can relax in your private tents, the lounge area or the observation platform. If you fancy a lie-in one day or an optional nature walk, this can easily be arranged. It is the game and scenery that make this area so incredible: huge prides of predators feasting on an abundance of plains game. Once a year the plains darken with the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra. This is an astonishing spectacle of almost two million plains game searching for the best grass. It is impossible to predict the scale or the exact timings of the migration into the Mara as this varies from year to year but it occurs some time between July and October. At this time the plains game are relentlessly pursued by the big predators, including lions, leopards and cheetahs. The private camp, often has a pride of lion close-by and their call, accompanied by the cackle of the hyena, is a frequent night-time companion. As a climax, there is the also the option of taking a sunrise balloon ride over the African plains (subject to the weather conditions and availability)

Day 7
A final game drive or walk before a big breakfast fortifies you for the long journey back to Nairobi, with a picnic lunch en route, where we overnight in a hotel.

Day 8 - 10
In the morning we fly to Zanzibar and we transfer to Fumba Beach Lodge. The rooms are very comfortable and the cuisine is excellent. There are no other tourist developments in this area and the lodge is very peaceful. The rest of the day is free to relax on the beach, or by the pool. The beach is a tidal beach, so at low tide the surf is nearly 2 km out with a long stretch of shallow waters full of shells, starfish and crabs, while at high tide it's easy to go swimming. It's also possible to get a massage in the spa to fully relax. There is a snorkelling and diving centre on site, so both can be easily arranged and is a wonderful way to experience the underwater world with its array of multicoloured fish. A day excursion with snorkelling, sunbathing and a picnic lunch on a secluded island is highly recommended. During the excursion there is a very good chance to see the resident dolphins in Menai Bay. Alternatively you could simply relax by the swimming pool. Stone Town is within easy reach from the resort (approx. 30 minutes with a taxi) and you can explore its twisting, narrow streets, buy some souvenirs or visit the former slave market. Another option is a spice tour; much of inland Zanzibar is dominated by the production of exotic spices and we can visit several farms with a professional guide, with the chance to taste and buy! Please note that, while you will be met and briefed by an individual on arrival, you are not escorted at any stage on your Zanzibar portion of the tour.

Day 11
Morning at leisure; depart Zanzibar.

Day 12
Arrive London.