Departure dates from the United States

24 February 2012

30 March 2012

3 May 2012

17 May 2012

31 May 2012

15 June 2012

13 July 2012

Day 1

Depart from New York (JFK) or Washington Dulles (IAD) for your South African Airways flight to South Africa and onward connection to Nairobi.

Day 2

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, you will be met by an Africa Classic Escapes representative who will assist with your transfer to your hotel.

Overnight on a Bed and Breakfast basis at the Sarova Stanley Hotel

Day 3

This morning after breakfast, you will be met by our customer care representative who will brief you on your program ahead before driving to the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve, backdrop to 'the greatest wildlife spectacle on earth', the annual migration of over one million wildebeest.

Arrive in time for lunch.

Sarova Mara is set in the African bush but the luxurious tents all have permanent roofs, zip-up fronts, and electricity and en-suite facilities. Relaxing outside your own tent listening to the orchestra of rasping Cicadas, croaking Tree Frogs and the intermittent call of birds and monkeys is a memorable symphony.

Spend the afternoon on safari in Kenya's most popular reserve.

Arrive back in camp in time for a swim, a hot shower, campfire cocktails and dinner in the luxurious central restaurant.

Overnight on a Full Board basis at Mara Sarova

Day 4

The day will be spent on safari in Africa's richest wildlife viewing arena. Historically teeming with wildlife, the Mara hosts Kenya's largest lion prides and elephant herds. Other predators include leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena; while in the Mara River you will see fat pods of hippo and vast Nile crocodiles. Other highlights include giraffe, gazelle, zebra, buffalo and over 550 species of birds. Spend the evening in camp where colorful Masai dance and cultural performances are offered nightly.

Optional activities abound while you’re in the Maasai Mara. You can try a balloon safari (at an additional cost) for an exhilarating experience over the savannah as the early sun rises and the animals are more active. If you wish, for a nominal fee, you can also visit a Maasai Village to experience this nomadic tribe’s way of life and see their colorful culture.

Overnight on a Full Board basis at Mara Sarova Camp

Day 5

After breakfast drive south to Lake Nakuru which is the most famous of the Great Rift Valley lakes and home to a shifting population of over one million flamingos. Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge which enjoys sweeping views across the lake.

Lion Hill Lodge impresses every guest with its panoramic view of the pink shoreline created by millions of flamingos on Lake Nakuru. The lodge is situated within the Lake Nakuru National Park Rift Valley Province and is surrounded by natural flora and fauna in its beautiful grounds.

Spend the afternoon on safari in Kenya's first and largest rhino sanctuary where sightings of both black and white rhino are almost guaranteed and where you have a higher than average chance of spotting a leopard. Other wildlife includes; lion, hippo, the rare Rothschild's giraffe, Columbus monkey, numerous plains game and 450 species of birds.

Overnight on a Full Board basis at Sarova Lionhill

Day 6

This morning after breakfast, drive to Amboseli National Park which is famous for its large elephant population roaming across the vast grassy plains, the Big Five, and the majestic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa among other species of flora and fauna.

Enjoy a delicious Brazilian steak at Pampa Grill Nairobi before proceeding to Amboseli in the late afternoon for a game drive.

Your accommodation at Amboseli Serena Lodge is set against the magnificent backdrop of Africa's highest mountain, the glittering Mount Kilimanjaro and enjoys a uniquely privileged position at the heart of this world-famous national park.

Overnight on a Full Board basis at Amboseli Serena

Day 7

Full day in the Amboseli National Park with two game drives.

You drive through this vast lake bed, which is often dry but swampy in some areas. Game here is in abundance, where cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, gazelles and herds of elephants all set against the amazing back drop of majestic Mount Kilimanjaro showing all its glory, may be seen.

If you wish, for a nominal fee (not included in the cost), you can also visit a Maasai Village to experience this nomadic tribe’s way of life and see their colorful culture.

Overnight on a Full Board basis at Amboseli Serena

Day 8

After breakfast, drive to the famous Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area (NCCA), which features rolling plains, lakes, craters, mountains and dormant volcanoes. Journey up the side of the vast Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site, which is one of the largest volcanic craters in the world (almost 20 kilometers wide, 610-760 metres deep and covering a total area of 264 sq km).

A hot lunch will be served at the Arusha Hotel before proceeding to Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge which enjoys one of the finest views in the world. Spend the rest of the day at leisure at this unique lodge that clings to the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, the largest and most perfect volcanic crater on earth. Long and low, the lodge is built from local river stone and camouflaged with indigenous vines. Designed to blend completely into the landscape, it is entirely invisible from the floor of the crater 600 metres below.

Overnight on a Full Board basis at Ngorongoro Serena

Day 9

Today after breakfast, you will descend into the ‘8th Wonder of the World' , a unique biosphere that has remained virtually unchanged since the dawn of time. Enclosed within its towering walls are grasslands, swamps, forests, saltpans, a fresh water lake and a glorious variety of birdlife. Here too are all the members of the ‘Big Five’ (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo) as well as a large cast of plains game and one of Africa’s densest populations of predators.

Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor before climbing back up to the lodge in time for some relaxation before dinner.

Overnight on a Full Board basis at Ngorongoro Serena

Day 10

After breakfast, leave the NCCA and cross into the neighboring Serengeti National Park, stopping en route at Ol Duvai Gorge. Known as the ‘Cradle of Mankind’, this is one of the most important pre-historic sites in the world. Pioneered by famous paleontologists Louis and Mary Leakey in the 1950s it offers a glimpse into life two million years ago.

Arrive at Serengeti Serena in time to relax and enjoy a classic safari supper.

Overnight on a Full Board basis at Serengeti Serena

Day 11

The next two days will be spent in the Serengeti, enjoying full day game viewing drives with meals being taken in true safari style ‘in the vast and sensational Serengeti' , which covers 14,763 sq km of endlessly rolling savannah. Venue for ‘the greatest wildlife show on Earth’, the annual migration of over one million wildebeest, the park is also renowned for its lions, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes and plains game.

Overnight on a Full Board basis at Serengeti Serena

Day 12

Enjoy game viewing activities today.

Overnight on a Full Board basis at the Serengeti Serena

Day 13

After breakfast, drive to beautiful Lake Manyara, a shallow alkaline lake that shimmers in a cleft in the Great Rift Valley.

Arrive in time for lunch at your lodge, which stands on the edge of the escarpment, overlooking the lake.

Later in the afternoon, enjoy game viewing in this small but uniquely diverse national park, which is home to the world-famous tree-climbing lions, thousands of flamingoes and nearly 500 species of birds.

Later return to the lodge in time for a swim in the stunning horizon pool and dinner in the elegant central dining room.

Overnight on a Full Board basis at Lake Manyara Serena

Day 14

Today drive to Arusha, enjoy a delicious buffet meal at the Arusha Hotel before continuing to Nairobi as you enjoy the wonderful views of the country side.

Overnight on a Bed and Breakfast basis at Sarova Stanley

Day 15

Today enjoy some last minute shopping.

Later, transfer to Nairobi for your outbound flight to Johannesburg and onward connection to the United States.

Day 16

Arrival in the United States at New York (JFK) or Washington Dulles (IAD) airports.

Includes

Round trip coach air on South African Airways from New York (JFK) or Washington (IAD) Airport to South Africa OR Tambo International Airport ~ Regional coach air in South Africa as per the itinerary (Johannesburg - Nairobi - Johannesburg) ~ Accommodation as per the itinerary ~ Most meals as per the itinerary (13 x breakfast, 11 x lunch, 11 x dinner) ~ Ground transfers as per the itinerary ~ All park fees and safari activities.

Excludes

Add on air from other US cities ~ Any meals or services not mentioned above ~ Any items of personal expense - i.e. drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc ~ Gratuities for rangers/guides/drivers