East Africa

Tour members gather in Toronto for the overnight flights to Nairobi. 

Upon our late arrival in Nairobi, we'll be greeted and swiftly transported to our ideally located hotel near the city center.

Double Tree by Hilton (2 nights)

Start your day with a visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, where you'll witness adorable, orphaned baby elephants and rhinos up close. Following a delightful welcome lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant, known for its game meats, embark on a guided tour of the Karen Blixen Museum, dating back to 1914 and offering glimpses of Kenya's earlier era. Conclude the day by visiting the Giraffe Centre, with the opportunity to feed endangered Rothschild giraffes. 

Heading north, we traverse a rich agricultural region, home to the Kikuyu tribe, before entering a transitional zone that separates the populous central region from the arid north. Here, around the base of Mount Kenya, we discover an area known for its extensive game. Our camp, overlooking a floodlit waterhole, provides unforgettable opportunities to observe and capture photographs of animals in their natural habitat. After settling in, embark on your first thrilling game drive in this reserve, home to herds of impalas, lions, leopards, elephants, and crocodiles. 

Sweetwaters Luxury Tented Camp (2 nights)

Enjoy a thrilling full day of game viewing, commencing with an early morning drive when the light is optimal and wildlife is exceptionally active. Our route will trace the Ewaso Nyiro River, a renowned habitat teeming with game, drawn to the area's dry plains despite the ever-present predators. A standout feature of our stay awaits at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a unique haven established through collaboration between the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and the Jane Goodall Institute. Nestled within the riverine forest and savannah grassland, this sanctuary is home to 26 orphaned chimps, promising an unforgettable highlight of your journey. 

Venture through the Aberdare Mountains and into the Great Rift Valley, a complex rift system that extends through the heart of Africa and is considered the cradle of mankind. Today the region is known as a birder’s paradise. Lake Nakuru National Park hosts vibrant flocks of Lesser Flamingos and diverse game, including lions, leopards, rhinos, and hyenas. After lunch, indulge in a game drive around the lake before a comfortable overnight stay. 

Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge (1 night)

Continue your journey down the valley into the heart of the Masai Mara, Kenya’s renowned national reserve. Timed with the Great Migration, witness thousands of wildebeests and zebras roaming the extensive grasslands. Enjoy a late afternoon drive through this exciting reserve, home to a huge population of nomadic animals.

Mara Serena Lodge (3 nights) 

Explore the park's abundance of game, blessed with permanent water. At this time of year, you may witness vast herds of zebra and wildebeest, along with the predators that follow them. Usually, these herds arrive to feast on fresh grass and give birth to their young. Optional hot air balloon rides (at an additional cost) offer a unique perspective. 

Enjoy another spectacular day in Masai Mara.

A short flight brings you to Isibania, where we cross into Tanzania. Another flight takes us to the heart of the Serengeti, where we meet our new drivers/guides. Experience an afternoon game drive and unwind in a deluxe lodge overlooking the vast plains for the next three nights.

Serengeti Explorer Elewana (3 nights) 

Enjoy exhilarating 4x4 safari drives, featuring open tops for optimal game viewing, twice daily. Seek out diverse wildlife, from predators like cheetahs and hyenas to the renowned Big Five: elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, and perhaps even the occasional rhino. Relax by the pool during breaks between drives, immersing yourself in the captivating African ambiance.

Experience the magic of the Serengeti for another full day.

Embark on a captivating game drive to Olduvai Gorge, a significant paleoanthropological site nestled within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Delve into the remnants of ancient history, with footprints dating back over three million years, offering compelling evidence of early human existence. This site has unearthed fossil remains of over 60 hominins, tracing the most continuous and extensive known record of human evolution spanning the past 2 million years. It also boasts the lengthiest archaeological record of the evolution of stone-tool industries.

Retreat at Ngorongoro (2 nights)

This amazing caldera, located some 2,000 feet below the surrounding plains and covering just over 100 square miles, is home to an unbelievable density and variety of game. Spend the full day exploring its interior, searching for the elusive rhino and the rest of the Big Five. A picnic lunch adds to the adventure. 

Drive around the crater's edge to visit Gibbs Farm for lunch, a remnant of the colonial era, and a lush tropical oasis. Explore the unique underground homes of the Iraqw people before heading to Arusha for dinner and an overnight stay.

Arusha Serena Hotel (1 night)

After a leisurely morning, bid farewell to Tanzania as we transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for evening flights back to Canada.

Arriving Toronto this afternoon, we make connections to our homes across Canada.