Tour Details
EAST AFRICAN EXPLORER (SOPA LODGES): 2015 – 2016
Number of Days: 13 Days
Days of Operation: Tuesday& Thursday
REVISED DAYS OF OPERATION. SATURDAY DEPARTURE CANCELLED
DAY 04 ACCOMODATION CHANGED TO LAKE NAKURU SOPA LODGE
Safari Departure and Arrival timings
Safari Briefing: Day 02 at 0700hrs approx.
Departs on Day 02: 0730hrs approx.
Returns on Day 13: 1900hrs approx. (flights to be booked 2300hrs onwards)
Pick up point Day 02: Safari Park Hotel
Drop off point: Intercontinental Hotel or JKI Airport
An African safari touches something deep within all of us, for it is an experience that will never be forgotten. The following two safari options follow the same route and combine intriguing cultures, beautiful landscapes and an excellent opportunity for spotting the Big-5. The driver-guides are all very experienced and will certainly make this safari feel special.
Day 1 Nairobi
Upon arrival into Nairobi, you will be met and transferred to the Safari Park Hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at Safari Park Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis
Suggested Optional Nairobi Excursions for Early morning arrivals (clients will be transferred to Eka Hotel on arrival for breakfast on own arrangements and then continue with the excursion).
Daphne Sheldricks Excursion
Out of Africa Excursion
(Please refer to separate local excursion rate sheet for pricing and other Nairobi local excursions).
Safari Park Hotel
Situated only 10km from the city centre and 20km from the international airport, the lively Safari Park Hotel is really an African-themed resort providing deluxe accommodation in 64 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and indigenous forest. All of the 204 distinctively designed and decorated rooms are airy and contain television, bathroom facilities and private balconies. Its six restaurants are excellent and cater to all tastes, including Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Italian, English and African. There is also a casino, several bars, health club, tennis and squash courts (golf nearby) and some of Kenya’s most advanced business and conference facilities.
Day 2 Nairobi – Masai Mara National Reserve
Leaving Nairobi after breakfast, you’ll travel towards Kenya’s fertile highlands and head down the Rift Escarpment on a road built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II. Look for the charming chapel they built at the foot of the escarpment.
You’ll pass the impressive Longonot earth satellite station as you head across the Valley to Narok, and then travel across acres of wheat and barley, before you reach the Masai Mara in time for lunch. Following lunch and a siesta, there is an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets.
Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Mara Sopa Lodge
The lodge is set in the Oloolaimutia Valley and built into the surrounding hillside landscape. The accent around the lodge is on the indigenous Masai people and the fabulous wealth of wildlife, birdlife and natural flora seen in every direction. The lodge is luxuriously appointed with all the mod cons one would expect from a Sopa styled lodge in the bush. The bedrooms are spacious, the large pool has wonderful views and there’s evening wildlife films and CNN to enjoy during the down-time. All this ensures that your stay will be blissfully comfortable.
Day 3 Masai Mara National Reserve
After an early breakfast, clients will depart on a morning game drive, returning to the lodge for lunch. After a siesta set off for an afternoon game drive and visit to the Masai Village, returning to the lodge as the sun sets. (It is possible to pre-book an optional early morning Balloon Safari)
Overnight at Mara Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Day 4 Masai Mara – Lake Nakuru
Leaving the Masai Mara after breakfast travel across the ‘breadbasket’ of Kenya, where acres of wheat and barley litter the landscape as you head north to Narok, the district headquarters of this part of Maasailand. Now travel across the vast plains on the floor of the Rift Valley, keeping an eye out for herds of giraffe and gazelle as you head up the Mai -Mahiu, before arriving at Lake Nakuru around midday. Once in the park, view game en route to the lodge. Following lunch and a siesta, there is an afternoon game drive returning to the lodge as the sun sets. The national park, known for its birdlife, offers a possibility to view flamingoes. It is also home to Black and White rhinos as well as the endangered Rothschild Giraffe.
Overnight at Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge on a full board basis.
Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge
Located on a range of hills that form the western limits of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, the newest member of the Sopa family, Lake Nakuru Sopa Lodge offers spectacular views over the vastness of Africa.
Overlooking Lake Nakuru and its surrounding National Park, it is a paradise for bird watchers and wildlife lovers alike.
Only a two leisurely hours’ drive from Nairobi, through beautiful forested uplands and passing a series of lake, on the outskirts of the bustling market town of Nakuru, lies a truly remarkable national park which has achieved international fame. Both black and white rhino are being given a new lease of life in this 188 sq km, fully-fenced park – and they are carefully protected. The present rhino population is over 50 and continuing to multiply. The Rothschilds giraffe is another rarity and the park has its fair share of buffalo, leopard, zebra, eland, waterbuck and lion.
Day 5 Lake Nakuru – Amboseli National Park
After an early breakfast continue to Lake Naivasha for a boat ride. Later, leaving the Rift Valley behind, proceed to Nairobi for an early lunch (or picnic lunch dependent on road conditions). Later head south towards Amboseli arriving at your lodge by late afternoon.
Overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Amboseli Sopa Lodge
Set on 200 acres of private land on the foothills of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, the lodge is perfectly poised to provide a luxurious base from which to explore the park and get some great pictures of this incredible mountain. The lodge is also close to where Ernest Hemingway lived whilst writing his famous novel, The Snows of Kilimanjaro. Each of the 47 rooms has their own private veranda on which to relax, sunbathe and take in the views. All rooms are en suite, with walk-in shower, lavatory, wash basin and shaving socket – they’re all modern, spacious and comfortable. Meals are a cosmopolitan combination of European, African and Asian dishes, all made with fresh produce and served from a colourful buffet. There are also several bars, a great pool, TV lounge and many other small niceties that make this a superb location.
Day 6 Amboseli National Park
Depart the lodge after a sumptuous breakfast for a full day game drive, enjoy a hot picnic lunch at a picnic site returning to the lodge at 1600hrs.
Overnight at Amboseli Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Day 7 Amboseli – Lake Manyara
After breakfast, you continue the journey to the Tanzania border post and then on to Arusha for lunch. After lunch, drive across the Masai Steppe to the Great Rift Valley. Here, your hotel is perched high on the rim overlooking the park below.
Overnight at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge on a full board basis
Lake Manyara Serena Lodge
It would be difficult to find a more dramatic setting than the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge. Situated at the edge of an escarpment, this deluxe lodge overlooks both the Great Rift Valley, which formed millions of years ago, and the beautiful soda lake of Manyara with is lavish supply of bird life. The birds themselves have provided the inspiration for the lodge’s architecture. Graceful, curving and free flowing, it is built in the local circular style and exudes an atmosphere of peacefulness where man and nature co-exist. From the patterns in the reception area resembling bird migration paths, to the soft geometric designs in the bedrooms, there is barely a single straight line in its design. The bar and restaurant offer guests both indoor and outdoor seating at each meal. Sumptuous menus, buffets and barbecues are served to guests alongside authentic African dishes.
Day 8 Lake Manyara – Serengeti
After breakfast enter your safari vehicle and spend the morning exploring and driving through Lake Manyara National Park. About midday return to the lodge for lunch and then depart for Serengeti National Park with some game viewing en route arriving at your lodge as the sun begins to set.
Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Serengeti Sopa Lodge
The Serengeti Sopa lodge is located in the Nyarboro Hills in the south west of the Serengeti National Park and is the only tourism development in this section of the park. Year round water and the acacia woodland in this area create an ideal environment for the wide variety of wildlife seen in the immediate vicinity of the lodge. Looking out over the seemingly endless Serengeti plains, this hill side lodge is a tranquil oasis set in thousands of square kilometres of Serengeti National Park. The lodge can accommodate around 170 guests in 79 suites, each enjoying wall-to-wall carpeting, a private lounge with a mini bar, a bedroom with two queen size beds and ample room for a third guest.
Each has a private veranda which offers stunning views over the plains. As the sun sets, you may enjoy sundowner cocktails by the pool, and in the evening, after a 4-course dinner, traditional dancers entertain guests. Slide presentations are also held daily by resident naturalists.
Day 9 Serengeti National Park
Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park exploring this famous park and all that it has to offer.
Overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Day 10 Serengeti National Park – Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast you depart for Ngorongoro with a picnic lunch viewing game across the vast Serengeti plains, after a picnic lunch you continue towards the crater with a short visit of a Masai Village. Late afternoon continue to your lodge, set high on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater for dinner and overnight
Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge
The lodge is located on Lemala Hill on the uppermost eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, making this the only tourist development on the eastern rim of the crater. The views into the crater floor from here are spectacular and sunsets magnificent. Another major advantage here is that guests can enjoy a safari begins within five minutes of leaving the lodge, as the park gate is very close. The lodge is tastefully decorated, spacious and all the bedrooms are modern, comfortable and equipped with everything one would expect from a hotel of this class. With an altitude of 2,375 metres, the lodge experiences cool and even cold weather, especially during the winter months of June and July when temperatures can get as low as 10′ C. However, guests enjoy sunshine during most of the year and must take care when sunbathing by the pool due to the altitude. The food and service here is stylish with meals being a massif collection of delicious international and Tanzanian dishes.
Day 11 Ngorongoro Crater
A highlight awaits you this morning as you depart to explore what is commonly referred to as the World’s largest natural wildlife zoo. After breakfast, you descend with a picnic lunch through the early morning mists and 2,000 feet into the crater. Ngorongoro Crater is the World’s largest intact volcanic caldera. Due to its size and diversity, the crater floor is comprised of several distinct areas, ranging from forest, swamps, lakes and springs, to open grassland and some sandy dunes. It’s an awesome wildlife experience. You return to the lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on a full board basis
Day 12 Ngorongoro Crater – Tarangire National Park
Departing Ngorongoro Crater after breakfast and head south east en route to Lake Manyara, Mto wa Mbu village and Tarangire beyond. Through the highlands and the Karatu district, you’ll view the scenic wheat plains and coffee plantations here before journeying down the spectacular escarpment where you turn south on to the main Arusha – Dodoma road and into the park. From here to the lodge, you’ll enjoy a game drive en route to your lodge. After lunch and perhaps a swim, the remainder of the afternoon will be spent on a game drive.
Overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge on full board basis
Tarangire Sopa Lodge
Tarangire is recognised as one of the best parks on the northern circuit for elephant viewing during the dry season and Tarangire Sopa is ideally placed to experience this. The lodge welcomes guests to its vast marble-floored reception area with cold flannels and iced juice. In the pretty gardens a large circular pool with a central island, a pool bar and elegant wooden loungers demonstrates the lodge’s commitment to comfort. Delicious barbecue lunches are often served here. A broad veranda wraps itself around the lodge and gives prime viewing for the waterhole below, which is filled during the dry season and becomes a magnet to wildlife. The rooms at the lodge are simple, comfortable and spacious and arranged in groups of four, in African-style buildings. Large sliding doors open to a private balcony.
Day 13 Tarangire National Park – Nairobi
Depart Tarangire after breakfast and drive back to Arusha arriving in time for lunch. After lunch you continue the journey by road to Nairobi arriving in Nairobi late afternoon and proceed for dinner in Nairobi city centre before drop off at JKIA airport or City centre Hotel.
Sole Travellers
Participants travelling alone must pay an additional $66.00 (in addition to the single room supplement) to cover the cost of arrival and departure transfers). Sole travellers will only be confirmed when at least two people have confirmed on a departure.
Child/Third Adult Rates
- Children younger than age 7 are not permitted on our seat in vehicle safaris. We welcome young children on private safaris.
- One child aged 7-11 years sharing with 2 adults pays 50% of safari cost
- Two children aged 7-11 years sharing their own room pay 75% of adult rate
- Third adult rate, same as per person sharing
Cost Includes
- Meet and greet services with assistance at the airport or border
- All safari transport and game drives in Kenya will be in 4×4 safari vehicles (with seven window seats) with an English speaking driver-guide on shared basis
- All Airport transfers in Kenya and travel between Kenya and Tanzania may be in coach or safari bus
- All safari transport and game drives in Tanzania will be in a 4×4 with an English speaking driver-guide on shared basis (with seven window seats)
- Maximum of 7 passengers per vehicle
- Meals and accommodation as specified
- All park fees and government taxes
- ½ litre bottle mineral water per person per day on game drives
Cost Excludes
- Visas and international flights/regional flights
- Airport taxes (clients pay direct)
- Driver-guide gratuities, drinks, dining rooms tips and porterage
- Personal travel, baggage and medical insurance
- Telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature
- Extra transfer requests – applicable as per contract
Additional remarks
- Cancellation policy as per agent’s agreement or as per our Price and Travel Planner if no fixed contract is in place. Please request any further information on this if required.
- We may have to re-route the itinerary or accommodate in similar lodges in case of non-availability.
- Prices for domestic flights, airport taxes park fees and government taxes may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will be passed to you.
- This safari combines other programmes.
Passenger Information
- Passengers should bring only soft sided bags on safaris.
- Passengers arriving to Tanzania may be asked to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
- Travellers’ cheques generally are not accepted in East Africa. US bank notes cannot be older than 2004 and must have the most current security markings (large portrait of the presidents).
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