Tour Overview
SAFARI OVERVIEW
This is a luxury safari inspired by the Lion King movie and ideal for families. The Masai Mara and Serengeti ecosystem is one of the biggest homes to the highest number of Lions in the world. Some of the biggest blacked maned males are also found here. During this flying safari, you not only get a change to get up close with the KING OF THE JUNGLE in the natural habitat, you also encounter the BIG 5, tens of other mammal species and over 450 bird species found in the region. Kids love this safari that offers them an opportunity to encounter modern day Mufasa, Simba, Nala, Timon, Zazu, Rafiki, Shenzi, Scar, Pumba, among others in their element. We combine your wilderness experience with stays at some of the most luxurious hotels and tented camps in the region. This ensures that you get that ultimate African safari experience, as well as enjoy opulence, luxury and comfort in the middle of the African savannah.
Day 01
Arrival in Nairobi
Arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where your Essenia safari manager will meet and assist you to your private vehicle. You will be transferred to your city hotel and assisted with check in formalities followed by pre-safari briefing. Rest of the day at leisure with dinner on own account. Overnight stay at The Villa Rosa Kempinski Nairobi / similar. (Bed and breakfast basis)
Day 2
Nairobi / Masai Mara National Reserve
Early breakfast, check out followed by and transfer to Wilson Airport for your morning flight to Masai Mara. Arrival after about 45 minutes and met at the local airstrip and transferred in a 4 x 4 game drive vehicle to your tented camp with game viewing en route. Check in followed by lunch. This evening, you will enjoy shared game viewing activities as per camp’s schedule. From the moment you land in the Mara you will be captivated by the sights and sounds.
Settle in before embarking on your first game drive. You should get to see a host of familiar characters, including Zazu and his fellow red-billed hornbills, gatherings of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion and cheetah, alongside wildebeest and zebra. At the camp there are many resident warthogs, so look out for ‘Pumba’. Dinner and overnight at Sanctuary Olonana Tented Camp / similar. All Inclusive basis).
Day 03 and Day 04
Masai Mara
Early morning and late afternoon shared game drives in search of the BIG 5; Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino, and Leopard and several other animals including Impalas, Gazelles, Wildebeests, Hyenas, Topis, Zebras, Giraffes and over 450 bird species are resident to this world-famous reserve. The annual Wildebeests Migration from Serengeti to Masai Mara also takes place here between July and October when millions of Wildebeests and Zebras closely trailed by the Big Cats cross the Mara River and roam the reserve’s plains in search of greener pastures.
Masai Mara offers that natural setting to get up close with the pristine African wilderness and you may also try a Hot Air Balloon or visit a Masai Village during your stay. Rest of the time at leisure in your tented camp where you may just rest of enjoy a swim. All meals and overnight stay at Sanctuary Olonana Tented Camp / similar. All Inclusive basis).
Day 05
Masai Mara / Serengeti
Breakfast will be served from 0630 hrs. Check out and enjoy a game drive enroute to the airstrip for your scheduled morning flight back to Serengeti (May be via Wilson Airport or Tarime border). Arrival in Serengeti airstrip, met and transferred to your luxury camp. Afternoon game viewing as per your camp’s schedule. Overnight stay Sanctuary Kichakani Tented Camp / Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp (All Inclusive basis).
Day 06 and Day 07
Serengeti National Park
Two Full days spent in Serengeti either relaxing at your lodge or enjoying game viewing activities in the seemingly endless Serengeti Plains as per your arrangement with your guide. You may agree on game drives at 0630 and 1600 hrs respectively with the rest of the time spent at your luxury lodge, or a near full day of game viewing in the park with packed lunch.
(This day, you can also enjoy an early morning Hot Air Balloon Safari over the seemingly endless Serengeti plains, offering you a rare opportunity to view the Serengeti beautiful landscape and wildlife from an eagle’s perspective. This is payable as an extra and must be done in ADVANCE due to limited space).
Serengeti derived from the name “Siringet” which means endless plains in Masai Language hosts the Great Plains where the endless streams of wildebeest and zebra pour south towards Ngorongoro or north towards the Masai Mara during their annual migration. The park is home to the BIG 5 and other species including Hyenas, Cheetahs, Caracals, Serval Cats and several bovine species. It is also home to hundreds of bird species including vultures, Eagles and Marabou Storks. Overnight stay Sanctuary Kichakani Tented Camp / Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp (All Inclusive basis.
Day 08
Serengeti – Arusha / Kilimanjaro Airport / Departure
Breakfast will be served at your lodge. Check out and enjoy en route game viewing as you are transferred to Seronera airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Arusha departing at 1100 hrs. Arrival at Arusha airport at around 1215 hrs where we will meet and transfer you to a hotel for lunch, followed by transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your evening or night departure flight to your next destination.
