Valerie & Debra

Day 1: Mwanza – Serengeti National Park
This morning you will be picked up at the Karibu Montessori School and travel overland to Serengeti National Park arriving in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. Overnight at the Serengeti

Day 2: Serengeti National Park
George Adamson, co-raiser of Elsa the lioness, and husband of “Born Free” author Joy Adamson, visited the Serengeti in the early sixties and described the experience in “Pride and Joy”, his autobiography. At this time he considered it probably the greatest of all game reserves in Africa and one man was mainly responsible – Bernhardt Grzimek, Director of Frankfurt Zoo. The Serengeti had suffered terribly from over-zealous hunting in the 1930’s and from large scale killing of game during the war. Grzimek applied himself to the tensions between the Maasai’s need for grazing and the indigenous wildlife. He and his son carried out a massive survey, using planes to quantify the game, and identify and log the plant life. He used his best seller “Serengeti Shall Not Die” to raise funds and publicize the exercise. Thanks to the Grzimeks and John Owen who established a renowned scientific research establishment there, the Serengeti still has an amazing concentration of wildlife.
The vast, flat central plains, made fertile by the ashes of the nine volcanoes of the Ngorongoro highlands, are places of huge skies, of shimmering heat hazes, yet also of delicate wild flowers blooming after the rains. The savannah, sprinkled with Acacia Tortilis, has majestic termite mounds and rock formations called kopjes, which make great vantage points for predators. The lion are abundant, the leopard are plentiful (yet still secretive) and black rhino and cheetah both breed here. There are more than 500 species of bird and, interestingly, 100 sub-species of dung beetle – a sign of a varied animal population! Ndutu, in the south, has small lakes where you may see hippo and water birds.
Spend the day at the Serengeti National Park with early morning and afternoon game drives. Overnight at the Serengeti

Day 3: Serengeti – Ngorongoro Conservation Area
After breakfast, drive to Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact caldera in the world. Its enduring charm stems from its overwhelming physical beauty and the abundance of wildlife permanently resident on the crater floor. En route visit one of the most fascinating attractions in the area, Olduvai Gorge, where an old river has carved away the rock to expose layer upon layer of volcanic soil. This is where Dr Louis and Mary Leakey found the remains of hominids “Nutcracker Man” and “Tool Making Man”. The “Cradle of Mankind” now has a visitor centre where you may hear a short lecture on the work of the Leakey’s and their successors and a small museum where you may see some of their finds, including a giant giraffe – it is hard to believe that they were once even taller! Arrive in time to have lunch at the lodge. Overnight at Ngorongoro

Day 4: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
In the Great Rift Valley lays the wonderful Ngorongoro Crater, one of the wonders of the natural world. It is an extinct volcano that collapsed in on itself around 25 million years ago thus forming a vast super bowl where the largest permanent concentration of African game is on display.
The central bowl, the caldera, has sides roughly 1,950 feet high and a flattish centre with a diameter of about ten miles. The views from the top of the crater wall are absolutely breathtaking. The crater walls are forested but four wheel drive vehicles will take you down into this primeval paradise of woodland, lake, river, swamp and plain that shelters around 20,000 animals. Many of these are the large grazing animals such as wildebeest, buffalo, gazelle and zebra that depend on the open grasslands in the crater. These attract the attendant predators, the black-maned lion, the leopard and hyena. The elephant found within the caldera tend to be the lone males who have left the herds in the forested crater rim.
When the water stocks are low elsewhere the animals within this micro-world turn to the swamps for fresh water and food. Elephants feed on the giant sedges and hippo wallow in the pools. The Fever Tree forests shelter monkeys, bushbuck and waterbuck and the few black rhino that have taken refuge here. A soda lake, fed by the Munge River attracts water birds, including flamingos and is a favourite place for predators to make their kill. Wildly beautiful as it is, it is not surprising that Ngorongoro Crater has been called a Garden of Eden. The conservation area also encompasses several other volcanoes, one of which, Oldonyo Lengai, is still live.
Enjoy a half day tour of the crater floor returning to the lodge for lunch. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Ngorongoro

Day 5: Ngorongoro – Lake Manyara
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast marveling at the sweeping views of the crater from your lodge. Afterwards drive to Lake Manyara National Park, one of the Rift Valley’s numerous alkaline lakes, which apart from its abundant bird life, is known for its tree-climbing lions. Arrive for lunch at the lodge.
Cradled in the glory of its surroundings below the sheer majesty of the Rift Valley, Lake Manyara lays Serena, spreading in a heat haze backed by a thin green band of forest and the sheer 600 metre red and brown cliffs of the escarpment. Lake Manyara National Park is about 330 sq km (205 sq miles), of which about 200 sq km (125 sq miles) is lake. A wedge of surprisingly varied vegetation sustains a wealth of wildlife, nourished by chattering streams bubbling out of the escarpment base and waterfalls spilling over the cliff. Acacia woodland shelters the park’s famous but elusive tree-climbing lions, along with squadrons of mongoose feasting on the trail of buffalo and elephant. Deep in the south of the park, hot springs bubble to the surface in the shadow of the escarpment. Hippos wallow near the lake’s edge. The park hosts 400 species of birds. Manyara’s most stunning feature is the lake, which covers two-thirds of the park’s surface. Tinted pink by the myriad flamingos that make their home here. It is considered the best place in northern Tanzania to observe hippo.
This afternoon enjoy a game drive until sunset. Overnight at Lake Manyara

Day 6: Tarangire National Park
After breakfast drive to Tarangire National park, arriving in time for lunch at your lodge.
Tarangire National Park is located only 120 km from Arusha and south east of Lake Manyara National Park is famous for its dense wildlife population, which is most spectacular between June and December. During this time of the year, thousands of animals migrate from dry savannah grasslands to Tarangire River looking for water. Among other species to be seen at Tarangire are Rhino, Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Warthog, Eland, the Fringe-eared Oryx, Lesser and Greater Kudu, Gerenuk, and large numbers of Impala. The park is also famous for tree-climbing Pythons and abundant bird life.
This afternoon enjoy a game drive until sunset. Overnight at Tarangire

Day 7: Arusha
After breakfast say good bye to the animals and travel overland to Arusha, located at the foot of Mount Meru, Africa’s fifth highest mountain. The altitude gives the city a pleasant climate and lush green environment. Overnight in Arusha

Day 8: Arusha
After breakfast, enjoy a full day Mount Kilimanjaro hiking. This morning you will be transferred to the gate at Kilimanjaro National Park at Marangu, from here you will trek through lush forest to Mandara Hut at 2,750 m where you can have a picnic lunch or continue climbing to Maundi Crater. From here you will start your descent back down to Marangu Gate which takes approximately 2 hours. You will meet your driver at the gate and return back to the hotel. Overnight in Arusha

Day 9: Arusha – Zanzibar
This morning after breakfast you will transferred to Arusha airport for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar departing at 1215hrs, arriving at 1345hrs. On arrival at Zanzibar International airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure. Overnight in Zanzibar

Day 10-11: Zanzibar
Days at leisure; no services provided. Overnights in Zanzibar

Day 12: Zanzibar
Today you will be transferred to Stone Town to check in to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight in Stone Town

Day 13: Zanzibar
Today you will be transferred to Zanzibar International Airport for your onward flight

Day 14: Durban
Welcome to Durban, city of many faceted cultures, exquisite beaches and seaside weather. We meet you off your flight at King Shaka International Airport, and ensure your transport to our comfortable hotel, set on the revitalized beachfront stretch of the Marine Parade. As the sun sets, you’ll have the remainder of the day to enjoy the beachfront promenade, and enjoy the constant stream of action which parades along this seaside strip. Overnight in Durban

Day 15: Durban
Let us introduce you to Durban, a multicultural city shaped by a complex collaborative history involving the early colonial settlers, the indigenous Zulu population, and the Indian community who arrived as indentured labourers in the 19th century. To call it a city of contrasts is often an understatement. Our tour begins as we cruise along the brand-new Golden Mile, the revitalised beachfront promenade which hugs the beckoning beaches of Durban. We move through the City, visiting the majestic City Hall, and enjoying its humorous history! The Phansi Museum (closed Sundays) in Glenwood is home to a spellbinding collection of southern African artefacts and traditions – from beadwork and headrests, to Zulu clay pots and other intriguing clues to the diverse South African cultural history. From history to nature, we visit the peaceful Durban Botanic Gardens founded in 1849, a treasure trove of massive trees from Asia, Africa and America, and a magnificent orchid house. Lastly, in harmony with Indian culture and history, you’re going local…taste a unique Bunny Chow, traditional ‘take-away’ food of the Indian community… indeed of all South Africans! Overnight in Durban

Day 16: Durban
Shaka, legendary King of the Zulus! Experience traditional Zulu culture and customs at the largest Zulu kraal in all of Zululand, look into the future with an iSangoma or traditional healer…all this and more, packed into one exhilarating day. We’ve laid on some traditional Zulu beer for you to sample, while the craftsmen and community who make the spears, shields, beadwork, pots and their huts, open their doors so you can witness their skills and artistry. The Zulu dancers will thrill with their grace and energy, and we’ve made sure you’re treated to a most satisfying lunchtime feast! Come live a day in the life of a traditional community – you’ll find it informative and a far cry from anything you’ve ever experienced! Overnight in Durban

Day 17: Durban – Port Elizabeth – Knysna
Enjoy the morning at leisure until your collection and transfer to the airport for your mid morning flight to Port Elizabeth (cost of flight not included). There you’ll be met by a new tour director who’ll, upon everyone arriving, take you through the glorious, indigenous Tsitsikamma Forest, before reaching Knysna, perhaps South Africa’s most visually stunning resort, in the heart of the famous Garden Route. Overnight in Knysna

Day 18: Knysna
Cruise on the vast Knysna Lagoon and visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Enjoy an amazing view of the imposing sandstone ‘Heads’ which guard the sea entrance to Knysna’s huge tidal lagoon, and the forests, marshes and pristine beaches beyond. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Knysna

Day 19: Knysna – Oudtshoorn
This morning we enjoy the wonderful views of the spectacular Outeniqua Pass en route to Oudtshoorn, the ‘feather capital of the world’, so named because it’s the centre of South Africa’s ostrich industry. After lunch, which features Ostrich Steak on the menu, we learn more about these hardy, enigmatic creatures during a tour of an ostrich farm. We then head underground for a fascinating tour of the Cango Caves, one of South Africa’s most incredible natural wonders. Overnight in Oudtshoorn

Day 20: Oudtshoorn – Capetown
Today is a day of magnificent vistas. Enjoy the ever-changing passing canvas as we travel to Cape Town. During the whale season we will travel via the seaside village of Hermanus in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the southern right whales, which frolic offshore (July to November only). Out of season we will return to Cape Town along ‘Route 62’, South Africa’s version of America’s ‘Route 66’. Overnight in Cape Town

Day 21: Cape Town City Tour
Come with us on the ultimate ‘Mother City’ experience, designed to orientate and give you insight into the extraordinary magic of Cape Town. We’ve chosen iconic buildings, snatches of its history, and experiences unique to this City. First up, it’s the cable car (not included) to the summit of the legendary Table Mountain – weather permitting – and from there, you’ll be able to see to the end of our world, including the City and surrounding layout of this southernmost tip of Africa. We visit the country’s oldest building, the Castle (closed on Sundays), and a short distance away the Company Gardens, both historically fascinating and well conserved. Our drive continues past Parliament Buildings, City Hall and the Slave Lodge, and you’ll sense the depth of history via their distinctive architecture. Colonial then changes to colourful, as we move up the cobblestoned hills to the Malay Quarter, and marvel at the ice-cream colours of the quaint Bo-Kaap homes. Our day ends on a sparkling note, as we trace the moves of a professional diamond cutter, as he creates every girl’s dream stone. Perhaps you’ll be taking one home. Overnight in Cape Town

Day 22: Peninsula Tour
The Fairest Cape…and it surely is! You’ll soon see for yourself where and why it earned its name. Sit back and relax, we’re going to cruise along the exquisite stretch of coastline known as Millionaire’s Paradise – from Camps Bay and Clifton to the exclusive beach hamlet of Llandudno – towards the charming working harbour of Hout Bay. Back on terra firma, we wind along the legendary Chapman’s Peak Drive, hugging the cliffs and relishing the breathtaking ocean views, before arriving at our lunch spot of choice (lunch not included): the wild and beautiful Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, an integral part of the world-renowned Cape Floral Kingdom. We meander back along the coast towards the city, visiting the historic naval port of Simon’s Town and the endearing penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach. The Fairest Cape of All that was Sir Francis Drake’s opinion. Overnight in Cape Town

Day 23: Winelands Tour
A superb day dedicated to celebrating the glorious grape, the exceptional wine lands region, and the heavenly scenery…like the breathtaking views from the historical Taal Monument near Paarl. The area’s rich with history, and we can’t help but feel it as we move through the region to experience a wine cellar tour, where you’ll learn all about the process of winemaking, from grape to goblet. We visit the exquisite little town of Franschhoek, pass by the impressive Huguenot Monument, and in a town with a reputation for gourmet fare, where else could we choose to enjoy lunch (not included).We wind our way to the heady heights of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass to meet the charming university town of Stellenbosch on the other side. We’ve set aside ample time to stroll through this little town, absorbing the quaintness, and sneaking into the odd shop or two! A trip to the wine lands isn’t complete without a wine tasting, so we organized two at different wine estates. And of course, you’ll be able to purchase your favourite wine to take back home! Overnight in Cape Town

Day 24: Cape Town
Today you will be transferred back to Cape Town International Airport for your onward flight.