Camp Grant

July 31st, 2010 admin No comments

Camp Grant

Kenya and Tazania Combined Camping Safaris

An Ideal itinerary for a vacation in East Africa after an all year's hard work. Takes you to breath taking sites as you get the true African jungle experience taking you through the unpertabed flora and fauna.

This is a safari that promises the best of Kenya and Tanzania’s premier parks. Visit the small but rewarding Lake Nakuru National park thereafter proceeding towards Masai Mara (Kenya’s most celebrated game park). This is where the great wildebeest migration is a spectacle to behold for any would be visitor to Kenya mainly in July and August of each year.
In Tanzania, Ngorongoro Crater is said to have the world’s densest population of lion. In Lake Manyara lions have developed a liking for residing in the branches of trees, where they can both sleep and watch for prey whilst the Serengeti is notable for its large migratory herds of wildebeest and zebras with strings of predators in trail. The Ngorongoro crater also offers amazing wildlife viewing and scenery

Day 1 – Nairobi - Lake Nakuru National Park
We depart Nairobi and drive down the Escarpment to the floor of the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park for an afternoon game drive. The park covers 180 sq km and is home to warthogs, waterbuck, buffaloes, reedbucks, and the occasional leopard. White and black rhinos were introduced to the park some years ago and you will find white rhino at the southern end. The park has also retained its reputation as an ornithologists’ delight with more than 400 species of bird found here. We spend the night at a Lake Nakuru Guest House inside the park

Day 2: Lake Nakuru - Masai Mara

Depart the camp soon after breakfast and drive via the scenic floor of the Great Rift Valley to Masai Mara. Lunch at a campsite before proceeding for evening gamedrives.Dinner and overnight stay at Mara Campsite
Day 3& 4: Maasai Mara
Full days spent exploring the park in search of the big 5.Morning and afternoon game drives are offered. Optional hot Air Balloon safari can be arranged at an extra cost of US$ 425 per person. Dinner and overnight stay at Mara Campsite

The Mara offers wildlife in such variety and abundance that it is difficult to believe: over 450 species of animals have been recorded here. You will easily see lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, wildebeests, zebras, buffalo, warthogs, hyenas, jackals, wild dogs, buffalo, leopard, many kinds of antelopes and elephant. It is in the Mara that perhaps the most spectacular event of the natural world takes place. This is the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and zebra from the Serengeti (Tanzania) in search of water and pasture. Following on their heels are the predators of the savanna- lion, cheetah, wild dog, jackal, hyena and vultures

Day 5 : Maasai Mara - Musoma
We leave the campsite and drive through the southern part of the reserve viewing game as we proceed to the Tanzanian border at Isebania / Sirari. We stop for the night in a quiet town on the shores of the immense Lake Victoria known as Musoma. The surrounding countryside is home to many different tribes including the Kuria, Jita, Luo, and Taturu. Musoma’s colourful port and variety of tribes make it a vibrant town. Dinner and overnight at Penunsila hotel

Day 6 : Musoma - Serengeti National Park
Leaving in the morning, we drive south and west to the western corridor of the great Serengeti via Ndabaka Gate with a picnic lunch enroute. The afternoon is spent viewing game and we overnight at a campsite

Day 7 : Serengeti National park

Full day spent exploring the park. Morning and afternoon game drives ate offered. Dinner and overnight stay at a Seronera campsite.

The Serengeti National Park is arguably the most impressive wildlife sanctuary in the world. During the months December through March the seemingly unending plains of the southern Serengeti and the Conservation Area are inhabited by enormous herds of wildebeest and zebra. The great herds graze on rain ripened grass. In the calving season (late January through mid March) the herds concentrate at the Ndutu and Salei plains (Southern Serengeti / Ngorongoro Conservation Area) attracting the attention of predators like lion, cheetah and hyena.

Day 8 : Serengeti –Ngorongoro conservation area via Olduvai gorge
We view game as we drive southeast up into the magnificent Ngorongoro Conservation Area .Stop over at The Olduvai Gorge with picnic lunch en route Over at the Olduvai where we spend the night at the Simba (Lion) campsite on the crater rim.

The Olduvai Gorge cuts through rock beds layered in time sequence from 2 million years ago to the present and it is here where humanoid bones have been found dating back to over 1.75 million years including a direct ancestor of modern man. Fossil foot prints (over three million years old) have also been found here and are the most ancient footprints yet discovered. There is an excellent site museum where you can explore the diggings with a guide and it is also a great place to view birds such as the purple grenadier, red and yellow barbet, speckle fronted weaver and slaty colored boubou.

Day9: Ngorongoro - Arusha
Early breakfast then descend into the crater for a full morning crater tour. Lunch then proceed to Arusha. Dinner and overnight stay at Sinka Hotel

The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s biggest whole volcanic caldera at 8300 sq km and is arguably the most stunning arena.
It is frequently described as one of the wonders of the world, not only because of its geological magnificence, but also because it serves as an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s largest populations of large mammals. Ngorongoro and other freestanding mountains are volcanic in origin, formed during the fracturing process that created the Rift valley 15 to 20 million years ago. When it peaked in size 3 million years ago it was a similar height to Mt. Kilimanjaro today

Day 10 : Arusha -Nairobi
Break fast then board the morning Shuttle bus to Nairobi to arrive by 1400 hrs. Drop off at the airport to board your home bound flight.

Best of Kenya and Northern Tanzania adventure camping safari covering Samburu national park,Sweetwaters,Lake Nakuru and AASKTC 002 Naivasha,Amboseli/Northern Tanzania National park,Serengeti,Ngorongoro ,Lake Manyara and Tarangire in 15 Days .

Day 1: Nairobi- Samburu Game Reserve
Pick up from your hotel at 0700 hrs and passing the majestic Mt. Kenya en route to the open savannah of Samburu Game Reserve. We camp in the narrow stretch of palms and woodland by the Ewaso Nyiro River which provides water for the animals and some relief from the equatorial sun.

Day 2: Samburu National reserve.
Full day spent exploring the park. Dinner and overnight at a campsite.

The highlights of Samburu game reserve is the spectacular scenic beauty, rivers and forests. It is an area where the local people have a rich and colorful heritage. The reserves have numerous permanent springs and a wealth of wildlife which includes leopard, hippo, elephant, lion, reticulated giraffe, grevy’s zebra and crocodile in the Ewaso Nyiro River. Over 365 species of birds have been identified in the sanctuaries.

Day 3 Samburu- Mt. Kenya/Sweet waters
Depart Samburu and proceed to Mt.Kenya region. Lunch at Mountain Rock lodge followed by after noon game drives at the Sweetwater’s game ranch. Children can also enjoy a full hour of Horse riding Dinner and overnight stay at Mt.Rock campsite
Sweetwater’s is the o¬nly sanctuary for rehabilitation in Kenya of these widely abused chimpanzees with two groups living in an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible. The site is also a dedicated black rhino breeding area.

Day 4 Mt. Kenya - Lake Nakuru National park.
We break the camp soon after breakfast and proceed to Lake Nakuru National park. Lunch enroute followed by an afternoon game drives as the pick lake. Dinner and overnight at a campsite.

Lake Nakuru is a shallow alkaline lake on the edges of Nakuru town and lies a distance of 160 kilometers from Nairobi. The lake is world famous as home to millions of flamingoes. The number of flamingoes depends on the water level which determines the quantity of algae on which the birds feed. Flamingoes are known to migrate to other Rift Valley lakes whenever the water level is low. The National Park surrounds the lake and was gazetted to protect the colony of flamingoes as well as provide sanctuary for endangered species such as the rhino. There are about 25 white and black rhinos, one of the largest concentrations in the country. Predators are also residents to this park while Rothschild’s giraffe have been trans-located into the park for safety

Day 5: Lake Nakuru- Naivasha
We break the camp soon after break fast and proceed to Lake Naivasha.Morning visit to hells gate national park- this park can be explored on foot or by cycling- bicycles are available for hire at an extra cost. Dinner and overnight stay at fisherman’s camp

Hells gate national park is characterized by diverse topography and geological scenery. It has historically been an important home for the rare lammergeyer, but it is now thought that the famous pair of birds may not have nested in the park for several years.
One is encouraged to hike and cycle in the park. This is a rarity in Kenyan National Parks, and is only made possible due to the lack of large predators such as lions and cheetahs

Day 6 : Lake Naivasha – Amboseli National park
Break the camp and proceed to Amboseli national park. Via Nairobi –Amboseli is the magnificent park at the foot hills of Mt.Kilimanjaro.After noon gamedrives followed by dinner and overnight stay at a campsite.
This small park (at 392 sq km) is the second most popular park in Kenya after Maasai Mara, mainly due to the spectacular backdrop of Mt. Kilimanjaro on the southern boundary.

Day 7 : Amboseli National park
Full day spent exploring the park. Optional visit to Maasai villages can be arranged with our guide between game drives. Overnight stay at a campsite.

Amboseli means ‘the place of water’ in Maasai language. The park has an endless supply of water which is filtered through thousands of meters of volcanic rock from Mount Kilimanjaro. Animal species seen include elephant, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, impala and leopard. The birdlife seen here includes pelican, bee eater, kingfisher, African fish eagle and pygmy falcon. Amboseli is one of the most popular parks and offers excellent accommodation facilities. There are five lodges and two campsites inside the park. Kilimanjaro forms the backdrop of this game sanctuary and it is a sight to see and marvel at. The nomadic richly decorated Maasai who are deeply steeped in Maasai culture entertain visitors with enchanting dances of ageless Africa.

Day 8: Amboseli - Lake Manyara
After breakfast, we drive into Tanzania via the Namanga border. We also pass through Arusha to Lake Manyara National park with lunch enroute. Regardless of the direction we approach Manyara from, the view is always fantastic. We proceed to a campsite for dinner and overnight stay.

Lake Manyara is a shallow, alkaline lake that is part of the Rift Valley wall; the lake is at the base of this dramatic western escarpment giving it a beautiful and serene setting. In addition to this peaceful setting, Lake Manyara’s main attractions are its rich bird life, tree climbing lions and its hippos, which you can see at a closer range than many other places. Lake Manyara also hosts thousands of flamingos at certain times of the year and has diverse vegetation ranging from savannah, to marshes and acacia woodland, enabling a variety of wildlife habitats including butterflies.

Day 9: Lake Manyara - Serengeti National park
Morning gamedrives at Lake Manyara National park then proceed to Serengeti national park.Game is viewed as we proceed to the campsite for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 10 /11 Serengeti National park

Full days spent exploring the park .

Serengeti is Africa’s most famous and Tanzania’s largest park covering 14,736 sq km and is adjoining with the Masai Mara National reserve in Kenya. With a wildebeest population of about 2 million and several other hoofed species (which include zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, impala, topi, Grants gazelle, Kongoni, Eland, Kirk’s dik dik, klipspringer, roan, Oryx, oribi, waterbuck, buffalo, giraffe and warthog), the Serengeti is sure to attract a string of prey such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, golden jackals and bat eared foxes. Elephants are relatively scarce and the few remaining black rhinoceros are restricted to the Moru Koppies area.
Serengeti also offers rewarding bird viewing with ostrich and kori bustard being common, a variety of larks, finches, and raptors can be seen but the most distinctive small bird is the lilac breasted roller.

Day 12: Ngorongoro via Olduvai Gorge
After an early breakfast, we drive south to the magnificent Ngorongoro crater via the historical Olduvai Gorge whilst game watching only interrupted by a picnic lunch enroute. We stop and set camp at the Simba (Lion) Campsite.
The Ngorongoro crater is the world’s biggest whole volcanic caldera at 8300 sq km and is arguably the most stunning arena. It is frequently described as one of the wonders of the world, not only because of its geological magnificence, but also because it serves as an extraordinary natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s largest populations of large mammals.
The Olduvai Gorge cuts through rock beds layered in time sequence from 2 million years ago to the present. It is here where humanoid bones have been found dating back to over 1.75 million years including a direct ancestor of modern man. Fossil footprints (over three million years old) have also been found here and are the most ancient footprints yet discovered. There is an excellent site museum where you can explore the diggings with a guide and it is also a great place to view birds.

Day 13 : Ngorongoro- Tarangire national park
Morning crater tour then proceed to Tarangire national park .Dinner and overnight at a campsite.

Day 14: Tarangire – Arusha
Full morning gamedrives the return to the camp for lunch. Break the camp soon after lunch and drive to Arusha town for overnight at a budget hotel.

Herds of up to 300 elephants scratch the dry river bed for underground streams, while migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland crowd the shrinking lagoons. It's the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem - a smorgasbord for predators – and the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as the stately fringe-eared oryx and peculiar long-necked gerenuk are regularly observed

Day 15 : Arusha – Nairobi
Board a Nairobi bound shuttle bus and drive to Nairobi – to arrive at 1400 hrs.

About the Author

Muchina is a tour consultant with Beaverline Safaris a Nairobi based tour operator commited to giving its clients the best of services through its highly effient and dedicated stuff. For all your East Africa Travel needs kindly contact Beaverline safaris at info@beaverlinesafaris.com or visit our Website at http://www.beaverlinesafaris.com