Best of Kenya and Tanzania Safari (kt1)

Lake Nakuru National Park lies 140km north west of Nairobi in central Kenya. The ecosystem comprises of the lake, surrounded by mainly wooded and bushy grasslands. At the park you have a good chance to see the black and white rhinos, giraffe, waterbucks, lion, cheetah, leopard among other game. However, the biggest attraction remains to be the vast quantity of flamingoes that line the shore. The park is also home to a myriad of other bird species such as fish eating pelican, African fish eagle , king fisher, hamer kop and goliath hero.

Masai Mara National Reserve is situated within the Great Rift Valley in the southern part of Kenya. Measuring approximately 1510sq. kilometres (approx. 938sq. miles) in size, this unfenced savannah grassland is roughly 150 miles southeast of Nairobi. The Mara, as is also known is one of the best places to visit in Africa. It boasts of an immense variety of wildlife ranging from the big five (elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo) to over 400 species of birds. Other animals present include zebras, antelope, gnus, hyenas, gazelles, hippos, hartebeests, warthogs, crocodiles and others. The Mara River offers a unique attraction during the annual wildebeest migration. Over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras and several species of antelope make an annual circular tour between the Serengeti in Tanzania and Masai Mara in Kenya in search of greener pastures. This has now become the new 7th wonder of the world.

Balloon Safari is a great excursion for those who are willing to spend a little extra; the overflights can be organised from most lodges/camps in the Maasai Mara. The balloon safari offers an fantastic panoramic views of the awe-inspiring landscape. After an early tea/coffee, you will start this exciting experience. The balloons lift off just before sunrise, once airborne the balloons are blown by the prevailing winds across the broad landscape. At the end of the flight, you will be treated with a champagne breakfast in the bush!

Serengeti National Park is named after ?Siringet?, the Masai word for ?endless plains?, it is for these endless plains the park derives its name Serengeti from. The park is one of the world?s best known wildlife sanctuaries and symbolises the classic Africa safari. With more than 2million wildebeest and a large number of Thomson gazelle and zebra, it has the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa. The space is endless even at the height of the wildebeest migration when over one millions animals are moving, the Serengeti never seems crowded. The park covers an area of 12,950 sq km and lies between the shores of Lake Victoria in the west, Lake Eyasi in the south and the Great Rift Valley to the east.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area top destination is the Ngorongoro crater, the world?s largest unbroken volcanic caldera. The crater is 600 mtr deep, about 20km across and 300 sq kms in the area. The steep sides of the crater provide a natural enclosure for a very wide variety of wildlife and therefore great for game-viewing. The accommodations are built high on the crater rim with amazing views over and into the crater. The Ngorongoro Crater is a breathtaking natural wonder.

Amboseli National Park is located about 240 km from Nairobi in loitoktok district, Rift Valley province. The main ecosystem in the park is the savannah grassland. This park is famous for the huge herds of elephants which are to be found here. Other game include lions, burchells zebra, black faced sandgrouse and wildebeest family. Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa?s largest mountain lies just over the border in Tanzania, but the most impressive views of its snow-capped peak are to be found in Amboseli.

The Great Migration. Every year the Mara is the staging ground of one of nature's greatest spectacles: the migration of over 1.3 million wildebeest from the Serengeti. A surging column of life, these massive herds pour across the plains, bringing the Mara to life. The profusion of grazing animals makes the Mara a perfect hunting ground for predators. Leopard and Cheetah are often seen, but the Mara is truly the Kingdom of the Lion, and these majestic predators dominate the landscape. To travel through the reserve in August, September or October, while the wildebeest are in possession, is a staggering experience, like being caught up in the momentum of a phenomenal historic event.