On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, Arusha, you will be greeted and transferred to the hotel by representatives of our safari operator, Origins Safaris.

The Dik Dik Hotel, Arusha is perfect for relaxing before and after safaris. The Swiss-built hotel restaurant was opened in 1990 and is still managed by a Swiss family. The hotel has 18 double suites, all with mini-bars and modern amenities. The restaurant is situated in beautiful grounds alive with birds. It has a swimming pool and overlooks a lake at the foot of Mount Meru.

Arusha still has the aura of a pioneer town – a bustling, vibrant town - it is the centre of tourism for northern Tanzania and is situated in the foothills of rugged Mt. Meru.

The town is named after a sub-tribe of the Maasai, the Wa-Arusha and the town is a curious contrast of ancient and modern as Maasai warriors stroll along the streets – seemingly oblivious to the 4x4 Landcruisers and modern supermarkets - aloof and more traditionally apparelled than their Kenya cousins.

Apart from tourism Arusha’s economic mainstay is flower and coffee farming– the scenery here is beautiful.

You depart after breakfast and drive to the airport to catch a scheduled flight to the Serengeti. The Serengeti with its endless plains is the heart of any African wilderness experience. You will be met on arrival and transferred to a mobile tented camp sited on the plains to give you maximum access to the wildlife which migrates across this enormous eco-system: the land of big cats and open spaces.

Serengeti National Park: Tanzania’s most famous game park and continuous with the Masai Mara game reserve across the border with Kenya.

On the seemingly endless and almost treeless plains of the Serengeti are literally millions of hoofed animals. The wildebeest are well known for the annual migration that they undertake, a trek with many hazards.

The Serengeti is also famous for its lions, which form prides with as many as 30 members. The abundant source of food supports the large prides and a variety of other big carnivores are found in this magnificent habitat.

The Serengeti is the only park in Tanzania where you can take a hot-air balloon flight, which is an incredible experience in itself with Lion, Elephant and Cheetah commonly seen amongst the large herds of Wildebeest.

Classic Private Mobile Camp: A tented camp is the traditional and many say the best way to experience Africa: tune in to the bush, sleep under canvas immersed in the night sounds of the bush; gather around the campfire as hot days turn to cool nights… Leave the fast-lane and slip into an older rhythm, uninterrupted by electronic or engine noise; adjust your eyes to the night-time view, lit by the soft glow of hurricane lamps, moonlight and a canopy of stars.

Each tent has its own spacious private verandah with a very comfortable couch and chairs, overlooking the vast Serengeti that is spread out before you. Inside the tent, very comfortable king-size beds with beautiful cloth and contemporary furniture give the tent a very stylish yet homely feel. Lighting in the tent can be made both atmospheric and at reading strength. The spacious bathroom has a shower, double sinks and a ceramic flush toilet that is environmentally friendly.

Central to the camp are two stylish mess tents. The lounge tent tempts you to completely relax, sipping on your drink while looking out over the Serengeti, reading a book or discussing the adventures of the day. Dining is intimate in the dining area, but can also be enjoyed privately under the millions of stars in the Serengeti sky.

Each time the camp is set up it is specially positioned to capture the game viewing at its best for the time you are there.

After an early breakfast it’s time to check out and set off on the most wonderful full morning game drive across the great Serengeti plains to Olduvai Gorge, home to some of Mankind's earliest relics. Lying between Lake Natron and Lake Eyasi the Olduvai Gorge is one of East Africa’s most amazing archaeological hotspots, where Drs Louis and Mary Leakey discovered Homo habilis (Handy Man) a 1.8 million year old fossil, whose bones were discovered in the wall of the Gorge.

After a delicious packed lunch to eat en route you then continue your journey to Ngorongoro to explore this unique ecosystem protected by the extinct volcano walls spanning 102 miles of savannah, lakes and marshes.

The Ngorongoro Crater spans 20 kilometres – a natural wildlife reserve inside the crater rim. The crater floor is home to the greatest concentration of resident large mammals in the whole of Africa. This haven is protected by 600m high walls and packed with just about every species of wildlife to be found in East Africa. “The Crater” has been compared to Noah’s Ark and the Garden of Eden.

Despite the steep walls, there is considerable movement of animals in and out, mostly to the Serengeti in the west, since the relatively short distance to Lake Manyara is now intensively farmed. Yet the Crater remains a favoured spot for wildlife, as there is permanent water and pasture on the crater floor.

Inside the crater you can often see Black Rhino, large bull Elephant, Hippo, Lion, Leopard and big herds of Buffalo. The views from the crater rim defy description.

Ngorongoro Serena Lodge: Built on the rim of the dormant Ngorongoro volcano, this ivy covered stone building blends into the surrounding cliff face with an amazing view across the crater floor.

With 75 rooms, elegant dining areas and comfortable, spacious accommodation, this is the perfect base to explore the crater below.

• Depart after breakfast
• Scenic drive to Lake Manyara (2-3 hours)
• Lunch at Serena Lodge
• Afternoon game drive Lake Manyara National Park
• Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena
• Meal Plan: Full Board

After an early breakfast you check out and join your guide for a beautiful drive to Lake Manyara, arriving at the hotel in time for lunch.

After lunch and a rest there’s time for a game drive around the shores of Lake Manyara – a photogenic soda lake, set in a magnificent national park famous for it’s tree-climbing lions, herds of Elephant and Cape Buffalo and over 380 bird species.

Lake Manyara Serena: with its spectacular setting on the edge of the Mto Wa Mbu escarpment overlooking the Great Rift Valley and the Manyara soda lake, the Serena Lodge is designed to blend in to its surroundings, its architecture inspired by the abundant birdlife in this area. It has 67 rooms, a swimming pool and comfortable public areas all with dramatic views.

After an early breakfast we drive to Arusha (approx 3 hours) arriving in time for lunch at the New Arusha Hotel. After lunch we drive north for 2 hours to the border town of Namanga. Here we cross into Kenya and drive the short distance across the dry lake bed of Amboseli National Park, home to over 1000 elephants, plains game and abundant birdlife.

Approaching the centre of the park, the apparently barren landscape turns refreshingly green from springs and swamps fed by underground run-off from the overshadowing Mt. Kilimanjaro. These swamps give life to an otherwise parched land, providing water for nearby grasslands and acacia woodlands and attracting a profusion of game and waterfowl. Superb starling, red-and-yellow Barbet and silverbird are among the bush birds in residence.

Bordering Tanzania, Amboseli is one of the most scenic of Kenya’s wildlife reserves. The majestic, snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro in neighbouring Tanzania dominates every vista. The grandeur of this imposing feature provides a superb backdrop for photographing and viewing big game. This vast tract of land spreads out as far as the eye can see at the foot of snow-capped Kilimanjaro: the world's highest freestanding mountain.

Amboseli National Park covers 150 square miles (390 km2) and averages about 3,900 feet (1,190 m) in altitude. Elephant and giraffe are easily found, and many visitors enjoy photographing them as they pass in front of majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro. The mountain seems so close, but it is actually located in Tanzania, more than 30 miles (48 km) from the park.

The park lies in the rain shadow of Kilimanjaro and receives, on average, just 12 inches (300 mm) of rain per year. Interestingly, however, subterranean water draining off the northern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro surfaces in Amboseli in the form of freshwater springs. These springs are a major draw-card for wildlife, and the surrounding papyrus beds are an attractive habitat for wetland species. The dominant habitat is acacia-commiphora scrub or woodland, much of it on rocky, lava-strewn plains.

A dry and ancient lakebed occupies the western part of the reserve, but when it fills after heavy rain it can be a huge attraction for birds. Over 400 bird species have been recorded here, including three varieties of sandgrouse, rosy-patched bushshrike, Taveta golden weaver and purple grenadier. In addition to the plain’s game typical of East Africa, the arid-adapted gerenuk, lesser kudu and fringe-eared oryx may been seen.

Tortilis Camp: Named after the Acacia Tortilis trees, known as the Umbrella Tree for its excellent shade, this award-winning tented eco-lodge blends into a natural oasis fed by underground fresh springs, on the edge of Amboseli National Park. It has 17 traditional beige canvas safari tents mounted on wooden decks and covered in local thatch, each with its own stone verandah and Lamu daybed and excellent views of Kilimanjaro. The tents are extremely roomy, furnished with large wooden beds, and all the everyday comforts including modern en-suite bathrooms: hot pressurized showers and modern flush toilets.

After breakfast you take a short gamedrive to the airstrip before flying upcountry to the heart of the Rift Valley: Lake Nakuru, its most famous soda lake. Of the world population of 5 million flamingos, 3 million thrive on these Rift Valley soda lakes (and up to 1 million on Lake Nakuru alone).

Lake Nakuru National Park was opened in 1968 to preserve the breeding grounds of the Lesser Flamingo that line the lakeshore. The lake lies between a rock cliff and the town of Nakuru itself.

Click here to view a photo gallery from my previous trip to Lake Nakuru

The attractive wood and grasslands offer relatively easy game spotting of such species as Waterbuck, Bohor’s Reedbuck, Steinbok, Rock Hyrax and Klipspringer in addition to the Leopard and Lion. Nakuru is notable for its resident population of both White and Black Rhino which have been re-introduced to the park in the course of the last 15 years.

Lake Nakuru is an easily accessible game viewing area that offers the visitor excellent rewards for time spent here.

We spend as much time as we can exploring Lake Nakuru National Park & Rhino Sanctuary (black & white Rhino); also home to Rothschild's giraffe (rarely seen elsewhere), Zebra, Buffalo, Eland, Waterbuck as well as Lion & Leopard.

Lake Nakuru Lodge: Located in the south eastern area of Lake Nakuru National Park & Rhino Sanctuary, the lodge is comfortable but not luxurious with accommodation for 120 people in family rooms, cottages or suites.

Excellent views out over the lake, a refreshing swimming pool, and evening entertainment with a choice of bars and spacious dining area make this a comfortable hide-out inside the park itself.

• Leisurely breakfast & check-out
• Drive up the lower slopes of Mt Kenya (approx 2-3 hours)
• Lunch at Mount Kenya Safari Club
• Afternoon at leisure or sports
• Dinner at club
• Overnight: Mount Kenya Safari Club
• Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast we leave Nakuru and in a 2-3 hour drive we ascend the slopes of Mount Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa.

As the air freshens a completely different eco-system emerges around us with lush bamboo forest leading into montane forest. At 11,000 feet the forest gives way to alpine moorlands with giant lobelia and other endemic alpine flora. Spend the afternoon enjoying the facilities of the club.

Mount Kenya National Park: The Aberdares and Mount Kenya National Parks straddle the Eastern wall of the Great Rift Valley, The moorlands of the Aberdares reach 14,000ft above sea level and the peak of Mount Kenya a height of 17,058ft. Natural habitat changes with the altitude, at the base of both you will find lush grassland savannah dotted with brown olive groves and stands of the poison arrow tree. The moorlands are littered with streams and spectacular water falls where trout abound. Up on the moorlands you may catch a glimpse of the rare Chanlers Mountain Reedbuck or the shaggy mane of big mountain Lion.

Mount Kenya Safari Club: This historic watering hole, a favourite of the 1960’s jet set, is located on the lush lower slopes of Mount Kenya with fantastic views over the heavily forested foothills. Set in over 100 acres of lawns and ornamental gardens the hotel offers plush accommodation in 114 bedrooms, suites and private cottages.

It has a choice of bars and restaurants and conference and meeting facilities available. Activities include heated swimming pool, tennis court, horse riding, putting green and 9-
hole golf course, croquet and trout fishing.

We drive for 2-3 hours down the slopes of Mount Kenya, descending into the hot dry heat of the arid Samburu Reserve in the Northern Frontier District. Camels, cattle and Samburu herdsmen pass us as we drive into their tribal lands.

This harsh, incredibly photogenic region is home to rare and endemic species: Grevy's Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Yellow Baboon, Guenther's Dik-Dik and Reticulated Giraffe. We spend the next two days exploring this 'photographers heaven': fantastic scenery, abundant wildlife and strong cultural experience.

Samburu Intrepids Camp: This luxury-tented lodge lies under a canopy of shady giant Fig and Acacia trees along the banks of the Uaso Nyiro (Brown) river. The public dining room, lounge and bar are surrounded by a spacious deck for alfresco eating and relaxing; accommodation is in 25 tents, set comfortably apart, cooled by ceiling fans and shaded with traditional thatched roofs; the interiors are luxurious with safari style furnishings and en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets, a shower and double basins. There is a welcome swimming pool for refuge in the heat of the day.

Samburu National Reserve is a semi arid area to the north of Mount Kenya and the equator. The countryside here is characterized by thorn scrub interspersed with wide lava strewn plains. Acacia (the yellow barked ‘fever’ trees) and Doum Palms shade the broken ridges and sand rivers that form the typical northern frontier landscape.

Against this dramatic backdrop Samburu herdsman co-exist with the wildlife; many rare & endemic species thrive here including Grevy’s Zebra, Somali Ostrich, Besia Oryx, Gerenuk, Yellow Baboon, Guenther’s DikDik and Reticulated Giraffe; Leopard and Elephant are plentiful. Game drives are flexible – in this hot dry northern land the wildlife is visible daylong – so early starts are optional not compulsory!

The Uaso Nyiro River is the main feature of this habitat and it supports a large variety of wildlife and game birds. Even in times of drought it provides succour to the local game, the elephants dig deep into the dry sand to create small water holes. The reserve shelters 66 known elephant family units and approximately 100 bulls – in total over 750 elephant.

The Samburu Tribespeople: These striking people are alleged to be distantly related to the Maasai. They are the most northerly representatives of the tribal grouping speaking the language known as Maa. Once known as the burkineji (a corruption of Loibor kineji - 'those of the white goats') the Samburu often refer to themselves as Loikop - 'those who have territory', a fierce and proud statement of their success in defending themselves against the equally proud and fierce tribes to the north.

Legend has it the Maasai in the south of Kenya and the northerly Samburu were originally one, certainly their appearance and custom would corroborate this theory. Departing from what is now Sudan together, the Samburu ceased their wanderings whilst their Maasai cousins continued to drive their cattle further south.

The Samburu worship Nkai or God, an omnipotent and omnipresent deity responsible for all creation. Impressive mountains, especially those with reliable sources of water, such as Kulal, Marsabit and Nyiru are often considered to be the resting-place of Nkai.

Acts of worship include the simple form of offering or sharing of bounty that is the Lasar, and the Sorio sacrifice, which is a more ritualized affair. Occurring twice a year, a fat, black sheep, not yet pregnant is offered to Nkai. The right hand side of the body is consumed by the men and the left by the women, all the blood is used as a blessing, smeared over all the livestock and huts of the village or manyatta.

Armed only with a classical looking spear known as a Mpere and short stabbing sword and the rungu or club, defending himself only with a buffalo or giraffe hide shield, a Samburu warrior is renowned for bravery across northern Kenya.

We catch the 1015 scheduled flight, arriving 1215 in Nairobi and transferring to the Norfolk Hotel where a day room is booked. Nairobi is a bustling city with numerous attractions including the Nairobi National Museum and Snake Park. And of course Nairobi’s principal attraction is the Nairobi National Park – a successful Rhino Sanctuary and host to plentiful plains game and their big cat predators bordering the city itself.

On the outskirts, the suburb known as Karen was named after famous resident and author of ‘Out of Africa’ : Karen Blixen (Isac Dineson) whose home from 1917 to 1931 is now the Karen Blixen Museum. In close proximity is the Giraffe Feeding Centre a sanctuary for orphaned giraffe that roam the grounds of the so-called Giraffe Manor. Another fascinating eco-tourism project is the Butterfly Centre in the nearby suburb of Langata.

After sightseeing or just chilling by the pool it’s time to pack up and check out.

Tonight you head off to the famous Carnivore Restaurant for a traditional feast of ‘nyama choma’ (roast & barbecued meat) – a chance to eat crocodile, zebra, eland as well as the more traditional pork spare ribs, roast beef and delicious Molo lamb… vegetarians are also well provided for with a wonderful salad bar and the whole experience makes a fitting grand finale to your safari.

After your meal you will be transferred by Origins Safaris to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for your international flight home.

Please note that the cost of flights, airport taxes or park fees may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond control and any increase levies will be passed on.

Please also note that accommodation at the specified lodges/hotels is subject to availability. Alternative lodges/hotels may be used if the specified lodges/hotels are not available at the time of booking.