With its volcanic soils and fertile plains, East Africa supports the highest population of predators on the planet. Experience the magnificence of black-maned Masai lions, perhaps catch the annual wildebeest migration and learn to recognize some of the 1000 bird species that live in this region. Scenically this tour will amaze you - from the heights of the Great Rift Valley with its spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, to the acacia dotted plains of the Serengeti, and Lake Victoria - Africa's largest lake. Also included is Tarangire National Park, Samburu National Reserve and Nyahururu Falls (Kenya's highest waterfall). This is one of the few tours that takes you straight from the Masai Mara to the Serengeti - adding to your wildlife experience and making sure that your time in the game parks is maximized.

Tarangire National Park to Ngorongoro Crater.  After breakfast there is a morning game drive in Tarangire National Park.

Tarangire National Park is probably one of the least visited of the northern Tanzanian game parks, and retains a real air of undiscovered Africa, particularly in the south of the park. The Park is just  two hours drive away from Arusha. It lies a little distance to the south east of Lake Manyara and covers an area of approximately 2,850 square kilometres. It is named after the Tarangire River that flows through the park, and is home to tree-climbing lions.

Following lunch in the lodge you check out, and drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here you check in to your lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater rim.  Late afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the crater views.
Dinner and overnight at lodge.  (B,L,D)

Serengeti National Park.  Morning and afternoon game drives are taken in the Serengeti National Park.

The Serengeti is the oldest and largest National Park in Tanzania, its name coming from the Masai word meaning “endless plains”. Its landscape varies from the long and short grass plains in the south, to the central Savannah, the hilly wooded areas in the north, and extensive wooded areas in the west. It is world renowned for its immense concentration of game, in particular its lion and zebra populations and the annual wildebeest migration which commences in July – the beginning of the dry season - when they move in search of pasture towards the Masai Mara. It is a time when you will see the full circle of life for these animals sometimes called “the clowns of the plains”. The migration journey is hazardous and many of the older and weaker animals will lose their lives to predators such as lions and crocodiles. The migration also coincides with the annual rutting season, the calves being born at the beginning of the rains when there is plenty of fresh grass for feeding.

There may also an opportunity to experience a hot air balloon ride over the fabled Serengeti plains. After approximately an hour ballooning, waiters serve a full English breakfast, together with continental pastries, accompanied by champagne and fruit juice, in colonial dress on long, white-clothed tables in the middle of the plains. This option is subject to availability, and early booking is recommended.

Meals and overnight at lodge. (B,L,D)

Lake Victoria to Masai Mara.  Following breakfast in the lodge, we check out and drive to Isebania border. Here we cross to the Kenyan side after clearing customs and immigration department and meet your Kenyan Driver/Guide.

We have a picnic lunch en-route as we drive to the Masai Mara. There is also a game drive en-route as we head to the lodge.
Dinner and overnight at lodge.  (B,L,D)

Masai Mara to Lake Nakuru National Park.  Today there is an opportunity to try hot air ballooning. This is an amazing experience, as you take off with the sunrise and float above the Game Reserve, viewing the wildlife for approximately an hour before landing in the reserve to enjoy a full breakfast with champagne under the shade of a tree on the plains. The wildlife looks on while you partake in this luxurious fare. Please note that hot air ballooning is an optional excuriosn, and subject to availability. We recommend early booking.

After breakfast in the lodge, we check out and drive to Lake Nakuru National Park arriving in time for lunch. There is an afternoon game drive in the park and around the lake.

Lake Nakuru National Park is a designated Ramsar site and home to black and white rhino, a sizeable leopard population, lion, buffalo and famed for its abundance of pythons. The more sociable white rhino is a common sight seen grazing on the open plains. However, its less sociable cousin, the black rhino, often remains hidden in the dense bush. Although not native to this park, these animals were introduced since the park offers good security from poachers. The rhinos are involved in an active breeding program to maintain and improve gene pool diversity. Lake Nakuru National Park is also famous for a large population of pink flamingos, which featured in the movie “Out of Africa”. Enjoy the sunset whilst listening out for the laughing hyena or the mighty lion staking his territory for the night.
Dinner and overnight at the lodge.  (B,L,D)

Samburu National Reserve.  In Samburu, the scenery changes to scrub desert, desiccated savannah and small hills. The overriding colours are of muted greens, dusty creams, sand yellow, earthen ochre and every shade of brown. Perfect camouflage colours for the many animals that inhabit this area!

Today is spent game driving through the reserve. The Samburu Reserve is relatively small and animals are easy to find. There are a number of weird and wonderful species endemic to this area. These include the gerenuk - also known as the 'giraffe necked antelope' because of its extremely stretched neck adapted for browsing high into the bushes. Reticulated giraffes are relatively common in the reserve and differ from their southern cousins in their perfectly arranged pattern. A very common dwarf antelope in these parts is the tiny dik dik, who is devoted to its mate for its entire lifetime. Another local inhabitant is the Grevy's zebra, with distinctive narrow stripes that don't quite go all the way under the belly. Many other species exist in the reserve and large crocodiles and hippos inhabit the river. Leopard, lion, cheetah and hyena are found here and an unusual treat is that leopards are commonly seen in daylight. Birds are numerous with over 300 species being recorded.

We take an early morning game drive and spend the heat of the day relaxing at the lodge, before our afternoon game drive. All meals are taken at the lodge. (B,L,D)

You will be transferred to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on day 11 of your tour.

Please contact Kumuka or your agent if you wish to finish your tour in Nairobi or book post tour accommodation.

Please be aware that arrival times and the itinerary may change due to unforeseen delays or events such as festivals and public holidays. However, we shall endeavour to ensure all sites are visited and that your tour runs as smoothly as possible, but please note that Africa does not run like clockwork, therefore do not expect the streamlined travel arrangements associated with some other continents. Things do not always go to plan; there will be times when you will need to be patient and philosophical about your travels. Conditions in Africa can vary dramatically; however we always try to use the best facilities available. Be flexible, you will enjoy your tour much more. Kumuka makes a point of visiting the indigenous populations of each country you visit, in order to give a true reflection of the country; please treat the local people and their customs with respect.

Lastly, your tour leader is always conscious of everybody's views, but sometimes he/she will have to make an unpopular decision and your understanding will be appreciated in these circumstances.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment and repatriation. It is also very important that your insurance policy is relevant to the Kumuka style of travel. Kumuka offers a specially negotiated insurance policy specifically tailored to adventure travel. As well as providing substantial cover for medical emergency, cancellation and curtailment, personal luggage, money and valuables and legal expenses, this insurance will also provide cover for the adventure activities you may choose to undertake whilst on tour. Please call us on the Kumuka freephone number 0800 068 8855 (UK only), or on 1300 667 277 in Australia, for further information.

No client will be allowed on tours without suitable insurance. If you have already arranged insurance elsewhere, please be aware that many of the optional activities such as bungy jumping or water rafting may not be covered on your policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance.

At the start of your tour you will be asked to present your original policy document and complete an insurance information form. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original.

Please note: you will not be permitted to join a Kumuka Tour without travel insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Africa trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides up-to-date visa information. Please consult your Travel Agent or relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR. Kumuka does not accept responsibility for changes in regulations or requirements for visas. The information provided is given in good faith.

Please ensure you have US Dollars CASH to pay for any visas that may be available on the borders.

Please note the following are approximate prices and can vary, however this should help you with your budgeting.

Kenya - All passport holders are required to obtain a visa; this can be done at the airport on arrival - $50 USD or £35 GBP cash. (Subject to change)

Also, if your flight departs Kenya, you may need to pay $40USD Departure tax. Check with your travel agent.

Anti-malaria tablets are essential. Get professional advice from your GP or Travel Clinic about types of tablets, as resistant strains exist. These tablets may need to be taken at least 1 week before travelling to Africa, during your travels and sometimes for 4 weeks after leaving a malaria area. DO NOT forget to follow your prescribed routine. DO NOT CHANGE THE ROUTINE, once prescribed by your Doctor. As there is considerable resistance in parts of Africa, the only effective prevention is to NOT get bitten. Dusk till dawn is the time when mosquito's bite therefore, always protect your self with repellents and long clothing during this time. Malaria is the most common serious ailment that affects our clients; do not expose yourself to unnecessary risk.

We suggest passengers budget for between US$200-250 per week for personal expenses, souvenirs, evenings out, alcoholic drinks etc. Be aware that some countries are more expensive than others and that if you are travelling through several your expenses will vary enormously. Similarly there will be some days when you spend nothing at all and others when you exceed your budget.

Your money should be taken in a combination of Cash and Travellers Cheques (we suggest ¼ Travellers Cheques and ¾ US Dollars cash). These should be carried in a mixture of denominations. In some cases your guide will recommend you only change a small amount of money, however in countries such as Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania the exchange rate is higher for large denomination notes.

Please note that we are advising passengers to take a limited number of US$100 and US$50 notes to Africa. Try to avoid bringing notes that are older than 1996 - these can be difficult to spend.  This is due to recent cases of counterfeit bank notes. Cash is generally easier to exchange, however it is safer to carry some traveller’s cheques in case of theft or loss. Travellers must produce their sales advice slip and their passport or a photocopy of their passport when cashing travellers cheques.

Credit Cards are not acceptable in many places and should only be relied upon in capital cities and in Southern Africa; they are, however, useful in case of emergency.  Please note Scottish Pound notes are NOT accepted in Africa.

Please do NOT rely on using ATM’s. They are not widely available or reliable though this situation is slowly changing.

How much should I take?· 

• The best rule for packing is to limit your self to a weight limit of 15 KGs. It will inconvenience you and your fellow passengers if you bring more. If your luggage does not arrive at the airport, please inform your crew at the Pre Departure Meeting.
• A frameless or internally framed backpack or light case is the best way to carry your belongings since it is easy to lift on and off vehicles.
• A small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions. 
• We also recommend that you keep your passport, credit cards traveller’s cheques etc. on you at all times, preferably in a money belt worn under your clothes.
• The roads in the game parks are very dusty it is a good idea to pack your clothes in plastic bags inside your bag to protect them from dust.

TRAVEL TIP: You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.

For detailed climate information see www.kumuka.com 

Travel Tip: Always bring a lightweight, waterproof jacket and/or an umbrella even during the height of summer - this should prepare you for anything!

Under no circumstances are any illegal drugs allowed on any part of the trip. Anyone discovered in possession of any such drugs, will be asked to leave the tour immediately without question or refund.

Tour Questionnaire - We would like to hear about your experiences on tour. One week after your tour ends you will automatically receive a feedback questionnaire via email. If we do not have your email address you can still complete a questionnaire by visiting www.kumuka.com/feedback

Email - If you have any specific comments about your tour then please write to us by email to operations@kumuka.com