2018 East African Safari - with Gorilla Trek August 2018 - Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel
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2018 East African Safari
with Gorilla Trek
August 2018
Your tour leaders:
JILL GOTHARD:
Jill is a seasoned and passionate traveller as well as being a travel
expert specialising in exotic destinations.
With well over 35 years in the travel industry she has travelled to
many of the world’s most fascinating places and has a strong passion
for wildlife and natural history.
With her love of wildlife, this tour to East Africa with a chance to see
the Gorillas in Uganda, the great migration in the Masi Mara and the
magnificence of Mt Kilimanjaro this will be a very special trip.
Jill and Judy have led tours since 2013 which have included Namibia,
Botswana, Cuba, Peru, India, Sri Lanka and Morocco. Following the
formula of previous tours, this tour has been planned to give a mix
of experiences so you can be assured that everything has passed
Jill’s high standards.
JUDY BAILEY:
Judy needs little introduction. We all know her as the broadcaster
who fronted our primetime television news for twenty six years. Over
that time she became one of the most recognised faces in New
Zealand.
She is now a freelance writer and broadcaster. Since leaving TVNZ
she has written a best-selling memoir, fronted all but one of Maori
Television’s iconic ANZAC Day broadcasts and presented a number of
travel programmes for TV One. She continues to be an advocate for
children and families, devoting much of her time to charitable
organisations.
Judy and her husband, Chris, have travelled extensively in India with
World Vision but on this trip they will be exploring destinations that
are new to them. This is a personal holiday that they look forward to
sharing with you.
August 2018
Mon 20 Auckland/Doha Qatar Airways Depart: 3.05pm / Arrive: 11.45pm
Tue 21 Doha/Entebbe Qatar Airways Depart: 09.20am/ Arrive: 3.30pm
Please Note: Overnight accommodation included in Doha
Tue 21 ENTEBBE
Welcome to Africa! Upon arrival in Uganda at Entebbe Airport and after clearing Customs and
Immigration we will be met and transferred to our hotel.
Uganda, deservedly dubbed the Pearl of Africa, is located in the Great Lakes Region in central Africa and boasts an ecological diversity
that rivals many larger countries. Here, Eastern Savannah meets West African jungle. Uganda really does offer visitors incredible
diversity with its multitude of varying ecosystems. Bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains (often called the Mountains of the Moon, the
3rd highest in Africa), the Virunga Mountains, and Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria, it's a beautiful country bursting with bird-
and wildlife.
Entebbe is a small town, located on the edge of Lake Victoria. In Entebbe there is the Wildlife Education Centre, where you can see
some of the local species including shoebill stork, or you may like to visit the Botanical gardens which are great for bird-watching.
Spend one night at the Boma Guesthouse in a standard room including breakfast
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Wed 22 ENTEBBE – KIHIHI – BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST (BLD)
We will be transferred to Entebbe airport for our onward flight to Kihihi Airstrip.
Please note: The departure times vary and will be advised at a later date.
On arrival at Kihihi Airstrip we will be transferred to the lodge - transfer is approx. 2 hours by
vehicle.
Three nights at Buhoma Lodge in an en suite Cottage, including all meals.
Buhoma Lodge is situated adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park which is home to
the rare and elusive Mountain Gorilla.
The lodge has a total of eight beautifully appointed large cottages, spaciously set out along the mountainside. Each
cottage has large fully netted windows and its own private verandah to take advantage of the spectacular views.
Large comfortable beds ensure a good night’s rest after a tiring day of gorilla tracking! The en-suite bathrooms are
spacious with flush toilets and piping hot showers.
The lodge’s spacious upper level lounge, bar and dining area has fireplaces to provide warmth in the cool evenings,
where guests may dine and relax discussing the day's events.
Meals are wholesome, freshly prepared and generous quantities are served. A variety of international dishes are
served as well as local specialties such as matoke and g-nut sauce. Unlimited hot beverages are available all day on a
self-serve basis and are delivered to your cottage with early morning wake up calls as required. Sitting on your
private verandah watching the sunrise over the forest in the early morning as you sip your tea, offers a very relaxing
way to start the day.
As part of commitment to the local infrastructure, staff are recruited from the local communities of the area and
they provide a welcoming environment and excellent service levels for guests. Whenever possible, supplies
including local fresh produce are purchased through the local residents and businesses in the area.
Thu 23 BWINDI ~ GORILLA TREKKING (BLD)
The highlight is found amongst the forests in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where coming face to face with endangered Mountain Gorillas
in their natural habitat is one of the most profound wildlife encounters you will ever experience.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies in southwestern Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley. Its mist-covered hillsides are
blanketed by one of Uganda's oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost
400 species of plants. More famously, this "impenetrable forest" also protects and estimated 320 mountain gorillas - roughly half of the
world's population, including several habituated groups which can be tracked.
This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 species of mammal, including several primate species such as
baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23
Albertine Rift endemics.
After an early breakfast this morning we will proceed to the park headquarters (which is just a 10
minute walk away from the camp) for a briefing from the park guide.
Tracking commences every morning from the park headquarters at 8.30 am. The gorillas we track belong to one of
the 'habituated' family groups in Northern Bwindi.
Each group has undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually made them used to the presence of
humans. Experienced guides will accompany the tracking, many of who have been involved in the habituation
process themselves. Once the gorillas are located, the group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them.
Bwindi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a spectacular place to visit. Birders come thousands of miles to see
the more than 350 species that live within the area. There are also rare forest elephant, giant forest hog and about
11 kinds of primates, such as red tailed and blue monkey, black and white colobus, baboons and chimpanzee.
Forest duiker antelopes, bush buck antelopes and over 200 species of butterflies are also found in the park.
The journey, through dense foliage and up steep climbs, is abundantly rewarded with the lifetime experience of
viewing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. We will have an opportunity to be within meters of these
magnificent apes, sharing in their daily lives and experiencing their day-to-day activities.
Mountain gorillas are extremely rare with only an estimated 850 remaining in the wild. This is an experience that
will not be forgotten! *Some of the gorilla families are located in an area which needs to be accessed vehicle, but
we will be transported there.
Please Note: Tracking may be fairly strenuous with treks up to six hours or longer at high altitudes not uncommon.
Also, mountain gorillas are wild animals and, as such, sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, viewing success rates
are over 95%.
Fri 24 BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST (BLD)
This morning enjoy the Bwindi Village Community Walk through the local villages surrounding
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Visit a traditional home, local orphanage or school, banana brewing demonstrations and even
meeting traditional medicinal healers. This three to four hour walk can be tailored to our individual
interests.
This afternoon, there is time to take part in an optional walk through tropical rainforest with experienced wildlife
guides. Enjoy scenic views, the sights and sounds of the rain forest, ample opportunities for bird watching and
glimpses of the many monkey species living in the park as they move through the forest canopy.
Please Note there is an additional cost for this excursion.
Sat 25 BWINDI – ENTEBBE - NAIROBI (BD)
This morning we return to Kihihi Airstrip for our light aircraft flight to Entebbe.
Check in for our onward flight.
Entebbe/Nairobi Kenya Airways Depart: 1:35pm /Arrive: 2.35pm
Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, we will be welcomed and transferred
privately to our hotel (approx. 1 hour by road – depending on traffic).
Kenya’s capital is one of the largest and most influential cities in Africa, and an important commercial and financial regional hub. It is
the port of entry for most travellers to Kenya and offers bustling markets, interesting history and numerous attractions. Named after a
Maasai watering hole, “enkare nyarobi”, which means “place of cool waters”, Nairobi is known for its leafy streets and parks. The
skyline, with towering skyscrapers and imposing architecture, also draws one’s attention soon after arriving in the city.
Spend one night at Hemingways Nairobi in a Deluxe room, with en suite bathroom.
Our stay includes breakfast.
Hemingways is a luxurious 45-room plantation-style boutique hotel, airy and spacious. Bedrooms
are 80sqm, each having a private balcony that overlooks the iconic silhouette of the Ngong Hills.
You will find a very relaxed, almost resort atmosphere at Hemingways. The cuisine is excellent at
the Brasserie Restaurant, from delicious breakfasts to European style lunches and dinners. Relax
at the Whiskey Bar later on, a very traditional nod to colonial Africa.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Sun 26 NAIROBI – MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE (BLD)
After breakfast we will depart by road for the Masai Mara. Our 2 Kenyan guides will collect us in
specially customized safari vehicles for the journey through to Masai Mara and our safaris in
Kenya. All of our game drives will be taken with our own guides and vehicles.
Arrive at the camp for a late lunch.
Blessed with an astounding year-round concentration of animals and the climax of the Great Migration, Kenya’s Masai Mara
National Reserve provides an unsurpassed wildlife experience. Covering an area of 1 510 km2, the Masai Mara is a land of
breathtaking vistas, abundant wildlife, and endless plains. The Reserve is a photographer’s and naturalist’s paradise with abundant
elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion and cheetah alongside the migratory wildebeest and zebra. Leopards are frequently encountered, endangered
black rhino find retreat in dense thickets, and large rafts of hippo and enormous crocodiles are found in the Mara River. The Mara is
also home to over 450 bird species.
Situated in the &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Private Concession, which neighbours the Masai Mara, the camp offers world-class
accommodation in the African bush. Meaning ―head of the elephant- in Kiswahili, Kichwa Tembo is located on private land leased
from Maasai landlords in the remote western Mara – almost exclusively explored by fly-in guests. In addition to the excellent
concentration of animals, Kichwa Tembo lies directly in the path of Africa’s spectacular Great Migration.
Experience two nights at &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Masai Mara Tented Camp in a Superior
Tent with en suite bathroom with shower only. Our stay includes accommodation, three meals
daily, teas and coffees, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits and beers.
Laid out along the Sabaringo River on the edge of the Oloololo escarpment, &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Masai Mara
Tented Camp looks out onto the plains of the Masai Mara. Set on a private concession leased from Masai landlords
in the north of the Mara, the camp offers total seclusion and abundant wildlife. Forty spacious tents, are laid out in
immaculate grounds, with leisurely groups of warthog feeding right outside the tent doors.
Steeped in the aura of classical safari &Beyond Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp boasts 12 luxury tents and 28
superior tents, all of which give out onto magnificent views over the open grasslands or the shady forest
surrounding the Sabaringo River. The superior tents feature beautiful Maasai-inspired interiors that showcase a
simple and contemporary use of local materials. Oversized beds are perfectly positioned to make the most of the
views, while stained cypress wood furniture combine with tribal decorative elements.
There is a generously-sized swimming pool from which guests can watch game while cooling off. Opening up onto
incredible Masai Mara views, the guest areas feature cosy split-level spaces decorated in a palette of stone and taupe.
Celebrating the romance and nostalgia of the Mara, a double-story bar and lounge area feature oversized windows.
with spectacular panoramas. Kichwa Tembo is renowned for its gracious teams of Kenyan staff whose warm
welcome, charming service and effortless energy delight guests from all over the world. Buffet tables groaning with
delicious Pan African dishes and salads freshly picked from the Camp’s shamba (traditional vegetable garden) greet
guests at every meal in the split- level dining area.
Mon 27 MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE (BLD)
Game drives in the Masai Mara National Reserve with our guides.
**Optional Balloon safari at additional cost.
Probably the most famous of the reserves, the Masai Mara, in Kenya's south western corner, boasts an astonishing amount of game.
Unfenced, the Mara is bounded in the east by the Ngama Hills and in the west by the Oloololo or Siria Eascarpment. Gazelle,
wildebeest and zebra graze in large numbers and where prey is found so are their predators. Not only is this a great place in which to
find game, but the wide greeny-gold savannahs spotted with thorn trees make it ideal for photography. The Mara, as it is known in
Kenya, is ravishingly beautiful and also offers long, undisturbed views and utterly dramatic panoramas. The weather really means
something here.
The sun may beat down unforgivingly, huge clouds in fabulous shapes may sweep across the widest of skies, the wind ripples the grasses
as though they are stroked by a giant hand. The landscape is stunning.
The famous black-maned Mara lions are possibly the stars of the Mara show, but cheetah, elephant, kongoni, topi, Thompson's gazelle,
waterbuck, hyena, and primates are all here too. As with the rest of Kenya, the birding is good. There is no settlement within the reserve
however, the Mara is in theory owned by the Masai, pastoralists and, in earlier times, renowned lion-killers. Lodges and hotels offer the
opportunity to buy their beadwork, checked cloths and copies of their
spears. It is said that if lions scent approaching Masai on the breeze they
move swiftly in the opposite direction.
Famously, the Mara is the northerly end of the Great Migration, that
great primeval surge of wildebeest, zebra and antelope that sweeps in from
Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya's Masai Mara as the Tanzanian grass
starts to fail. They are tracked by the large predators that pick off the
weak, the stragglers and the young. The great herds, nearing their
destination by July, mass along the Mara River, pushing, shoving and
fantastically noisy, just waiting for the first animal to cross so that they can
all follow, lemming-like, on the final leg of the journey. However, crocodiles
lie in wait, sluggishly cruising the waters, fully prepared for their best meal
of the year. Many fail in the life-and-death struggle - drowned, eaten by the crocodiles or, made careless or weak by their stressful swim,
brought down by lions. The Masai Mara is terrible yet wonderful, and not to be missed.
Tue 28 MASAI MARA – LAKE ELMENTEITA (BLD)
After breakfast drive to Lake Elmenteita, our next stop in Kenya. A RAMSAR Site, this is a wetlands site of
international importance. The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental environmental treaty established in
1971 by UNESCO. It provides for national action and international cooperation regarding the conservation of
wetlands and the wise sustainable use of their resources.
Lake Elmenteita is a bird watchers haven. The Soysambu Conservancy where this is lake is, is known as home to
hundreds of plains game. After lunch at our camp, we will drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous as
(seasonally) the home to thousands of lesser and greater flamingo. This park also provides sanctuary for Rothschild
giraffe, rhino and leopard. Enjoy an afternoon game viewing drive and then proceed to Lake Elmenteita.
The Great Rift Valley is a region of enormous geological significance and fabulous natural beauty, extending all the way down from the
Middle East into Southern Africa. The towering mountains, plunging valleys and gorgeous lakes create dramatic and stunning scenery
that warrants a visit to Kenya all by itself. The enchanting view of thousands of flamingos on Lake Nakuru earned it the status of
being the first place in Africa to become a national park. Lake Naivasha is the second largest freshwater lake in Kenya and a
birdwatcher's paradise. Made famous by decadent colonials in the 1930s and immortalized in a film "White Mischief", Lake
Naivasha is still a popular getaway for locals.
The Conservancy's rich bio-diversity has been recognized internationally by Tusk Trust, Born Free Trust, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
and several private donors who have provided funds to improve the infrastructure in the conservancy and to help wildlife conservation and
surrounding communities. The Conservancy is at the forefront of Eco-tourism in the Rift Valley lakes area.
Enjoy two nights at Sunbird Lodge in a Standard room with an en suite. Our stay includes
accommodation and all meals while at the lodge.
Sunbird Lodge is an eco-friendly luxury lodge, located in the Great Rift Valley at the shore of Lake Elementaita and
overlooking the vast, unspoilt plains. Located on private land and only 20 minutes to the famous Nakuru National
Park. 14 very spacious en-suite cottages and with a huge private veranda. All with a king size bed and an additional
single bed, exquisitely built with natural materials and thatched roofs. Enjoy an unspoilt view over Lake
Elementaita and the Soysambu Conservancy.
Wed 29 LAKE ELMENTEITA – LAKE NAKURU – LAKE ELMENTEITA (BLD)
After breakfast we will drive to the nearby Lake Nakuru National Park for an extended game
drive. Lake Nakuru National Park is in the same basin as Lake Elmentaita and is a bird watchers
haven. It also has a Rhino Sanctuary and a Rothchild’s Giraffe Sanctuary. The game density is
generally good all year round but it is the Flamingoes that paint the lake pink that Lake Nakuru is
known for.
The game drives are very rewarding.
Lake Nakuru National Park
Originally declared a national park because of a superbly diverse bird
population, which includes many migrants, the park is also a favourite
place for travellers to seek the rare black rhino. However, it is for the
flamingos that the lake is best known, and it was for their protection that
the park was originally created. The level of the blue-green alkaline waters
here varies and this, with other accompanying environmental changes,
causes considerable variation in the flamingo population, but when they are
present, en masse, the whole lake turns a gorgeous rosy pink.
Although protection of the flamingo population on the lake was the original
rationale for the inception of the national park, further land was included
in the early seventies and it is now about 190 sq m. This expansion, which
took in a large grassland area, has allowed the park to protect further
species. Buffalo, zebra, antelope and both lion and leopard are to be found.
The rather less ubiquitous reedbuck and waterbuck are also here as is the glamorously leggy Rothschild giraffe. Temptingly, the black
rhino breeding programme, started in the late eighties, has proved successful and this is an excellent place to view them.
Thu 30 LAKE ELEMENTAITA – AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK (BLD)
After breakfast we will drive to the Amboseli National Park which is set at the foot of the most
famous symbol of Africa.
Mt Kilimanjaro broods high over Amboseli, generally cloaked by clouds but appearing in all its
snow-shrouded magnificence from time to time. Kilimanjaro was once part of Kenya, but on themarriage of Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany Queen Victoria gifted it to her beloved grand-son, whose
colony Tanzania was at that time. The mountain now provides water for the park, wonderful views
and, of course, the most glorious background for animal photography.
“Lying below the most famous symbol of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro. The 392 sq km Amboseli National Park lies due south of
Nairobi, within clear sight of Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 5896 metres. The waters of the mountain feed the
seasonal swamps and marshes on which the game and birds, which live in the park, rely. It is here that photographers will hope to shoot
the classic picture of the elephant or giraffe standing against the dramatic backdrop of the snowcapped mountain.”
Spend two nights at Ol Tukai Lodge including all meals while at the lodge.
This afternoon enjoy a game drive until sunset.
Deep in the heart of the world famous Amboseli
National Park is the magnificent Ol Tukai Lodge with
amazing views of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Ol Tukai is
surrounded by yellow barked acacia trees and blends
effortlessly into this celebrated African wilderness.
This is an exceptional location for the naturalist -
elephant, lion, buffalo, cheetah, leopard, giraffe,
wildebeeste, gazelle are all found here in this haven
dominated by acacias, phoenix palms and a partially dry
lakebed of evaporated salts, all under the shadows of
Africa's highest mountain. Speakers from the elephant
research centre stay within the sizeable grounds of the
lodge and give fascinating lectures daily. Bird-walks
offer the professional or amateur ornithologist a wide
variety of bird species.
At Ol Tukai, each of the 80 twin rooms, furnished in African woods and fabrics, is extremely comfortable and all
have breath taking views of the mountain and the wetlands where elephant and buffalo wallow in the afternoon
when it is hotter. For the guests, there is a superb swimming pool and a bar to relax at. The open-air Elephant Bar
is the ideal place to enjoy drinks or sundowners as you watch the wildlife wander past. A well-stocked library is
available to those who wish to learn more about Amboseli. With wildlife right on your doorstep day and night,
combined with the gorgeous views of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Ol Tukai offers a perfect stay inside Amboseli National
Park, one of Africa's greatest wildlife reserves.
Fri 31 AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK (BLD)
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives or just relax.September 2018
Sat 01 AMBOSELI NP – TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK (BLD)
After breakfast, we will transfer to the Namanga border where we will clear immigration. Once
completed, we will head to Arusha for quick lunch before driving to the Eastern edge of
Tarangitewdre National Park arriving at our lodge.
Spend two nights at Tarangire Treetops in a Treehouse suite including accommodation, all
meals, soft drinks, beer, house wines and selected spirits and laundry service
On the path of an annual elephant migration, Tarangire Treetops sits alone in a 312km private wildlife area
bordering Tarangire National Park, amid a landscape of rolling and baobab-studded hills. Our elevated "treehouse"
suites are perched high up with views over the adjacent baobab and marula trees, giving Tarangire Treetops an
adventurous and exotic feel. Natural materials are blended with contemporary Africana décor, to provide guests
with a unique and most memorable safari experience. Each treehouse boasts one of the largest bedrooms to be
found in any camp or lodge in East Africa – with a floor space of 65 square metres – and all with an exotic double
shower en suite bathroom. With furnishings that create warmth and demonstrate a commitment to local
craftsmanship, the ‘up-in-the-air’ experience is completed by the open-fronted room design affording views across
the Tarangire plains from an expansive but private balcony. Each room offers a unique and special view, oriented
to enjoy the sunset in the evening, sunrise in the morning or affording a view over the waterhole and animal trail in
front of the lodge.
Encasing an impressive baobab tree, the spacious and tranquil dining room, reception and lounge overlook the
swimming pool and a waterhole that sees a steady flow of wild animal visitors. With the natural beauty of the hills
and dry river beds begging to be explored, guests can enjoy guided walking safaris, day or night time game drives
and the enchantment of bush dining.
Sun 02 TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK (BLD)
Full day spent in Tarangire with a morning and afternoon game drivesThe 2600 sq. km Tarangire National Park lies 120 Kms and 2.5 hours driving distance southwest of Arusha. On the east bank of
Lake Manyara the Tarangire River crosses the Tarangire National Park from north to south. In the dry season between June and
September the wildlife knows that there is always water and, in consequence, large numbers of animals including elephant, wildebeest,
gazelle, buffalo, eland, zebra and oryx gather at the shrinking pools and drying river bed. After the Serengeti, Tarangire has the greatest
concentration of wildlife in Tanzania and in the dry season the Tarangire River is a magnet for thirsty wildlife. Large herds of elephants
and migratory wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, impala, gazelle, hartebeest and eland gather and not surprisingly the predators follow. This is
also the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as oryx and gerenuk are regularly spotted. Tarangire is also known for
its spectacular baobab trees, and its breathtaking views of the Masaai Steppe and the mountains to the south.
Mon 03 TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK – NGORONGORO CRATER AREA (BLD)
After breakfast we leave Tarangire and drive to the Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact caldera in
the world. Its enduring charm stems from its overwhelming beauty and the abundance of wildlife
permanently resident on the crater floor.
On arrival at the Crater we will immediately commence the drive to the floor of the crater for an
extended crater tour. Quite possibly the most famous of all Africa’s conservation areas, this is one
of the places where visitors stand a good chance of seeing the Big 5. The enduring charm of
Ngorongoro stems from its overwhelming physical beauty and the abundance of wildlife which are
permanently resident here. Later we return to our camp for check in. rest of the day at leisure.
The central bowl, the caldera, has sides roughly 1,950 feet high and a flattish centre with a
diameter of about ten miles. The crater walls are forested but four-wheel drive vehicles will take us
down into this primeval paradise of woodland, lake, river, swamp and plain that shelters around
20,000 animals. After exploring the crater, we return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.In the Great Rift Valley, that great schism in the earth's crust 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 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-manned 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 favorite 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 volcanos’, one of which, Oldonyo Lengai, is still live. One of the most fascinating
attractions in the area is the 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!
Spend one night at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge in a Double room including all meals.Facing the magnificent sunsets to the west, and located at
the highest point on Ngorongoro crater’s entire rim,
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge stands well over half a kilometre
above the crater floor and offers unparalleled views across
this enormous caldera.
Themed around traditionally circular African houses with
conical roofs, and decorated with examples of Africa’s rich
tapestry of artistic traditions by way of rich woodcarvings
and sculptures, the lodge harmonizes perfectly with its
dramatic surroundings.
Tue 04 NGORONGORO – SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK (BLD)
After breakfast, we drive to the Serengeti National Park, undoubtedly the most famous wildlife
sanctuary in the world, unequalled for its natural beauty and the greatest concentration of plains
game anywhere. Arrive for lunch at our camp. Afternoon gamedrive until sunset.
Spend two nights at Lemala Kuria Hills including all meals, selected house wines and spirits,
local beers, soft drinks, juices, water and laundry.
The luxurious Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge is situated in the Wogakurya Hills, close to the Mara River on the
Tanzanian side of the border and within the main corridor of the world-famous wildebeest migration. Large
boulders and kopjes form the prominent features of the site and each guest tent has been carefully positioned
amongst these to ensure privacy and spectacular vistas over the gentle grassed slopes, open woodland and tree lined
watercourses, which all make up the scenic north Serengeti landscape.
The Lodge has a clean and contemporary design that remain undeniably African at heart, largely through the
warmth and vibrancy of the team that call it home.
Magnificent kopjes dominate the public areas, with
superb views from the bar, sitting and dining areas,
swimming pool and the decks. Guests may enjoy
several dining options in camp or out in the bush with
a choice of freshly cooked starters, main course,
desserts and house drinks. Tea is served in the
afternoon before your game drive and cocktails at
sunset on one of the kopjes overlooking the Isuria
escarpment.
A separate tent in the wild forms the Melengali Spa
where you can indulge in massages and manicures in a
peaceful, natural setting. Whether here for the
migration between June and October or for privacy and seclusion at other times of the year, Lemala Kuria Hills is a
place of incredible luxury and beauty where you can relax or explore the amazing wildlife, landscapes and habitats
of the northern Serengeti with our superb guides either on foot or in our custom-designed 4x4s.Wed 05 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK (BLD)
Spend the day enjoying the game drives in the Serengeti National Park with a picnic lunch.
George Adamson, co-raiser of Elsa the lioness, and husband of "Born Free" author Joy Adamson, visited the Serengeti in the early
sixties and describes 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 Maasai need for grazing and the indigenous wildlife. He and his son carried out a massive survey, using planes to
quantify the game, and identifying and logging the plant life. He used his best-seller "Serengeti Shall Not Die" to raise funds and
publicize the exercise. Thanks to the Grzimeks, and to John Owen who established a renowned scientific research establishment there,
the Serengeti still has an amazing concentration of wildlife.
The 14,763 square kilometres of the Serengeti are probably most famous for being the southern end of the Great Migration. Every year
over 1.5 million animals, mostly wildebeest but also Zebra and Thompson's gazelle, follow their instincts and move through the western
corridor on their 1000 kilometre journey to the fresh grazing of the Masai Mara. Predators pick off the weak, the laggardly and the
young and crocodiles feast as the vast herd crosses the rivers but they continue their trek, as they have done since time immemorial. This
is one of the earth's great sights - but it is by no means all the Serengeti has to offer.
The vast, flat central plains, made fertile by the ashes of the volcanoes of the Ngongoro highlands. This is a place 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. Perhaps one of the best ways to see the Serengeti is a hot air balloon ride when, in the cool of the early
morning, you may admire the grandeur, the vastness and the stunning landscape.
Thu 06 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK – ARUSHA – KILIMANJARO (B)
This morning we will be transferred to the local airstrip for our onward light aircraft flight to
Arusha (Depart: 0925hr/Arrive: 1230hr). Upon arrival we will be met and transferred to
Kilimanjaro International Airport for our onward flight departures.Kilimanjaro/Nairobi Precision Air 2:15pm/3.15pm
Nairobi/Doha Qatar Airways 5.55pm/11.20pm
Fri 07 Doha/Auckland Qatar Airways 03.00am/04.00am – 08th
~ Our African Journey Concludes ~
Please Note: The Luggage allowance throughout is 15kgs plus hand luggage per person in soft bags only
Cost: NZD24,846.00 – per person x 2 for share twin/double
NZD 3,775.00 – per person additional for Business Class Auckland/Entebbe - Nairobi/Auckland
* To secure your reservation we require a non-refundable deposit of NZD3,000.00 per person within 5 days of
booking. The due dates for the remaining payments will be advised at a later date.
* Provisional bookings do not guarantee that Gorilla Trek Permits are booked and they are not confirmed until
payment is received along with your passport copies. The cost of the Gorilla Trek Permits is included in the
deposit amount above.
* Please add 2 % for payment by Visas or MasterCard or 3% for payment by Diners or American Express
* All prices are subject to change due to currency fluctuation or other factors outside of our control up until full
payment has been received.
* Meals are shown as (BLD) throughout. B= breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Inclusions:
➢ Personal meet & greet on arrival
➢ Accommodation in hotels and African safari lodges as per itinerary
➢ Meals as specified within itinerary (B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner)
➢ Beverages are included at Kichwa Tembo, Tarangire Treetops and Lemala Kuria Hills only.
➢ All transport and transfers by road as specified in the itinerary
➢ All National Park & Concession/Conservation fees
➢ One Gorilla Trek permit per person
➢ Safari activities as specified. Private safaris with Kenyan and Tanzania guides and our own customised safari
vehicles
➢ Flights on scheduled Light Aircraft as per itinerary
➢ Domestic/international departure tax, fuel and safety levies from airports and airstrips
➢ Services and back up of our partners in Africa / 24 hour emergency contact and medivac insuranceNot Included:
Visas, Travel Insurance, meals other than specified, beverages unless specified, vaccinations, gratuities, items of a
personal nature.
Passports:
Your passport must be current, in good condition and have sufficient blank pages remaining. If your passport shows any
signs of delamination (where the edges are peeling away) or any other damage, e.g. water damage, please contact the
issuing authority for advice. It is recommended that your passport’s expiry date does not fall within six months of the
completion of your travel. Entry requirements in a number of countries stipulate that your passport’s validity extends for
a period of at least 6 months on your return date
Visas
Full details will be advised with your confirmation and reconfirmed nearer to your departure but as a guideline, current
requirements are as follows. These entry requirements are for New Zealand/Australian passport holders.
East African Community (EAC) Visa
You can obtain an online Visa to cover both Kenya & Uganda costing US$100 per person for a stay of 90 days.
This visa does not include Tanzania.
Tanzania
Visa required. This may be obtained on arrival at a fee of US$50.00 per person valid for 3 months.
You may also be asked to present a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.
Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel Contact Jill Gothard direct on:
8a Cleveland Road
Parnell, Auckland 09 366 6808
Phone: 0800 266 869
www.bonvoyage.co.nz jill@bonvoyage.co.nzYou can also read
