Journeys 105: I Dreamt of Africa

Welcome to Nairobi. The green city under the sun.

Our representative will meet and greet you at the airport and later transfer you to your city hotel for overnight (Bed and breakfast).

Breakfast at your hotel.

8:20am: Briefing on your Kenya Safari.

9.00am: Pick up at the hotel and drive to the famous Masai market for shopping. The market is located within the Central Business District which is five minutes away.

10:10am: Depart to Kiambethu tea farm. Arrive at 11am and over a cup of tea or coffee the history of the farm and process of making tea is informally explained, followed by an opportunity to see tea in the field.

Then take a walk in the indigenous forest with our resident Kenyan guide who will identify the plants and explain how they are traditionally used. Look out for the Colobus monkeys close up and wander in the gardens which are home to a wide variety of birds and flowers.Return to the house to enjoy a pre-lunch drink on the verandah with sweeping views across the tea fields to the Ngong Hills.

Lunch is served about 1pm and is a three course buffet lunch from our set menu prepared with vegetables from the garden and desserts are topped with cream from our herd of Channel Island cows.

2:20pm: Depart to the magical Giraffe Centre- view the giraffes, take photos and even feed them.

4:00pm: Karen Blixen Museum.

The Museum takes visitors `Out of Africa,' into historic home of Danish author who was focus of 1985 movie.  You may as well know it before you go: Denys Finch-Hatton was no Robert Redford. That's the main disappointment voiced by visitors to the sprawling stone farmhouse, now in a Nairobi suburb, where Danish author Karen Blixen lived from 1914 to 1931 and where she welcomed her lover, Finch-Hatton. "But who is?" countered our guide, Anne Mieke Raassen, in a lilt reminiscent of Meryl Streep, Redford's co-star in the award-winning "Out of Africa." Since the 1985 Oscar sweep, crowds have doubled at the Blixen manor, now restored as a national museum.

5.30pm: Depart Karen Blixen Museum to the Carnivore Restaurant

6:00pm: Dinner at Carnivore restaurant Indulgent “Nyama Choma” dining venue where you sample an abundance of varied juicy meats roasted over a charcoal fire that are piled on your plate until your stomach is beyond full. When the meat has reached a perfect temperature, waiters carry the full skewers through the restaurant, and the aromas tempt your taste buds and stir your curiosity. Since 1980, Carnivore Restaurant has been satisfying the appetites of meat lovers and safari adventurers with a never-ending selection of ostrich, crocodile, venison depending on what is locally available, served alongside beef, lamb, pork and chicken. A variety of side dishes complete this gastronomical tour of African cuisine, such as salads, soups, vegetable dishes and authentic sauces. The experience is enhanced by the informal, relaxed setting while gulping a Carnivore Dawa cocktail to hydrate, refresh and sharpen your palate for every delicious morsel. Should you find that even one more nibble is simply unbearable, just lower the white flag in the middle of your table and your surrender is noted with a final edible bite of dessert served with coffee or tea. More than two million international guests have shared in what is known as “the ultimate Beast of a Feast!”.

8.30pm: Transfer to your city hotel for overnight (Bed & Breakfast).

Enjoy breakfast. Later depart to Mt. Kenya Regions. Arrive at your resort for lunch. With magnificent views of majestic Mount Kenya, the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club Resort's 120 luxuriously appointed hotel rooms set in over 100 acres of landscape gardens, offer a unique blend of comfort, relaxation and adventure. It’s no wonder this Nanyuki resort emerged a winner in the 2013 Travellers Choice Awards and that Travel & Leisure Magazine often positions it in the 'World's Top 50' List. Originally the retreat of movie star and Club founder, William Holden, the Club's illustrious former members have included Winston Churchill and Bing Crosby. Enjoy activities offered by the resort (extra cost). Dinner and overnight at FAIRMONT MOUNT KENYA SAFARI CLUB (Full Board).

Depart Mount Kenya for Lake Naivasha with a stopover at the Great Rift Valley where you will stop for photos taking at the escarpment and then continue to the little Italian Church which is just nearby.

Arrive at your safari lodge for lunch. Afternoon boat ride to the privately owned Crescent Island, Which is a peninsula on the Eastern Shore of Lake Naivasha. There is a lot of game such as giraffes, waterbucks, elands, Zebras and Impalas. You will also get a chance to feed Ostrich and take pictures. Lake Naivasha is a haven for hippos and birds with +200 species recorded. Dinner and overnight at your luxury safari lodge (Full board).

Breakfast and later depart to the worldly renowned and visited Masai Mara game reserve. Proceed to your luxury tented Camp for lunch. At 4.00pm, depart for your first after noon game drive to explore bush, steppe and fantastic game sightings. Dinner and overnight at your luxury tented camp (Full Board).

Day 06: Maasai Mara Game Reserve

Enjoy full day in the Maasai Mara with unlimited game drives as per your convenience. The Mara boasts of the highest concentration of animals in the whole of Africa and is home to the famous Big Cats and “BigFive”. These include Buffalo, Elephant, Lion, Leopard & Rhino. If you wish to explore the Mara from the air we recommend an optional early morning (wake-up call at 5am)  1 hour hot balloon safari at 6am over the Mara with a champagne breakfast upon landing(extra). All meals and overnight at your luxury tented camp (Full Board).

Depart Nairobi to Victoria falls. Your guide will pick you up upon arrival. Transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel. Overnight at your luxury lodge (Bed and breakfast)

Breakfast. Your driver will pick you from your lodge. Discover the majestic Victoria Falls from both Zimbabwe and Zambia on this immersive guided tour. Traverse lush rainforest paths and witness stunning viewpoints, including the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge. This 6-hour adventure includes hotel transfers and expert guidance, ensuring you experience the falls' beauty from all angles.

Visit the he Big Tree near Victoria Falls where you expect to encounter one of the most remarkable natural landmarks in Zimbabwe—a majestic baobab (Adansonia digitata) that stands as a testament to the region’s rich history and biodiversity. The Big Tree towers at approximately 24 meters (79 feet) in height with a girth of about 22 meters (73 feet), making it one of the largest baobabs in the world. Estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,000 years old, this ancient tree has witnessed centuries of human and natural history. While David Livingstone carved his name into a different baobab on Garden Island, the Big Tree stands near the site where he made landfall in 1855, adding historical depth to its presence. Nearby, visitors can find a curio market offering local crafts and souvenirs.

View and walk on the Victoria Falls Bridge Which is a historic steel arch bridge spanning the Zambezi River between Zimbabwe and Zambia, offering breathtaking views of the falls and gorge. Built in 1905, it’s a marvel of colonial engineering and a popular spot for bungee jumping and photography.

Later dine by twilight on Zambezi River dinner cruise, which takes you down toward Victoria Falls for a good view before turning around and heading for the sunset. Enjoy a 4-course dinner with drinks as you watch the sun dip below the horizon.  Transfer to your hotel for overnight at your luxury lodge (Bed and breakfast)

Your driver/guide will pick you up after your sumptuous breakfast, travel approximately one hour to the Kazungula Border, where your guide assists with Botswana immigration formalities. Begin your adventure with a Chobe River game cruise, offering incredible close-up sightings of aquatic wildlife and animals gathering along the riverbanks.

In the afternoon, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge or Chobe Marina Lodge before heading out on an exciting open 4x4 game drive in Chobe National Park. This land safari provides excellent opportunities to spot the Big Five and experience Botswana’s rich wildlife up close. Depending on animal movement and guide expertise, the itinerary may alternate between the boat cruise and game drive.

Ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and safari enthusiasts, this Chobe National Park day trip from Victoria Falls delivers a complete and unforgettable African safari experience. Overnight at your luxury lodge  (Bed and breakfast)

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Depart Victoria Falls to Windhoek. Airport transfers upon your arrival. Overnight at your luxury lodge (Bed and Breakfast).

Breakfast at the Hotel

Check out & transfer to your accommodation in Sossuvlei.

Sossusvlei is a stunning, remote location in the Namib Desert of Namibia. It's renowned for its dramatic landscapes, featuring some of the world's tallest sand dunes, which can reach heights of over 300 meters (about 1,000 feet). The name "Sossusvlei" translates to "deadend marsh," reflecting the area's nature as a salt and clay pan surrounded by towering dunes. One of the most photographed dunes in the world, known for its striking orange color

and steep climb that offers panoramic views of the desert. Sossusvlei is also part of the

Namib-Naukluft National Park, which is one of the largest conservation areas in Africa.

The best time to visit is generally early morning or late afternoon, when the light creates striking contrasts and shadows across the dunes. Dinner and overnight at your lodge (Bed and breakfast)

Proceed for the Sossusvlei Excursion. An early start from the Lodge to enter the Namib-Naukluft Park at sunrise, while the temperature is still mild and when the dune contrasts are at their best. You will travel in one of our allterrain URI Game viewer vehicles,

Custombuilt in Namibia for the Lodge, with your own specially trained guide who will

share all knowledge of the area, animals, plant life and much more with you. Regular

stops are made on the spectacular ±60 kilometre drive through the dune corridor down

to the Vlei to gain information or take in the vistas. At Dune 45, we make a stop to view

the world's most photographed dune. Further along, a gradual 6-kilometer roundtrip

guided walk up to Dead Vlei is a must for the healthy visitors. The more energetic have

the opportunity to climb to the upper ridge of Big Daddy Dune, one of the highest dunes in this area! Have Brunch during the excursion. After the tour, transfer back to your lodge. Dinner and overnight at your lodge (Bed and breakfast).

Breakfast at the Lodge. Check-out & drive to Swakopmund.

Swakopmund Namibia is situated amidst dunes and desert close to the mouth of Swakop River. It is one of the famous tourist attractions in Namibia along the African road. Swakopmund city of Namibia is the capital of the Erongo administrative district and has 42,000 inhabitants and covers 193 square kilometres. Showcasing German colonial architecture, the destination of Swakopmund is a beach resort which was founded in 1892 as the main harbour for German Southwest Africa. The city is even known as the adventure capital that opens up the gate for an exotic vacation in Namibia. From marvellous buildings to

astounding town promenade, Swakopmund tour has everything for those who are looking for a comfortable and memorable stay. On your way to Swakopmund, you can make a stopover at Solitaire

Town & eat the famous Apple Pie from the Bakery. Later you can also make a stopover at

Kuiseb Canyon. Check in at your hotel upon arrival and relax (Bed and breakfast)

Breakfast.

Proceed for Seal & Dolphin Cruise in Swakopmund. Later Proceed for Sandwich Harbour 4 x 4 Scenic Excursion. We will drive right to the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon along the beach, one of Southern Africa’s richest and unique wetlands and one of five RAMSAR sites (Ramsar site no. 743) in Namibia. Sandwich Harbour boasts two distinct wetlands and associated mudflats. One is aquifer-fed and supports typical emergent vegetation, but is slowly disappearing due to natural causes. The second, under tidal influence, consists of mudflats and raised shingle bars. Wedged between the sea and the Namib Dunes, it is one of Namibia's most important coastal wetlands, supporting eight endangered species among the large numbers of wading birds. Several archaeological sites dating back 1,000 years exist within the site.

Swakop city tour & craft beer testing.

Extra activities like sand dunes quad biking and sandboarding, Marine big 5 luxury catamaran tour, Walvis bay kayaking.

Transfer back to your hotel for overnight (Bed and breakfast).

Breakfast. Drive back to Windhoek. Enjoy a city tour of Windhoek and later and drop off at the airport for your flight departing Windhoek back home.