| Starts | Cairo, Egypt, Egypt |
|---|---|
| Ends | Nairobi, Kenya, Kenya |
| Region | Africa |
| Duration | 17 days |
| Tour Operator | Peregrine |
Itinerary
Day 1
Cairo
- On arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. This is simply an arrival day so you may arrive in Cairo at any time.
- Note that hotel rooms are generally only available after midday. The balance of the day is free to explore your surroundings, but normally a welcome meeting is held in the evening where you meet your tour leader and fellow travellers.
Day 2
Memphis & Saqqara
- After breakfast and a briefing from your tour leader you will drive out to Memphis on the edge of the Western Desert, where a small museum marks the site of the ancient city.
- You will then continue to its necropolis, Saqqara, where your guide explains the significance of the various temples and colonnades. At the centre of the complex is the step pyramid of King Djoser, believed to be over 5000 years old and the predecessor to the great pyramids at Giza.
- Nearby you will visit the tombs of the nobles, containing exquisite bas-reliefs of everyday life in ancient times.
- At the conclusion of your visit you will return to Cairo, where the balance of the day will be free to explore this busy metropolis or just relax at the hotel.
Day 3
Cairo - overnight sleeper train
- The Egyptian Museum is simply one of the world's great museums, home to a stupendous collection of antiquities and the perfect introduction to your tour, exhibiting many of the region's treasures.
- You will head there after breakfast and your expert guide takes you through Egypt's rich and fascinating dynastic history. You will then have some free time to explore on your own; you may wish to visit the Royal Mummy Room (optional and at extra cost).
- You will then drive out to Giza, home to perhaps the greatest iconic structures ever created by man - the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Instantly familiar yet retaining a mystique and power, getting up close to these incredible pharaonic tombs is captivating. For an additional charge you may be able to go inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu (or Cheops), although occasionally it may be closed to visitors.
- Afterwards you will return to your hotel, where there is plenty of time to freshen up and pack before you are transferred to the railway station for the overnight sleeper train to Luxor.
- Sleeping berths (beds and linen) are provided in private cabins and an airline-style dinner will be served. It is worth bringing additional snacks and your tour leader can help you to arrange this. A toilet is located at the end of each carriage.
Day 4
Luxor
- After an early breakfast on board, the train rolls into Luxor - a buzzing place with a great bazaar and situated close to some of ancient Egypt's most important and extraordinary sights.
- You will be transferred to your Nile cruise boat, which will be your home for the next four nights. You can relax by the pool on the boat or explore the town.
- Later in the day you will a take horse-drawn carriages to Karnak - one of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, built over a period of some 200 years.
- Your guided tour of the temple reveals the complex's finest sections. For the rest of the afternoon and evening you will be free to relax, shop in the bazaar (open until quite late) or perhaps experience the atmosphere of a local tea house.
Day 5
Valley of the Kings - Luxor - Nile Cruise
- You will rise early this morning (much earlier during summer!) and head into the Valley of the Kings, where buried under the arid hills are over 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings.
- It's a compelling place, vast and spectacular, and discoveries are still being made. Tutankhamun's final resting place is also located here, but entry to this small tomb is quite limited. It is at additional cost, but you will be given some free time when you will have the opportunity to visit it.
- Your guide will explain the funerary rites of the ancient Egyptians and significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics. You will visit three royal tombs and then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, set in a spectacular natural amphitheatre. Your final stop is at the Colossi of Memnon - giant statues that were once part of an impressive colonnade.
- You will return to the boat and enjoy lunch on board. There is time to relax on deck or in your cabin before you set sail for Edfu. Departure time may vary, depending on river traffic – please refer to the note regarding cruise schedules in the 'Other Information' section. You will pass through Esna Lock, which can sometimes be a slow process depending on the number of vessels waiting to get through, and continue your journey upstream.
Day 6
Nile Cruise (Edfu - Komombo)
- Morning finds you moored near Edfu, an excellently-preserved temple dedicated to Horus - the falcon-headed god. You will disembark and explore the temple as well as experiencing the bustling town centre.
- Returning to the cruise boat, you will continue travelling upriver, relaxing on the sundeck and taking in the surrounding sights - desert hills forming a backdrop to lush riverbanks, fishermen casting their nets and farmers working their land.
- Arriving at Komombo, your short walk around the Temple of Sobek (the crocodile-headed god) that lies picturesquely ruined on the river's edge provides an interesting insight into the Greco-Roman period.
Day 7
Aswan
- You will arrive in Aswan today, Egypt's southernmost city and a place with an easygoing charm that is due in no small part to its large Nubian population. Depending on your arrival time, you may visit the beautiful Temple of Isis that was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated on Philae Island (alternatively you will visit it tomorrow).
- It is an absolute gem, its decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt's finest carvings - definitely one of the highlights of Upper Egypt. The rest of our day will be free to wander – and Aswan is a great place for it.
- The Nubian Bazaar is a must, while the excellent Nubian Museum is recommended by many. The waterfront promenade, or Aswan's 'corniche', runs alongside the one of Nile's most appealing stretches and is the perfect place to stop for a mint tea.
- Aswan is a great little town and there are plenty of relaxing and interesting options here. Dusk is when the waterfront comes alive with families out strolling, socialising and relaxing along the corniche.
Day 8
Aswan
- You will disembark the cruise boat and check into your hotel. The rest of the day will be free for you to make your own discoveries. The visit to Abu Simbel will take place this morning for those who booked this option with your tour leader back in Cairo. This optional trip is well worth it. With the four gargantuan statues of Ramses guarding the Great Temple, this is one of Egypt's most memorable sights.
- Take a camel ride to the Monastery of St Simeon - an abandoned 7th century fortress monastery located in the desert on the Nile's west bank. Your tour leader will be on hand to help you arrange any excursions.
- Alternatively, you may just prefer to relax by the hotel pool or do some shopping in the friendly bazaar.
- Another popular activity is a sailboat ride to a Nubian Village in a traditional felucca to experience the local culture firsthand. You will interact with your hosts and learn more about their life on the shores of the Nile.
- In the evening you will visit the bustling local market with your leader and enjoy a traditional Nubian dinner.
Day 9
Cairo
- After breakfast you will be transferred to Aswan airport for the short flight back to Cairo where you will be met and taken to your hotel. Today you will dive into another layer of Egyptian history: medieval Cairo. You will head to Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, Cairo's oldest mosque and the Gayer-Anderson Museum.
- The 'Khan', sprawling around an old area known as Al-Azhar, is a quintessentially Cairo experience - a warren of alleys with stalls serving up a succession of intoxicating scenes and retaining a distinctly medieval and sometimes carnivalesque feel. It's Cairo's finest area to practice your bartering skills!
- You will explore the gold market, 'perfume street' and the spice market, where heady aromas hang in the air like a thick blanket of Damascene cloth (which can be purchased next door in the cloth market).
- The beautiful 9th century Ibn Tulun Mosque is one of the oldest, largest and arguably the most beautiful mosque in Egypt – the perfectly proportioned courtyard and distinctive minaret both help to mark it out as a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.
- Nearby stands the Gayer-Anderson Museum, housed in two fine old villas (dating to the 16th and 17th centuries AD). Once owned by an English army officer, the two houses contain a fascinating collection of Arabic artefacts, furniture and memorabilia, offering you a great insight into Cairene life during the Ottoman period.
- You will be transferred from your Cairo hotel to the airport for your overnight flight to Nairobi (flight not included). Your flight will depart Cairo Airport at approximately 01:20am on Day 10. You will have access to a day use room at our Cairo hotel up until our departure so you can freshen up before the overnight flight to Nairobi.
Day 10
Nairobi
- On arrival in Nairobi, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel by our Peregrine representative. You may wish to speak to our representative regarding any additional tours or activities that you might wish to do while you’re in Nairobi. There will be a trip briefing at the hotel at approximately 6.00pm this evening.
- The rest of the day is spent at your leisure.
- Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, was established at the turn of the 20th century by Europeans as a stores depot during the construction of the East African Railway.
- Without plan or design, it established itself as the capital of the British protectorate, and today has a population of around three million.
Day 11
Aberdare National Park
- Leaving Nairobi, we head towards Aberdare National Park, arriving in time for lunch at the Aberdare Country Club. The Aberdare Country Club is on a 1,300 acre wildlife sanctuary.
- After lunch, your afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy the Country Club's facilities and surroundings, or set off on a nature walk through this unspoiled terrain. On the walk, you have the opportunity to get up close some zebra or giraffes that have wandered into the beautiful surroundings.
Day 12
Aberdare National Park
- The Aberdare Range is just south of the equator and forms part of the eastern rim of the Great Rift Valley. It's home to abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery.
- The area is also famous for being the headquarters of Dedan Kimathi, leader of the 1950s Mau Mau uprising. We will enjoy a game drive after breakfast and then drive back to the country club for lunch and hope to spot the elusive golden cat or bongo - both rare sightings in the area. Some more common sightings are the lion, leopard, elephant, baboon, colobus monkey and a wide array of birds of prey.
- Afterwards, you will pack a day pack for your overnight stay at "The Ark". The Ark is a unique tree lodge that overlooks a floodlit waterhole and saltlick which attracts a host of wildlife. Resembling and named after Noah's Ark, The Ark is designed with 'decks' from which numerous balconies and lounges provide superb vantage points for game viewing. A ground level bunker provides excellent photographic opportunities and takes you closer than you would believe possible to the animals.
- The excitement of the Ark is at night, when the animals flock in large numbers to the watering hole.
Day 13
Nakuru
- After breakfast we will enjoy another short game drive en route to Aberdare Country Club to pick up our luggage before we continue along the Great Rift Valley toward Nakuru.
- We will stop for lunch at Thomson falls Lodge situated at the world famous Thomson’s Falls discovered in 1883 by Joseph Thomson, a Scottish Geologist and Naturalist. In the afternoon there is the opportunity to visit the Menengai Crater, one of the largest in the world, which affords us breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley.
- We stay in a very welcoming bush lodge for the next two nights. The Lodge is perfectly situated in the naturally beautiful surroundings of Nakuru, Kenya. Assembled in amongst the African trees It offers a luxurious place to stay. It is a traditionally built lodge situated on the edge of a pond where trees are in abundance as well as the bird life.
- Before or after dinner you may take a short stroll up to see EAMO’s remarkable children. Or you may wish to simply sit back and relax in the lounge area of the dining or the privacy of your own room and enjoy everything Ziwa Bush Lodge has to offer.
- The East Africa Mission Orphanage looks after more than 100 children ranging in age from just a few days old to 15 years. The complete needs of the children, including full school education, are provided for by the orphanage. The orphanage is registered with the Kenyan Government and was set up by an Australian couple with the purpose of caring for the thousands of homeless orphans, walking the streets in search of food or turning to prostitution as a means of survival. We are proud to help support the efforts of this family and their incredible orphanage, and is excited to be able to take clients right into the orphanage itself! The children love to practice their English skills and are eager to learn more about the world - so be prepared for some questions!
Day 14
Lake Nakuru National Park
- A short drive takes us to Lake Nakuru National Park, the centrepiece of which is the lake itself.
- Lake Nakuru is a soda lake which is home to massive numbers of flamingos - up to two million on occasion - and thousands of other birds. It has been described as the world's greatest ornithological spectacle and, at times, the lake is literally a sea of pink. In addition, the park itself also boasts substantial numbers of other species, including waterbuck, reedbuck and gazelle. Leopards are also to be found here, providing good chances for sightings (although there are no guarantees!). Perhaps we may also be fortunate enough to encounter one of Africa's most endangered animals - the rhinoceros. There is quite a good chance of seeing white rhinos, whilst black rhinos may prove to be more elusive. After spending the day in the park, we return to our private lodge.
Day 15-16
Masai Mara National Reserve
- We head south-west to our next destination, the Masai Mara - arguably one of the finest game reserves in Africa. The area is known for its rolling green plains and riverine woodlands, and amongst the many species of game, we may be lucky to observe black-maned lion, leopard and cheetah. These predators find an abundant food supply in the massive herds of wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's and Grant's gazelle that roam the grasslands.
- We will have an afternoon game drive on the way to our tented camp.
- The usual routine involves waking up a little before dawn to start our morning game drive when the sun comes up, as this is often one of the most productive times of the day when most animals tend to be more active. After what is hopefully an exciting morning's drive we return to camp for lunch and to relax during the heat of the day.
- We set off again in the afternoon and expect to return to camp around sunset. However, depending on wildlife movements, we may on occasion do a full day's game drive and in this instance we'll stop en-route for a picnic lunch.
- Accommodation whilst in 'the Mara' is in a permanent tented camp.
- There is also an opportunity to visit a nearby Masai village.An optional balloon ride over the Masai Mara at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. If you have pre-booked this activity (please see 'Important Notes') you will be picked up and driven to the launch site, receive a safety briefing from your pilot and help inflate the balloon. You then glide through the dawn, sometimes at tree height, providing amazing wildlife photography opportunities; sometimes ascending to get an overview of the enormity of the Masai Mara plains and the early morning movements of the teeming herds. Upon landing you'll be treated to a bush breakfast before being returned to your vehicle. Please note if you are taking a balloon ride over the Mara you will be taken to the launch place from our camp before dawn and returned to the group when you have finished your ride.
- Please note that we offer this activity as a pre-booked service which will guarantee you a spot in a balloon. If you choose to wait and book this activity locally on the ground you may get a better price. However this is a popular activity and places are limited. It is at your own discretion if you wish to pre-book this service with us or try and book it locally while you are on your trip.
- The next day wake before dawn to start our morning game drive when the sun comes up, one of the times of the day when most animals tend to be more active. After what is hopefully an exciting morning's drive we return to camp for lunch and to relax during the heat of the day. We set off again in the afternoon and expect to return to camp around sunset. However, depending on wildlife movements, we may on occasion do a full day's game drive and in this instance we'll stop en-route for a picnic lunch.
Day 17
Nairobi
- After breakfast, we return to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon, where our safari ends.
- If you are departing from Nairobi this evening, please do not book a flight to depart prior to 7pm. To reduce your travelling time back to Nairobi, you may wish to consider a flight from Masai Mara to Nairobi (additional cost). This gives you the chance to catch a late afternoon international flight out of Nairobi. Please note that the flight from Masai Mara arrives at Wilson Airport (Nairobi). International flights leave from Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). If staying on in Nairobi, you may require a transfer from Wilson Airport back to our Nairobi hotel. We are able to book the flight and also the transfer to our Nairobi hotel (additional costs involved).
