"Let's Go To Africa"
A Kenya Adventure

August 15 - 31, 2009

Escorted by Kerry Scanlan:
Kerry Scanlan, your escort to Kenya, had a 27 year career in the travel business and traveled the World, setting foot on all seven continents. She obtained a CTC "Certified Travel Counselor" degree and fulfilled her childhood dream of going to Africa. After 28 trips, the African continent still beckons her, with Kenya being one of her favorite countries. During these many adventures, Kerry has personally collected a large representation of African tribal objects including baskets, bush jewelry and various artifacts, which over the years has enriched her knowledge of African cultures, their customs, art and jewelry. After retirement, Kerry moved to Prescott, Arizona where she enjoys the high-desert climate, is a member of Prescott's OLLI group and will be facilitating a class titled: "Let's Go To Africa"

An escorted safari will provide you with the opportunity to view, study, and photograph the richest concentration of wildlife and birdlife on the continent of Africa in a spectacular array of habitats, ranging from snow-capped peaks and tropical forests, to grassland plains. You will also explore the rich cultural traditions of the diverse peoples of Kenya. 

People to People Experiences: Meet the people of Kenya during a special visit a Masai village and learn about their traditions as well as their daily lives.

Sample Lectures: "African Art and Jewelry," "The Samburu," "The Masai," “An Introduction and brief History of Kenya,” “The Ecology of Amboseli,” “The Ecology of the Aberdares,” “The Ecology of the Mara.”

Day 1 - August 15th - Saturday
USA / Nairobi, Kenya
Depart the U.S. for your flight to Nairobi, Kenya

Day 2 - August 16th - Sunday
Nairobi
Transfer with assistance to the Safari Park Hotel. 
Safari Park Hotel

Day 3 - August 17th - Monday (B, L, D)
Nairobi
Enjoy the hotels wonderful pools and surroundings. Morning orientation lecture, "An Introduction and brief History of Kenya." Visit the Department of Paleontology at the National Museum of Kenya. Travel to Giraffe Manor to hand feed and photograph Rothschild Giraffes. Visit the Karen Blixen Coffee House and Museum. Lunch, then a visit to "Kazuri Beads" -
to see hand made beads that are only made in Kenya. Followed by a visit to Utamanduni Arts and Craft Centre. Dinner at Nyama Choma Restaurant at Safari Park Hotel.
Safari Park Hotel

Day 4 - August 18th - Tuesday (B, L, D)
Nairobi / Amboseli
After breakfast, drive across the Athi Plains, home of the proud Masai tribe, to Amboseli, one of Kenya's best-known game parks. Lunch and game viewing in the park with the snow-covered peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, in the background. Dinner and overnight at the Amboseli Serena Lodge.

Day 5 - August 19th - Wednesday (B, L, D)
Amboseli (Mt. Kilimanjaro)
Early morning game-viewing safari. Breakfast at the Amboseli Serena Lodge. Visit the working campsite of wildlife researchers for a lecture/seminar, "The Ecology of Amboseli." Free time; enjoy a swim in the lodge's pool with Mt. Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. Lunch at the Amboseli Serena Lodge. Late afternoon game viewing safari. Dinner and overnight at the Amboseli Serena Lodge.

Day 6 - August 20th - Thursday (B, D)
Amboseli / Nairobi
Breakfast at the Amboseli Serena Lodge. Game-viewing safari through the park and across the Athi Plains to Nairobi. Visit the "Bomas of Kenya" to view tribal villages and traditional African dancing. Early evening lecture "The Masai" will be followed by dinner. Overnight at the Safari Park Hotel.

Day 7 - August 21st - Friday (B, L, D)
Nairobi / Aberdares
After breakfast, safari through Kikuyu country via Thika (the setting of Elspeth Huxley's The Flame Trees of Thika), to the Aberdare Forest. Lunch at the Aberdare Country Club looking out upon Mt. Kenya. Safari through the Aberdare Forest to The Ark. The verandah overlooks a waterhole and saltlick, which is bathed in light at night. Lecture/seminar "The Ecology of the Aberdares." Dinner and overnight at The Ark. Game viewing from the hotel verandah.
The Ark

Day 8 - August 22nd - Saturday (B, L, D)
Aberdares / Samburu
Safari past Mt. Kenya and across the equator to Samburu Game Reserve, noted not only for elephant, leopard, and lion, but also for species of wildlife seldom seen elsewhere - the Grevy zebra, reticulated giraffe, Beisa Oryx, and Gerenuk (giraffe-necked antelope). Late afternoon game viewing safari. Dinner and overnight at Shaba Sarova Lodge and evening game-viewing from the lounge overlooking the Uaso Nyiro River.
Shaba Sarova Lodge

Day 9 - August 23rd - Sunday (B, L, D)
Samburu
Morning game-viewing safari in the Shaba Game Reserve. Lecture/seminar, "The Samburu." Free time to enjoy a swim at the lodge's pool. Lunch at Shaba Sarova Lodge. Afternoon game-viewing safari at Buffalo Springs and Samburu Game Reserves. Dinner and overnight at the Shaba Sarova Lodge and evening game viewing from the lodge.
Shaba Sarova Lodge

Day 10 - August 24th - Monday (B, L, D)
Samburu / Mt. Kenya Safari Club / Sweetwaters
Drive to the stately and historic Mt. Kenya Safari Club where you will have ample time to explore the club's beautiful grounds. Enjoy a magnificent luncheon at Mt. Kenya Safari Club. Drive to Sweetwaters Tented Camp, located in the heart of the 24,000 acre Sweetwaters Game Reserve. The camp has a special game-viewing area overlooking a waterhole. The gentle lower slopes of Mt. Kenya offer an excellent opportunity for nature hikes and bird watching. 
Sweetwaters Deluxe Tented Camp

Day 11 - August 25th - Tuesday (B, L, D)
Sweetwaters / Lakes Nakuru
After breakfast at the Sweetwaters Tented Camp, drive to Nyahururu Falls and descend into the Great Rift Valley. Safari around Lake Nakuru, home of a million flamingos and truly a paradise for ornithologists. 
Lion Hill Lodge

Day 12 - August 26th - Wednesday (B, L, D)
Lake Nakuru / Masai Mara
(Northern Serengeti Plains)
Safari to Masai country to one of Kenya's best-known reserves, famous for its black-maned lions and great herds of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelle. Late afternoon game-viewing safari.
Mara Sarova Deluxe Tented Camp

Day 13 - August 27th - Thursday (B, L, D)
Masai Mara
Early morning game-viewing safari. Free time to enjoy a swim in the pool with the breathtaking vistas of the vast open plains, rolling hills, and acacia woodlands of the Mara as a backdrop. Visit a Masai Village and take an afternoon game-viewing safari.
Mara Sarova Deluxe Tented Camp

OPTIONAL BALLOON SAFARI - approx. $425 per person

Day 14 - August 28th - Friday (B, L, D)
Masai Mara
Safari across the savanna grasslands in search of the Mara lions and to observe the diversity of wildlife. Picnic lunch along the Mara River where you will view hippos and crocodiles. Continue game-viewing safari in western Mara. Lecture/seminar, "The Ecology of the Mara."
Mara Sarova Deluxe Tented Camp

Day 15 - August 29th - Saturday (B)
Masai Mara / Nairobi
Safari back to Nairobi. Transfer to the Safari Park Hotel. Visit the Norfolk Hotel where you may wish to have lunch at Lord Delamere Terrace Cafe. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the Safari Park Hotel.

Day 17 - August 30th - Sunday (B)
Nairobi / USA
Transfer to Nairobi Airport for departure to U.S.A.

Day 18 - August 31st - Monday
Arrive in the USA