THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

MAASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

2AFRIKA, INC. is fully committed to your Satisfaction, Security, and Safety at all times, and is actively involved in 'Corporate Social Responsibility in Tourism'

The most famous of the Rift Valley lakes, Nakuru is a soda lake set within the 24 square mile Lake Nakuru National Park, renowned for its magnificent array of spectacular bird life. It is the migratory flocks of thousands of greater and lesser flamingo that really create the attraction here when the lake's shallow waters turn pink with their vast numbers. Black and white rhino, the rare Rothschild's giraffe, a small herd of buffalo, dik-dik, klipspringer, eland, the occasional leopard and many other plains game are also found here

Undoubtedly the best known of all the Kenya Game Reserves, the Maasai Mara National Reserve lies along Kenya's south west border with Tanzania, bisected by the Mara River and bordered on the western boundary by a spectacular escarpment (several scenes in the film 'Out of Africa' were shot in this area). The Maasai Mara National Reserve is an area of 1,042 square miles and is the home of the greatest variety and largest number of wild animals in Kenya. It is also the northern extension of Tanzania's famous Serengeti National Park and the animals wander freely across man made boundaries

It is impossible to prepare the first time visitor for the number of animals they may see. The waving wheat-eared grass attracts huge numbers of plains game. Zebra, giraffe and a variety of gazelle, including topi and eland, graze in proximity to large herds of buffalo, while elephant meander across the landscape or browse in the cooler areas of forest and swamp. During the Great Migration, the whole area may be dotted with herds of visiting wildebeest (resident animals remain in the Maasai Mara National Reserve throughout the year) mingling among the smaller game such as warthog, jackal, hyena, mongoose and bat-eared fox to name but a few. From the normal quiet and peaceful rolling grasslands, the National Reserve resounds to the lowing of the visiting herds that remain until the rains once again turn the grass green in Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. Then they return from whence they came and the 'circle of life' repeats itself. A count during the migration in the 1980's revealed over a million wildebeest, half a million gazelle, and over 200,000 zebra resident in the National Reserve at any one time

In recent years the Maasai Mara National Reserve has been host to the 'Big Cat Diary' and viewers all over the world are familiar with the prides of lion, and families of cheetah and leopard

For the visitors more used to the busy helter-skelter life of big cities, it is a once in a lifetime experience to sit in silence beside a pride of lions and watch their daily interaction - an experience that will remain in their memories throughout their lives. In the Maasai Mara National Reserve, people of the area co-exist alongside the Animal Kingdom. The Maasai tribes who inhabit this area have lived in peaceful companionship with the game for centuries. It is common to see a Maasai 'enkang' on the skyline close to where herds of elephants are 'chomping' their way through the high grass. The bird life in the Maasai Mara National Reserve is also prolific with 350 different species recorded including 53 different birds of prey

Mara
Serena
Safari

Lodge

Perhaps the best-known name in wildlife parks, the Serengeti National Park is located along Tanzania's northeastern border with Kenya. At 5,700 square miles, it is currently the largest national park in Tanzania and along with Kenya's Maasai Mara and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area comprises one of the largest wildlife ecosystems in Africa

The Great Migration of more than 1.6 million wildebeest is perhaps the most dramatic feature of this park. The herds enter at the park's eastern edge around mid-January and begin calving in the south of the park in mid-February. In April and May, they begin moving northward and large groups split off heading to the west whilst others continue to move north. June and July find the herds spread along the center of the Serengeti from Seronera westward into Grumeti. In late July and through August the herds begin to accumulate. Crossing the Grumeti and Mara Rivers, the migration will move to Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve by September

But the Serengeti National Park is much more than just the migration. Resident non-migratory game is extensive with a variety ranging from hyrax to elephant. There are more than 3,000 lions in Serengeti as well as leopards, cheetah and some of the other smaller cats. The Grumeti River is famous for its giant crocodiles that are believed to date back to the age of the dinosaurs

Birders are always thrilled at the site of more than 500 species of birds, which range from majestic eagles to tiny bee-eaters

The Ngorongoro Crater is referred to as the 'Eighth Wonder of the Natural World'. The area formed over centuries of volcanic activity dating back more than twenty-five million years. This activity developed after shifts in tectonic plates created a rupture and split in the land that is now the Great Rift Valley

There are several extinct volcanoes in the Conservation Area, but perhaps the best known of them is the Ngorongoro Crater. At 102 square miles on the floor, it is the world's largest intact and unflooded caldera. The view from the 8,000 feet rim is breathtaking. At the crater's floor, some 2,000 feet below, more than 30,000 resident animals carry on the daily struggle of survival. Here, the 'Big 5' are easily spotted with leopards protecting their kills in trees and massive rhinoceroses in search of fresh grass. Cape buffalo with oxpeckers perched on their backs are seen in large herds

Lake Magadi, the Swahili word for 'Soda Lake', is at the center of the crater. It often provides home to thousands of lesser flamingos as well as a variety of other waterfowl. Hippo pools, where the massive hippopotami spend their time relaxing, and keeping cool dot the crater floor! Huge bull elephants come to the crater's floor in search of minerals from the soda lake whilst the females and young remain behind on the rim

The management plan for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area allows for the use of the land by both the wildlife and the indigenous Maasai and other tribesmen that have resided in the area for generations. Visitors often awake to the sound of cattle bells as Maasai warriors lead their cattle down the wall of the crater to the floor below

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is also home to Olduvai Gorge. Known as "The Cradle of Mankind," the gorge is the site of the famous archaeological work of the Leakey family including the discovery of Zinjanthropus Bosei or "Nutcracker Man"

Travelers that are more adventurous can trek to smaller craters such as Olmoti and Empakai. Some also choose to descend to Lake Natron, passing the still active Ol Donyo L'Engai. In the northern area of the Conservation Area along the border with the Serengeti National Park is Lake Ndutu. This popular soda lake is home to a number of waterfowl including flamingos and is along the wildebeest migration route

Perched on the jagged rim of the crater, wreathed in morning mist, camouflaged in river-stone and cloaked in indigenous creepers, the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is a triumph of ecological and architectural fusion. Sensitively constructed to take nothing from its environment whilst affording endless vistas over the heat-shimmering reaches of the crater below, the clustered boulder-built buildings of the safari lodge hug the crater rim, linked by rope-lashed timber walkways that skirt the buttressed roots of ancient, liana-hung trees

The interior, radiating out from the primeval log fire glowing at the heart of the safari lodge, blends the concentrated hush of a game-viewing hide with the ochre, rust, and charcoal images of a prehistoric cavern. Lit by flaming wall-lanterns, clad in gigantic volcanic boulders and decorated by the iron spears, bright-beaded robes and intricately carved artifacts of the Maasai, the safari lodge is a unique blend of excellent luxury, timeless volcanic splendor and ethnic style. As for the views, from lilac-streaked sunrise, to indigo star-studded night, the immeasurably ancient Ngorongoro Crater delivers a theatre of vistas, most unchanged since the dawn of time

At only 127 square miles, much of which is the lake, Lake Manyara National Park is one of the northern circuit's smallest parks. Despite its size, Lake Manyara National Park boasts a fascinating ecosystem and an abundance of both wildlife and bird life

The lake is home to several groups of hippopotamus and species of birds including pelicans and storks. The number of trees in the park's forest area, fed by underground springs, is home to a variety of monkeys and large troupes of baboons

Larger mammals including elephants, Cape buffalo, and giraffe roam the park. Lake Manyara National Park also has a reputation for tree climbing lions whilst in reality, all lions climb trees and there is a chance to spot them in any of the parks

Located at the foot of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, the cliff wall forms a dramatic backdrop and borderline to the park

Standing high on the bluff of a dramatic ochre and terracotta-streaked cliff above the flamingo-frosted expanse of Lake Manyara's gleaming alkaline waters, the Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge commands panoramic views across the volcano-studded floor of the Great Rift Valley

Designed to reflect the brilliance of Lake Manyara's unique birdlife, the safari lodge draws on an inspirational architectural motif that melds swooping avian curves with the gentle concentric patterns of traditional Maasai 'Bomas' (encampments) whilst the vibrantly colored frescoes lining the walls depict the intricacy of bird migratory patterns

The ambiance of the safari lodge is a fusion of lakeside tranquility, towering volcanic splendor, and adventure-packed sporting activity

Each circular, closely-thatched guest room with its private bathroom, echo the traditional Maasai 'Boma' style of construction whilst featuring a vibrant interior design concept that reflects the Maasai people's abiding love of brilliant scarlet-and-indigo checked 'Shukas' (cloaks) and bright yellow, white, blue and orange beadwork

Each guest room has a private veranda that boasts breathtaking views of the shimmering reaches of the flamingo-frosted lake way below at the foot of the escarpment

Set against the magnificent backdrop of Africa's highest mountain, the glittering Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge enjoys a uniquely privileged position at the heart of this world-famous national park

Secluded within a grove of acacia trees, the lodge looks out over the golden savannah plains, with uninterrupted views of the mountain itself. Close by are a series of emerald green swamps, which are fed by the melting snows of Kilimanjaro. These, the only sources of water in this otherwise starkly beautiful but arid park, attract huge numbers of wallowing elephants, hippos, buffalos and plains game. Meanwhile, from the prehistoric site of Observation Hill, the sunset over Kilimanjaro is magnificent

At the center of 'Maasai land', the lodge's décor reflects the brilliant primary colors and iconic shapes representative of these legendary warriors. At the heart of the lodge, shaded by palm trees, is a free-form swimming pool; to either side of which stretch the rooms. Each room is housed in a single story building opening directly on to the grounds, each reflecting a Maasai manyatta theme: each with its own hand-painted wall frescos

The central dining area is reached by a timbered bridge over a melt-water stream, while the lounge and bar feature a broad terrace and a blazing fire-pit where evening cocktails can be enjoyed. Activities include daily game drives in custom-built traditional safari vehicles, 'sundowners' on Observation Hill, bush breakfasts, bush dinners, Maasai dance performances, visits to Maasai villages and tree-planting programs

PASSPORT – you must make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6-months after your intended return date back home E.G. if your intended return date home is September 01, 2010, your passport must be valid up until and including March 01, 2011

VISITOR'S VISA – you will require a visitor's visa to enter the country. It is not necessary to apply for your visitor's visa ahead of your arrival. It will be issued on arrival at your point of entry into the country. Please make sure that you have two consecutive blank pages in your passport for local Immigration to issue your visitor's visa. We provide you with a PDF downloadable visitor's visa application form with your final travel documentation to complete ahead of arrival. You will not require passport photographs when obtaining your visitor's visa upon arrival. To be financially prepared, be aware that the only form of payment accepted for your visitor's visa will be US Dollar cash. No local currency, Travelers Checks, credit cards or any other forms of payment will be accepted under any circumstances (the cost of your visitor's visa is not included in this safari price)

TRAVEL MEDICATIONS / INOCULATIONS – you are not required to produce any inoculation certificates upon arrival BUT prevention against Malaria is recommended! For all other matters, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

ELEVATE YOUR COMFORT – review A Safe Trip Abroad presented by the U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs

PROTECT YOUR TRIP - we understands the importance of protecting your 'Travel Investment'! That is why we have partnered with Travel Guard Travel Insurance Services, as they provide comprehensive travel protection plans, combining travel insurance with extensive services. Contact Travel Guard Travel Insurance Services Toll-Free on 1-800-826-1300 and refer to Location Number 205419

You follow in the footsteps of Isak Dinesen (the pseudonym of the author Karen Blixen), who published OUT OF AFRICA in 1937, as you travel towards the farm at the foot of the Ngong Hills

The old colonial farmhouse is simple; housing a few items, that Karen Blixen chose and once enjoyed herself. There are also the colorful gardens to explore, where several old coffee machines have lain untouched for decades. From here, visit the Giraffe Center, where the highly endangered Rothschild giraffe lives in peace. With an elevated viewing-cum-feeding platform, this optional excursion is wonderful for adults and children alike

The Carnivore Restaurant is one of Africa’s greatest eating experiences, made famous for its succulent steaks, barbecue dishes, game meat, and great African hospitality. A visit here is an excellent complement to a safari and makes a perfect spot for meals with an 'African buzz'. Delicious barbequed and skewered vegetarian meals are also available

2AFRIKA makes every effort to operate every African safari, tour, resort, spa, and relaxing beach vacation as described on our website. However, we reserve the right to alter or curtail any itinerary, substitute sightseeing, safari lodges, hotels, spas and resorts, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Whilst not anticipated, prices on our website are subject to change without notice until full payment is received, as all prices are based on the availability of services when you make your safari reservation

2AFRIKA, INC. is fully committed to your Satisfaction, Security, and Safety at all times, and is actively involved in 'Corporate Social Responsibility in Tourism'