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A Kenya / Tanzania Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Fly into Nairobi and overnight at the famous Norfolk Hotel in the heart of this bustling, exciting city

Day 2 - 5: Fly to Elsa's Kopje - Meru National Park in North Eastern Kenya. Elsa's Kopje is a luxurious oasis in the wilds of Meru National Park and was named after Elsa the lioness raised and set free here in Meru National Park; by George and Joy Adamson in the film Born Free. The lodge blends into the hillside of Mughwango Hill, site of George Adamson's original camp. Here game drives will be provided by the lodge in their open vehicles for a romantic African safari, reminiscent of bygone days.

Meru is vast with arid, open plains dotted with Doum Palms and Baobab trees and lush vegetation along 13 rivers, like green ribbons, bisecting the Park. Here visitors will see a diverse range of species, many animals differing from their counterparts in Southern Kenya and Tanzania. Regular sightings include Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, Elephant, Grevy's Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Lesser Kudu, Grant's Gazelle, Leopard, Lion, Cheetah, Rhino and the rare, elusive Greater Kudu. Meru is famous for its bird life, including riverine and forest species as well as the arid dry country species

Day 6: Return flight to Nairobi's Wilson airport and connection flight to Arusha in Northern Tanzania. Today and overnight is spent Coffee Lodge a lovely luxury lodge set in a working coffee plantation.

Day 7 - 9: Tarangire National Park: Transport 4 x 4 'safari' Land Cruiser to Swala Camp. Swala's nine private, permanent tents feature en suite bathrooms with showers, complemented by fittings and fixtures crafted from local materials to mirror the understated elegance of the time-honored safari style.

Nestled in a remote pocket of Tarangire National Park, Swala is sited in a copse of majestic acacia trees at the edge of the Gurusi wetlands and the unfurling savannah beyond. The stands of ancient baobab trees, large family herds of elephants, prolific bird life and dry season concentrations of wildlife make Tarangire the classic Africa of lore - feted by explorers, immortalized in documentaries and sought after by the discerning traveler. This picturesque safari hideaway is exclusive in the southwestern corner of Tarangire National Park, affording guests private game viewing, wilderness luxury, and a privileged glimpse of an Africa, unspoiled by tourism.

Day 10 - 11: Ngorongoro Crater: Ngorongoro Crater Lodge consists of three adjacent, glamorous camps with 30 Maasai-inspired suites perched on stilts on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. From the outside, this unobtrusive lodge resembles a magical Maasai village. Set in classic crescents, each stone and thatch suite has spectacular views of the crater from large glass windows in the bathroom, lounge and bedroom, yet is almost invisible from the crater floor.

Day 12 - 14: Central Serengeti: Your lodge will be Serena Serengeti Lodge conveniently placed for your early morning ballooning safari over the serengeti.

At dawn take off, rising as the sun rises and float in whichever direction the winds of the morning take us. Your pilot can precisely control the altitude of your balloon: sometimes flying at treetop height, sometimes lower, offering a unique perspective and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife below.

Day 15: Return flight from the Serengeti in light aircraft to Arusha for onward flight to Pemba or Mafia Island.

This post was written by: Franklin Manuel

Franklin Manuel is a professional blogger, web designer and front end web developer. Follow him on Twitter