Day 01: (WED) – Depart home city for Cairo

Day 02: (THU) - Arrive Cairo (EGYPT)
Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome in Arabic. We are warmly received at Cairo Airport and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Safir Hotel, Cairo (2 nights)

Day 03: (FRI) - Cairo / Pyramids (drive)
This is a day to go back in time, starting with a visit to the most famous of the Egyptian sphinxes, the Great Sphinx of Gizah, followed by the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops). Completed around 2600 BC, this pyramid was 146m (478ft) high and consisted of over 2 million limestone blocks weighing over 2 tons each. We also examine the Chephren and Mycerinus Pyramids as well as the Cheops wooden boat. At over 4500 years old, this boat is the most ancient vessel found in perfect condition anywhere in the world and is one of the most important archaeological finds in Egypt. Next we visit Memphis and the Saqqara Step Pyramid, the world's first great stone structure. Evening, an ideal opportunity to join in our optional viewing of the spectacular Sound and Light Show at the foot of the Great Pyramids. (B)

Day 04: (SAT) - Cairo / Luxor (Flight)
A short flight gets us to Luxor where we are warmly received and transferred to the boat, home for the next four nights. Over the next few days we cruise the Nile and visit various off-shore sites.
Overnight: M/S Sherry Boat / Presidential Nile Cruise (4 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 05: (SUN) - Nile Cruise Luxor
This afternoon we visit the Karnak and Luxor Temples. The ancient Egyptians knew the Temple of Karnak as Ipet-isut. It is a city of temples built over 2000 years and dedicated to the Theben triad of Amon, Mut and Khonsu. This derelict place continues to overshadow many of the wonders of the modern world. It is the mother of all religious buildings and a place of pilgrimage for nearly 4,000 years. Luxor Temple was connected to Karnak Temple by an avenue of sphinxes in ancient times. Unlike Karnak, Luxor is mainly the work of one pharaoh - Amenhotep III and was added to by Tutankhamun, Horemheb, Ramses II and Alexander the Great. During Akhenaten’s all religion, other than worship of Aten, was rejected and the development at Luxor stopped. When Akhenaten died, the old religions returned, along with the priests, so the temple began to expand again. (B, L, D)

Day 06: (MON) - Nile Cruise Luxor / Esna / Edfu
We begin our day with a visit to the West Bank of Luxor to explore the Valley of the Kings, a vast City of the Dead where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks, richly decorated, and filled with treasures for the afterlife by generations of pharaohs. Our visit will also includes Queen Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Sail to Esna, cross the lock then continue on to Edfu. (B, L, D)

Day 07: (TUE) - Nile Cruise Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan
Morning we will be visiting the well-preserved Greek built Temple of Horus. This temple, built during the reigns of six generations of Ptolemy’s, is not only the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but also the second largest after Karnak. Afternoon sail for Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. It stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank. (B, L, D)

Day 08: (WED) - Aswan / Cairo (Train)
Disembark after breakfast. Visits in Aswan include the famous and monumental Aswan High Dam and the romantic and majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilka. This afternoon, we take a ride on a felucca, a typical Egyptian sailboat, around Elephantine Island. This is also a day for those who may want to take an optional flight excursion to Abu Simbel+ to see the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Evening we are transferred to the railway station at Aswan for our comfortable overnight train to Cairo or take the optional flight to Cairo with overnight at the hotel. (see “optionals” below)
Overnight: Sleeper Train (1 night) (B, D)

Day 09: (THU) - Arrive Cairo
We arrive in the morning and are welcomed at Cairo Railways Station. Our day starts with a fascinating tour of 7,000 years of Egyptian history with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The Museum houses the world's greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including 12 rooms filled with golden treasures from the world-famous tomb of the boy-king Tutenkhamun. Next we are off to the fascinating part of Islamic Cairo, including the beautiful and graceful Mohamed Ali Mosque and the ancient Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress perched on a hill above the city. Originally built by Salah El-Din in 1176 to fortify the city against the Crusaders, the Citadel was modified and enlarged over the centuries by subsequent rulers and today is a complex of three mosques and four museums. Our last stop is at the awesome Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, reputed to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Originally founded as a watering stop for caravanserai in the 14th century, the bazaar has now grown to vast proportions.
Overnight: Safir Hotel, Cairo (1 night) (B)

Day 10: (FRI) - Cairo / Nairobi (by air)
Today we bid farewell to Egypt, best described as a heritage site to the whole world, having gained an educational, historical an enlightening cultural experience never to be forgotten. After breakfast we have the whole day free to enjoy the colorful bazaars of Cairo. Late evening we are transferred to the airport for our overnight flight to Nairobi.

Day 11 (SAT): Arrive Nairobi (Kenya)
Karibu! We are warmly received in Africa’s most well known capital – Nairobi. The Kiswahili language here is often easily understood as many people mix in English words, in fact more people in Kenya speak English than in any other African country.
Overnight: Pan Africa Hotel/ Nairobi Serena Lodge (1 night)

Day 12 (SUN): Nairobi / Lake Nakuru (165 Kms)
We start with an interesting countryside drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, best known for its flamingos and home to many animals including waterbuck, leopards Rothschild giraffe and the endangered black rhino. After a filling lunch at our lodge, we head out for the first of the many exciting game drives in our East African Safari.
Overnight: Lake Nakuru Lodge / Lion Hill Lodge (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 13 (MON): Lake Nakuru / Masai Mara (310 Kms)
After breakfast we traverse the Great Rift Valley and ascend to its western rim into the Maasai land. Red-clad Maasai warriors tend their herds of cattle among the wildlife, admirably unmoved by the presence of large predators. Here we also find the Masaai giraffe. After lunch, at our lodge, we embark on one of the most exciting game drive Africa has to offer.
Overnight: Mara Simba Lodge / Mara Serena Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 14 (TUE): Masai Mara
Morning and afternoon game drives in this spectacular game reserve, all with superb photographic opportunities. Blessed with a permanent water supply, Masai Mara has a permanent population of plains game. The "big five" - elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino are quite common. Today we may opt for an early morning optional balloon excursion to experience a birds-eye view of the vast Mara. (B, L, D)

Day 15 (WED): Masai Mara / Serengeti (Tanzania) (275 Kms)
Today we depart for Tanzania, home to the best game in the world. We cross the Isebania Border to Tanzania – also the home of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater Game Parks as well as the spice island of Zanzibar. Our destination is Serengeti, which literally means “endless plains”
Overnight: Serengeti Serena Lodge / Mbalageti Camp (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 16 (THU): Serengeti
We begin our Tanzanian adventure at the world famous wildlife sanctuary - the Serengeti National Park which at 14,763 sq kms is the largest National Park in Tanzania. Summed up as 'one of the most unique areas in the world', Serengeti contains the largest remaining concentration of plains game in Africa, on a scale, which has no parallel any where in the world. The abundance of herbivores includes wildebeest, Zebra, Gazelle, Topi, Buffalo, and Hartebeest, to name but a few. Serengeti is also famous for Predators e.g. Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hyena and contains a wide variety of birdlife, believed to be in the region of 500 species. (B, L, D)

Day 17 (FRI): Serengeti / Ngorongoro Crater (145 Kms)
Another day game drive in Serengeti National Park with picnic lunch. We explore various areas like Moro kopjes and Gol kopjes. The extensive grasslands are interspersed with Kopjes rocky outcrops like islands in the flat plain, each with their own wildlife communities. Discover the Seronera River, which flows through the park, providing habitats for a variety of birds, mammals and reptiles. Afternoon we proceed to Nabi Hill gate were you enjoy our picnic lunch before proceeding to the Malanja depression entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge / Farm House (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 18 (SAT): Ngorongoro Crater / Lake Manyara (60 Kms)
We descend the famous Ngorongoro Crater for a day of superb game viewing. The Ngorongoro Crater, one of Africa's most magnificent wildlife arenas, is approximately 19 km/12 miles across and its prairies are a haven for an estimated 30,000 large mammals, including lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Elephant, Hyena, Hippo, Wildebeest, Baboon, Gazelle and the endangered black Rhino. At a depth of 610 meters/2,000 feet, this crater, created by the collapse of an extinct volcano, contains a "Lost World" of wildlife. It is our exciting crater safari today before we drive to Lake Manyara in the later afternoon.
Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge / Kirurumu Tented Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 19 (SUN): Lake Manyara
We drive down to Lake Manyara National Park, which is one of the finest parks in Tanzania. You will enjoy your game drive followed by lunch. After lunch, we will visit the village of Mto Wa Mbu and The Great Rift Valley and then proceed to your unique safari lodge, which offers a spectacular view of Lake Manyara National Park. (B, L, D)

Day 20 (MON): Lake Manyara / Arusha / Amboseli (Kenya) (205 Kms)
After our Northern Tanzania game experience, we take another scenic drive crossing the beautiful Great Rift Valley to the colorful villages of Mto wa Mbu and Makuyuni. At Arusha, which is the exact center between Cape Town and Cairo, we stop for lunch. We then cross the Namanga border between Tanzania and Kenya and then drive to the Amboseli National Park that is situated at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro (5922 meters/19,430 ft). Amboseli is also famous for its vast herds of elephants and stunning views of Kilimanjaro. We take the opportunity of another game drive before checking into our lodge for the night.
Overnight: Amboseli Serena Lodge / Oltukai Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 21 (TUE): Amboseli
After breakfast drive to Amboseli, situated at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro (19,430 ft). Amboseli is famous for its vast herds of elephants and stunning views of Kilimanjaro on clear days. Be sure to have your camera ready. Lunch at the lodge and afternoon game drive en route to your lodge in search of Elephant, Giraffe, Buffalo and much more.

Day 22 (WED): Amboseli / Nairobi departure (220 Kms)
After breakfast at our lodge, we again take on the wildlife against the backdrop of the highest peak in Africa. With lunch at the lodge, we bid farewell as we drive to Nairobi airport for our departure flight. For optional extension to Zanzibar, Mombasa, Lamu or joining our gorilla safaris, please ask for details. (B, L)