2009 Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha – Tanzania's safari gateway
Tauck's Tanzania and Kenya safari begins at Serena Mountain Village, Arusha. Your Tanzania and Kenya safari begins at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha, the safari gateway city. A transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel, the Serena Mountain Village at the foot of Mount Meru, the second-highest mountain in Tanzania, is included.
Lodging: Serena Mountain Village, Arusha, Lake Duluti, Tanzania

Day 2: Flamingos at Lake Manyara National Park
The vast Serengeti beckons as you embark on a four-night safari in Tanzania, and a five-night Kenya safari. Take your first game drive through Lake Manyara National Park, renowned among birders for huge flocks of pink flamingos, as well as giraffes, baboons, hippos, and elephants. Arrive in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, populated by an estimated 30,000 large mammals. Your lodge is on the Ngorongoro Crater rim overlooking the caldera below, an excellent spot for our welcome reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Day 3: Wildlife in the "Garden of Eden"
Thought by some to be Africa’s original “Garden of Eden,” Ngorongoro Crater is one of the largest calderas in the world and contains a variety of ecosystems and an astounding concentration of birds and animals. Your four-wheel drive vehicle, built exclusively for Tauck, provides an excellent mobile viewing platform when encountering massive herds of zebras, wildebeests, and gazelles. This area affords an opportunity to spot the Big Five – elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo, and rhinoceros. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Day 4: Early man at Olduvai Gorge
Study the history of mankind at Olduvai Gorge, where archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the fossilized remains of the earliest known man, an estimated 1.8 million years old. Continue wildlife viewing while driving the rough dirt roads across the plains to your safari lodge in the Serengeti, which was inspired by Masai tribal dwellings.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 5: The Serengeti summons
Morning and afternoon game drives take you into the vast Serengeti savanna. Sightings might include lions, zebras, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, black rhinoceros, hippos, buffaloes, jackals, gazelles, and giraffes. When the sunset paints the sky in the evening, enjoy the show from the luxury of your lodge in Serengeti National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 6: Tauck's Kenya safari begins
Leave Tanzania and the Serengeti behind as you fly to Amboseli National Park in Kenya, located at the foot of one of the world's most recognized mountains, Mt Kilimanjaro. There are five main wildlife habitats in the national park – open plains, acacia woodland, rocky thorn bush country, swamps and marshland. Wildlife includes lion, leopard, rhinoceros, cheetah and buffalo and vast herds of elephants.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge, Amboseli National Park, Kenya

Day 7: Spectacular Samburu
Fly off to yet another African world on your Kenya safari today as you journey to the rather desert-like landscape of the Samburu Reserve in northern Kenya. A game drive offering the opportunity to spot some of the wild local residents in their natural habitats follows your arrival at the Samburu Serena Safari Lodge for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Samburu Serena Safari Lodge, Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

Day 8: Samburu Surprises
Your Kenya safari continues as you embark on early morning and late afternoon game drives. Samburu National Reserve residents include storks, hippos, leopards, gazelle, and crocodiles. If you’re lucky, you could spot some of Africa’s rarest game, such as the long-necked gerenuk antelope, the Somali ostrich, the shy oryx beisa, and the reticulated giraffe. And keep an eye out for the Grevy’s zebra, the largest of the zebras found only in northern Kenya.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Samburu Serena Safari Lodge, Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

Day 9: Lifestyles of the illustrious
On the way to a special treat on your Kenya safari, discover how local villagers tend sheep and spin their wool into rugs and garments. Then you’re off to the former retreat of actor William Holden and playground of such illustrious members such as Winston Churchill and Bing Crosby. Now, the world-famous Mount Kenya Safari Club will warmly welcome you for the next two nights. This exceptional hotel, set high on the side of a mountain, offers all sorts of pleasant diversions. And, we’ve included admission to William Holden’s Mount Kenya Animal Orphanage on the grounds of the club, a sanctuary for animals that have been orphaned or injured and need special care.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Nanyuki, Kenya

Day 10: Coffee Capers
Tour a thriving coffee plantation with the owners to learn the story of coffee from the bean to the cup before returning to the Mount Kenya Safari Club for leisure time to spend as you please.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, Nanyuki, Kenya

Day 11: The magical Masai Mara, a Kenya safari highlight
Fly to the Masai Mara Game Reserve in southern Kenya. Spend the afternoon becoming acquainted with the luxurious Mara Safari Club, your home for the next two nights. This afternoon, leave camp for a game drive in search of animals that make their homes here; perhaps you’ll see lions, antelopes, elephants and zebras in their daily rituals.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya

Day 12: Up, up and away over Masai Mara
Today will be one that you’ll always remember as you arise before dawn to board a hot air balloon and float over the awakening plains below as the sun rises. When you land, a special champagne breakfast will be awaiting you right there in the bush – spectacular isn’t quite strong enough a word to describe such an experience! A Tauck Exclusive on your Kenya safari! Back on the ground, look for lions, impalas, cheetahs and giraffes – and the other animals you’ve come to love – during your final game drive.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Fairmont Mara Safari Club, Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya

Day 13: Homeward Bound as your Kenya safari concludes
Fly to Nairobi, where a day room has been reserved for you at the Nairobi Serena Hotel. Before heading to the airport for your flight home, please join us for a farewell dinner prior to your departure for the airport. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home. Your Tanzania / Kenya safari days end at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Lodging: Nairobi Serena Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All safari expenses and adventures, lodge and hotel accommodations, entertainment, land transportation, admission fees, luggage handling, the hot air balloon ride in Masai Mara, the services of the local guides and drivers and of the Tauck Director are included. A representative of Tauck will greet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport, regardless of the day and time of your arrival, provided we have accurate flight arrival information at least two weeks before the start of the your tour, and provide transportation to the Serena Mountain Village lodge on the shores of Lake Duluti in Arusha, Tanzania. if you do not provide your flight arrival information in time, or choose to transfer on your own, you are responsible for your own transportation, which currently costs approximately $100 USD. If you choose to arrive on Day 2 or later, after the group has already departed for Ngorongoro Crater, you are responsible for your own transportation, which costs approximately $500 USD per vehicle from Arusha to the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge. Tauck will provide you with transportation to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from the Nairobi Serena Hotel on the last day of the tour.

Safari Lodge and Hotel Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotels, safari lodges and tented safari camps with en suite facilities including showers, flush toilets and hot and cold running water. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ slightly from place to place, our commitment to you comfort is unwavering.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

Tauck Directors – Kenya & Tanzania is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck World Discovery.

Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for hotel and lodge staff, safari guides, and drivers are included.

No Options Sold - Your Tauck Director will assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

On-Tour Flights

Airfare While on Tour – FiveFour on-tour flights must be purchased through Tauck as part of your tour package.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Safari Lodge or Hotel Accommodations Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.

Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, visa fees (if applicable), vaccinations and other optional incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director is not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures – Travelers must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to airline schedule changes. All booking agents and guests will be advised of such changes. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

Preparing To Go

Air Conditioning – The following hotels and lodges provide air-conditioning: the Samburu Serena Lodge and the Nairobi Serena. The following hotels and lodges do NOT provide air-conditioning: the Mountain Village Lodge, the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, the Serengeti Serena Lodge, the Mt. Kenya Safari Club and the Mara Safari Club. The safari vehicles and mini-buses used for transfers are not air-conditioned.

Clothing and Packing - This African safari is a very casual tour. Comfortable and casual clothing is recommended for both day and night. Formal and resort attire is not required.

Generally, lightweight, cotton, short-and long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and shorts are sufficient. A light jacket, fleece, or windbreaker, as well as layers of clothing, are suggested for cooler temperatures during early morning game drives and evenings. A bandana or cotton scarf will always comes in handy.

While on safari it is recommended you wear natural earth-colored clothing, such as khakis, tans, browns, and greens, as well as comfortable walking shoes. Bright colors and whites are not advised, and army camouflage uniforms or army hats are forbidden. Blue and black are not suggested, as these colors attract both the sun and Tsetse flies. It is also a good idea to bring a swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip protection.

Game drives can be dusty, so wear something that can be washed while on safari. Clothes may be laundered at all camps for a nominal fee.

A personal kit with medication for possible upset stomach, aspirin, and allergy medicine may also be useful. If you are taking prescription drugs, bring a prescription signed by your doctor in case you need an emergency refill while traveling. Insect repellent with DEET is a very important item to include in your kit. Pre-moistened towelettes, antibacterial lotion, and a flashlight will also be useful on your safari.

Pack your medical kit in your carry-on bag along with an extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses and a change of clothes in case of luggage delay.

For viewing wildlife, we recommend you bring a good pair of binoculars and your own photography supplies, such as plenty of film, batteries, a 200mm telephoto lens, lens cap, lens papers, UV filter and, for video-recording, an adequate supply of video cassettes.

Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is 8,000 ft (2,438 m).

Health - All travelers to Africa should be in reasonably good health. There is a not a significant amount of walking on this tour; however, the walking that is done takes place over uneven terrain, occurs frequently in warm weather, and includes climbing in and out of safari vehicles. As noted above, you will take 5 on-tour flights that use single or twin engine propeller planes accommodating 18-50 passengers. Tauck strongly advises that guests who require assistance walking or who travel with oxygen tanks may not fully enjoy this very active journey.

Roads in rural and wildlife areas are bumpy and dusty. While we provide reliable and reasonably comfortable vehicles, land travel is not air-conditioned and often slow, especially in wilderness areas.

We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.

For vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the US). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.

Malaria pills are generally recommended for travel in East Africa.

Luggage Restrictions:

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour
To help in your packing, Tauck will provide each guest with a duffel bag. The duffel bag has been specially designed to provide more than adequate space for essential items needed while on safari on days 2-5 and 11-12. Please pack light and bring ONLY the Tauck-issued duffel bag with you on safari.

Strict limitations on our on-tour flights require that each guest take only one piece of soft-sided luggage (the duffel bag) weighing no more than 33 pounds, or 14.97 kilograms. This weight limit includes all camera equipment. Soft-sided luggage is required to ensure your piece fits into irregularly shaped luggage compartments.

In addition, guests are limited to one soft-sided, carry-on bag per person not to exceed 15 lbs. or 6.8 kg, and no larger than an average knapsack.

You will have time to pack your duffel during the first two days of the journey. Your other luggage will follow the tour via a luggage van until day 4. On the morning of day 4, your large luggage will return to Arusha for storage and you will continue on safari with only your Tauck-issued duffel bags for days 4 and 5. On day 6, you are only permitted to take a maximum of 50 lbs, or 22.7 kg, of luggage with you on the flight from Arusha to Nairobi as dictated by Air Kenya. You will be reunited with your entire luggage on the evening of day 6 in Nairobi. You will have access to all your luggage on days 6-11 and you will use the duffel bags while you are in the Masai Mara on safari for days 11-12. You will be reunited with your luggage at the Nairobi Serena Hotel on day 11.

If you reside in the United States, the duffel bag will be sent to your home and should arrive approximately two weeks prior to your departure for Africa. Guests residing outside of the U.S. will receive their duffel bags upon arrival in Arusha due to customs regulations that prohibit the easy delivery of the duffel bags in advance.

Checked Luggage - General
While it is common that airlines allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.

Carry-on Luggage - General
Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not be accessible during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirements – U.S. citizens will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the tour and current visas for both Kenya and Tanzania.

For U.S. citizens:


Citizens of other countries should contact the consulates or embassies of Tanzania and Kenya to determine if visas are required.

Travel with Children – Many countries have specific entry requirements for children less than 21 years of age who are traveling with or without both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standards for these letters, Tauck does offer for download guidance for writing this letter.

Destination Information

Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact others, or the wildlife in the game reserves.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine limitations and services that exist for the destinations to which you are traveling.

Please be aware that there are numerous “dead zones” on tour where there is no service. This is especially true in large parts of the Serengeti. A satellite phone is the only phone that has coverage everywhere.

Currency and Exchange Rates - We recommend that you rely mostly on travelers’ checks while on tour in Kenya and Tanzania. Major credit cards are widely accepted in Kenya; however, in Tanzania the exchange rate on such purchases is unfavorable and may result in an additional 10% being added to the total sale.

As in most countries, we suggest you do not carry large amounts of cash. The amount of cash you bring with you for incidental purchases should be in small denominations. Exchanging large denominations has been made difficult – even at banks – due to counterfeiting. In Tanzania, U.S. Dollars are widely accepted as valid currency.
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ATM machines are becoming increasingly popular; contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your card while visiting Kenya and Tanzania.

To obtain the up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – For U.S residents returning to the United States, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one-liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at. www.cbp.gov.

Citizens of other countries should refer to their own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.

Electrical Current – The electrical current in the safari lodges is 220-240 volts. Guests whose appliances do not meet this standard will need to bring an electrical converter, with adapter plug set, as few overnight properties have this equipment. The socket configurations vary between the two- and three-pronged varieties, so please bring the entire set of adapters with you.

Time Zones – Tanzania and Kenya are 3 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). In June, they are 7 hours ahead of New York City. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com.

Weather – Kenya and Tanzania are truly year-round destinations, as the climate frequently features warm, bright days and cool, crisp nights. Daytime temperatures throughout the year typically range from 60 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, or 15.5 to 35 degrees Celsius; evening temperatures can be cooler, ranging from 50 to 60 F, or 10 to 15.5 C.

Late afternoon rains are customary. The rainy seasons are March through May (the "long rains") and October through December (the "short rains"). During these times, rain occurs mostly in the late afternoon, and is generally brief. The spring months are preferred by some for smaller crowds, verdant scenery, and delightful temperatures.

Climate Chart

	Average Temperature
	Serengeti, Tanzania		Nairobi, Kenya
Month	Farenheit	Celsius	Farenheit	Celsius
January	82	28	81	27
February	82	28	82	28
March	81	27	81	27
April	77	25	79	26
May	75	24	77	25
June	70	21	75	24
July	70	21	73	23
August	73	23	73	23
September	77	25	79	26
October	79	26	81	27
November	81	27	77	25
December	81	27	77	25

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com.

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, Tauck will charge guests who cancel confirmed bookings a cancellation fee according to the when the cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit guests’ liability, Tauck offers its guests Tauck Travel Protection.

Guests choosing to purchase the non-refundable Tauck Travel Protection will have cancellation penalties waived.

Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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