Benny's Discover Africa- Kilimanjaro and Masai Mara Tour begins

Mount Kilimanjaro, the Monarch of Africa

Benny's Discover Africa- Kilimanjaro and Masai Mara Tour begin. Evening Assemble @ Kochi International airport Flight depart to Bangalore and arrives at Bangalore airport

Ethiopian Airways flight depart@02:20hrs from Bangalore to Addis Ababa, and arrive Addis Ababa @0 5: 25hrs, later connect Etihad Airways to KiIiman」aro at 10:35hrs and arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport @13:10hrs clear with customs and immigrations. A warm welcome awaits you upon ex巾ng the terminal by our airport representatives.On arrival all the guests will have a short Meet & Greet session by Benny's Royal Tour Manager, after drive to Arusha where you will stopover for lunch. Proceed to Karatu Area, under the peak of Oldeani located at the south east rim of Ngorongoro, where you will arrive at your lodge. Check in late afternoon and spend the evening at leisure as you en」oy the various fac山ti es and activities offered by the lodge. Karatu is located between three major natural features, to the east is Lake Manyara, to the south is Lake Eyasi and in the north east is the Ngorongoro Crater Rim

Dinner and overnight at The Castle at Ngorongoro.

Meals : Breakfast (on board) Lunch (on board) and Dinner at Lodge

Explore the Ngorongoro Crater, the 'eighth wonder of the world'.

After early breakfast at Lodge transfer to safari Land Cruiser to explore the'eighth wonder of the world', the Ngorongoro Crater for morning and evening game drive. The Ngorongoro Crater is the world's largest intact volcanic caldera and a famous safari destination in Africa with the highest density of wildlife. The Ngorongoro is a deep volcanic crater, the largest un-flooded and unbroken caldera in the world. The Ngorongoro Crater was formed when a large volcano erupted and collapsed on itself. This explosion created a caldera approximately two and a half m仙on years ago. When it was a volcano, it's thought to have been a similar size to Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the world's highest mountains. Estimates of the volcano's original height vary between 4,500 to 5,800 metres. The crater itself is about 610 metres deep and 260 kilometres squared and covered with flat green and almost treeless grass plains, the Ngorongoro Crater is a breath-taking natural wonder.

Ngorongoro and the Great Migration, Experiencing some of our Planet's Greatest Natural Wonders.

Every year, the grass plains around the crater play host to the herds of the Great Migration from December to March, numbering close to two million wildebeest, zebra and other antelope from Masai Mara and Serengeti Parks occupy the short-grass plains that spread over the lower northern slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater highlands and around Olduvai Gorge. This sudden abundance of prey attracts many different predators, including lion, cheetah, hyena and the endangered African wild dog. This density of wildlife makes the crater the best place in Tanzania to see the Big Five. Around late January or February, the herds occupy the short-grass plains that spread over the lower northern slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater highlands and around Olduvai Gorge.

Ngorongoro, a paradise for animals due to its dazzling beauty

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is home to an incredible abundance and diversity of wildlife, including Grant's and Thomson's gazelles, wildebeest , zebra and large herds of buffalo. The Ngorongoro Crater alone sustains around 30,000 large game animals, ranging from leopard, cheetah, elephant and hyena to warthog, buffalo and impala It's also one of the best places to see the endangered black. The region has welcomed numerous famous people including Prince W仙am, Bill Clinton and the Queen of Denmark. Visitors to Ngorongoro account for approximately 60% of the 770,000 who travel to Tanzania each year. The visitor will not regret their time in Ngorongoro which still evokes images of the Garden of Eden with animals of all kinds living side by side in this impressive and unique habitat.

Maasai Warriors, the care takers of Ngorongoro

Apart from the ever-present wild animal population, it's a common picture to see red dressed Maasai warriors, descending into the crater in the early morning hours. Accompanied by the 」ingle of cowbells they take their hump necked cows downwards into the caldera to en」oy grazing for the day. They are the care takers of this fairy tale land.

The Oscar-winning movie Out of Africa filmed in Ngorongoro

The Oscar-winning movie Out of Africa was filmed partly in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. One of the scenes you can spot the crater is when Denys takes off from the Olkurruk airstrip and flies over the Masai Mara and Ngorongoro. Ngorongoro Crater is also referred to as'the Garden of Eden'due to its dazzling beauty and being a paradise for animals. Later we returned back to lodge. Dinner and overnight stay in lodge in Karatu.

Overnight Stay: Marera Valley Lodge or similar in Karatu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (en route) and Dinner at Lodge

After continental break fast , check out and drive through Arusha and having Lunch at Arusha, after lunch proceed to Namanga border check post. Namanga is a town divided by the Tanzania-Kenya border. Here you will meet our Kenyan representative who will help you to clear the customs and immigration procedures. Welcome to Kenya, Kenya is a country in East Africa with coastline on the Indian Ocean. It encompasses savannah, lakelands, the dramatic Great Rift Valley and mountain highlands. It's also home to wildlife like lions, elephants and rhinos, Kenya is known for being the world's best safari destinat ion, with 50 epic national parks and reserves . On arrival we will transfer to Amboseli National Park where you will enjoy a game drive en route to the lodge.

Overnight Stay : Kibo Safari camp or similar in Amboseli

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch (en route) and Dinner at Lodge.

Balloon Tour (Optional)

After early breakfast at Lodge free time for early morning game drive or optional Balloon safari with champagne bush breakfast. In this tour you will able to see the complete migration from the Serengeti and Mara region of East Afr ica. Balloon ride is one of the memorable experiences, allows you to drift in silence above the splendour of the plains and enjoy a bird's eye view of the wildlife theatre. You take off in the wee hours of the morning, float in the sky, drifting with the whim of the wind, overlooking the plains , just in time to experience a breath-taking sunrise and catch a bird's eye view of the reserve (optional). After the early morning game drive and safari tour you will drive back to lodge for your full breakfast and After breakfast check out and have the lodge, keep your luggage in storage, You will then depart for your morning game drive of the Amboseli National Park.

Visit Amboseli National Park famous for big tusked elephants

On arrival at the Amboseli Park enjoy a game drive en-route to the lodge, Amboseli national park is one of the perfect tourist destinations that you ought not to miss during your Kenya Safari. The park boosts with a wide range of animal species ranging from large herds of elephants, giraff es, buffaloes, lions. Amboseli National Park, a natural wonderland and is an excellent place to view the Big Five. Kenya's second most popular national park after the Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli was declared a UNESCO-Mab Biosphere Reserve in 1991. Amboseli national park is a home to a large concentration of wildlife including African elephant, African buffalo, impalas, lion, zebra, and wildebeest among other African animals; among the animals the park is more famous for habitating a large population of elephants. Amboseli Park is also a home to a number of birds estimated to be 400 species which include African swamp hen, Common redshank and Yellow-necked spur fowl and many more.

Majestic views of Mount Kilimanjaro from Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is the best place to view Kilimanjaro Mountains on a clear day. The monarch of Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro is not only Africa's tallest peak, but also the world's tallest free-standing mountain. The summit, named Uhuru Point , is 5,89 5 meters (19,3 41feet) above sea level. Most high mountains are part of ranges, such as Mount Everest's Himalayan Mountain Range. These are formed in a process called plate tectonics. KiIimanjaro are formed as a result of volcanic activity and passes through the exact canter of the equator and divides earth in half. Mount Kilimanjaro lies just 205 miles from the equator, in the country of Tanzania. When early explorers reported seeing glaciers on the top of Kilimanjaro, people did not believe them as they thought it was impossible for ice to form so close to the hot, equatorial sun. Scientists now believe that the glaciers shrink and then regrow during the planet's ice ages. Mount Kilimanjaro was first climbed in1889 by a German geologist Hans Meyer, an Austrian climber Ludwig Purtscheller and a local guide Yohani Kinyala Lauwo. Now approximately 30,000 people climb K仆i manjaro every year. Drive back to the lodge where you will have lunch. After lunch you will have your luggage loaded into the safari vehicles before you depart for Nairobi arriving in the evening. Upon arrival you will be dropped off at the Nairobi hotel where you are booked for the night .Arrive to check in and freshen up. You will then have dinner at the hotel.

Overnight Stay: Concord Hotel & Suites or similar in Nairobi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Lodge.

After breakfast check out and depart for the fabled Masai Mara National Reserve, on your way you will stopover at the rift Valley view point

Rift Valley View Point

On your way you will stopover at the Rift Valley View Point where you will look into the Great Rift Valley to see some of its features including Lake Naivasha and Mount Longonot. Lake Naivasha is a large freshwater lake situated at an elevation of 1,884m, Lake Naivasha is the highest lake within the Great Rift Valley. Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano located southeast of Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, Africa. It is thought to have last erupted in the 1860s. Its name is derived from the Maasai word Oloonong'ot, meaning "steep ridges. Drive to Narok Town where you will stopover for a break before proceeding to the mara reserve. Arrive at the lodge to check in followed by lunch. After lunch you will freshen up and relax before your afternoon game drive.1600 hrs - 1800hrs: Afternoon game drive of the reserve.

The Maasai Mara National Reserve, also known as Masai Mara or the Mara, is a 583-square-mile protected area for wildlife. Visitors typically head here to witness the majestic, natural phenomenon of The Great Wildebeest Migration between july and October in almost everyone's bucket list.

Great Migration in Masai Mara, the greatest wildlife travelling roadshow on earth.

After lunch we transfer to Masai Mara National Reserve for afternoon game drive in 4 x 4 Safari Land Cruisers to witness The Great Wildebeest Migration, one of The Seven Natural Wonders of The World in the plains of East Africa­ the world's most thrilling, intriguing and spectacular displays of wildlife behaviour. The Masai Mara National Park and Serengeti are the largest ecosystems and geographical regions in Africa, spanning from northern Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya. The protected area within the region includes approximately 31510 km2 of land with approximate 2 million animal populations. These two National parks result in an incredible safari and together form what no other safari in Africa can. From 」uly onwards the millions of animals will migrate from Serengeti in Tanzania towards Masai Mara, Kenya in search of grass and water. The wildebeests cross around 1,0 00 miles (1,609 kilometres) of land. The main migrates are around 1.7 million wildebeest , four lakh Thomson gazelle, three lakh zebra, and twelve thousand ela nds. This is one of the most phenomenal natural spectacles and the largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world, which helps secure it as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and as one of the ten natural travel wonders of the world

Later transfer to Lodge. Free for leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at Lodge in Masai Mara.

Overnight Stay: Mara River Lodge or similar in Masai Mara.

Meals: Break fast, Lunch and Dinner at Lodge.

After early breakfast at Lodge transfer to Safari Land Cruiser for an unlimited game drive and Migration tour from 6.00 hrs to 18. OOhrs to Masai Mara National Park. Masai Mara is home to some of the most abundant wildlife populations in the wor ld. Sightings of the'Big 5'(elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino), along with cheetah and several others are almost guaranteed. You will explore the reserve in search of its rhinos, elephants, elusive leopards, lions and other plains game. The reserve is world-renowned for its exceptional populations of lions, African leopards, cheet ahs, elephants and black rhinos.

Great opportunity to witness the Largest Terrestrial Mammal Migration on Earth

Later we will transfer to Mara River, Talek River and Grumeti rivers area to witness the Great Migration of animals take place every year between 」uly to August in Kenya and Tanzania border. Large number of tourists from all over the world visit Kenya and Tanzania to witness the natural spectacles and the largest terrestrial mammal migration on earth. This considered as one of The Seven Natural Wonders of The World, over two million wildebeest , zebras,gazelles and other animals will travel from the Serengeti into Kenya's Maasai Mara in pursuit of greener pastures. The sheer volumes of wildebeest, zebra, and gazelles is a wonder in itself, with 1.3 million wildebeest and 300,000 zebra taking part in the largest herd movement of animals in the world - so large in fact , that it can be seen from space.

River crossing is the must-see event during Migration

The river crossing a must-see event here during the migration. During the season large number of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles will pass through Grumeti, Mara River and Talek rivers in search of grass. The Grumeti River in Tanzania and the Mara River in Kenya are infamous for the ferocious crocodiles lurking below the surface. Patience is needed to witness this dramatic river crossing spectacle

The herd eagerly waits for one of their comrades to take the first step. However, it is quite a scary prospect going first, there are predators to watch out for, with crocodile in the river and lion and other big cat waiting on the other side of the river to pick off the weakest of the herd. The brave wildebeest takes their first step or rather jump into the river, causing a cascading movement of the whole herd -one following the other in a simultaneous effect, this is must-see event during migration. This is a feast time for animals like lions, leopards, cheetahs and other carnivores and they are waiting for these months with eager anticipation. Around 250,000 migrating animals will have died either at the hands of these carnivores or from fatigue and hunger. During the wildebeest migration, you will witness how the constant battle for survival makes the Migration Season a particularly exhilarating time to visit Kenya. Maasai Village Tour

Here we will visit the local Maasai Village. A tour to the Maasai Village tour offers you a memorable encounter with the local Maasai people in their homesteads . They are the care takers of the land. They are famous nomadic pastoralists who majorly depend on grazing cattle. The Maasai people reside in the boundaries of Maasai Mara national reserve thus sparing a few hours of your mara safari to visit these locals is such a breath-taking excursion. This Maasai village tour while on your safari to Maasai Mara national reserve will enable you to spend some time in this Maasai Village interacting with the locals while learning more about their unique cultural practices as they demonstrate more about their life style, standards of living, and take part in some of the cultural practices like milking, making ghee and many more. Later return back to Lodge. Dinner and overnight stay at Lodge in Masai Mara.

Overnight Stay: Mara Simba Lodge or similar in Masai Mara.

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch, and Dinner at Lodge.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and depart for Lake Elemantaita. Lake Elemantaita is located between Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru in the Rift Valley of Kenya . The salt lake is known for its rich avifauna, among other huge concentrations of Greater and Lesser flamingos. The flamingos, however, have severely declined after the Tilipia fish has been introduced. On top of the birdlife on the lake, the lake comprises of the famous Kikopey hot springs that are a spectacular tourism attraction.

Boat ride in Lake Naivasha

Lake Elmenteita Elmenteita, meaning'place of dust', is a photogenic, little soda lake situated in Kenya's Great Rift Valley. Famously attracting many visiting flamingos as well as many other birds, it has been named as a World Heritage Site for its prolific birdlife. This is where Kenya's most famous settler Lord Delamere lived and he was responsible for much of Kenya's early agricultural experimentation in this fertile area; it is still inhabited by some of his descendants. The shores are often filled with wildlife and the surrounding forests are perfect for long walks and bird watching. Visitors can look forward to visiting the idyllic Kekopey hot springs, game viewing along the lake's edge, and numerous other activities. Look out for eland, kudu, and zebra, gazelle, and warthog families. You will arrive in time for check in and lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon, visit Lake Naivasha for a 1 hour boat safari. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight at Lake Elementaita Sentrim Lodge

Overnight Stay : Lake Elementaita Sentrim Lodge

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch, and Dinner

A relaxed rise followed by breakfast. You will then check out and drive to Nairobi for our final departure Transfer to Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. Nairobi is Africa's most influential cities, and vital commercial and financial regional hub, home to the regional headquarters of various major international companies and organizations. Nairobi is home of the Kenyan Parliament Buildings and hosts thousands of Kenyan businesses and over 100 major international companies and organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Office at Nairobi. After lunch proceed to Nairobi International airport for final departure .

Good Bye to Africa.

Its time say goodbye to all the new friends you have made. we hope you take back happy memories of your Discover Africa - Kilimanjaro Masai Mara Tour. We would like to spare a few minutes of your time to write and tell us how you enjoyed your tour and any suggestions you may have for the future. Arrive at Nairobi International Airport Ethiopian Airline Flight ET319 depart to Addis Ababa at 1800 hrs and arrive Addis Ababa International Airport @2000. Later flight connecting to Bangalore at 2300 from Addis Ababa International Airport.

Arrive Bangalore International Airport at 08.10 hrs. Later connect flight to Kochi Airport @ sweet memories of Benny's Royal Tour's Discover Africa - Kilimanjaro - Masai Mara Tour