Africa

Africa (6)

Saturday, 13 October 2012 09:13

Tanzania

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Day 1 - Day 2: En Route to Arusha

Fly to Arusha, Tanzania, arriving on the evening of day 2. Transfer to your hotel, where you may rest after your international flights.

Day 3: Tarangire National Park

Morning transfer to Tarangire, a lovely park notable for its large concentrations of elephant, zebra, wildebeest, eland and oryx. Tarangire is also famous for its many baobab trees, instantly recognizable with their massive trunks. Tarangire’s hills, rivers and swamps provide a variety of vegetation zones and habitats, which attract diverse mammals and birdlife (300 species). You’ll enjoy two game drives within Tarangire.

Day 4: Lake Manyara

This morning you will transfer to Lake Manyara National Park, stopping en route to visit Mto Wa Mbu village and Ganako secondary school to learn about the local culture. Set in the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara is a lush green park famous for its tree-climbing lions, large elephant herds, monkeys, hippos, and its incredible birdlife, including flamingos. Despite its small size, Lake Manyara offers a diversity of habitats including open grasslands with rocky outcrops, forests, and swamps, and the lake itself. Afternoon game drive.

Day 5 - Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater

Morning transfer to Ngorongoro Crater, stopping en route at Gibbs Farm, a former coffee plantation with lush gardens. You'll enjoy a guided nature walk and a meeting with Daniel Tewa, a local historian and storyteller. Then it's on to Ngorongoro Crater, a 2000-foot-deep caldera created by the collapse of an extinct volcano. Ngorongoro is a self-contained “Garden of Eden” which is home to some thirty thousand large mammals: zebra, wildebeest, elephant, black rhino, waterbuck, gazelle, eland, and hartebeest, as well as predators such as lion, hyena and jackal. Birdlife is also plentiful and varied. Ngorongoro is truly one of the great wildlife wonders of the world, and staying at Crater’s edge (two nights) will be one of the major highlights of your safari. You'll enjoy a full day of game drives in the crater (with picnic lunch) on day 6.

Day 7 - Day 8: Serengeti Nationak Park

On your way to Serengeti, you’ll enjoy a fascinating visit to Olduvai Gorge, the “cradle of mankind” where Dr. Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the earliest human fossils after 28 years of searching. You’ll then head to the world-renowned Serengeti, a 5,600 square mile park which offers perhaps the most spectacular array of wildlife on earth. During your two full days of exploration, you will likely see lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, jackal, hippo, baboon, dik dik and many other animals. The Serengeti is the site of one of the greatest animal migrations in the world; however, resident populations of animals are plentiful and varied year-round. On your game drives, you will have excellent opportunities for observing and photographing these fascinating animals. You'll also meet with Masai villagers and, if you like, go hot air ballooning (optional)!

Day 9 - Day 10: Homeward Bound

One final game drive in the Serengeti before your flight to Arusha, where you will connect with your return international flight.

Additional Info

  • Days 10 Days
Saturday, 13 October 2012 09:10

South Africa

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Day 1: Arrive in Cape Town

Upon arrival in Cape Town today a representative meets you and assists you to your waiting transfer vehicle. Transfer to your hotel and check in. Overnight at your selected hotel.

Day 2: Cape Town

Half day City Tour on SIC. Table Mountain ticket included (weather permitting). Overnight at your selected hotel.

Day 3: Cape Town

Today proceed on a Full Day Peninsula tour. Overnight at your selected hotel.

Day 4: Cape Town - Oudtshoorn

After breakfast this morning meet your local driver/guide and transfer along the beautiful Garden Route to Oudtshoorn known as 'the Feather Capital' due to its large ostrich feather industry. Arrive in Oudtshoorn in the late afternoon and check into your hotel. Overnight at your selected hotel.

Day 5: Oudtshoorn - Knysna

Visit an Ostrich Show farm this morning & then go underground & marvel at the wondrous Cango Caves. Travel to Knysna and check into your hotel. This evening enjoy a sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon offering views of the Heads. Overnight at your selected hotel.

Day 6 & 7: Knysna - Sun City

After breakfast this morning, check out and transfer to George Airport, and check in for your onward flight (flight not included). On arrival at Johannesburg Airport make your way to the Shuttle Bus departure point and board your onward shuttle transfer to Sun City Resort. Check in your selected hotel in Sun City and spend the next 2 days exploring and enjoying all that Sun City has to offer.

Day 8: Sun City - Johannesburg

Check out later today and transfer back to Johannesburg International Airport, where you overnight at a nearby Airport hotel.

Day 9: Departure

After breakfast this morning, check out and transfer by shuttle bus back to Johannesburg International Airport, and check in for your onward flight (flight not included).

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  • Days 8 Nights / 9 Days
Saturday, 13 October 2012 09:03

Morocco

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Day 1: Casablanca Med V airport –Transfer to your hotel in Casablanca 

Upon your arrival to Casablanca airport, our Tour leader will assist you to get your bags before taking you to your hotel. After check in you will have your time to relax before a tour meeting. It depends on your arriving time, if available we will go for a city sightseeing.

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat – Meknes           

We will depart at 08:00 for a city sightseeing of Casablanca.It is the economic capital and the biggest city, all over the kingdom, here more than 7 million people. Here we will visit the second biggest mosque in the world after Mecca . It is Hassan II mosque, one of the best highlights all over the country. Then we continue to Rabat the current capital of Morocco. Where we will have lunch before going on and visit the Oudaya gardens, the Mausoleum of Mohamed V and Hassan II and Hassan Tower which is the minaret of an incomplete mosque in Rabat begun in 1195 AD. After we finish we drive to Meknes on the express road. On the road you will get fascinated by the thousands and thousands of olive trees on the two banks of the road. Meknes was one of the imperial cities in Morocco; the former capital and the site of the Sultan Moulay Ismail's granaries. We stay at our hotel in Meknes.           

Day 3: Meknes – Moulay Driss – Volubilis - Fez      

After breakfast we will go on our discovering visit to the main historical monuments of Meknes. We will start by the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail (1672–1727).Then we go to the granaries, built in 1600.They were ingeniously designed. Tiny windows, massive walls and a system of underflow water channels kept the temperatures cool and air circulating. He didn't store food for humans, but grain and hay to feed his 15.000 horses. We will stop as well to get pictures of the Bab AL Mansour the Great gate, built in the 11thcentury.Meknes has been greatly impacted by the Moorish style building. It is no the fifth biggest city of the kingdom since it has a good economy, based mainly on agriculture, olives and wine. We will lunch here in Meknes, where we will try try the Moroccan delicacy Camel burger for lunch. After lunch we will drive towards Fes. On the road we will travel back to 3th century by visiting the most important archeological site in the kingdom. It is Volubulis, Walili in Arabic language. here we go for an ho guided tour through this attractive roman city or what we call the ruins of Volubilis, which was listed as a UNESCO world Heritage site in 1997.After we finish visiting Volubilis we drive to our hotel in Fes.

Day 4: Fes, Full Guided City Tour    

This is a whole day guided tour to Fes, starts at 9:00 till 5:00.Fes is the fourth biggest city and the former capital of morocco, it is one of the country's four "imperial cities," the others are Rabat, Marrakech and Meknes. It comprises two distinct parts, the oldest section or the Medina and the Ville Nouvelle which was created by French between 1912-1956the French-created, newest section of Fes. It is a mosaic city since it is consist of plenty cultures, Islamic, Andalusia, Jewish, Berber, French…

This oldest section of Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Medina is the largest and the most amazing Medina in Africa and the world's largest contiguous car-free urban area, where no cars are allowed to be drive there. Karts and donkeys are the only means of transportation in its narrow and mingled streets and allies, more than 9000 narrow streets. Among that labyrinth of allies we will visit the oldest continuously functioning university in the world. The University of Al-Karaouine, founded in AD 859, we return to our hotel more night in Fes. The visit of Fes is really fascinating by knowing and discovering its incredible history along centuries. A lot of amazing and fascinating things of Fes will stick to your mind forever. When we finish visiting Fes we drive back to our hotel.

Day 5: Fez – Midelt - Erfoud – Merzouga (hotel at Dune Line)       

This is a bit long day journey since we will drive for more than 400 Km. But still a wonderful day where we will drive through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains to the peaceful and beautiful town of Ifran home of Brotherhood university, established in 1997 by The king of Morocco Hassan II and the king of Saudi Arabia Fahd. Where all classes are taught in English It is an international university. We stop for lunch in a rural village Midelt which is located on the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. From here we start to drive throughout the High Atlas Mountains and along Ziz valley one of the longest vallies all over the kingdom .Continue past the former French Foreign Legion outpost of Errachidia, one of the largest oases of palm trees in Morocco. Before arriving to the town of Erfoud; which is famous for its pottery and the interesting fossil quarries. Fossils are a major industry in Erfoud, some 350 million years ago the region around Erfoud was a part of the huge ocean. From Erfoud we drive towards Errisani, a small sleepy town. The Alaouit dynasty founder Moulay Ali shrif is buried here. From this lsmall town he started to unify the Moroccan tribes on the 17thcentury.From Erissani we drive for 35 km before we arrive to our hotel, which is located just on the dune line. We stay in our hotel tonight.  

Day 6: Merzouga – Erg Chebbi Dunes (Sahara Desert Exploration 4x4 & Camel Trek for sunset) 

Here in the sahara desert of Erg Chebbi, we start at 10:00 or earlier and go on a drive throughout the sand dunes. While driving on these fabulous landscapes we will see plenty of nomadic black tents in the middle of nowhere. We shall stop by a nomadic family to have tea and see what a nonadic life looks like. We go on our drive and let’s discover the nomadic life of Touareg people by visiting khamliya, a village where nothing has been changed through centuries. Either we lunch here in khamliya village or we go back to our hotel and lunch there. After a nape we go on a comel ride to meet one of the most fascinating sight we will ever seen, the superb sunset in the middle of the high sand dunes of Merzouga (Erg Chebbi). Tonight we stay in Berber camp and enjoy a wonderful stars view.          

Day 7: Merzouga – Rissani – Todgha Gorges           

After breakfast we drive to Rissani. It is the town where the Alaouit dynasty (The Royal Family) started to unify Morocco on the 17th century. We will visit the Mausoleum of the Alaouit dynasty founder Moulay Ali Chrif. From here we start driving towards Ouarzazate but before we will stop for lunch in Todgha gorges the biggest and the most fascinating canyons all over the country. Here we can enjoy an hour walking around those fabulous canyons and get thousands and thousands of pictures because it is really something.           

Day 8: Todgha Gorges – Dades Valley – Ouarzazate           

From the great canyons we drive to Ouarzazate via the valley of roses. Here we find what we call the Damaskina rose which had been brought from Syria by pilgrims who used to go to Mecca on foot. So on their way back they brought this rose and plant it here in this valley. There are many rosewater factories on the area, where they produce different cosmetic products. If time allows, we can stop by one factory to see what the different steps of evaporating and purifying the rose water are and what the different products of this good smelling rose are. Meanwhile on the road we will go for a quick tea with a nomadic family that still living in caves. We will pass by a sleepy small village called Skoura, which is located just in the middle of palm trees. And now there are a lot of Kasbahs transformed into Riads and guest houses by French owners. Afterwards we drive to Ouarzazate where we spend the night in.     

Day 9: Ouarzazate – Ait Benhaddou - High Atlas Mountains – Marrakech 

A visit to Morocco's film capital, Ouarzazate. Here we will see different old sets for many famous movies like Babel, Hidalgo, Gladaitor Lawrence of Arabia, Kingdoom of Heaven…and other hundreds famous movies. After this African Hollywood tour of almost an hour we drive for 30 Km to get to the ancient fortified city of Ait Benhaddou which was first built on the 11th century and it was named by the UNESCO in 1992 as a world heritage site. Explore the streets of this clay Kasbah at a relaxed pace and have some tea with the family that still living there looking after the Kasbah. Here more than 300 families, then have lunch there. After lunch we drive to Marrakesh throughout Tizi-n-tichka pass of the High Atlas Mountains. Where hundreds superb Berber villages scattered on the mountains. This unexpected and fascinating presence of houses that are made from mud and straw; in the middle of nowhere; with the satellite dishes on roofs. All this make you feel that nothing has been changed in life here through thousands years. Meanwhile donkeys and mules still the main means of transportation among these high and tough mountains, since there are no accesses for cars and tracks.   

Day 10: Marrakesh, Guided City Tour          

After breakfast, a sightseeing tour of this beautiful city includes the 16th century Saadian tombs, the Museum of Moroccan Arts, the fragrant Menara Gardens, the famous Koutoubia Minaret and the magnificent Bahia Palace. After lunch at the hotel, we continue to Djmaa-el-Fna Square, the heart of Marrakesh. Tonight, dinner and folklore show at "Fantasia Chez Ali," serving typical Moroccan cuisine, family style in lavishly decorated tents amidst music, local entertainment and an equestrian show. Explore the tantalizing spice market and dine al fresco at a footstall in Djmaa el-Fna, or escape the buzz of the city in the shaded rooms of the Bahia palace, a superb example of ornate Muslim architecture. After visiting the busy parts of Marrakesh we will head to the most beautiful and well-designed gardens all over the country: The famous Majorelle gardens founded in 1982.       

Day 11: Marrakesh – Casablanca Med V airport       

Transfer from Marrakech to Casablanca according to your flight details or even fly from Marrakech if your flight is schedualed to leave from Marrakech.

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  • Days 11 Days / 10 Nights
Saturday, 13 October 2012 08:57

Mauritius

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Day 1:

After completing the immigration formalities, you will be driven to your hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2:

Breakfast will be served at the hotel restaurant. After breakfast, you will be taken on a full day North Island sightseeing tour of Mauritius. Places like Port Louis, Pamplemoussis Botanical Garden and Grand Baie will be shown in this tour. The rest of the day will be free for independent activities. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3:

Breakfast will be served at the hotel restaurant. After breakfast, you will be taken on a full day South Island sightseeing tour of Mauritius. Places like Curepipe, Chamarel, Trox aux Cerfs, Grand Bassin will be shown in this tour. The rest of the day will be free for independent activities. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4:

After breakfast, you will be taken on a full day Ile aux Cerf's tour in Mauritius. This is a beautiful Coral Island in East of Mauritius. The rest of the day will be free for independent activities. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5:

Today after breakfast, the whole day will be free for independent activities or you may just like to relax on the beach. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6:

This day is reserved for you to have some personal time of your own. Enjoy a full leisure day.

Day 7:

After breakfast, Check out and transfer to the airport to board your flight for onward destination.

Additional Info

  • Days 7 Days
Saturday, 13 October 2012 08:42

Kenya

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Day 1: Nairobi arrival

On arrival into Nairobi's International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Nairobi for the evening. Depending on the time of your arrival you may have time to explore the city and its attractions.

Most recommended are the Karen Blixen Museum (author of Out of Africa), the giraffe sanctuary, Nairobi National Park, a city tour and the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage.

We also recommend lunch or dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant where all types of exotic meat is served roasted on traditional Masai swords over a huge charcoal pit.

Overnight at your Hotel / Camp / lodge

Day 2 & Day 3: NairobiAmboseli National Park

Today you will transfer by light aircraft to Amboseli National Park. Your camp in Amboseli, Tortilis Camp is named after the flat-topped, umbrella thorn tree, the Acacia Tortilis, and is situated just outside the park in one of Amboseli's few remaining areas of unspoilt woodland, with the majestic backdrop of Africa's highest mountain, snow-capped Kilimanjaro.

During the day, you will conduct game drives with our guides in an open 4WD vehicle or alternatively go for a guided walk outside the park with one of the expert guides.

Other activities available include Masai village cultural visits.

Overnight at your Hotel / Camp / lodge

Days 4, 5 & 6: Amboseli – Masai Mara Game Reserve

Today you will return by light aircraft to Nairobi where you will have lunch before being transferred to Wilson airport for light aircraft flight to the Masai Mara. The Masai Mara is the most well known reserve in Kenya for the Great Wildebeest Migration. This event usually occurs in July – October.

Over 1 million wildebeest flood the Reserve after traveling north from the Serengeti in Tanzania, along with large herds of other herbivores all looking for the best grazing. Closely following the herbivores are the predators, most notably lions and hyenas.

The Masai Mara is a great place for watching big cats, it is where they film the BBC Big Cat Diaries, but it also has an abundance of other wildlife and bird life to see during your stay. There are many activities available during your three night stay such as bush walks, Masai village visits, picnics and sundowners as well as the regular 4x4 game drive.

Overnight at your Hotel / Camp / lodge

Day 7 Day 12: Masai Mara – Mombasa

Today you will return by light aircraft to Nairobi for lunch. Following this you will transfer to the airport for flight to Mombasa. On arrival at Mombasa Moi Airport, you will be met and transferred to Kinondo Kwetu Luxury Retreat where you will spend the next 6 days.

Spend your days relaxing by the pool or beach or involved in one of the many activities on offer including scuba diving, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, kite boarding, horseback riding, tennis, golf and excursions.

Overnight at your Hotel / Camp / lodge

Day 13: MombasaFly Nairobi – Depart

After lunch today, you will leave Mombasa by air and connect in Nairobi for your international flight home. By the time you leave Kenya, you once in a life time dream will have come true.

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  • Days 13 Days / 12 Nights
Saturday, 13 October 2012 08:36

Egypt

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DAY 1: Arrival-Cairo

On arrival in Cairo International airport transfer to the hotel in a private car. Check in to the hotel and later in the evening you are picked up from the hotel for a Belly dancing show with dinner served on board.

DAY 2: Cairo

Breakfast at the hotel and depart for a full day in a private car with a private guide to: Dahshur, Saqqara & Memphis. After lunch visit the Solar boat museum near the Giza. Then a guided tour of the Great Pyramids and Sphnix and end the day with the sound and light show.

Sightseeing for the day

Memphis     
  • Open Air museum
Saqqara     
  • Step Pyramid  
  • Pyramid of Teti
Dahshur
  • Bent Pyramid  
  • Red Pyramid
Giza
  • Solar boat museum  
  • Guided tour of 3 great pyramids and Sphinx  
  • Entrance inside Khufu's Great Pyramid  
  • Sound & Light show in English in Giza

DAY 3: Alexandria

After an early breakfast, check out of the hotel for a full day guided tour to Alexandria. Back to Cairo in the evening and later transfer to airport for your flight to Aswan. On arrival in Aswan transfer to the hotel in a private car. OR transfer to the railway station for your overnight train to Aswan.

Sightseeing for the day

Alexandria
  • Roman amphitheatre & Catacombs  
  • Royal Park  
  • Palace of Montazah  
  • Pompy Pillar

DAY 4: Aswan - Abu Simbel

Breakfast at the hotel in Aswan and then join the convoy for a tour of Abu Simbel at 11.00 am. Back to the hotel in the late evening and overnight in the hotel in Aswan.

Sightseeing for the day

Abu Simbel
  • Great temple of Ramses II  
  • Temple of Hathor

DAY 5: Aswan - Nile Cruise

In the morning depart for a sightseeing tour of Aswan. Check out of the hotel and transfer to the 5 star Deluxe Nile cruise and later after lunch take a felucca ride. Overnight in the cruise.

Sightseeing for the day

Aswan
  • Nubia museum  
  • Unfinished Obelix  
  • Aswan High dam  
  • Philae temple - Sound & Light show in English

 

DAY 6: Nile Cruise - Kom Omdo & Edfu

Early morning the cruise sails to Kom Omdo and then sails to Edfu. In the late afternoon cross the Esna lock and over to Luxor. Overnight in the cruise.

Sightseeing for the day

Kom Omdo
  • Temple of Kom Omdo
Edfu
  • Temple of Horus

 

DAY 7: Nile Cruise - Luxor

Transfer from the cruise after breakfast for a private guided tour of the West Bank of Luxor. Back to the cruise after lunch and then again depart to West Bank and back to the cruise in the evening.

Sightseeing for the day

Luxor- West Bank
  • Colossi of Memnon  
  • Valley of Kings  
  • Valley of Queens  
  • Tomb of Nobles  
  • Temple of the Queen Hatsheput  
  • Temple at Medinet Habu

 

DAY 8: Luxor - Cairo

After breakfast you need to disembark from the cruise around 11.00 am then take a tour of the East Bank of Luxor and then later transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo. On arrival in Cairo transfer to the hotel in a private car OR transfer to the railway station for your over night train to Cairo.

Sightseeing for the day

Luxor- East Bank
  • Karnak temple  
  • Luxor temple  
  • Luxor mummification museum

DAY 9: Cairo

Leisurely breakfast at the hotel and then transfer from the hotel for a full day guided tour of Cairo. Back to the hotel in the night after dinner.

Sightseeing for the day

Cairo
  • 31) Egyptian museum  
  • 32) Entrance inside the mummies section of the Egyptian museum  
  • 33) Citadel  
  • 34) Khan El Khalili market

 

DAY 10: Cairo-Departure

Check out of the hotel after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Enroute guided tour of the Coptic museum.

Sightseeing for the day

Cairo
  • Coptic museum

Additional Info

  • Days 10 Days