11365 Ventura Blvd., Suite 100, Studio City, CA

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1 11365 Ventura Blvd., Suite 100, Studio City, CA STUDIO CITY/SHERMAN OAKS ROTARY CLUB SAFARI JANUARY- FEBRUARY 2008 Wed Most of this day will be spent flying. Meals will be provided on board. Thur Arrive at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Upon arrival, you will clear Immigration and Customs and be met by a representative of Maniago Safaris. You will be driven to your hotel in the city centre where your accommodation is reserved. Overnight: Stanley Hotel (Bed only). Fri Breakfast will be in the hotel. Immediately following breakfast, you will drive through rich Kikuyu agricultural land to arrive at your lodge for lunch. After lunch, it s off to Kianyaga Children s Home to meet with the administrators to discuss some of the activities you will be doing during your stay. All meals and overnight: Castle Forest Lodge (BBLD). Castle Forest Lodge is located deep in the thick forest on the slopes to the south of Mount Kenya. It is set in a natural surrounding of rainforest, fresh water rivers with falls on either side of the lodge, a fabulous view of the valley on the one, and the impressive peaks of Mount Kenya on the other side. The main house was built in 1910 of river stones and wood. It is being said that both Queen Elizabeth and President Jomo Kenyatta visited Castle Forest Lodge when they were students. 1

2 A charming old building with a veranda overlooking the animal drinking pool and the valley below. Enjoy the cozy dining room and bar. Recently Castle Forest Lodge has been renovated to accommodate slightly over thirty guests. On the three and a half hectares you will find a bungalow outfitted for four persons and eight cottages furnished for two, each one of them appointed with a fireplace and bath. Sat Whole day is spent in Kianyaga Children s home with project activities. All meals and overnight: Castle Forest Lodge (BBLD). Comment [Comment1]: Castle Forest Lodge Sun The entire day is spent in Kianyaga Children s home with project activities. All meals and overnight: Castle Forest Lodge (BBLD). Mon Spend the whole day in Kianyaga Children s home with project activities. All meals and overnight: Castle Forest Lodge (BBLD). There s some work that we can do! 2

3 Tue Breakfast will be in lodge. After breakfast, you will drive to the semi arid region that is Samburu National Reserve. You will arrive at your camp in time for lunch. After a short rest and when the sun has abated, you will go on your first game drive. The animals in this area are different and have adapted to the arid like conditions. They are rarely found anywhere else south of the equator. They include the rare reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, beisa oryx, grevy s zebra, Somali ostrich and vulturine guinea fowl. All meals and overnight: Larsen s Luxury Tented Camp (BBLD). Tranquility and nature embrace you the minute you enter Larsens with the river being the perfect stage for an endless pageant of wildlife - elephants rolling and trumpeting in the shallows, timid impala nervously drinking, baboons and vervet monkeys swinging through the canopy of trees. The only man made noise is that of the young Samburu flutist as he slowly makes his way along the river. There are birds and vervet monkeys everywhere and dik diks wander freely around the camp. It s Safari at the turn of the century, small and luxurious. 3

4 Wed You will spend the whole day in Samburu National Reserves with extended morning and afternoon game drives. All meals and overnight: Larsen s LuxuryTented Camp (BBLD). Thur Breakfast is served in camp. Immediately after breakfast, you will be transferred to the nearby airstrip to catch your flight to the world famed Masai Mara National Reserve. 9:00 AM - Depart from Samburu for Masai Mara on a scheduled flight. 11:15 AM - Arrive in Masai Mara. On the airstrip, you will be welcomed by Masai traditional dancers. You will then be transferred to your tented camp for lunch. After lunch, you will be taken on a game drive in this reserve that was recently declared a seventh wonder of the world. The animals that dot the plains of the Masai Mara range from prey to predator to the crocodiles and hippos of the Mara River. There is also a prolific bird life. The area is also home to the proud Masai people who you will interact with during your three night stay. All meals and overnight: Sekenani Camp (BBLD). The camp is nestled beside a small brook in the foothills of the Ngama Highlands and is on the boundary of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. It is built at the source of the Sekenani River which rises from a rock pool at the east end of the camp and forms the stream, which flows in front of each tent. The camp is comprised of fifteen welldesigned and spacious tents that are among the most beautifully appointed in the Mara. 4

5 Guests are escorted by Maasai guides who demonstrate their extensive knowledge of plants and animals while surrounded by spectacular landscapes in every direction. Over two hundred species of birds have been identified within one kilometre of the camp. Other popular activities include balloon safaris and a half-day fishing expedition to Lake Victoria. Sekenani Camp is operated in conjunction with 26 Maasai families who have a share in the business. It is the logistical center for a community project developing infrastructure for healthcare, veterinary services, education and clean water for people living around the reserve. Guests who are interested can visit some of the areas project sites. Fri You will spend the whole day in Masai Mara National Reserve with extended morning and afternoon game drives. During the day, you will visit a Masai traditional village where you will interact with them up close. All meals and overnight: Sekenani Camp (BBLD) Sat You have another day in Masai Mara National Reserve to view and photograph your favorite animals. An optional hot air balloon safari can be arranged for you. This extraordinary experience offers you a vantage point like no other. Float over the African Plains, over myriad animals, in the stillness of dawn. All meals and overnight: Sekenani Camp (BBLD). Sun Breakfast will be in camp. Immediately after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip. 11:00 AM - depart from Masai Mara for Nairobi on a scheduled flight 12:15 PM - arrive at the Wilson Airport. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the world famed Carnivore Restaurant for lunch. The Carnivore is considered Africa s Greatest Eating Experience'. Every type of meat imaginable is roasted on traditional Masai swords over a huge, visually spectacular charcoal pit that dominates the entrance of the restaurant. After lunch, you will be transferred to the nearby Karen area of Nairobi. This suburb is named after Karen Von Blixen, the author of Out of Africa. You will have an opportunity to visit the Karen Blixen Museum where her drawings and paintings are on display. Another exciting visit is to the Giraffe Centre. Here you will have an opportunity to make friends with the Rothschild s Giraffe, even feed one! Your next stop is the African Heritage Gallery where artifacts from all over Africa are exhibited, and they re available to purchase. After an exciting afternoon, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight: The Stanley Hotel (BBL) Mon You will have a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. The rest of morning is free and you can relax by the swimming pool to enjoy the African sun. You will meet your host Rotarians for lunch- the venue will be determined later. After lunch, you will be transferred to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to catch your international departure flight, taking home a fuller heart and 5

6 memories to last a lifetime...no customs taxes due on this gift to yourself! Cost in USD: Per person sharing twin room $ 4, Single room supplement $ Balloon Safari - per person $ RT coach airfare LAX Nairobi $ (stopover in London) Premium economy $ 2, (stopover in London) Upper Class $ 10, (stopover in London) Deposit: $ per person due at time of reservation Final Payment: Due November 16,

7 Cancellation Policy: More than 120 days, $100 pp; days, 25% of full fare; days 50% of full fare; within 39 days of departure, 100% of full fare. No shows/or return once itinerary has begun, 100% of full fare. All cancellations must be in writing. The purchase of cancellation insurance is strongly encouraged. Every effort has been made to provide accurate information. We reserve the right to correct errors as well as make changes to the itinerary due to changing circumstances. Included: $ Meet and greet services $ Meals and accommodation as specified $ Airport transfers $ Transport in a 6-seater safari minibus $ Airstrip transfers $ Mineral water in the vehicle throughout the safari $ Park fees $ Game drives $ Services of an English-speaking professional driver guide $ Visit to a Masai village $ Lunch at the Carnivore Restaurant $ Lunch with the host Rotary club/rotarians $ Services of a local tour leader Not Included: $ Visa which is US$ 50 (subject to change) $ All travel and medical insurance $ Porterage $ Drinks and beverages $ Tips and gratuities $ Laundry $ All telecommunications $ Any other items not mentioned under inclusions $ Hotel in London Please Note: This Safari is limited to 20 participants. cst#