Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter both Kenya and Tanzania.

Kenya’s colorful landscapes will come alive on this inspiring 13-day voyage. You’ll be fascinated by its natural wildlife, its cultural uniqueness and the beautiful, rich history of the region.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Flight to London

Depart tonight for an overnight flight to London. (B, D in flight)

Day 2 - Flight to Kenya

Arrive in London this morning. A Go Ahead representative greets you as you clear customs and escorts you to your day room for a chance to freshen up and rest before your flight to Kenya this evening. (B, D in flight)

Day 3 - Nairobi

Arrive in Nairobi. A Go Ahead representative greets you as you clear customs. This afternoon, visit the Giraffe Manor, a preserve where orphaned giraffes are raised. Next stop is the former coffee plantation where author Karen Blixen lived for many years, as depicted in her novel Out of Africa, written under the pen name Isak Dinesen. Then continue to get acquainted with your fellow safari-goers at this evening’s included dinner. (B, D)

Day 4 - Mount Kenya National Park

Travel through the foothills of Kenya’s second-highest mountain, Mount Kenya. At the Serena Mountain Lodge, balconies and lounges overlook an amazing watering hole that attracts many animal species, including elephants, rhinos, lions and bushbucks. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Great Rift Valley

Head to the Kigio Wildlife Conservancy, a sheltered oasis set in the pristine calm of its own private reserve. You’ll have lunch, then embark on a wildlife game drive to explore the reserve's savannah grasslands and riverine forests, which offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Amid this natural setting, you’ll enjoy luxury amenities, including the main house restaurant. Relax over dinner with your group this evening. (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Great Rift Valley

Today, you'll set out on a game walk to experience African wildlife in a morning setting. This afternoon, you'll take a game drive to Lake Nakuru, which appears pink because of the thousands of flamingos that congregate in its waters. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Masai Mara

The Masai Mara, situated on the border of Kenya and Tanzania, is one of Kenya’s most thrilling game reserves, its grasslands teeming with exotic animals and birds. After a half-day transfer, enjoy an afternoon game drive before dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Masai Mara

During a series of game drives (with a break for an included lunch), you are likely to see gazelles, wildebeest, buffaloes, giraffes, black-maned lions, cheetahs, zebras, leopards, waterbucks, ostriches and many other varieties of birds. (B, L, D)

Day 9 - Nairobi

Return to Nairobi, and enjoy an included lunch upon arrival. Settle into your hotel or spend the rest of the day exploring Nairobi on your own. (B, L, D)

Day 10 - Amboseli

Drive through Namanga to Amboseli, a park with a significant elephant population. An afternoon game drive here offers views of gazelles, lions, ostriches, hyenas and zebras dotted among the verdant grasslands. (B, L, D)

Day 11 - Amboseli

Spend a full day in Amboseli National Park, including a series of game drives with a lunch break. If the weather is clear, you’ll have a spectacular view of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the African continent. Opt for an Amboseli balloon ride over the park. (weather permitting) (B, L, D)

$425 USD

Amboseli Balloon Ride Get a bird's-eye view of Amboseli National Park as you take an early morning balloon ride over the plains. Enjoy breakfast in the bush and a game drive through the park on the way back to your hotel.

Day 12 - Nairobi

Continue on our extension to Tanzania or return to Nairobi for the overnight flight back to London. (B)

Day 13 - Flight to London

After arriving in London, board your flight back to the United States. (B)

Please note: A visa is required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter both Kenya and Tanzania.

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Kenya (and Tanzania, on extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home.

A visa is also required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter both Kenya and Tanzania. Though it is possible to obtain a visa at the airport upon arrival, we recommend that you obtain an individual visa prior to departure through one of our recommended providers:

U.S. Citizens: Zierer Visa Service (1-866-788 1100; www.zvs.com/home.aspx?login=73041. If you get to a page requiring a log in, please use code 73041.)

Canadian Citizens: Visa Connection (1-416-506-8787; www.visaconnection.biz)

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the relevant embassies as soon as possible for your specific entry requirements.

Health

Visitors should be in good health. Please contact your family doctor well in advance of your departure for information regarding immunization and personal travel requirements.

Because of Kenya’s proximity to the equator, you can sunburn very quickly. While on safari, you are assured the services of emergency medical evacuation to Nairobi, which has been designed to bring first-rate medical care by superbly qualified personnel to outlying areas.

In order for you to stay healthy throughout your Kenya tour, we recommend the following:

• Drink bottled water. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing teeth.
• Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
• Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids, anti-diarrhea medication and any prescription medications

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Nairobi with a stop in London on both outbound and departure flights. On safari, you will be traveling in a specially equipped safari van. The vehicle is open at the top, allowing for a panoramic view during game drives. Window seats are also guaranteed. Please keep in mind that transfers between the different parks are long and roads are not always of the best quality. The vans are roomy and comfortable, but some bouncing is to be expected.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Safaris are informal, and casual dress in comfortable lightweight cottons is appropriate. Since the temperature varies significantly from midday to evening, clothing that can be layered is a good idea, as are comfortable shoes such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots. Sandals or other shoes that expose your skin are discouraged. We advise that you wear a hat during the day, and make sure you use a strong sunblock.

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitter for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The currency you will be using on your tour is the Kenyan schilling (and the Tanzanian shilling, on extension). All East African countries have stringent exchange regulations. Their currencies are not interchangeable. We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible, and small amounts of the U.S. dollar for small purchases. (Please make sure that you only bring U.S. dollars printed in 1997 or later.) Otherwise, currency should be carried in the form of traveler’s checks. It is important to keep a receipt whenever you convert foreign currency. No local currency can be taken in or out of the country. Major American credit cards are accepted in Kenya. We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Tipping

All porterage gratuities are included on safaris. However, it is customary to tip the driver/guide at the end of the program. A general guideline of $8USD to $10USD per person per day is recommended. Tips may only be paid in cash.