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An African elephant raises its trunk while roaming the savanna in Kenya and Tanzania during a classic safari.
Kenya/Tanzania

The Best of Kenya and Tanzania: A Classic Safari for Women

Program No. 24101RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
16 days
15 nights
What's Included
37 meals ( 13B, 13L, 11D )
7 expert-led lectures
21 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
2 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
14 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 12:00 Noon. Remember to bring your name tag.
Evening:
Arrivals in Nairobi in the late evening. Meet your Group Leader on arrival and check in to the hotel. Settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a bus. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day; during the rainy season, streets can be muddy and slippery. This program is not suitable for participants using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or other mobility assistance devices.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Orientation. After breakfast, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from the Group Leader as well as local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private bus and jeeps unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We will then depart by bus for the Nairobi National Museum. As described, this museum presents all different aspects of culture, history, arts and nature. The museum has different permanent galleries from the cradle of humankind, story of mammals, snake park and the Kenyan history. We will enjoy an expert-led field trip throughout the museum that will be our first insight into African culture and history.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
During a special presentation, we will learn about the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife Kenya’s efforts to increase the numbers of endangered Rothschild Giraffe at the Giraffe Center, where we will have the rare treat of hand-feeding these gentle giants and face them eye-to-eye from an elevated viewing platform. We’ll return to the hotel in the early afternoon and adjourn for the day.
Dinner:
On your own to explore local fare.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of jeeps; driving 145 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time; part of the road is unpaved. The game drive will be 2-3 hours long. There are no toilet facilities outside of the lodge, but if needed our staff will find them for you.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of our hotel and depart in the morning by jeep for Amboseli National Park where we’ll check in to the lodge and the first stop in our safari journey. Settle into your rooms and enjoy the gorgeous view of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance from the lodge grounds.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
After some down time, we’ll join our Group Leader for an orientation to game viewing and the wildlife of East Africa. Then, we’ll put our new knowledge to work as we set out on our first game drive in the park. Amboseli NP is known for its great elephant population, over 1,600. We will learn how they live and communicate, and what we can do to preserve them for healthy future growth.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Getting in/out of jeeps; each game drive is approximately 2-3 hours long. There are no toilet facilities outside of the lodge.
Breakfast:
At the lodge after the morning game drive.
Morning:
As the sun rises, we’ll head out to continue the search through the varied wildlife habitats of the park. Later, after a brief rest and before lunch, we’ll join our Group Leader for a presentation, “Understanding the Tribes of Kenya and Tanzania,” with a focus on the culture and customs of the Maasai.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll head back out in search of big game. Before dinner, we’ll meet with an expert from the Amboseli Elephant Trust (ATE) to learn about the majestic East African Elephant. We will learn about research and help done by ATE.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Getting in/out of jeeps; driving 56 miles from the lodge in Amboseli to the border, at least 3 hours riding time; most of the road is unpaved and can be rough some times of the year. The border crossing procedures may take up to an hour. We will change jeeps upon entry to Tanzania, and the drive from the border to Arusha is 73 miles, 2 hours riding time, paved.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will leave early, enjoying a scenic game drive through the western part of Amboseli to the Tanzanian border. Late in the morning, we will stop at the border for formalities and to change vehicles. We’ll continue our drive from the border to the city of Arusha. The drive offers an excellent look into rural life in Kenya and Tanzania.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Located in the northern highlands of Tanzania, beneath the twin peaks of Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro, Arusha is the safari capital of the country. Guests embarking on the popular northern safari circuit all stop in the “Geneva of Africa” to prepare for their journeys into the African bush. From its two-lane streets, the dramatic crater of Mt. Meru stands over the town like a majestic sentinel, its crater strewn with thick clouds, its slopes dark with verdant forest. Arusha’s ideal location near the major national parks and its highland setting make it a peaceful idyll of relaxation before the start of an exciting journey. Built by the Germans as a center of colonial administration in the early 20th century, Arusha was a sleepy town with a garrison stationed at the old boma and a few shops around a grassy roundabout. From its backwater status amidst the farmlands and plantations of northern Tanzania, today Arusha is one of the country’s most prosperous towns. The site for the United Nations Criminal Tribunal on the Rwandan genocide and the headquarters for the Tripartite commission for East African Co-operation, Arusha is a major center of Tanzanian diplomacy and international relations.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Early morning start. Getting in/out of jeeps; driving 74 miles from lodge in Arusha to Mto wa Mbu, at least 2.5 hours riding time on mostly paved road. Walking up to 2 miles over uneven dirt ground at village; during the rainy season, the ground can be muddy and slippery. The drive from the village to lodge in Ngorongoro is 40 miles, approximately 3 hours riding time, mostly paved. However, please note that the small stretch of unpaved road can be rough some times of the year.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will head towards Ngorongoro Crater and stop at a small Tanzanian village to learn about local everyday life. Mto wa Mbu is a bustling village at the base of the Rift Valley wall, near the shore of Lake Manyara, who has evolved over the years into a trading post for many local tribes. Because of this, the village is often surrounded by local farmers, skilled artisans and craftsmen, as well as traditional and contemporary artists. During our visit, we will meet a local expert for an exploration through banana plantations, rice fields, and local craft and fresh fruit markets. During the walk, we will learn about dual farming and the innovative ways local farmers water, care for, and pick their crops. There are several types of bananas grown here, but pay special attention to the red bananas popular in East Africa. We will pass through areas with villagers going about their daily activities, including the local school and artisan workshops; we encourage you to give a polite “jambo” in greeting as we walk by.
Lunch:
At a local village.
Afternoon:
After our visit, we will continue to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where agriculture, wildlife conservation, and tourism coexist in one of Africa’s first experiments of multiple-land use. Upon arriving at the park gates, we’ll learn more about the larger conservation area from our Group Leader. Prior to dinner, take time to enjoy the view of the crater floor from your rooms or from the terrace. The crater rim is a perfect viewpoint to observe the constellations of the Southern Hemisphere.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of jeeps; game drive approximately 6 hours or more. We will have a late lunch with some snacks in the morning. The descent to Ngorongoro Crater is steep and bumpy, over uneven dusty terrain. There are restroom facilities in the picnic area of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We’ll descend the slope into the Ngorongoro Crater in four-wheel-drive vehicles to spend the morning observing wildlife on the floor of the crater. The 102 square miles of the Ngorongoro Crater are home to 25,000 mammals, many of which are resident due to the geographically enclosed nature of the crater. The crater is also home to the last population of black rhino in northern Tanzania. We’ll enjoy the early morning drive through the amazing vegetation down the crates and experience the beauty of the crater and very rich area of wild animals but also spectacular views.
Lunch:
It will be a late lunch today. We will provide a basket lunch or late lodge lunch depending on season and hotel schedule. The Group Leader will inform you on the day schedule in advance.
Afternoon:
We will return to the lodge for late lunch after our long game drive or, if we have a picnic lunch, enjoy the drive back to the lodge through the unique Ngorongoro crater on a game drive before returning to the lodge. Both ways, we will experience the sun making a dramatic exit as it sinks below the crater rim. Later, we’ll enjoy an early evening presentation, “The Crater Ecosystem and Conservation.”
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Getting in/out of jeeps; driving 28 miles from Ngorongoro Crater Lodge to Olduvai Gorge, 2 hours riding time on a non-paved, very dusty road. The drive from Olduvai Gorge to the lodge varies according to how much game is seen en route. Depending on the time of year, roads can be very rough and very dusty.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We’ll depart early, with luggage, leaving the Crater Rim to make our way to the Serengeti. En route, we’ll visit the Olduvai Gorge Museum and learn about the Leakey’s research and discovery of the earliest known species of humanoids. Apart from the museum visit, we will enjoy a stunning view of the gorge that shows fantastic layers of the geological history of our planet.
Lunch:
Lunch box at Olduvai or Naabi gate before entering Serengeti NP.
Afternoon:
As we continue driving to the lodge, we’ll enjoy a game drive through the plains of the Serengeti. Serengeti National Park is a World Heritage Site. The name of the plain is often said to be derived from the Maasai language, meaning “endless plains.” This area can get very crowded with zebras, wildebeest, and gazelles, often with young newborns. Serengeti is the most known wildlife stage of Africa. Apart from predators, there are so many other animals and birds. The land’s beauty is an amazing vast plane of grasslands that stays in everybody’s memories forever.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
Weather permitting, we will enjoy a late-evening presentation titled “Stargazing: A Unique Night Under the African Sky,” led by the Group Leader.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Getting in/out of jeeps; each game drive is approximately 2-3 hours long. There are no toilet facilities outside of the lodge.
Breakfast:
At the lodge after the morning game drive.
Morning:
We will go out early to search for game and perhaps a fresh kill just as the sun rises over the Serengeti. Look for fresh tracks and see the Park come to life.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch en route.
Afternoon:
In the afternoon before going back out on safari, we will stop at the Serengeti Visitor Center to experience an illustrated presentation about the “Circle of Life.” After the presentation, we’ll return to the plains to follow the watering holes along the Seronera creek in search of antelope and other creatures gathering to rehydrate.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Getting in/out of jeeps; the drive between Moru Kopje and Speke Bay Lodge takes up to 5 hours and the roads can be particularly rough and dusty. There are no toilet facilities outside the lodge, but the Group Leader will schedule a couple of stops to break this enduring journey.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
In the early morning, we’ll depart the lodge to enjoy a scenic drive through the Western Corridor to the shores of Lake Victoria. As we drive west, watch for the abundant resident wildlife stopping along the way to observe new sightings. Keep a look out for animals as we finish the drive to Lake Victoria. We’ll arrive at our lodge on the shores of Lake Victoria.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
Down time. Enjoy an afternoon to relax in your rooms, perhaps take a relaxing walk around the lodge grounds, or just enjoy the lake view. Lake Victoria is one of the world’s largest tropical lakes and it is divided among three countries: Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. It is very rich in fish, but you can easily spot a hippo or sometimes crocodiles. There is also a large population of birds around the lake, and we will have an opportunity to spot some. Later in the afternoon, we will meet once again for a presentation by our Group Leader.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Participants must be able to get on/off canoes on their own; the ride to Mwaburugu is approximately 15 minutes each way. Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day over uneven dirt ground.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
We will be picked up in the morning by local fishermen and taken via canoe to their village of Mwaburugu, on the shores of Lake Victoria. We’ll get an opportunity to explore the village on foot and learn about local fishing techniques as well as get an insight into everyday village life. We will meet local people and medicine men and learn local healing technics and the way of village life. We’ll return to the lodge again via canoe.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
We’ll enjoy an afternoon bird spotting walk around the grounds of the lodge led by an expert. Over 240 species of bush, swamp, and water birds have been spotted on the lodge’s 100 hectares of savanna. Many of these birds are indigenous to this area and are rarely, if ever, seen in the Serengeti. During sunset, both the sky and lake glow together in a magnificent explosion of light.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Getting in/out of jeeps; driving 103 miles, about 3 hours riding time on tarmac road between Speke Bay Lodge and the Kenyan border. The border crossing procedures could take up to 1 hour. There are no toilet facilities outside the lodge, but the Group Leader will schedule a couple of stops to break up this journey. Getting on/off an aircraft; the flight from Migori airstrip (HKMM) to Maasai Mara Olekiombo airstrip (OLX) is approximately 1 hour long.
Breakfast:
At the lodge.
Morning:
After breakfast, we’ll continue north to Kenya. As we drive on the main road, we will notice completely different local architecture passing through local villages. After crossing the border, we will continue to the local air strip in Kenya where a charter flight awaits to bring us to the Maasai Mara. When we arrive in the Maasai Mara, the trip to the lodge is a game drive. We’ll search for the creatures of the Mara before arriving at our lodge.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
We will set out on a game drive from our lodge, keeping a watch for many resident lion prides or the fastest of all cheetahs.
Dinner:
At the lodge.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Getting in/out of jeeps; each game drive is 2-3 hours long with no restroom facilities available. While not required, participants are welcome to bring donations of clothing and school supplies for the children of the Maasai village visited in the afternoon.
Breakfast:
At the lodge after the morning game drive.
Morning:
As the light brightens over the Mara, we’ll head toward the river to observe hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. Depending on the migration, you may see wildebeest attempting the dangerous crossing. Later in the morning, we’ll join a local Masai Moran on a nature walk through the edges of the Maasai Mara Park. We will learn about local plant life and maybe observe some insects and lizards.
Lunch:
At the lodge.
Afternoon:
There is a possibility that we will visit a Maasai village en route today. It is truly a journey into timelessness, back to the way things have been for thousands of years. Some Road Scholars remain forever touched by the experience, the apparent purity, hopefulness, discipline, and pride of the Maasai people they share this time with. However, we would like to prepare you for the reality of this visit. We hope you will understand that there is a chance you will be asked to buy their wares, trinkets, wood carvings, etc. at an improvised village market. The goods offered do not have prices on them. The offered prices could be much higher for similar items found elsewhere. We have asked the Maasai elders to price the goods several times; however, they have not done so yet and do not understand why we are asking them to, to the extent where they think we are trying to westernize them. At this time, we want to preserve the experience; however, we ask that you resist the selling pressure and stand firm and refuse purchase of any goods if you feel uncomfortable at any time. In the afternoon, we’ll set out on our final game drive. Enjoy the sounds and sights as we say farewell to the Maasai Mara. Later, we’ll join our Group Leader for a final wrap-up session and presentation.
Dinner:
In the Maasai Mara at the lodge. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and our flight to Nairobi in the morning.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Getting in/out of jeeps; the morning game drive is 2-3 hours long with no access to a restroom. The flight to Nairobi will take place from Maasai Mara Olekiombo airstrip (OLX) and is 1 hour long. We will land at local Wilson Nairobi Airport (WIL). Please note that the hotel in Nairobi is only reserved for the day room stay; check-out is by 6:30 p.m.
Breakfast:
At the lodge after the morning game drive.
Morning:
At dawn, we’ll embark on a drive toward the river to observe hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. Depending on the migration, we may see wildebeest attempting the dangerous crossing. In the late morning, we will drive to a local air strip and board a small plane back to Nairobi, where we will check in at a hotel and settle into day rooms.
Lunch:
At the hotel restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. Rest and pack prior to your flight. You have the use of your day room until 6:30 p.m. We will be leaving the airport shortly after this time.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
Our bus will depart to the airport with our luggage. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoyed your Road Scholar learning adventure and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page or follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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