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The Plains of Africa
Kenya Wildlife Safari
Day 1: Saturday, March 08, 2014 Overnight Flight
Explore Kenya’s wildlife and stunning natural vistas • Numerous game drives bring you in search of the “Big 5” (lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos) on your safari adventure.

Day 2: Sunday, March 09, 2014 Nairobi, Kenya - Tour Begins
From Europe, fly to Nairobi, Kenya • Arrive in Nairobi for your overnight stay.

Day 3: Monday, March 10, 2014 Nairobi - Samburu Reserve
Set off for Samburu Reserve, home to some of Africa’s most exotic wildlife – the “Big 5,” Reticulated Giraffe and Grevy’s Zebra • Enjoy a game drive en route to your riverside lodge • This evening, learn about the culture and traditions of the Samburu - an ethnic group related to the Masai - during an interactive discussion. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 Samburu Reserve
Bring your camera as you continue searching for the elusive “Big 5” on a journey through the rugged Samburu region • The striking contrast of sand, sky and bush will leave you breathless • Look for the spectacular local bird life; over 365 species of birds are known to inhabit Samburu • Watch for the desert rose, splashing color against its natural surroundings. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 Samburu - Nanyuki - Fairmont Mt. Kenya Safari Club
Arrive at the Fairmont Mt. Kenya Safari Club, a world-famous retreat in the shadow of Mt. Kenya • The resort shares its delightful history and beautiful grounds with you; it was once the private hunting lodge and retreat of actor William Holden. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Thursday, March 13, 2014 Fairmont Mt. Kenya Safari Club
A full day at leisure gives you time to independently explore the Fairmont Mt. Kenya Safari Club • Stroll through 100 acres of landscaped gardens; visit the animal orphanage; or unwind by the pool • Perhaps embark on an optional excursion to the Sweetwater Private Sanctuary. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Friday, March 14, 2014 Nanyuki - Lake Naivasha
This morning, drive past the mountains via Nyahururu waterfalls • Arrive at the floor of the Great Rift Valley • Take an afternoon nature walk for close viewing of several species of birds and indigenous plants. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Saturday, March 15, 2014 Lake Naivasha - Lake Nakuru - Lake Naivasha
After a morning walk, savor a traditional breakfast in the bush • Later, visit Lake Nakuru • Enjoy lunch before setting off on a game drive where you may see thousands of flamingos. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Sunday, March 16, 2014 Lake Naivasha - Masai Mara Game Reserve
This morning, travel to the Masai Mara Game Reserve • The Masai Mara – an extension of the great Serengeti Plain – is considered the most stunning game viewing spot in all of Kenya: lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants and other wildlife reside here • Your tent provides all the deluxe amenities of a lodge, complete with the adventure of the wild • Visit a Masai village prior to your game drive • This evening, enjoy a traditional bush dinner featuring a Masai dance performance. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Monday, March 17, 2014 Masai Mara
An optional hot air balloon ride over the plains is available this morning • Your full-day game drive includes a picnic lunch • Return to your hotel in the Masai Mara for sunset. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 Masai Mara - Nairobi
After breakfast, return to Nairobi • Travel to Karen, on the outskirts of Nairobi, and visit the farmhouse of Karen Blixen, author of the book “Out of Africa” • Experience the local wildlife firsthand as you have the opportunity to feed the endangered Rothschild giraffes from a raised platform at the Giraffe Sanctuary. (B, L)

Day 12: Wednesday, March 19, 2014 Nairobi - Amboseli National Park
This morning depart Nairobi for Amboseli National Park, famous for its open plains where lions and elephants roam and the breathtaking snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro dominates the landscape • Enjoy an afternoon game drive. (B, L, D)

Day 13: Thursday, March 20, 2014 Amboseli
Further explore Amboseli with two game drives – your final chance to see the “Big 5.” (B, L, D)

Day 14: Friday, March 21, 2014 Amboseli - Nairobi - Tour Ends
Return to Nairobi • Visit the students at Tenderfeet Education Center, supported by the Collette Foundation* • This school helps orphans and high risk children in Riruta, a suburb of Nairobi • Your tour ends this evening in Nairobi. (B)



SAVE $250

March 08 - March 21, 2014
14 Days • 33 Meals
12 Breakfasts • 11 Lunches • 10 Dinners
Highlights: Nairobi, Samburu National Reserve, Fairmont Mt. Kenya Safari Club, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Karen Blixen Home, Mt. Kilimanjaro, 9 Wildlife Safaris
Rates Per Person
DON'T MISS OUT! BOOK NOW!
Double: $6449, Single: $8099


REGULAR RATES
Double: $6699, Single: $8349
*Included in Price: Round Trip Air from Logan Intl Airport,Air Taxes and Fees/Surcharges,Attraction Taxes and Fees,Hotel Transfers.
*Not Included in Price: Cancellation Waiver and Insurance of $260 per person.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 Overnight Flight
Day 2 Norfolk Hotel Nairobi, Nairobi
Day 3 - 4 Samburu Intrepids - Liberty, Samburu
Day 5 - 6 Mount Kenya Safari Club, Nanyuki
Day 7 - 8 Great Rift Valley Lodge - Liberty, Gilgil
Day 9 - 10 Mara Fig Tree Camp, Masai Mara Game Reserve
Day 11 Norfolk Hotel Nairobi, Nairobi
Day 12 - 13 Kilima Safari Camp, Amboseli Game Reserve
On some dates alternate hotels may be used.
Essential Experiences
  • See a Rothschild giraffe up-close as you feed them from a raised platform.
  • Spend two nights at the famous Fairmont Mt. Kenya Safari Club, once William Holden's private retreat.
  • Enjoy a traditional dinner in the bush with Masai entertainment.
  • Explore the farmhouse of Karen Blixen, author of “Out of Africa.”
For more information call
 Jen Karow
Roger Williams Park Zoo
(401) 785-3510 x352
jkarow@rwpzoo.org
Included Meals Key
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

AVAILABLE OPTIONS:
Nairobi
Day Room in Nairobi - Double • $100.00
Indulge in a little bit of relaxation at the end of your adventure, in your private day room, at Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel. It’s the perfect opportunity to freshen up and relax prior to boarding your flight for your journey home. Please Note: Actual time provided in the day room is based upon your departure flight times. Estimated arrival to the hotel is at 3:30pm. Airport security advises arrival to airport at least 3 hours prior to your flight. The estimated drive from the hotel to the airport is 1 hour (depending upon traffic conditions).
Day Room in Nairobi - Single • $150.00
Indulge in a little bit of relaxation at the end of your adventure, in your private day room, at Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel. It’s the perfect opportunity to freshen up and relax prior to boarding your flight for your journey home. Please Note: Actual time provided in the day room is based upon your departure flight times. Estimated arrival to the hotel is at 3:30pm. Airport security advises arrival to airport at least 3 hours prior to your flight. The estimated drive from the hotel to the airport is 1 hour (depending upon traffic conditions).
CANCELLATION WAIVER:

Worry-Free Cancellation
Our industry-leading cancellation waiver offers travelers a full cash refund for the price of the tour, right up to the day prior to departure, minus the small cost of the waiver. Travel worry-free knowing if anything changes, you're protected.

Plus, you're covered on tour.
Our cancellation waiver and insurance plan covers you on tour. If you have to stop your trip or return home early, need medical assistance or evacuation, suffer a baggage loss or delay; or are delayed on tour for 12 hours or more, you're covered.

Cancellation Waiver and Insurance is just $260 per person.

Click here for complete details.

TRAVEL TIPS:
The Plains of Africa
Listed below is important information to assist you in preparing for your upcoming trip. This information provided will help you have a more enjoyable experience while you are on your tour.
Accommodations
On some programs, there are a limited number of single and triple rooms. Double rooms usually consist of 2 beds. Triple rooms are normally a standard double room with 2 beds. A cot or rollaway bed may be added to the double room at some hotels, based on room size and fire codes. When triples are not available, appropriate charges for single and twin accommodations will be assessed. We make every effort to accommodate your specific requests and forward them to the hotels. These requests cannot be guaranteed as hotels may not always be able to honor them. Check-in times are set by individual hotel properties and vary by hotel. Depending on your arrival time, there may be a delay in gaining access to your room as most hotels offer afternoon check-in. We ask guests to observe check-out times at all properties as designated by the hotel. Some hotels require a credit card imprint or your passport information upon check-in in order to activate telephones in the rooms and for potential incidental charges. Most hotels charge an access fee for using phones in hotel rooms. Please check with the front desk personnel at each hotel for specific policies. Hotel membership programs are not applicable. In certain countries, hotel rooms tend to be smaller than standard U.S. accommodations. Please be assured that we use high quality properties throughout each country.
ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply outside of the United States. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate the special needs of tour participants. Persons requiring individual assistance must be accompanied by a companion who is capable of, and totally responsible for, providing the necessary assistance. Neither our personnel nor its suppliers may physically lift or assist clients onto transportation vehicles. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour member who has special mobility, dietary or other like needs.
Clothing & Packing Tips
Dress throughout Kenya is casual, and comfortable walking shoes are required. Lightweight cottons are suggested for shorts, slacks, T-shirts, etc., as well as hats and one warm jacket and/or sweatshirt. The Mount Kenya Safari Club requires “smart casual” dress for dinner. Sneakers, jeans and shorts are not allowed in the dining room at Mount Kenya Safari Club. During the months of April and December, you should also pack lightweight rain gear as it does tend to rain. Many clients with contacts bring along their glasses, as the dust on the roads can cause challenges with contacts. Many clients also pack a bandana or scarf to prevent them from inhaling the dust.
If you are taking prescription medication, please be sure to take an adequate supply for your tour and a few additional days, in original prescription containers. Medication should be packed in your carry-on baggage. Do not place it in your checked luggage. You may want to carry an extra prescription in a separate bag in case medication is lost.
Currency
Your personal bank card may work at local ATM machines in the destination you are traveling to and would dispense local currency. Please contact your bank to determine if this option is available, that your PIN number will be accepted, to inform them that you are traveling and to determine if any charges apply for each transaction. You may exchange your money at airports, banks, exchange bureaus, and at most hotels. In most cases, a commission charge will be assessed to exchange your money. At the hotel or in the city usually offer a better currency exchange rate than airports. We recommend carrying only a few major credit cards. Credit card purchases often provide an extra guarantee on your purchase (check with your specific credit card company for details and fees). It is advisable to contact any credit card company you intend utilizing while on tour before you depart to notify them where you will be traveling, to avoid any rejection of services. The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). Local currency will be needed for gratuities and small items such as postcards and postage. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted at the lodges throughout the tour. ATM machines are available in Nairobi. However, outside of Nairobi they are not. Travelers checks can be cashed at all the lodges only. Your tour manager can suggest the best places to exchange cash. PLEASE BE ADVISED that due to counterfeiting, vendors will not accept any 50 or 100 USD bills that are under the 2000 series (bills made prior to the year 2000). Hotels and banks will not exchange them. Please check your money before leaving the US. If optional tours are made available to purchase, please note that credit cards must have an expiration date of greater than 30 days from the start of the tour.
Electricity
An adaptor (which changes the physical plug) and/or converter (which changes the electric current) are necessary if you plan to use an appliance with voltage different from the standard within the country you are visiting. Please note, if your appliance has dual voltage you may still need an adaptor for the plug. When packing your electronic items for travel, please review the converter electric current level to make sure it is the same or greater than the items you are planning on using. If you plan on utilizing or transporting a sleep apnea machine, please remember to pack an extension cord and adapter plug to ensure proper function.
Elevation
The highest elevation you will experience on tour is in Kenya -- 7800 feet.
Helpful Hints
Bring a camera, memory cards, film, and batteries and be sure to bring enough photography supplies for your entire trip. If you have a video camera, bring an extra battery, plus proper recharging equipment. Due to security screening, we recommend storing your equipment in your carry-on luggage. Bring a travel alarm clock, travel sewing kit and an alcohol based gel hand sanitizer when soap and water is not accessible. Pack items that may leak in plastic bags. Do not pack any articles of value in your checked luggage. As a precaution, we suggest that you divide the contents of your suitcase with your traveling companion. Avoid over packing and leave room for souvenirs that you plan to take back home.
Bring a copy of your passport/identification and pack it separately from the original. Leave a copy of your tour itinerary at home with your emergency contact and a copy of your passport. Remember when flying you can only take one quart size bag with no more than 3 ounces of any one liquid. Liquids that do not fit in the one quart size bag and are larger than 3 ounces will be discarded by security. Remember to hydrate and get up and stretch while flying. If you are considering using your cell phone while traveling internationally, you should check with your cell provider concerning their access and charges for overseas calls, texting and emailing for the specific destination you are traveling to.
Included Features
The following are included in your tour package: transportation via motorcoach, accommodations, hotel luggage handling, meals, sightseeing, admission charges (as outlined in your itinerary), and applicable gratuities for bellmen, doormen and dining room wait staff. Customary gratuities for hotel housekeeping staff, local sightseeing guides, drivers and tour managers have not been included.
Luggage
Please note on this safari tour you must have soft duffel bag luggage that cannot exceed 15 kgs (33 pounds) as storage space on safari vans is limited. Please remember to label your luggage and important items with your name, home address and telephone number. We recommend labeling your luggage on both outside and inside of the bag. Please attach only the plastic luggage tag included in this mailing to your checked luggage before checking in for your flight. Your paper luggage tag is to be attached at the first hotel. We cannot assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft or normal wear and tear that results from hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is in your best interest to have adequate insurance (such as our comprehensive “No Worries Travel Protection”) to cover these eventualities. Checked Baggage Charges: Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any luggage. Please contact your airline or refer to their website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies.
Meals
Most meals are included as indicated in your document itinerary. Guests with special dietary requirements must advise their travel counselor at the time of booking and also the tour manager upon joining the tour. When information is provided, every effort will be made to accommodate these requests. Please be advised that the average cost of meals (not inclusive of tax and gratuity) that are not included in your tour are as follows: lunch 10 to 15 USD and dinner 20 to 40 USD. It is customary to drink bottled water while on safari. Bottled water will be provided daily in your safari vehicle. Additionally, it can be purchased for 2 to 5 USD per liter at convenience stores and lodges. In Kenya, it is recommended to use bottled water for brushing your teeth.
Name Badges
Explorations provides name badges to our travelers in order to facilitate conversation among fellow travelers. The name badge also ensures that an Explorations representative can easily recognize you, especially at airports upon arrival.
Reading List
Interested in reading about your destination before you depart? We have pre-selected travel guides, novels and books on history, nature and art to help enhance your total vacation experience. You can access the complete list by typing the following into your web browser. Select the region of the world to find your tour: http://www.longitudebooks.com/find/d/536/r/CV/mcms.html
Shopping
One of the best parts of traveling is coming back home with souvenirs that really reflect the place you’ve just been. In Kenya, you'll find a plethora of products like carvings of animals made from soap stone, ebony, or other woods! Other popular items found in Kenyan shops include wooden masks, bowls and chess sets. Discover some of the most gorgeous jewelry in the world in Africa. Made from semi-precious stones such as malachite, lapis, and topaz, these souvenirs truly sparkle. If you're an art lover, you're in for a treat! Quality native art paintings, murals, and sculptures are popular here. Bring a touch of the culture home with you when you buy safari clothing or tie-dye prints of animals and Masai people. Please note that ivory is not permitted into the United States. Take home the flavor of the area with coffee and tea products. Whatever your interest, there are plenty of shopping possibilities on this awesome African safari adventure.
If you purchase DVDs or other electronic equipment abroad, check that it is compatible with your PC or other home equipment.
Smoking
Smoking Restrictions: Our tours are non-smoking throughout. If you require a smoking room, please alert your agent upon tour booking. Please be mindful of locations where smoking is prohibited: the motorcoach, at dining venues and other restricted areas on tour including most hotels. Customers are responsible for any fines incurred for failure to comply with smoking restrictions.
Smoking Restrictions: Our tours are non smoking throughout. If you require a smoking room, please alert your agent upon tour booking. Please be mindful of locations where smoking is prohibited: the motorcoach, at dining venues and other restricted areas on tour including most hotels. Customers are responsible for any fines incurred for failure to comply with smoking restrictions. Kenya has strict laws concerning smoking areas. Your Tour Manager will assist you to find these locations.
Time Zone
Kenya is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Transportation
Flight Information, Departure Taxes & Fees Land Only Vacations: If you chose to purchase a land only vacation, pay particular attention to flight segments that occur during the tour which are not included in your land only rate. You must purchase these internal flight segments and the schedule must match the flights that we utilize on the group tour. Please provide us with your flight schedules for the entire tour six weeks prior to departure so we may secure services if you purchased transfers from us, as well as maintain emergency contact. Air Inclusive Vacations Air inclusive vacations cover air transport to and from your origin gateway as well as all internal air segments on tour. In order to comply with Homeland Security’s “Secure Flight” mandate, all passengers must provide full name, date of birth and gender at time of reservation. Your airline ticket must match the name on your valid, non-expired, government issued photo ID to be shown at the airport (including middle name, first or middle initial). If you are a member of a participating frequent flyer program, provide the number upon booking and retain the passenger copy of your ticket and boarding pass to ensure that you receive proper credit of your mileage. Some air tickets are not eligible for mileage accrual. Whenever possible, we will add charges for air departure taxes to your invoice. Some international arrival and departure fees are not included in your air ticket and must be paid by you on tour in local currency.