Day 1: Arrive Africa  – Cairo

After a late afternoon or early evening arrival in Cairo,  most scenic and snazzy city, you will be met by Hallmark Travel Planners representative and drive to your hotel – Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel.

Romantically known as the City of a Thousand Minarets, the Egyptian capital is a place of extremes, filled with ancient landmarks, snarling traffic, ornate mosques, and glittering modern skyscrapers.

Although Cairo is a relatively modern capital (by Egyptian standards, at least), the city’s history is linked to that of Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt’s Old Kingdom. Now located approximately 30 kilometers south of Cairo city center, Memphis’ origins date back more than 2,000 years. Cairo itself was founded in 969 AD to serve as the new capital of the Fatimid dynasty, eventually incorporating the older capitals of Fustat, al-Askar, and al-Qatta’i. During the 12th century, the Fatimid dynasty fell to Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt.

Day 2: Day in Cairo Visiting Sites – Pyramids, Museum

Today, you do a tour of Cairo. After your breakfast at the hotel, your guide will meet with you to begin the tour. You visit the Egyptian Museum and, then the Pyramids of Giza, where you will also see the Sphinx. These form part of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

You may enjoy a camel ride round the Pyramids as you contemplate the achievements of Ancient Egypt. Overnight at your Hotel in Cairo.  (Breakfast at hotel Included)

Day 3: Flight Cairo to Aswan – Sail from Aswan to Kom – Ombo

Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the airport for flight to Aswan. You arrive Aswan and transfer to the Nile Cruise liner. You will be introduced to your guide on board the cruise line. Lunch will be served as you sail.

This afternoon, you will visit the Aswan High Dam, the Old Dam, The Granite Quarries and the Temple of Philae. The Granite Quarries are the site of the giant Unfinished Obelisk. The Philae Temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis, an important figure in Egyptian mythology.
After this tour, you will sail to Kom Ombo. Dinner on board. After dinner you may enjoy music and dance. Overnight on board Nile Cruise. (Breakfast at hotel, lunch and dinner on board cruise boat Included)

Day 4: Sail from Kom Ombo to Edfu Breakfast on board.

After breakfast, you visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. The Graeco-Roman Temple located at Kom Ombo consists of 2 separate temples. Each of the temples has its own entrance, colonnades, hypostyle hall and sanctuary. The southern temple is dedicated to the crocodile god known as Sobek, while the northern one honors the falcon god known as Horus.

After the tour of the temples at Kom Ombo sail on to Edfu while enjoying your afternoon tea. After an oriental dinner, you will enjoy a Galabiya and costume party. Overnight on board the Nile Cruise. (Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board cruise boat Included)

Day 5: Sail from Edfu to Luxor Breakfast on the boat.

After breakfast, visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu. Edfu was the cult centre of Horus – the falcon god. This temple is perhaps the best preserved of all the ancient temples of Egypt. Two majestic granite falcons adorn the entrance and some of the walls bear reliefs depicting Horus.

After this tour, sail to Esna while enjoying your lunch on board. And then sail further on to Luxor. After dinner enjoy a disco party. Overnight on board Nile Cruise.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board cruise boat Included)

Day 6: Tour of Luxor – Flight Luxor to Cairo. Flight to Nairobi

Breakfast is served on the boat. After breakfast, visit the West Bank Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon.

The city of Luxor is the highlight of the Nile cruise tour. The range, magnificence and diversity of the monuments in the Luxor area is unsurpassed in all of Egypt. The Valley of Kings is where the rulers of the period historians refer to as the New Kingdom period (BC 1550-1070) awaited the afterlife.
Over 60 tombs have so far been excavated in this valley. Among the best tombs to visit are those of Ramses I, Tuthmosis III and Ramses VI. Tutankhamun’s is the most famous today. On the other side of the Valley of Kings is the Temple of Deir el-Bahri. This temple was built by Queen Hatshepsut. It is very impressive from a distance and is a great place to take photos.

You will also take more photos at the Colossi of Memnon. These are 2 huge statues that are the sole legacy of the temple of Amenhotep III. After this tour, you thereafter disembark from the boat, afternoon visit the East bank of Luxor and the impressive Temples of Luxor and Karnak. And then transfer to take the airport for flight to Cairo. Connect flight to Nairobi, Kenya.

here is only 3 flights per week – Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Take a 4 hour 30 minutes flight via Harare to arrive Nairobi in the late evening – around 2200 hours.

On arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Airport, met by Hallmark Travel Planner’ escort and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at Tamarind Tree Hotel Nairobi.

Day 8: Drive Nairobi to Amboseli

Morning pick up from Nairobi and head to Amboseli. Check in to Amboseli Sopa Lodge near Amboseli National Park and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon take a game drive in the Park which contains a broad range of Big Game and wonderful views of Kilimanjaro.

Amboseli AA Lodge is set within 200 acres of land with mature wooded gardens, home to many bird species as well as monkeys, mongooses, squirrels and even the occasional leopard. It has 83 guest rooms within cottages dotted around the grounds as well as a lobby, restaurant, outside dining terrace, a choice of bars and a swimming pool. Lunch, dinner and overnight at Amboseli AA Lodge. (L, D).

Day 9: Safaris in Amboseli

This morning we take an early morning drive in search of Big Game in Amboseli National Park. The Park is home to leopard, lion, cheetah, wild dogs, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, plains game and much more, including large herds of elephant.

Return to the lodge for late breakfast and some hours at leisure. After lunch, take another game drive within the Park before later returning to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at Amboseli AA Lodge. (B, L, D).

Day 10: Drive Amboseli to Lake Naivasha

Early morning breakfast. After breakfast depart  for Naivasha . Arrive in time for late lunch at Lake Naivasha Kongoni Loge. Afternoon boat ride and Crescent Island tour.

A very picturesque freshwater lake and a favourite weekend haunt for Nairobi residents, who enjoy fishing and sailing on some 900 sq km of water. There are many boat trips or perhaps a visit to Crescent Island for a gentle walk. Nearby is the dramatic Hell’s Gate, overshadowed by the mysterious Mt Longonot.  Dinner and overnight at Kongoni Lodge.

Day 11: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara

After an early breakfast we continue our safari by heading to the world-famous Maasai Mara, arriving for lunch at Mara River Camp where we will stay for 2 nights (Full Board). Keekorok has wonderful areas to observe wildlife – including the Elephant Deck and Hippo Bar which overlooks a waterhole.

The lodge also features a swimming pool and offers optional activities (payable locally) such as the spa or nature walks. We will take an afternoon game drive and return for dinner and overnight at Mara River Camp. (B, L, D).

Day 12: Day of safaris in Masai Mara

Optional Balloon Safari and Champagne Breakfast.
If you opt out of the balloon flight excursion,

In the early morning we head into the Masai Mara National Reserve for game-viewing. We will look for a wide variety of Kenya’s animals – great and small – such as elephants, buffalo, giraffe and plains game and we will go in search of the big cats for which the Mara is famous. Return to the lodge late morning. In the afternoon we take another game drive, later returning for dinner and overnight at Mara River Camp. (B, L, D).

Day 13: Drive to Nairobi. Fly to Kigali

After breakfast we transfer by road back to Nairobi. Lunch on the way.  On arrival Nairobi, drop off at the international airport for your to Kigali, for the gorilla trekking tour.

Please note: plastic (e.g. carrier / shopping) bags are illegal in Rwanda.

Arrive at Kigali airport, meet and greet, then transfer to Flame Tree Village.  Overnight at Flame Tree Village. Meals: Dinner

Day 14: Tour of Kigali. Drive to Kinigi

Half day city tour, including the genocide museum/memorial, then we drive to Kinigi via Ruhengeri. The road to Ruhengeri is sealed offering stunning scenery of the hills and valleys of this green and lush country, taking a little more than 2 hours. From Ruhengeri we have a 20 minute drive to Kinigi at the base of Sabyinyo Mountain, with excellent views of the rest of all of the Virunga Volcanoes.
Overnight at Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel (BLD)

Day 15: Gorilla Trekking  Day

Gorilla tracking day. After breakfast we take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with excellent local guides and trackers who will give a talk on the etiquette of gorilla trekking. We then hike into the forest to where the gorillas were seen the night before and track from that point. The trekking can take from 1 to 6 hours and climb to altitudes not in excess of 7,500 feet. The terrain is rough and at times muddy.

Although the hike is physically demanding the beauty of the forest and surrounding scenery make the trekking worthwhile. Once the gorillas are located all fatigue is forgotten, as the experience is often described as being the most profound natural history experience in the world. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras and plenty of fast speed film are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice, hence waterproof clothing is a good essential including waterproof bags for cameras and film.

Upon sighting the gorillas, you will stay with them for a magical hour as they go about their daily life, feeding, playing, resting; raising their young. After the trek, rejoin your driver Guide – back to hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Kigali.

Day 16: Flight to Nairobi, then depart Africa or Flight directly from Kigali

Breakfast at the hotel in Kigali. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Nairobi, from where you can connect your flight out of Africa.  You may also fly out of Africa from Kigali.

Tour Price Per Person

Rates are subject to change with notice.

Important to Know

• This tour can’t be booked by solo travelers.
• Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
• Rates include a fixed budget for flights during this tour. Flights may cost more, depending on travel dates. If so, your quote will reflect this.