Big Five Safari in Kenya - Holidays & Tours
A thrilling Big Five safari in Kenya is aspirational for most people, with the annual wildebeest migration through the Masai Mara prized as one of Africa’s most awe-inspiring natural sights.
Straddling the equator, Kenya holidays & tours are renowned for sightings of vast herds of plains game and predators, the scenic splendour of the dramatic Rift Valley and the colourful cultures of the Masai and Samburu people. At the centre of the country, majestic snow-capped Mount Kenya dominates the vista for miles, surrounded by many outstanding wildlife reserves such as Ol Pejeta, Lewa Plains, Sweetwaters and the Laikipia Plateau, which are included in many Kenya big five safari holidays & tours.
With over 58 national parks and reserves, Kenya’s natural riches are legendary. These include the open savanna of the world-famous Masai Mara with its abundant plains game and predators, especially the big cats; Amboseli where large herds of elephants can be seen framed against the outline of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro; the unique wildlife of Samburu and Meru in the dry north; enormous Tsavo East and West in the south near Mombasa; the dense forests of the Aberdares and the Rift Valley lakes at Nakuru and Naivasha. Any combination of these reserves can be visited on big five safari in Kenya holidays & tours.
The sunny equatorial climate is perfect for a Big Five beach safari. The diverse sweeping landscapes are breathtaking and the long coastline offers golden beaches lapped by the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Tourism here is extremely well run and a thrilling Big Five safari in Kenya, followed with time relaxing on a gorgeous beach on the Mombasa coast, at Watamu near Malindi, or on neighbouring Zanzibar island, is hard to beat.
Kenya also has a rich cultural heritage, with 43 different tribes.
For expert advice on a big five safari in Kenya, holidays & tours to Masai Mara, Amboseli & Zanzibar, contact our friendly team on 01582 766122 today. We can also tailor make a big 5 safari to your exact requirements. Download our Kenya brochure (PDF 0.7 Mb)
Selling Big Five safari in Kenya holidays & tours for over 15 years.
ALL OUR BIG FIVE SAFARI IN KENYA HOLIDAYS & TOURS TO MASAI MARA, AMBOSELI & ZANZIBAR ARE FINANCIALLY PROTECTED wherever in the world you live.
More information on a big five safari in Kenya, holidays & tours to Masai Mara, Amboseli & Zanzibar:
On big five safari in Kenya holidays & tours, the dominant geological feature is the Great Rift Valley that bisects the country and continues south to Mozambique. It is renowned for its large herds of plains game and predators, and forms the perfect backdrop for wildlife viewing. The alkaline soda lakes of the Rift Valley attract vast flocks of salmon-pink flamingos as well as over four hundred other species of water and land birds. On Kenya holidays & tours, rhino viewing is particularly good at Lake Nakuru in the Rift Valley.
The year-round big five safari game viewing in the open grasslands of the Masai Mara is some of Africa’s finest. One of the best reserves for seeing predators and the big 5, the large prides of lion found here will ensure that game viewing is a thrilling experience on all Kenya holidays & tours. You are likely to see the pride working together as a team, as they stalk and catch their prey. It is also one of the best wildlife reserves in the world for spotting the endangered cheetah and the elusive leopard.
The annual migration of over two million wildebeest from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania to the Masai Mara takes place between July and October each year. While timings vary depending on the rains, the wildebeest and zebra usually move north in July, braving the rivers and crocodiles that separate them from the sweet fresh grasses of the Mara, and then make the same hazardous journey back south to the Serengeti in October. The superb big 5 game viewing on Kenya holidays & tours to the Masai Mara is enriched by the culture of the Maasai people, semi-nomadic pastoralists by tradition, who wear striking red blankets as cloaks called shukas.
If its elephants you want to see on your big five safari in Kenya, head for Amboseli on the southern border with Tanzania, as this park offers the highest concentration of herds in East Africa. The huge Tsavo East and West national parks near the Mombasa coast are also some of the most accessible on Kenya holidays & tours, yet are relatively undeveloped.
More remote and rugged, the sparsely populated wildernesses of Samburu-Buffalo Springs and Shaba are among Kenya’s lesser-visited wildlife gems. Extending northwards from Mount Kenya, the conditions in the country’s central reserves are hotter and more arid than in the highlands. Made famous by the Adamson’s, who raised Elsa the lioness here, these national reserves are located within the tribal lands of the colourful and semi-nomadic Samburu people, who are close relatives of the Masai. These game reserves are home to a variety of wildlife found only north of the equator, including the strange gerenuk, which stands upright on its spindly hind legs to graze from trees, the larger Grevy’s zebra, the Reticulated giraffe, the Beisa oryx and the Somali ostrich. Large herds of elephant and buffalo are found beside the Ewaso Ng’iro River and you may see lion and cheetah, as well as antelope and over 350 different bird species on our big five safari in Kenya holidays & tours.
To the northwest of Mount Kenya, the Laikipia Plateau offers one of Kenya’s most exclusive wilderness experiences. Here a handful of upmarket, owner-run lodges are set within vast sweeping landscapes, dotted with thorny acacia, candelabra trees and huge rock outcrops. Private and community reserves have combined to form the second largest conservancy in Kenya and while game viewing can be good (you may see elephant, lion, leopard and wild dog as well as many of the herbivores that are dry-climate specialists), on Kenya holidays this is the place to come for old style Kenyan hospitality and an exciting mix of activities. Camel trekking, horse riding, hiking, river swimming, picnics and sundowners fill your days, as well as authentic cultural visits to a local Samburu village. Nearby Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is a private reserve that has taken a lead on community based tourism and conservation. It is an important sanctuary for the critically endangered black rhino, which can be seen on big five safari in Kenya holidays and tours.
For twitchers, the Kakamega Rainforest and Lake Baringo offer some of the best birding in the world. Game viewing can also be enjoyed in the cooler central highlands that surround Mount Kenya, from a treetop lodge in the Aberdare Mountains to a lodge on the mountain slopes near Lewa, where Prince William proposed to Kate.
On big five safari in Kenya holidays & tours don’t overlook the capital city of Nairobi where you can visit the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi National Park, the Giraffe Centre and the Karen Blixen Museum for insight into the old colonial way of life.
The early morning starts on a big five safari in Kenya can be demanding, so most visitors choose to complete their Kenya holidays or tours with time relaxing on one of the country's spectacular Indian Ocean beaches, sheltered by offshore coral reefs. About 20 miles south of Mombasa, resorts such as Diani, Tiwi and Galu boast glorious palm-fringed white sandy beaches and many marine activities, including boat excursions, snorkelling, diving, windsurfing, paddle boarding and game fishing. Golfing is popular and short big 5 safari trips can be arranged from here to Taita Hills, Tsavo East and Shimba Hills. There are also a variety of beach resorts on the Mombasa north coast.
After your big 5 safari in Kenya, for some of East Africa’s most spectacular snorkelling and diving head to the Watamu Marine National Reserve, about 60 miles north of Mombasa. Easily reached by a short flight from Nairobi to nearby Malindi, Watamu has been voted one of the world’s top ten beache. A string of excellent beach hotels and resorts overlook the 5-mile long beach and the large coral gardens that protect it. Marine life is prolific with over 500 species of fish, including Manta ray, Whale shark and Barracuda. A turtle programme has helped to protect the three species of turtle that nest here.
On big five Kenya holidays & tours, combining a luxury safari in the Masai Mara with the spice island of Zanzibar is also an extremely popular combination.
This Mombasa safari and beach tour in Kenya visits three famous Big 5 southern game reserves - Tsavo East, the largest wildlife sanctuary in the country; Amboseli, known for its elephants & views of Mount Kilimanjaro; & private Taita Hills which offers night drives. Afterwards relax on beautiful Diani Beach. Departs from Mombasa every Wednesday (group size 2 to 7). All park fees, game drives & transfers included.
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• Escorted Tour, Kenya
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• Mombasa Safari and Beach
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• Tsavo National Park
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• Big 5 Game Drives
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• Amboseli National Park
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• Large Elephant Herds
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• Mount Kilimanjaro
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• Taita Hills
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• Swimming & Snorkelling
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• Diani Beach
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• Escorted Tour, Kenya
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• Mombasa Safari and Beach
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• Tsavo National Park
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• Big 5 Game Drives
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• Amboseli National Park
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• Large Elephant Herds
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• Mount Kilimanjaro
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• Taita Hills
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• Swimming & Snorkelling
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• Diani Beach
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This fully escorted safari tour to Kenya combines game viewing in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, home to all the Big 5 & famous for its large lion prides, with the rhino & giraffe of Lake Nakuru & birds of Lake Naivasha. Afterwards relax at an all inclusive hotel on glorious Diani Beach. Departs Nairobi twice a week (group size 2 to 7), with window seat guaranteed. All transfers, park fees & game drives included.
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• Escorted Safari Tour, Kenya
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
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• Big 5 Game Drives
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• Maasai Village
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• Lake Nakuru
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• Lake Naivasha
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• Diani Beach
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• All inclusive Resort
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• Snorkelling & Diving
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• Indian Ocean
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• Escorted Safari Tour, Kenya
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
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• Big 5 Game Drives
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• Maasai Village
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• Lake Nakuru
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• Lake Naivasha
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• Diani Beach
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• All inclusive Resort
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• Snorkelling & Diving
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• Indian Ocean
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This Kenya safari & beach holiday combines an escorted tour to Treetops Camp in Aberdares, where Queen Elizabeth learned she was to be queen, with Big 5 game drives in the famous Masai Mara. Then fly to an all inclusive beach resort at Watamu, a marine park with superb snorkelling, diving & fishing in warm turquoise waters. Tour departs every Thursday from Nairobi. Group size 2-7 with guaranteed window seat.
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• Kenya Safari & Beach Holiday
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• Treetops, Aberdares
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
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• Big-5 Game Drives
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• Watamu Marine Park
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• Snorkelling
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• Scuba Diving
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• Fishing - Deep Sea
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• Indian Ocean Beaches
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• All Inclusive Beach Resort
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• Kenya Safari & Beach Holiday
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• Treetops, Aberdares
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
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• Big-5 Game Drives
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• Watamu Marine Park
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• Snorkelling
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• Scuba Diving
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• Fishing - Deep Sea
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• Indian Ocean Beaches
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• All Inclusive Beach Resort
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This wonderful escorted Kenya safari tour visits Treetops Camp in the forests of the Aberdares Range, Samburu in the dry north (with fascinating endemic species such as the gerenuk, which browses standing on its hind legs), Lake Nakuru & the lush grasslands of the Masai Mara, home to an annual wildebeest migration (Aug-Oct). All park fees, game drives & transfers included.
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• Kenya Safari Tour
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• Nairobi
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• Samburu Game Reserve
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• Gerenuk Antelope
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• Aberdares National Park
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• Treetops Camp
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• Lake Nakuru
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• Masai Mara National Park
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• Big Five Game Drives
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• Wildebeest Migration (Aug-Oct)
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• Kenya Safari Tour
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• Nairobi
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• Samburu Game Reserve
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• Gerenuk Antelope
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• Aberdares National Park
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• Treetops Camp
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• Lake Nakuru
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• Masai Mara National Park
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• Big Five Game Drives
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• Wildebeest Migration (Aug-Oct)
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Enjoy a wonderful Big Five flying safari to the open plains of the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya, one of the most famous wildlife regions in the world - with outstanding game viewing all year round, including large prides of lions, cheetah & plains game. Complete your holiday relaxing on the white sands of Diani Beach on the warm Mombasa south coast. All game drives, light aircraft flights & transfers included.
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• Kenya
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• Big Five Flying Safari
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• Masai Mara Plains
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• Game Drives
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• Birding
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• Diani Beach
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• Snorkelling & Diving
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• Deep Sea Fishing
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• Golf
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• Mombasa South Coast
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• Kenya
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• Big Five Flying Safari
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• Masai Mara Plains
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• Game Drives
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• Birding
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• Diani Beach
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• Snorkelling & Diving
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• Deep Sea Fishing
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• Golf
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• Mombasa South Coast
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2 FREE NIGHTS: This luxury beach safari in Kenya combines the 5-star Ol Seki game lodge in the Masai Mara, famous for superb Big Five game viewing on its open plains, with elegant Hemingways hotel on Watamu beach. After your safari relax in luxury on these white sands & swim in the warm turquoise waters of Watamu Marine Park. All light aircraft flights & transfers included.
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• Luxury Beach Safari, Kenya
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• Masai Mara Conservancy
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• Ol Seki Hemingways
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• Big Five Game Drives
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• Big Cats
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• Fly to Malindi
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• Watamu Marine Park
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• Swimming & Snorkelling
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• Scuba Diving
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• Deep Sea Fishing
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• Luxury Beach Safari, Kenya
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• Masai Mara Conservancy
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• Ol Seki Hemingways
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• Big Five Game Drives
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• Big Cats
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• Fly to Malindi
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• Watamu Marine Park
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• Swimming & Snorkelling
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• Scuba Diving
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• Deep Sea Fishing
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This classic small group safari tour to Kenya visits 3 world-class game reserves - the open plains of the Masai Mara, famous for its lion prides; Lake Nakuru with its rhino; & Amboseli in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, renowed for elephant viewing. Complete your holiday relaxing on Diani Beach on the warm Mombasa south coast. Tour departs every Tuesday & Thursday (group size 2 to 7), with guaranteed window seat.
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• Safari Tour, Kenya
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
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• Lion Prides
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• Lake Nakuru
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• Lake Naivasha
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• Amboseli Game Reserve
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• Mount Kilimanjaro
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• Elephant Herds
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• Diani Beach
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• Mombasa South Coast
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• Safari Tour, Kenya
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
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• Lion Prides
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• Lake Nakuru
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• Lake Naivasha
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• Amboseli Game Reserve
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• Mount Kilimanjaro
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• Elephant Herds
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• Diani Beach
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• Mombasa South Coast
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This superb Big Five flying safari combines world-class game viewing on the open plains of the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya with a holiday to historic Stone Town - a World Heritage site. End your holiday with a Zanzibar beach vacation, relaxing on its white sandy beaches & swimming in turquoise waters. All light aircraft flights, park fees, game drives & transfers included.
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• Kenya Holiday
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• Big-Five Flying Safari
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
asai Mara
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• Game Drives
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• Birding
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• Zanzibar Island
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• Stone Town
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• Beach Vacation
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• Snorkelling & Diving
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• Indian Ocean Beaches
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• Kenya Holiday
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• Big-Five Flying Safari
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
asai Mara
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• Game Drives
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• Birding
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• Zanzibar Island
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• Stone Town
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• Beach Vacation
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• Snorkelling & Diving
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• Indian Ocean Beaches
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Combine a luxury Kenya safari with the spectacular Seychelles, staying on Praslin island with its paradise beaches. After enjoying your thrilling Big Five safari, fly to these Indian Ocean islands and relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Also enjoy island hopping to Cousin, St Pierre & La Digue islands. All game drives, light aircraft flights & transfers included.
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• Luxury Kenya Safari Holiday
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• Big Five Game Drives
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• Seychelles Islands
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• Mahe & Praslin Island
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• Anse Lazio Beach
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• Giant Tortoises, Curieuse
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• Snorkelling, St Pierre
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• Birdlife, Cousin Island
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• La Digue Island
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• Honeymoon Deals
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• Luxury Kenya Safari Holiday
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• Big Five Game Drives
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• Seychelles Islands
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• Mahe & Praslin Island
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• Anse Lazio Beach
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• Giant Tortoises, Curieuse
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• Snorkelling, St Pierre
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• Birdlife, Cousin Island
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• La Digue Island
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• Honeymoon Deals
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This luxury flying safari in Kenya visits three of its most famous wildlife reserves. Samburu in the north is home to several endemic species, including the gerenuk antelope that browses on its hind legs and Grevy's zebra. The Masai Mara is known for its lion, whilst at Amboseli you will see huge elephant herds on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. All game drives, light aircraft flights & transfers included.
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• Flying Safari Kenya
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• Samburu National Park
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• Gerenuk
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• Somali Ostrich
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
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• Big Five Game Drives
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• Lion Prides
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• Amboseli National Park
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• Elephant Herds
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• Mount Kilmananjaro
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• Flying Safari Kenya
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• Samburu National Park
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• Gerenuk
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• Somali Ostrich
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
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• Big Five Game Drives
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• Lion Prides
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• Amboseli National Park
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• Elephant Herds
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• Mount Kilmananjaro
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This luxury Kenya flying safari starts with a visit to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy near Mount Kenya, famous for its rhino sanctuary and the Sweetwaters Chimpanzees. After visiting the chimps, we fly to the famous Masai Mara Game Reserve for more outstanding Big Five game viewing, before relaxing on beautiful Diani Beach. All park fees, game viewing, light aircraft flights & transfers included.
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• Kenya Flying Safari
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• Ol Pejeta Conservancy
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• Mount Kenya
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• Big 5 Game Drives
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• Rhino Sanctuary & Chimps
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• Sweetwaters Chimpanzees
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
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• Big Cats
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• Diani Beach
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• Indian Ocean Beaches
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• Kenya Flying Safari
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• Ol Pejeta Conservancy
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• Mount Kenya
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• Big 5 Game Drives
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• Rhino Sanctuary & Chimps
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• Sweetwaters Chimpanzees
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
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• Big Cats
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• Diani Beach
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• Indian Ocean Beaches
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With direct flights now available, our Kenya and Cape Town safari holidays combine Big Five 5 game viewing on the open plains of the famous Masai Mara, with a visit to the Sheldrick Elephants & beautiful Cape Town. Ascend Table Mountain, visit Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, see the penguin colony at Boulders Beach & relax in the Stellenbosch Winelands. All transfers & game drives included.
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• Kenya and Cape Town Safari
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• Masai Mara National Park
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• Big Five Game Drives
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• Nairobi
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• Table Mountain
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• Cape Point
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• Boulders Beach Penguins
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• Stellenbosch Winelands
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• Wine Tasting
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• Kenya and Cape Town Safari
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• Kenya and Cape Town Safari
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• Masai Mara National Park
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• Big Five Game Drives
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• Nairobi
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• Table Mountain
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• Cape Point
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• Boulders Beach Penguins
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• Stellenbosch Winelands
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• Wine Tasting
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• Kenya and Cape Town Safari
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This comprehensive Kenya private tour explores the wildlife of this fascinating country in depth, travelling with your own driver guide. Visit Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Amboseli & Tsavo Game Reserves, before relaxing on the Mombasa coast on this safari holiday. Ideal for special interests such as birding & photography. English speaking guide, all transfers, park fees & game drives included.
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• Kenya Private Tour
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• Lake Nakuru
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• Birding
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
asai Mara
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• Big Five Photography
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• Lake Naivasha
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• Amboseli
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• Mount Kilimanjaro
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• Tsavo Safari Holiday
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• Mombasa Coast
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• Kenya Private Tour
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• Lake Nakuru
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• Birding
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
asai Mara
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• Big Five Photography
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• Lake Naivasha
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• Amboseli
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• Mount Kilimanjaro
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• Tsavo Safari Holiday
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• Mombasa Coast
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Experience the thrill of tracking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest in Uganda, combined with a Big Five safari in the famous Masai Mara in Kenya, on this very special 'once-in-a-lifetime' primate safari. Track on foot a family of these magnificent endangered creatures, including the dominant silverback male - a memory you will cherish forever. All transfers, game drives & gorilla permits included.
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• Kenya Safari
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
asai Mara
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• Big-5 Game Drives
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• Plains Game & Elephants
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• Lion Prides
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• Kigali, Rwanda
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• Uganda Primate Safari
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• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
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• Tracking Mountain Gorillas
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• Golden Monkeys
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• Kenya Safari
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• Masai Mara Game Reserve
asai Mara
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• Big-5 Game Drives
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• Plains Game & Elephants
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• Lion Prides
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• Kigali, Rwanda
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• Uganda Primate Safari
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• Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
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• Tracking Mountain Gorillas
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• Golden Monkeys
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This amazing safari holiday visits 4 countries - starting with Big Five game viewing in the famous Masai Mara in Kenya, followed by the river-based wildlife of Chobe in Botswana & the thundering Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. End your holiday relaxing on glorious Zanzibar island. Also visit Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage & Stone Town. Light aircraft flight, all transfers, park fees & game viewing included.
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• Safari Holiday - 4 Countries
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• Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
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• Giraffe Centre
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• Masai Mara Kenya
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• Chobe Botswana
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• River Based Game Viewing
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• Elephants & Buffalo
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• Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
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• Stone Town
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• Zanzibar Island
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• Safari Holiday - 4 Countries
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• Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
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• Giraffe Centre
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• Masai Mara Kenya
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• Chobe Botswana
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• River Based Game Viewing
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• Elephants & Buffalo
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• Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
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• Stone Town
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• Zanzibar Island
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This private safari tour combines the birds & wildlife of both Kenya & Tanzania, travelling with your own driver guide. Explore Lake Nakuru & the famous Masai Mara, before crossing the border at Lake Victoria & continuing across the vast Serengeti to the Ngorongoro Crater. Ideal for birding, photography & special interests. English speaking guide, all game drives, park fees & transfers included.
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• Kenya & Tanzania
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• Private Safari
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• Own Driver Guide
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• Lake Nakuru
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• Masa Mara
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• Big Five Game Drives
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• Lake Victoria
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• Birding
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• Serengeti
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• Ngorongoro Crater
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• Kenya & Tanzania
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• Private Safari
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• Own Driver Guide
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• Lake Nakuru
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• Masa Mara
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• Big Five Game Drives
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• Lake Victoria
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• Birding
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• Serengeti
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• Ngorongoro Crater
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