AFRICAN SAFARI WITH MUSCAT & DUBAI
A Cultural tour of Kenya, Oman & UAE

A rare and contrasting combination that has been artistically tailored to offer the best of the world’s wildlife and game in the natural habitats of, amongst others, Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Amboseli at the foot of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro with the Middle East’s most interesting cultures at Muscat & Dubai. Exploring the wildlife in the green, green pastures followed by the striking desert scenery and culture, this 16 days journey aspires a wonderful experience in small group journeys – one that will never be forgotten.

Day 01 Saturday: Depart home city for Nairobi
Today, we start off on our Afro – Middle Eastern safari-journey.

Day 02 Sunday: Arrive Nairobi (KENYA)
Karibu! We are warmly received in Africa’s most well known capital – Nairobi. The Kiswahili language here is often easily understood as many people mix in English words, in fact more people in Kenya speak English than in any other African country.
Overnight: Hotel Inter-Cointinental, Nairobi (1 night)

Day 03 Monday: Nairobi / Aberdare
After breakfast, we start of our African safari and head north into the well-watered, fertile area where members of the Kikuyu tribe grow corn, bananas, pineapples, coffee, and tea. Continue for lunch at the Aberdare Country Club near Nyeri. After lunch pack an overnight bag and transfer to your tree hotel. Your game-watching career starts in the ABERDARE NATIONAL PARK at a tree hotel overlooking a flood-lit water hole and salt lick high up on the densely wooded slopes of the mountain. While away the after-dinner hours identifying creatures of the wild as they gingerly step out of the forest.
Overnight: The Ark (B, L, D)

Day 04 Tuesday: Treehotel / Lake Nakuru (drive)
We start with a picturesque drive to the exotic Lake Nakuru National Park famous for the flamingos and other birds that feed in the alkaline water. Other game found in this park are black and white rhino, buffalo, leopard, lion, Rothschild's Giraffe, white and black Colobus monkey, eland, steinbok, impala, Chandlers Reedbuck, dik dik, whilst rock hyrax, klipspringer, hippo and clawless otter. Afternoon, we have our first of many interesting game safaris.
Overnight: Lake Nakuru Lodge on full board basis (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 05 Wednesday Lake Nakuru / Masai Mara (drive)
Traversing The Great Rift Valley, we ascend its western rim into Masai land. Redclad with spear, Masai warriors tend their herds of cattle among the wildlife, admirably unmoved by the presence of large predators. Afternoon’s game drive in search of even more wildlife. Masai Mara is probably the most well known safari parks in the world.
Overnight: Mara Sopa Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 06 Thursday: Masai Mara
Morning and afternoon game drives in this spectacular game reserve, all with superb photographic opportunities. The most spectacular feature is the annual migration of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from the plains of Serengeti that cross the Tanzanian border and rivers to reach the Mara's grasslands from late June, tracked by predators: lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and circled by vultures as the journey unfolds. Apart from the seasonal migration, game viewing is excellent year round. Game includes: elephant, Black Rhino, buffalo, wildebeest, Burchell's zebra, hartebeest, various antelope and gazelle, lion, leopard, giraffe, elephant cheetah, hippo, crocodile and much more. (B, L, D)

Day 07 Friday: Masai Mara / Lake Naivasha (drive)
Still in the Great Rift Valley, our next destination is the enchanting Lake Naivasha - the highest and purest of the Great Rift Valley lakes. En route we stop at curios shop where you will find wood carvings that Kenya is famous for.
Overnight: Great Rift Valley Lodge (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 08 Saturday: Lake Naivasha / Amboseli (drive)
Today we drive via Nairobi to Amboseli National Park situated at the foothills of the Majestic Mount Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa. Once again, this will be a day to experience Kenyan rural life before we reach Amboseli. Lunch at the lodge followed by an afternoon game drive.
Overnight: Ol Tukai Lodge (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 09 Sunday: Amboseli / Tsavo West (drive)
Early morning, game drive to view wildlife against the backdrop of Mt Kilimanjaro. The park offers a wide variety of wildlife but the principal attraction is its vast herds of elephants. The bull elephants here have some of the largest tusks in Kenya. Other games include zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, impala, leopard, caracal and several species of cats. The park boasts a rich bird life such as ibis, egret, avocet, common and saddle-billed stork, secretary bird, heron, vultures, ducks, and geese. After breakfast, we continue to Tsavo West to arrive in time for lunch. Afternoon is our game viewing in this vast area in search of wildlife.
Overnight: Lion Bluff Lodge(1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 10 Monday: Tsavo / Nairobi / Muscat
As our game portion comes to an end, we will be forever counting the different species of animals we will have seen as we drive to Nairobi. Dinner at the world famous Carnivore Restaurant after which we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Muscat. (B, D)

Day 11 Tuesday: Arrive Muscat
As we arrive in Muscat, the pearl of the Gulf region, we are warmly received and transferred to our hotel. Evening is free to enjoy the beach area.
Overnight: Al Falaj, Muscat (2 nights) (B)

Day 12 Wednesday: Muscat
After breakfast we start a half day Muscat city tour. A unique blend of the ancient and the modern, Muscat is a beautiful clean city, which lies in the middle of a maze of brown pleated mountains, lulled by the Arabian Sea. The city has undergone dramatic development in the past two or three decades, however it has never lost its pride in its heritage & culture. Our visit will start with a tour of the Grand Mosque, which is an architectural marvel and is perhaps the new landmark of the city. We will continue our drive through the ministries area where you can see a number of modern buildings with touches of Islamic architecture. We will visit the fish market and the Muttrah souq with its narrow covered alleys where the exotic smells of mounds of spices, coffee, ancient remedies and enticing perfumes fill the air. We will visit the Bait Al Zubar Museum (or another prominent museum), which has a fine exhibit of Omani history and culture. You will have a photo stop at the magnificent Al Aalam Palace (the official residence of Sultan Qaboos) flanked by the twin Portuguese forts of Mirani & Jalali. Afternoon is free at leisure. (B)

Day 13 Thursday: Muscat / Nizwa / Dubai (UAE)
After breakfast drive to Dubai via Nizwa. The trip includes the tour of Nizwa Forts and castles, the Oman’s most striking cultural landmarks. The towers and city walls historically were used as defensive bastions and look-out points. It is estimated that there are over 500 forts, castles and towers in Oman. Today we will visit a few of them which are most remarkable and striking in their architecture and style. The ancient capital of Oman, Nizwa was the seat of learning and the birthplace of Islam in Oman. The 17th century round fort and the souq famous for silver jewelry are the major attractions of Nizwa, not to mention the popular & interesting cattle auction, which takes place every Friday. Built on a solid base of rock, the huge tower was designed to withstand the vibrations of 24 cannons. We move on to Bahla famous for its handmade pottery. Bahla is listed in UNESCO’s world heritage sites list; however the fort is now under renovation and is not open to public. Built as a defensive stronghold, the Jabreen is perhaps the finest among the Omani castles. The castle has dudgeons, passages, rooms and ceiling decorated with fine carvings & paintings. Al Hota Cave is a magnificent underground cavern & a lake system, a 2,7 km tunnel, which runs in a north-south direction through the Hajjar Mountains. The main chamber of Al Hota Cave is around the size of a large hotel ballroom and contains some magnificent cave formations, stalactites, stalagmites, and columns, which have evolved over millions of years. You will be guided by an expert thought the tunnels for an unforgettable experience.
Overnight: Regent Palace Hotel, Dubai (3 nights) (B)

Day 14 Friday: Dubai
After breakfast we will have a half day city tour of Dubai, a wonderful opportunity to discover the modern and the traditional city of Dubai. Our excursion starts with the magnificent Burj Al Arab Hotel for photos, then onward to Jumerah mosque. On the way to Bastakia, the old part if the city, we pass impressive palaces of the ruling family of Dubai, and the old wind-towered houses (traditional air-conditioning). Near by, we visit Dubai Museum in the Al Fahidi Fort, which is almost two centuries old and today is a living monument of Dubai’s illustrious and prominent past. Abra, the local water taxi takes us across the Creek to the fascinating souks of gold and spices. In the afternoon at 3:30 pm starts the desert safari. To experience a real taste of Bedouin life, join our safari tour to Ali Baba’s Bedouin village deep in the desert. Our experienced safari drivers will take us through the magnificent sand dunes to feel the thrilling excitement of dune bashing. Just before sunset, we reach our campsite equipped with traditional tents furnished with carpets and pillows. Take a camel ride on the golden sands, then relax by the bonfire and enjoy the Henna designs followed by belly dancing. The delicious barbeque dinner will be served under the stars accompanied by authentic Arabic music entertainment. Later on you will be taken back to your hotel. (B, D)

Day 15 Saturday: Dubai
Day free to enjoy the many other attractions that Dubai has to offer. (B)

Day 16 Sunday: Dubai / home city
After experiencing the best of East African safaris and the cultures of Oman and Dubai, we are transferred, with lots of memories, to the airport for our return flight back home arriving same day or join one of Bestway other tour journeys within the region. (B)

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Departure Dates
2010 English Speaking Departures Jan 30, Apr 03, May 22, Jul 17, Sep 25, Nov 27
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes International air (quoted separately - see Note below ) Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner) Insurance & Visas Game park fees Tips & gratuities All sightseeing and transfers   Services of local English speaking guide   Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Departure Dates (2010) Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement Apr 03 & May 22 US $ 4150 US $ 580 Jan 30, Sep 25 & Nov 27 US $ 4490 US $ 840 Jul 17 US $ 4575 US $ 895 * Easter surcharge at US$ 45 per night
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is not included in this tour
NOTE: International Air Fares vary based on seasonality, points of departure and class of service available. Airfare from East Coast starts from $ 1800 plus applicable taxes.
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 06 participants.
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.