- Kenya
- Kenyan Safari with Zanzibar Beach Stay - Private Tour
Dotted with small fishing villages, deserted islands and home to historic Stone town, the Zanzibar archipelago evokes tales of myth and romance filled with Swahili princes, Omani Sultans and Shirazi merchants - the paradisal 'Spice Islands' offer the perfect relaxing end to your adventure.
2022 Dossier
2023 Dossier
This map is for the main tour only
Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Nairobi, via Doha.
Dinner
On arrival in Nairobi, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel, located in the heart of Kenya's bustling capital. Re-join your group later tonight for a welcome dinner that marks the beginning of your safari adventure.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning, a short journey takes you from the urban energy of central Nairobi into the contrasting greenery of the outlying coffee-growing region. The area produces much of Kenya's 'black gold' - the robust coffee beans that are its greatest export. Tour a local plantation and learn more about its cultivation and harvest processes before sampling some freshly brewed coffee. After lunch nearby, embark on a four-hour drive to the Aberdare Highlands, passing open plains and vast stretches of grassland before ascending into the verdant, tropical forests of Aberdare National Park. Check into the Treetops Lodge, located next to a watering hole, and set out on a guided bushwalk along one of the many trails winding across this wildlife-rich region. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through lush vegetation in search of elephants, buffalo, rhinos and the unique, red bongo antelopes which inhabit the park.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, depart for Lake Nakuru National Park. Stop en route at Thomson Falls where you'll witness the mighty roar of this waterfall as it cascades down over 74 metres. Arriving into Lake Nakuru National Park, check into your hotel before embarking on a late afternoon game drive through the wetlands. This bird lover's paradise, located in the Rift Valley region, is one of Kenya's finest safari areas. Amongst others, it boasts white rhinos, the endangered Rothschild giraffe, lions and it's best-known residents - vast flocks of pink flamingos perched in a central lake.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Observe the park's wildlife stirring from their sleep on today's early morning game drive. Return to your hotel for breakfast, then depart for Lake Naivasha. Enjoy a scenic drive, with the chance to spot animals dotted along the passing landscape, before arriving at your final destination in time for lunch. Lake Naivasha is the Rift Valley's highest lake, renowned for its shimmering expanse of water and the multitude of animals residing along its tree-lined shores. An afternoon at leisure allows you to relax and soak in the beauty of your natural surroundings.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning, journey to the private island sanctuary of Crescent Island Game Conservancy, located in the middle of Lake Naivasha. With its flat topography, a dense concentration of wildlife and unique island location, the reserve is often referred to as Naivasha's best-kept secret. Travel into the heart of the island as you search for animals and over 200 species of bird life. Return to the lake's shores and continue onward to Elsamere Lodge Conservation Centre. Refresh yourself with one of the best high teas in Kenya then visit the adjoining Joy Adamson Museum, dedicated to conservation heroes Joy and George Adamson. Browse through the museum exhibits which depict the Adamsons' conservation efforts and their experience raising the orphaned lion cub which later inspired the book and movie 'Born Free'. Later this afternoon, return to the main lake area for a game drive to spot hippos, buffalo, giraffes and colobus monkeys in picturesque Lake Naivasha.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, depart on a 5.5-hour drive through the savannah as you make your way to Masai Mara Game Reserve. One of Africa's most famed wildlife reserves, Masai Mara is home to a fantastic year-round concentration of wildlife and the annual Great Migration, where over two million wildebeest stampede across the plains. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch before an afternoon game drive carries you into the depths of the reserve. Go in search of the Big Five and over 450 species of birds and wildlife; the rolling grasslands allow for easy viewing, and the reserve offers some of the highest odds for spotting big cats
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Witness the Kenyan landscape bathed in an early morning glow as you set out on a sunrise game drive. Sunrise is one of the most picturesque and rewarding times to spot wildlife, who congregate around waterholes in large herds. Enjoy breakfast al fresco in the bush, before enjoying a visit to a traditional Maasai Village and immerse yourself in the song, dance, colourful robes and everyday activities of the local villagers. After lunch at your lodge, enjoy the last game drive of your trip.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Depart Masai Mara Game Reserve in the morning as you travel back to Nairobi. Along the way, stop at the Giraffe Centre established in 1979 to preserve the Rothschild Giraffe. Travel onward to Nairobi for a farewell dinner.
Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK via Doha or continue on to your chosen destination.
Breakfast & Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Upon arrival check in to your hotel.
Breakfast & Dinner
Enjoy relaxing at your chosen beach hotel.
Breakfast & Dinner
Enjoy relaxing at your chosen beach hotel.
Breakfast & Dinner
Enjoy relaxing at your chosen beach hotel.
Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK via Doha.
Roberta Nancarrow
26 Oct 19Very comfortable hotels with good choice of quality food
Zanzibar visa requirements You can now apply for an Online Visa to visit the United Republic of Tanzania (both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar). You are required to fill in the online form, make payment, and submit your application online. Your form will be internally reviewed and processed. Applicants will be notified through their e-mails whether their applications have been accepted or rejected. They may also TRACK their application statuses through the online system. Applicants may as well be required to visit the nearest Tanzanian Embassies or Consular Offices for interviews Visa applicants are advised to make their applications through the Official Tanzania Immigration website (www.immigration.go.tz) ONLY and Not through any other links; For visa guidelines kindly visit https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/guidelines For single ordinary visa fee is $50 pp
Zanzibar Hotel Tax There is a hotel tax in Zanzibar of $1 per person per night to be paid upon checkout directly to the hotel.
You must obtain suitable travel insurance prior to departure. Mercury Holidays is partnered with Holiday Extras which offer insurance. For all persons 86 years and over, please contact us for insurance prices. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
If booking more than 10 weeks before departure a deposit of £250pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 10 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 10 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Your initial flight is to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport via Doha with Qatar Airways (QR), departing from London Heathrow Terminal 4. IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. A printed E-ticket is no longer required at check-in, all you need to do is present your passport to the staff at the desk and your boarding pass will be given to you. Each passenger is entitled to 30KG of hold luggage plus 1 item of hand luggage not exceeding (Max 7kg - 50cm/37cm/ 25cm) in size and 1 personal item such as a handbag, briefcase or laptop case. Weight restrictions will be finalized on your final documentation. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check in. Check-In should be at least 3 hours before departure.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, www.travelhealthpro.org.uk, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
This tour is accessible to most people with a good level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves climbing of steep stairs and getting on and off coaches, boats and 4x4 vehicles. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties.
This is a fully escorted tour meaning that you will be met by a local guide in each of the cities that you visit, ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
The currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling. We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. It is important that you budget carefully and ensure you have the right form of currency before you arrive in the country. Cash machines will also be available throughout the tour in order to withdraw money in your local currency.
You will need to take money with you to cover any personal purchases such as souvenirs, laundry, any meals not included in the itinerary as well as drinks and any additional snacks. We recommend you bring along a minimum of GBP £300-£400 per person to change to local currency. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases. It is customary to tip both your driver and guide approximately £2-£3 per person per day in total. Tips will be collected at the end of your tour. Tips are accepted in the local currency Kenyan Shillings.