Dazzling Dubai & Kenya Safari

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance

• 1 Depart USA
• 2 Dubai
• 3 Dubai
• Optional Excursion: Half Day Dubai City Tour, $65
• Optional Excursion: Burj Khalifa, $59
• Optional Excursion: Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner, $90
• 4 Dubai
• Optional Excursion: Full Day Abu Dhabi, $120
• Optional Excursion: Dhow Dinner Cruise (purchased locally), $85
• 5 Dubai & Nairobi
• 6 Nairobi & Lake Naivasha
• 7 Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara National Game Reserve
• 8 Masai Mara National Game Reserve
• Optional Excursion: Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari & Champagne Breakfast (purchased locally), $450
• 9 Masai Mara, Nairobi & Dubai

Videos

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Depart USA

• Check in for your overnight flight to Dubai

Day 2 Dubai

• Arrive in Dubai, meet our representatives, and transfer to your centrally located hotel

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai or similar

Day 3 Dubai

• Enjoy a guided panoramic tour of Dubai -- see the highlights of this amazing place
• The balance of the day is at leisure in one of the most dazzling cities in the world, or join several exciting optional excursions

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai or similar Breakfast

Optional Excursion: Half Day Dubai City Tour, $65

Today's exciting optional morning tour will take you to picturesque Dubai Creek, which the Ancient Greeks called the River Zara. The first settlements by the Bani Yas tribe were along its banks, and later it served as a port for ships coming from as far as India and East Africa. Today, this saltwater creek divides the modern city into two parts, Deira on the north and Bur Dubai to the south, and remains a busy waterway both for traditional dhows and sleek luxury yachts. This is your first photo opportunity with a magnificent panorama of the city and its amazing futuristic skyline.

Next stop is the Bastakiya district, where traditional courtyard houses, with characteristic wind towers that cleverly catch the breezes to cool the houses, line the narrow alleys. Many of the houses in this picturesque area of Dubai, previously home to the city's merchants, have been lovingly restored by proud locals who wish to preserve the unique ambiance of the district.

Continue to the Dubai Museum, housed in the massive, restored Al Fahidi Fort. Inside, lifelike dioramas offer a fascinating view of life in Dubai before the discovery of oil. You'll learn the importance of the date palm to the desert culture, the maritime traditions of fishing and pearl-diving, boat building and much more. Take a walk through the bustling, exotic souks, where you'll find beautiful and bargain-priced textiles, spices and gold. Another highlight of your city tour is a chance to take one of Dubai's most reliable and inexpensive forms of transportation, the Abra water taxi.

Your coach will bring you back to your hotel.

Optional Excursion: Burj Khalifa, $59

In the afternoon, you may choose to independently visit the Burj Khalifa (formerly known as Burj Dubai), officially opened in 2010 as the tallest building in the world. This miracle of international cooperation and coordination houses a luxury Armani hotel, offices of some of the world's most successful companies, and for a lucky few, homes that are as high as the clouds. Take in sweeping views of the city from the breathtakingly high "At the Top" observation deck.

Optional Excursion: Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner, $90

For those in the mood for adventure, in the late afternoon, set out on an optional desert safari tour, where you'll discover the vastness and stark beauty of the desert that surrounds Dubai. Experience an exciting jeep ride over the surrounding sand dunes. You'll also enjoy a traditional BBQ dinner and live belly dancing entertainment on this exciting optional tour. *The sand dunes jeep ride is not recommended for people with neck, back or cardiac concerns.

Day 4 Dubai

• Relax and explore on your own, or join an optional excursion to Abu Dhabi

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai or similar Breakfast

Optional Excursion: Full Day Abu Dhabi, $120

Today, see another sophisticated city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. Enjoy a panoramic view of Jebel Ali, the largest man-made port, en route to the iconic symbol of Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Later, drive along the sweeping curve of the Corniche, replete with parks and fountains, from which you'll enjoy a contrast of modern skyscrapers against the sparkling waters of the Persian Gulf. Visit the Heritage Village, and learn about the history of Abu Dhabi in a reconstructed oasis. Walk through the open-air museum and see craftsmen demonstrate traditional skills. Later, pass by the Sheik Khalifa Palace, home to the president of the UAE. Afterwards, take a photo stop at Yas Island, where the Ferrari World theme park and Formula 1 race track are located. Return to Dubai.

Optional Excursion: Dhow Dinner Cruise (purchased locally), $85

This evening, we recommend an optional dinner cruise by dhow boat on the Dubai Creek. A magnificent view of both sides of Dubai Creek illuminated by night adds to the charm of this wonderful way to experience Dubai.

Day 5 Dubai & Nairobi

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Nairobi
• Upon arrival in Nairobi, following customs and immigration formalities, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel.

Breakfast

Day 6 Nairobi & Lake Naivasha

• Depart Nairobi for Lake Naivasha
• Afternoon game drive in Hell’s Gate National Park

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

This morning you will drive to Lake Naivasha, one of the lakes on the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The area boasts of over 400 different species of birds, a sizable population of hippos and a large variety of fish. Upon arrival at your lodge, enjoy lunch and check into your room. Late this afternoon, you will drive to Hell’s Gate National Park for afternoon game drive. The national park’s biodiversity includes more than 100 species of birds, Buffalo, Zebra, Eland, Thomson Gazelle, Klipsringer and Chandler’s Mountain Reedbuck. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 7 Lake Naivasha & Masai Mara National Game Reserve

• Drive via the scenic Rift Valley to the Masai Mara National Reserve
• Afternoon game drive

Masai Mara Sopa Lodge or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

After breakfast, drive west down the scenic Rift Valley escarpments and past the township of Narok in the Masai country to Masai Mara National Reserve. This park offers wonderful scenery and plenty of game viewing. It is perhaps the only region remaining in Kenya where the visitor can see animals in the same abundance as existed a century ago.

Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch. Later this afternoon, set off for the afternoon game drive that will continue until sunset.

Day 8 Masai Mara National Game Reserve

• Morning game drive, or take an optional hot air balloon safari
• Lunch at the lodge, followed by some free time to relax
• Late afternoon game drive

Masai Mara Sopa Lodge or similar Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Full Day Itinerary

Continue your discovery of the many species of game in the park today on two drives, one this morning and another later in the afternoon. After lunch, enjoy some leisure time at the lodge, including a refreshing swim in the pool.

Optional Excursion: Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari & Champagne Breakfast (purchased locally), $450

Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a balloon ride across the Masai Mara. Weather conditions permitting, your flight begins in the pre-dawn hours, when the view over the park is most magnificent. Toward the end of your adventure, you'll rise to a height of 1,500 feet for a panoramic view of the twisting Mara River and the Savannah below. After an hour or so in the air, your safari finishes with a champagne breakfast in the bush, cooked on the balloon's burners. Flight may not operate if weather conditions are not suitable.

Day 9 Masai Mara, Nairobi & Dubai

• Drive back to Nairobi
• Afternoon at leisure for some last minute shopping, or relax in your day use room.
• Later, transfer to Jomo Kenyatta Airport for your overnight flight home via Dubai
• Passengers returning to Dallas (DFW) or Washington D.C. (IAD) will overnight in Nairobi, departing Day 10 on an overnight flight via Dubai and arriving home on Day 11

Breakfast

Hotels

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai

Deluxe

The 5 star JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is conveniently located in the business district of Dubai. Its location offers guests easy access to notable attractions, such as the world-renowned Dubai Mall and the jaw-dropping Burj Khalifa.

More information

Masai Mara Sopa Lodge

First Class

Located high on the slopes of the Oloolaimutia Hills, Masai Mara Sopa Lodge was one of the first safari lodges to be built in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. All the buildings follow the design of traditional African round houses with conical roofs. They stretch across the hills to seamlessly blend in with the natural surroundings. The lodge is the ideal base to experience prime wildlife viewing at one of the most well renowned game parks in east Africa.

More information

In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.

Reviews & Photos

Trip Details

• What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
• Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
• Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
• Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
• Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
• What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
• What should I know about Kenya? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
• What should I know about Dubai? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.

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