Egypt Nile Cruise & Kenya Safari - 17 Days

Evening departure from JFK to Cairo on Egyptair’s wide-body jets. Dinner, snacks, drinks, and breakfast served on board.

Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met and escorted to the deluxe Pyramids Park Hotel in Cairo.

Today, you will have a full day excursion with lunch, visiting the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. You will drive around the Pyramid of Chephren, the Pyramid of Cheops (also known as the Great Pyramid or Khufu), and the Pyramid of Mykerinos. You will have time to walk around the Cheops, and take pictures. Then visit the Sphinx, the huge one-piece sandstone man-headed lion-bodied statue. Then continue to Memphis, the capital of Old Kingdom; and then Sakkara, to visit theStep Pyramid, the first monumental stone structure in Ancient Egypt. Evening transfer to Cairo airport for your overnight flight to Nairobi. (B-L)

Upon arrival, you will be met and escorted to the all Suite Nairobi Safari Club for relaxation.

After breakfast, drive further north across the Equator to the semi-desert Northern Frontier, where the Samburu, Buffalo Springs and Shaba Reserves are located. Enjoy a thrilling afternoon game drive. Shaba Sarova, a luxurious lodge, is set in “Born Free” country, where the glories of nature are concentrated in this semi-desert oasis. Spring water flows throughout the lodge to form beautiful water cascades and sparkle into the Uaso Nyriro River, the habitat for crocodiles. Unique to this area are reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, gerenuk, beisa orynx and the Somali ostrich. There are also lions, cheetahs, elephants, buffalo, leopards, other big game and over 100 species of birds. Dinner and overnight in Samburu at the Samburu Sopa Lodge. B,L,D

After breakfast, drive via Nyahururu Falls, down into the Great Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park, famous for its thousands of flamingos and other birds. After lunch, enjoy a game drive through the park and a visit to the lake. Set on a plateau in the Rift Valley, overlooking one of the world’s greatest ornithological spectacles, Lake Nakuru, stands Lion Hill Lodge. It is beautifully landscaped with natural foliage and a startling variety of flower gardens. The panoramic view from the lodge reveals a shimmering pink glow across the lake, created by millions of flamingo, pelicans, and Marabou Storks. The park is also a sanctuary for the rare black rhino, leopard, waterbuck and other species of birds. Dinner and overnight at the Lake Nakuru Lodge in Nakuru. B,L,D

Enjoy game drives in Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya’s premier reserve, home to huge numbers of plains game such as wildebeest, zebras and gaKom Ombozelle as well as large populations of lion. The Mara River, which runs through the reserve, contains many hippo and crocodile. Dinner and overnight at your lodge. B,L,D

After a morning game drive and breakfast, return to Nairobi, arriving at noon. Remainder of the day at your leisure for rest and independent activities. Overnight at Safari Club hotel. B

Say good-bye to Kenya as you are transferred to the airport in time for your flight leaving for Cairo, Egypt. Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to the Pyramid Park hotel. Afternoon visit the famous Egyptian Museum where archaeological pieces dating as far back as 3000 BC are in exhibit; where you will see the famous treasure of King Tut-ank-amon. (Meals B)

After breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to the Cairo airport for a flight to Abu Simbel (to visit with the on site English speaking guide). Abu Simbel is considered to be one of the most impressive sites in Egypt.

Here you will visit the two temples built by Ramses II as a high-architect before he became a Pharaoh.

The 100 foot high Great Temple is world famous, which features 4 statues of Ramses II and his wife Queen Nefertari, each 65 foot high. Next to the Great Temple is the temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari. Both temples were originally carved in a mountain. In 1965 they were moved 600 feet and raised 65 feet, thanks to an international project to save them from the flooding caused by the construction of the High Dam. You will then take a second flight to Aswan, and be transferred to either Aswan Isis Hotel for dinner and overnight; or if space-available to your cruise ship MS Sarah or similar. (Meals B-D)

After breakfast a full-day optional excursion* in Aswan including a Felucca Sailing on the Nile River and later visiting Temple of Philae, the High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk site. In the evening we will sail Kom Ombo for an optional excursion* to the Ancient Site there. Lunch and dinner are aboard the cruise boat MS SARAH or similar. (Meals B-L-D)

As you have your breakfast we will sail to Edfu. Upon arrival in Edfu, a fun optional excursion* begins with a visit to the Edfu Temple.  Later in the afternoon we will sail to Esna, where boat will dock for overnight. (Meals B-L-D)

This morning we will cross the locks on the Nile in Esna -providing a fun and small scale canal-crossing experience. We will continue to sail north to Luxor. Optional excursions* in Luxor include, Luxor and Karnak Temples and visit to the West Bank of the Nile with Thebes, Valley of Kings, Hatsheput Temple. Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor. (Meals B-L-D)

Transfer to Luxor airport for flight to Cairo. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel in Cairo. Remainder of the day will be at leisure. Afternoon free for shopping and leisure activities. (B)

Morning bid farewell to this ancient city as you are escorted to the airport for your return flight to JFK. B

IMPORTANT NOTE: For the Kenya portion yellow fever shots required for this tour.