Day 8 - July 3, 2007 - Tuesday: Sarova Mara Camp (B,L,D)  We leave after breakfast for Mara via Narok and arrive for lunch at the Sarova Mara Camp in time for lunch and then an afternoon game drive. Sarova Mara is in the heart of the Masai Mara and is an excellent base from which to depart on early morning and late afternoon game drives. There is a wide choice of extremely good food at all meals which are served in the main lodge plus there is a most friendly bar and entertainment area where Maasai warriors perform traditional dances. The Camp is the headquarters for Transworld Safaris Hot Air Balloon flights which float for an hour then land amongst the animals for a champagne breakfast cooked by a chef in whites.

Day 9 - July 4, 2007 - Wednesday: Mara Serena Lodge (B,L,D) We have a pre-breakfast game drive and then leave for Mara Serena with a game drive enroute. We arrive that afternoon at the five star Mara Serena Lodge where we have lunch and go for an afternoon game drive. Mara Serena Lodge is a modern interpretation of a traditional Maasai manyatta village with a unique style all of its own and a semi-circular arrangement of guestrooms. Interiors feature traditional Maasai bright colors and murals. Set on the saddle of a hill, the lodge has a spectacular 360° view of the surrounding landscape. You can sit at the gorgeous swimming pool and look down towards the Mara River where thousands of wildebeest gather in July and August in readiness to cross on their annual migration. They may wait there for days before deciding to take the plunge. Game drives to the river to watch the Hippos are especially rewarding.

Day 10 - July 5, 2007 - Thursday: Mara Serena Lodge (B,L,D) We have a full day in the Mara with game drives both in the morning and afternoon. We will have an opportunity further to enjoy the five star lodge which features individual rooms each with their own balcony and view of eternity, a sky-blue swimming pool and a spectacular restaurant, overlooking a water hole where a fantasia of creatures collect to drink. Time to relax in the afternoon and enjoy the magnificent cooling pool and view across the plains. We will have an opportunity while we are in Africa to view and purchase excellent native art as shown by the center picture above.

Day 11 - July 6, 2007 - Friday: City of Kisumu, Imperial Hotel (B,L,D) We will have a pre-breakfast game drive before leaving for Kisumu which is on the shores of Lake Victoria which is the world's second largest freshwater lake. Here we are staying tonight and tomorrow at the Imperial Hotel. We have now arrived in the city in which the Sandy Happy Children's Home is located. Tomorrow will be the Grand Opening of the Home. We will have an opportunity to visit the Home, School, and Community Health Center this afternoon after we arrive. The following are two comments made about the Imperial Hotel that I located: "The Imperial Hotel is simply the best hotel there is in Kisumu. if you want somewhere secure, central, and well-equipped then this is the best place to be. The cuisine is very good," and "This was the fourth time I have stayed at the Imperial Hotel, and I have to say it will always be my first choice when I am in Kisumu. It is generally clean, comfortable, and the staff are friendly." Info on Kisumu: The Railway first reached Kisumu in 1901 and cost the British Government a princely sum of £5 million. Today Kisumu is Kenya 's third largest city with a population of 160,000. The Kisumu Museum is well known throughout the world for its fine collections on native Luo tribal culture and the local wildlife. The old market is running strongly with attractions being Hippo Point, the Jamhuri Gardens plus the loveliest sunset on Lake Victoria.  

Day 12 - July 7, 2007 - Saturday: City of Kisumu, Imperial Hotel (B,L,D) Full day in Kisumu and the Grand Opening festivities for the Sandy Happy Children's Home (above right). The Member of Parliament that has been so helpful for the Home will lead the Grand Opening along with the Mayor of Kisumu, the Luo Tribe leaders, and the director of the Home, Francis Ooko (above center). All of the 261 Home children (above left) plus additional children we will have taken in by then will be present to experience a large Texas style barbequed roasted pig or two or three. Both tribal and contemporary music and dancing will be present along with fireworks and extensive decorations made by the children. Representatives from all the major donors will be present. For the 52Best tour we will have full use of the vehicles all day as well as all meals will be provided by the Imperial Hotel.

Day 13 - July 8, 2007 - Sunday: City of Nairobi, Stanley Hotel (B,D) We will leave after breakfast to the Kisumu Airport for the flight to Nairobi. Upon arrival we will transfer to the Stanley Hotel for the day. Afternoon and early evening we are free to explore the city.  The Stanley will allow easy access to last minute shopping for gifts and souvenirs. There are several excellent shops and a fascinating curio market just meters away from The Stanley. One feature of The Stanley is its famous Thorn Tree Café. This pavement café set back from the road, has long been a meeting place for travelers passing through Nairobi. It was renowned for the massive Acacia thorn tree growing right in the middle of the cafe. For years the trunk was used as a communal notice board, where messages were pinned up to arrange a rendezvous or convey an important message. The Exchange Bar in The Stanley is an historic features as it was the home of the first Nairobi Stock Exchange. Many locals frequent this bar and dine in the hotel restaurant. During the evening we will transfer to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) where we will leave on an 11:25 p.m. British Airways flight No. 064 to London Heathrow (LHR).

Day 14 - July 9, 2007 - Monday: London (LHR), Atlantic Ocean, Dallas (DFW) (B,D)  We arrive in London Heathrow Airport at 5:55 a.m. We then transfer to Gattwick where we board our British Airways Flight Number 2193 for our 10:35 am flight to Dallas (DFW) arriving later that afternoon at 2:30 pm. From here we say our good-byes and leave to home or our various cities throughout the United States.

For Days 1 to 7, Please Click Here