Multi-Day Tour
The Micato Grand Safari (15 days)
The Micato Grand Safari (15 days)
Day 1
Depart Home
Day 2
Nairobi, Kenya
Day 3
Nairobi, Kenya
Day 6
Lewa Safari Camp, Kenya
Day 7
Lewa Safari Camp, Kenya
Day 10
Serengeti, Tanzania
Day 11
Serengeti, Tanzania
Day 12
Ngorongoro, Tanzania
Day 13
Ngorongoro, Tanzania
Day 14
Nairobi, Kenya
Day 15
Arrive home
Itinerary
| DAY | LOCATION(S) | HOTEL | MEALS | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Day 1
|
Depart Home |
N/a | None |
Your adventure begins today as you enplane for Africa.
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Day 2
|
Nairobi, Kenya |
Hemingways Nairobi | None |
A Micato Safaris representative will greet you on arrival in Nairobi and take you to Hemingways, a hotel that great lover of Africa would have savoured for its classic ambience and old-school luxuries. Nairobi is a cosmopolitan capital city where graceful jacaranda and bougainvillea line the main streets, and parks and gardens occupy large areas in the centre. The city has undergone a dramatic expansion in its recent past. It's home to a thriving business centre, with the modern Kenyatta Conference Centre and Parliament Building, first-class restaurants and hotels. Traditional architecture still survives in colourful wooden buildings with tiled roofs, and arcades from the colonial era.
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|
Day 3
|
Nairobi, Kenya |
Hemingways Nairobi | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
You’re off to visit the home and gardens of Karen von Blixen, author of Out of Africa. Continue to the Giraffe Centre, where you will have the rare treat of hand feeding these gentle giants, facing them eye-to-eye from an elevated viewing platform. You will then have lunch at the home of Micato's founders, Felix and Jane Pinto, where you will experience Kenyan hospitality at its best. Later you'll visit the National Museum, which illuminates Kenya’s natural diversity, its cultural identity and how its history has helped to shape the country it is today. The knowledge you gain here will enhance the enjoyment of your safari.
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Day 4
|
Amboseli National Park, Kenya |
Tortilis Camp | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
This morning view the beautiful Athi Plains from above as you wing your way to Amboseli National Park. Justly famous for its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife, Amboseli National Park is dominated by snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Marshy areas form the heart of this ecosystem. The presence of permanent water guarantees an abundance of animals, including eland, kongoni, wildebeest, gazelle, oryx, and zebra. The sun will be setting as you return to camp, surrounding you and that magnificent mountain in a glow of pink and amber.
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Day 5
|
Amboseli National Park, Kenya |
Tortilis Camp | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Awaken to the sights and sounds of big game country. Tortilis Camp is your base for visits to Maasai villages and game drives in this almost incomparably rich animal kingdom. Your spacious, luxuriously furnished, thatch-covered tents nestle under the huge and reposeful Tortilis acacia trees from which the camp takes its name. Unwinding on our veranda, we might, like Isak Dinesen, watch a parade of elephants “pacing along as if they had an appointment at the end of the world.”
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Day 6
|
Lewa Safari Camp, Kenya |
Lewa Safari Camp | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
After breakfast fly via Nairobi to the magnificent Lewa Safari Camp, your home nestled high up on Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau. Not incidentally, our camp is the jewel of the famed Lewa Conservancy, which has helped create the template for the successful conservancy model of wildlife and habitat preservation. Lewa’s wide range of terrains support a full cast of predators and prey; it’s home to the world’s largest concentration of Grevy’s zebra and its 130 happily roaming black and white rhinos are a testament to the Conservancy’s resolute and ingenious conservation efforts.
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Day 7
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Lewa Safari Camp, Kenya |
Lewa Safari Camp | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
A day well spent includes taking the morning as well as the afternoon for game runs. In addition to our aforementioned zebra and rhino friends we might also encounter elephant, reticulated giraffe, warthog, impala, cape buffalo and bush buck. Lion, leopard and cheetah reside on the ranch as well, and the occasional sighting of the elusive greater kudu is a rare treat. Taking in the area’s magnificent creatures will be delightfully comprehensive by safari vehicle, but we suggest you try other ways to see flora and fauna, perhaps during a bush walk with a professional tracker or hiking –perhaps even jogging – with a Maasai warrior! Or if you prefer, you can venture out into the African bush on horseback on a guided ride through the surrounding hills.
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Day 8
|
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya |
Bateleur Tented Camp Or Governor's Il Moran Camp | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
This morning fly across the dramatic Great Rift Valley to the Maasai Mara. This is the Africa of your imagination. It is a country of rolling grasslands and groves of acacia woodland. Luxuriant forest grows along the banks of the Mara River, where hippos and crocodiles bask in the sun. The Mara is considered the finest game sanctuary in Kenya. Depending on the season, hundreds of thousands of migratory wildebeest, gazelle and zebra move back and forth between the Mara and the plains to the south. Enjoy lunch and some time to relax before your afternoon game run. There's no way to predict what you might see on your game drive, so keep your eyes open. The trees in the distance might turn out to be a family of giraffes, or that clump of bushes, a pride of lions.
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Day 9
|
Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya |
Bateleur Tented Camp Or Governor's Il Moran Camp | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Today you are going to see Africa from a new direction – from above. It is an exhilarating experience as you float above the herds for sixty glorious minutes before touching down for a champagne breakfast on the Mara Plains. After a relaxing repast, continue honing your game spotting skills on a game drive. This afternoon, meet with a Maasai Elder who will share his people’s history and hopes for the future. Before your afternoon game drive visit a manyatta, or village, where tribes live as they have for centuries. As you return to the camp, high up on the hill, see a glowing campfire. There, under a beautiful big acacia tree with breathtaking views of the Mara plains, as the flaming African sun sinks slowly beneath the horizon, sunset cocktails are being served.
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Day 10
|
Serengeti, Tanzania |
Four Seasons Serengeti Lodge | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
This morning catch your flight to the Serengeti National Park via Nairobi and Arusha. With its vast rolling plains, flat-topped acacias, and huge herds of animals, it is just what you expect Africa to be. It is one of the greatest wildlife spectacles remaining on the planet, where herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle cover the plains from horizon to horizon. Your home in Serengeti National Park will be the Four Seasons Serengeti Lodge. When not enjoying the views from your private teak deck, you may wish to take a dip in the lodge’s infinity pool, peruse the art gallery, or indulge in a visit to the spa. Delicious meals are created “theatre-style” in open kitchens, and you can enjoy food and wine pairings in the wine cellar or an al fresco experience in the boma.
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Day 11
|
Serengeti, Tanzania |
Four Seasons Serengeti Lodge | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
On morning and afternoon game runs explore the vast Serengeti in depth. The open woodland and plains are ideal places to observe large predators. Lions are plentiful, and cheetahs are regularly sighted pacing the plains. At dusk or dawn you stand the best chance of seeing nocturnal felines such as civet, serval, genet and African wildcat. The wealth and diversity of birds is just as staggering as the mammal population, so keep your eyes open for ostriches, vultures, eagles, kingfishers, and the exquisitely coloured lilac-breasted rollers.
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Day 12
|
Ngorongoro, Tanzania |
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
After lunch set off for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, where an awesome panorama unfolds before you - a collapsed volcano of 102 square miles containing lion, rhino, hippo, hyena, and elephant, as well as thousands of antelope. The drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area will be most interesting, with the potential for wildlife around each bend in the road. Your final destination today is the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, a magnificent homage to the bygone era, inspired in design by the Maasai manyatta. Each sumptuous suite is discreetly tended by a personal butler, who will bring you tea in bed, stoke your fireplace and draw your bath.
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Day 13
|
Ngorongoro, Tanzania |
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Journey by four-wheel drive vehicle into one of the world’s largest calderas to spend the day tracking animals. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area contains 30,000 mammals, including the last population of black rhino in northern Tanzania. The small forest patches on the crater floor are now home to the leopard, monkey, baboon, jackals, eland, spotted hyena, dark maned lion and antelopes. The most beautiful sight is of the salt-whitened shores of Lake Magadi turned pastel pink from thousands of flamingos looking for food in the soda lake. After a full day of adventure complete with a picnic lunch, return to your lodge to enjoy the peace and beauty of an unforgettable sunset at the crater.
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Day 14
|
Nairobi, Kenya |
Day Use Room Boma Hotel | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
After breakfast, take one last look at the Crater before heading to Lake Manyara to pick up your flight to Kilimanjaro Airport and on to Nairobi. You will be met on arrival and taken to The Boma where a day room has been reserved for you. Tonight after dinner you will be transferred to the International Airport to board your flight home. Bid farewell to East Africa knowing that this has been a journey you will remember for the rest of your life.
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Day 15
|
Arrive home |
N/a | None |
Arrive home.
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Tour Features
Experience(s)
- Adventure
- Wildlife & Nature
Description
The grand, glamourous, unabashedly luxurious safaris favoured by princes and princesses, potentates, plutocrats, and ex-presidents (Teddy Roosevelt's epic 1909 safari was one of the first of its sumptuous kind) are central to East Africa's heritage as one of the world's most desired destinations. This Grand Safari is Micato's homage to those old and romantic days, to their indulgent and exquisite grace.
About Us
The only nine-time #1 winner of Travel + Leisure's World's Best Safari Outfitter award, family-owned Micato Safaris has been offering luxurious and personalized safaris to sophisticated travelers since 1966, venturing to Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana and Victoria Falls. In addition, Conde Nast Traveler has honored Micato and its nonprofit, AmericaShare, an unprecedented five times with its prestigious World Savers Award, recognizing such programs as the Micato One for One Commitment, ensuring that for every safari sold, Micato sends an African child to school.
Insider Tip
Africa is not unusually hot and is actually perfect as a year-round destination. East Africa is on the equator and at altitude, and South Africa is on the Tropic of Capricorn, so it's even cooler.Terms & Conditions
Scheduled Departures:
PAYMENTS - 20% deposit due at time of booking. Final payment due 90 days prior to departure.
CANCELLATIONS
- 90+ days prior to departure $500 per person
- 89-60 days prior to departure 20% penalty
- 59- 30 days prior to departure 50% penalty
- 29 days or less 100% penalty.
Bespoke Departures:
PAYMENTS - 30% deposit upon confirmation of space. Final payment 120 days prior to departure.
CANCELLATIONS
- 120 days+ prior to departure 20% penalty
- 149 - 120 days prior to departure 30% penalty
- 119 -90 days prior to departure 50% penalty
- 89 days or less prior to departure 100% penalty
The trademarks VIRTUOSO, the Globe Swirl Logo and SPECIALISTS IN THE ART OF TRAVEL are registered trademarks of Virtuoso, Ltd. Virtuoso, Ltd. has a U.S. copyright registration for the Globe Swirl Logo, ©2000. All rights reserved. Virtuoso CST#2069091-50. California CST# 2069091; TA# 808 - Registered Iowa Travel Agency; Washington UBI # 601 554 183. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.
Reviews and Recommendations for Micato Safaris
100%
of 22 guests
recommend
recommend
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All reviews are from confirmed guests sharing exclusive insights
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Recommended
Highly Recommended
By: PaulB
Reviewed on: 25 Sep 2013
Micato was extraordinary in their execution, whether safari director or location selections. Overall a great adventure and experience for this novice safari traveller.
Recommended
By: Not provided
Reviewed on: 10 Oct 2013
Micato Safaris.
I highly recommend "Micato Safaris"! From the beginning to
my return home, it has been an unforgettable experience worth every penny spent and than more------
MICATO is the Best!
Jannie
Travel Advisor:
Shelley Greenan
Recommended
The Best
By: Brittany22
Reviewed on: 11 Oct 2013
We chose carefully to find the best African Tour company that we believed would provide the best, stand behind its product and not offer lame excuses. Micato proved its excellence in every way, including acknowledging an error and standing behind its well earned reputation to make it right. Not all would do that, as we all know from experience. M did a remarkable job and worth the money.. Best personnel and logistics around. So.......the best, and proud to tell the world.
Travel Advisor:
Paul Sacks
Recommended
The best
By: Glo
Reviewed on: 24 Nov 2013
We look forward to planning another trip with Micato in the future. Our trip was a life hanging experience for us and were very pleased with the way Micato handled all the details competently. Every need was anticipated and attended to with a smile. Thank you Micato!
Travel Advisor:
Tracey Shara
Recommended
Tailor made safari
By: violet15
Reviewed on: 27 Aug 2014
Micto has a reputation for extraordinary service which is well deserved. We chose the Grand Safari and secretly thought that it really wouldn't fully justify the name or the price but were pleasantly proved wrong. We were greeted by Jane and Felix Pinto, company founders at the start and end of the trip who made us feel a part of their family. Every effort was made to make the experience comfortable, luxurious and magical and all of our needs were anticipated. They even showed up with a birthday gift for me when I had forgotten all about the date! The guides are charming and knowledgable about animals, history, culture, politics - you name it. The drivers were magicians at anticipating animal behavior and getting us to just the right spot to see just the right animals. We've since met other Micto travelers whom we were pleased to note have had similar experiences. Don't go to Africa with anyone but Micato.
Travel Advisor:
Kelly Gruber
Recommended
Outstanding personnel, outstanding service
By: Susie
Reviewed on: 15 Jan 2017
Everything from the moment we were picked up in Capetown, to the end of our trip in Nairobi was top rate. The guides and drivers were exceptional, the hotels were fabulous. We really felt spoiled by the way we were treated. The only downside had to do with sending our bags home that we weren't going to use on the 18 day safari - one of the five bags never made it out of South Africa. DHL has no idea what happened to it.
Travel Advisor:
Donna Hall
Recommended
Best trip ever
By: Simba
Reviewed on: 26 Jan 2017
Couldn't have asked for better tour company. Took care of us from beginning to end. Lots of pleasant surprises along the way. Very caring of their clients.
Travel Advisor:
Leyna Huber
Recommended
Top-Notch
By: Sally
Reviewed on: 09 Mar 2017
Loved our trip to South Africa with Micato. No detail was overlooked. The hotel and restaurant selections were mostly outstanding, and the guides did an excellent job of introducing us to their communities.
Travel Advisor:
Cuca Bloom
Recommended
Excellent
By: Zzz
Reviewed on: 26 Mar 2017
Excellent... our 2nd trip with Micato and it was great
Travel Advisor:
Ken Neibaur
Recommended
Go Micato
By: Ricky P
Reviewed on: 20 Jul 2017
Great safari. Took care of our group. Really enjoyed the trip. Very professional.
Travel Advisor:
Elaine Clapp
Recommended
The Best
By: CMet47
Reviewed on: 01 Sep 2017
George our guide was incredible. We always felt safe and well equipped to see truly what Africa had to offer.
Travel Advisor:
Tony Huffman
Recommended
East Africa
By: kirkygd@gmail.cim
Reviewed on: 11 Sep 2017
Excellent, very well organized, excellent employees. Choices of accommodations was as good as it gets.
Travel Advisor:
Paula Kay Eastham
Recommended
First Class Service
By: Rob and Joan
Reviewed on: 02 Oct 2017
We recently completed our Micato Safari. We spent 13 days in Kenya and Tanzania. In short, the trip was perfect. Starting with our Nairobi Airport greeting by Micato (Salma). She raced us through customs where we were picked up in a Micato Land Cruiser and delivered to our hotel where we were met by Micato Concierge Virginia. She seamlessly checked us into our Nairobi hotel. Then we met Phillip, our Safari Guide. Phillip was top notch and made sure we had a fantastic time including a delicious lunch at the home of the Pintos (founders and owners of Micato). there is an incredible amount of detail that goes into the planning and execution of a African Safari. Phillip made it look easy (although we know he was working hard to make our experience perfect). If we decide to go back to Africa (or visit India), there is only one Safari company we'd use and that's Micato.
Travel Advisor:
Leah Bergner
Recommended
African Safari
By: Bill
Reviewed on: 11 Jun 2018
Our trip exceeded expectations in all respects. Micato staff were gracious and very competent. Our guides, drives/animal viewing, lodging, and meals were all superb.
Travel Advisor:
Martha Rhodes
Recommended
East Africa
By: Mark
Reviewed on: 23 Jul 2018
This company is absolutely outstanding. They thought or and took care of every detail. Once we landed in Kenya they took over with a team of advisors, guides and helpers. Tour was well planned and the so-called camp sites (really hotel-like) were top of the line. The people that work for Micato are incredibly nice, friendly and helpful. The tours guides are very knowledgeable. All speak excellent English. One detail to remember is that you travel with other people and they can enhance or be a negative. We were lucky we had a good group, but I could see how it would be a downer to travel with other types of people.
Travel Advisor:
Brooke Danza
Recommended
Hemingway Africa Safari
By: Texas Steve
Reviewed on: 30 Jul 2018
HIGHLY recommend Micato! Hands down the best trip we have ever taken. Our tour Director, Patrick was fabulous and was with us every step of the journey! the Pintos (owners of Micato) are there as well, even inviting you into their home for lunch! They truly care about your experience and it shows!
No tipping anywhere - all inclusive, top drawer ride, Directors and ownership. Don't even think of going to Africa with anyone else!
Steve & Marsha
Travel Advisor:
Cristina Buaas
Recommended
Botswana's Timeless Wilderness
By: Susan
Reviewed on: 21 Aug 2018
Micato is a top notch tour operator. This was our second trip with them but the first where we took our family along with us. Managing seven people, three of whom were children, requires patience and perseverance. From the greeters at the various airports, to Sue who led us at Victoria Falls, and Hein who traveled with us throughout, our trip was wonderful. One suggestion would be to train the bartenders in the various camps how to make drinks and to have a more upgraded and better selection of wines and liquors. Other than that, not much to complain about. We were happy campers!
Travel Advisor:
Eleanor Hardy
Recommended
Safari company.
By: Linda Van
Reviewed on: 13 Aug 2018
Micato was wonderful. Would recommend them to anyone looking for an unforgettable trip to Africa.
Travel Advisor:
Janice Chieffo
Recommended
Micato Safaris
By: Gilla
Reviewed on: 25 Aug 2018
There are vacations that inform and open the mind and even those that give joy. But the Micato Safari that we experienced touched the soul. It was a unique and once in a life time experience to observe the wildlife of Africa and we shall probably never experience anything like it again. What raised the experience to a much higher level was first the attention given to us by the Micato staff. Never have we experience such dedicated individuals to providing an incredible experience. The staff expressed how much they enjoyed their jobs and this was reflected time and time again in the service they provided. There are no words to describe them. It was also the quality of lodging each night and the service provided that helped after a full day of bouncing on paths that were roads in name only. Mr. and Mrs. Pinto, owners of Micato, were such delightful people. Many more words of praise could be said but the word count is limited.
Travel Advisor:
Rachel Hardy
Recommended
Micato safaris review
By: Nan
Reviewed on: 30 Oct 2018
This company goes over and beyond to make the experience of visiting India very special. The tour guide, accommodations, and itinerary were exceptional.
Travel Advisor:
Betsy Patton
Recommended
Micato African Tour
By: Susan
Reviewed on: 08 Feb 2019
OUTSTANDING!! IMPECCABLE!! Perfect adventure with attention to detail. Staffing was stupendous! I really cannot state how marvelous this safari adventure was. It was truly remarkable. I will highly recommend it to anyone interested in travel to Africa!
Travel Advisor:
Judy Miron
Recommended
Terrific
By: Zagorah
Reviewed on: 11 Jan 2019
This was my third Safari. First Safari with Micato. Micato does everything to make it the best it can be.
Travel Advisor:
Leyna Huber