Day 1, Depart U.S.A. or Canada  
Boarding a comfortable Swissair flight to Zurich, your holiday is off to an excellent beginning.  

Day 2, Zurich, Switzerland  
Arrive in Europe and relax comfortably in your dayroom, before tonight's departure to Africa aboard Swissair. Swissotel (dayroom)  

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Day 3, Nairobi, Kenya
Touch down in Kenya's colorful capital this morning, where you are met by Big Five hosts and driven to the famed Norfolk Hotel. Built in 1904, the Norfolk has hosted nearly all of Kenya's prominent visitors, from Teddy Roosevelt to Ernest Hemingway. After lunch, your fascinating program begins with a briefing on the safari events ahead, and a tour of "must see" attractions outside the city.  Stand face-to-face with Africa's tallest mammals at the Giraffe Center; learn more of Nairobi's fascinating past at the beautiful home of Karen Blixen, immortalized in the film "Out of Africa".  Shop if you wish at Utamaduni Crafts, before returning to town for a welcome dinner.  Norfolk Hotel (L,D)

Days 4-5, Amboseli National Park  
Set off on safari aboard a swift flight to Amboseli National Park and your award-winning tented camp facing Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain.  Famed for its scenic beauty and enormous collection of big game, Amboseli has inspired countless artists and writers including Hemingway, who described it as the essence of Africa.  Search for great elephant herds rummaging in the forests, leopards prowling the salt flats, antelopes grazing the dusty plains, exotic birds nesting in green marshes, and countless other classic images of Africa. Tortilis Camp (B,L,D)

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Day 6, Aberdare National Park  
Depart Amboseli by air to Nairobi, where you continue overland to the world of the Aberdares, a heavily wooded and mountainous area inhabited by rare and unusual animals.  Look high in the trees for colobus monkeys as you drive through the jungle to The Ark, set over a natural waterhole that attracts rare bongo antelope, forest hogs, rhino, buffalo, elephant, and other species.  Two balconies and a ground-level viewing blind offer superb positions for watching the steady stream of activity outside.  Throughout the night, the waterhole is illuminated, offering a rare chance to view elusive nocturnal species.  The Ark (B,L,D)

Days 7-8, Samburu National Reserve  
Leave the Aberdares today for Samburu, pausing for photos at the Equator en route. Set at the edge of the arid northern frontier, Samburu is fascinating because of its uncommon animals such as Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, dik-dik and Somali ostrich.  Towering red termite mounds and palm-fringed river forests add drama to the setting.  Return to your lodge at the end of each day for "sundowners" while watching the staff set bait for leopards and crocs on the nearby river banks. Samburu Serena (B,L,D)

Day 9, Mt. Kenya  
A day of pure indulgence...

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Days 10-12,   Masai Mara National Reserve
Resume your safari today with a direct flight to Kenya's most prolific wildlife preserve, the Masai Mara.  Your leisurely, three-night stay affords wonderful opportunities to view vast numbers of animals and birds, and take advantage of optional activities such as hot-air ballooning, Lake Victoria fishing, and visiting a traditional Masai village.  You will be thrilled by the luxury and choice setting of your deluxe tented camp, featuring a heated swimming pool; hippo watching from a special observation platform; and superb views of the meandering Mara River, surrounding plains and the area's wildlife.    Mara Safari Club (B,L,D)

Day 13,   Nairobi  
After a final game-drive and breakfast, fly to Nairobi for a final night at the Norfolk Hotel. This afternoon, tour the city highlights and take advantage of some final time for shopping, before returning to your hotel to prepare for tonight's gala farewell dinner.  Norfolk Hotel (B,L,D) 

Day 14,  Zurich  
Begin your journey home aboard Swissair jet flight to Zurich.  Here you transfer to your accommodations convenient to city shops and sights.  Swissotel (B)

Day 15, U.S.A. or Canada  
You're homebound on a Swissair flight, arriving later the same day.  (B)