THURSDAY, September 5th – Depart US to Kenya

Depart the US on an overnight flight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi.

FRIDAY, September 6th – Arrive in Nairobi, Kenya

Arrive in Nairobi and transfer to the Tamarind Tree Hotel to rest and relax after your flights. Welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

SATURDAY, September 7th – Animals, Animals, Animals!

Visit the Daphne Sheldrick Animal Orphanage where baby elephants and rhinos are rehabilitated and reintegrated into the wild. Then, visit the Giraffe Centre where you’ll look eye-to-eye with a Rothchild’s giraffe. One more night at the Tamarind Tree Hotel with dinner on own. (B,L)

SUNDAY, September 8th – Ngerende Island Lodge, Mara River

Fly to the Masai Mara for an unforgettable stay at Ngerende Island Lodge. This small, seven-suite lodge is located on the Mara River with spectacular views at every turn. Part of the private Olchoro Conservancy, you’ll enjoy the seclusion. Relax and enjoy lunch, a sundowner game drive and dinner on property.  (B,L,D)

MON/TUES, September 9th/10th – Authentic Africa!

Enjoy morning and evening game drives. All meals at the lodge are included.  You’ll have the opportunity to visit one of the local villages and rub elbows with the Masai, who stand out with their characteristic red wraps, inquisitive nature, and infectious smiles. (B,L,D)

WEDNESDAY, September 11th – Head to Kipalo Hills Camp

After a morning game drive and breakfast, depart for the airstrip for a charter flight to Tsavo West. Transfer to Kipalo Hills Camp in safari vehicles with a game drive en-route.  Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at this breathtaking property.  (B,L,D)

THURS/FRI, September 12th & 13th

Enjoy the on-site activities with all meals included.  Activity options include game drives, night drives, fly camping, bush breakfasts and cultural visits to local Taita villages. Walk with game scouts and an ex-poacher turned conservationist. Learn about medicinal plants, hideouts, water, etc. Participate in an anti-poaching patrol and de-snaring operation. (B,L,D)

SATURDAY, September 14th

After breakfast, fly back to Nairobi for return flights back to the US… OR join us on an optional 3-night post trip to the Delta Dunes on the Tana River Delta on a remote stretch of Kenya’s coast. (B)

OPTIONAL POST-TRIP: The Kenya Coast

SAT-TUES, September 14th-17th – Delta Dunes

Why not take a few extra days for another “WOW” experience – at Delta Dunes. During the day, race sand yachts, explore shade-dappled creeks by kayak, or simply settle into a hammock by the pool. In the evening, it’s time for a sunset river cruise, followed by cocktails and a candlelit dinner of freshly-caught seafood under the stars.

The Tana Delta is the only wetland of its type in Eastern Africa and the swirl of salt and freshwater forms a vast playground for wildlife including hippo, buffalo, crocodile and over 270 species of birds.

This extraordinary Lodge is a work of art. Materials of nature such as driftwood and whalebone create an inspiring atmosphere. Passionate hosts promise an unforgettable journey!

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NAIROBI – TAMARIND TREE HOTEL – 2 Nights

The Tamarind Tree Hotel is located just outside Nairobi within the spacious Carnivore grounds and its iconic restaurant. It’s a comfortable place to land and recoup from the flight before your safari begins!

MASAI MARA & NEGERENDE ISLAND LODGE – 3 Nights

The Masai Mara has a reputation for being crowded with safari traffic, especially during the migration. But we’ll be staying on the 17,400-acre Olchoro Conservancy, where game drives and bush walks lead to rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, cheetah, and most every other African species you’ve ever dreamt of meeting outside a zoo!

Ngerende allows safari-happy guests a place to retreat should the wilds of Africa become too … wild! The Lodge has 7 luxury canvas-and-wood suites built atop stilts to provide views down onto the Mara River and the woodland on the opposite riverbank. They feature polished mahogany flooring with an open-plan sleeping and living area, complete with fireplace. A separate bathroom includes a massage shower with contemporary Villeroy & Boch fixtures, an open-air bath, wash basins and flush toilet. Comfortable seating in the living area and on the terrace allows you to enjoy the true tranquility of the lodge. You’ll have a personal butler to attend to your every need. Two restaurants offer international cuisine. After a game drive, enjoy a dip in the pool or an indulgent spa treatment.

There is an abundance of wildlife both on the Conservation Ranch and of course within the Masai Mara Game Reserve to include Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, Hippos and many others. A feature of the Conservation Ranch is an exclusive project to rear the White Rhino so that they can take their place back in the Mara society to which they belong in greater numbers. Over 180 varieties of birds have been spotted within the lodge itself and there are three hippo pods strategically located around the lodge.

TSAVO WEST & KIPALO HILLS LODGE – 3 Nights

H12 Kipalo Hills enjoys easy access to both Tsavo West and East National Parks for game drives, renowned for the largest population of elephant in Kenya. The combined area of these national parks form one of the largest and most diverse National Parks in the world, making up 4% of Kenya’s land area. It features extreme diversity of landscape, from fields of baobabs to huge rocky kopjes framed against vast blue skies.

The Yatta Plateau has the longest lava flow in the world. Tsavo is a vast untapped arena of arid bush, split by the meandering Galana and Tsavo Rivers, a water-haven and lifeline to the resident wildlife.

Although Tsavo boasts the highest population of elephant in Kenya, game-viewing can often be challenging since the terrain can be quite bushy. The real highlight of a trip to Kipalo is walking through the conservancy with an ex-poacher who has an unmatched knowledge and a unique appreciation and commitment to the land.

The name “Kipalo Hills” means ‘the place to return to again and again.’

The lodge itself is situated in the 12,000-acre Mbulia Conservancy. Kipalo Hills was built by the people of the local community who benefit from tourism which protects the resident wildlife, especially the elephant.

All of Kipalo’s eight permanent tented rooms were built to take advantage of beautiful expansive views across the plains with Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. Each tent has an en-suite flush toilet and traditional safari shower. High on a rocky plateau lies the spacious, airy lounge and swimming pool – a welcome treat for guests in the dry heat. The waterhole below the camp attracts a range of wildlife including elephants, buffalo and leopards which can be spotted as they descend on the area for an early morning drink.

The Tsavo area is also a bird haven and every room comes with a complete bird list. Fly-camping on the Galana and Tsavo Rivers is exciting opportunity to sleep out under the stars for a night or more (at your option!).

OPTIONAL POST-TRIP: The Kenya Coast

KENYA COAST – DELTA DUNES – 3 Nights

Seven “dune‟ cottages built from driftwood, mangrove poles and thatch. All are open and have spectacular views of the sea, river or both; they are cool and shaded and mosquito nets enclose the double beds at night. The family cottage accommodates 4 people (plus room for extra bed). The cottages are accessed by many steps up the sand dunes. Power is available in all rooms. Bathrooms are large open sun-filled areas; all en-suite with flush toilets, hot and cold running water and powerful showers.

WOW! VOWS

All guests will be asked to sign and agree to the WOW! Vows for responsible travel:

• I vow to travel with my sense of wonder and my sense of humor.
• I vow to be a gracious guest and leave a place at least as good as I found it.
• I vow to be a respectful traveler – thoughtful of the people and places I visit.
• I vow to be on time or catch up with the group at my own expense.
• I vow to communicate any complaints, grievances or missed expectations to the tour leader promptly, privately and appropriately.
• I understand that travel requires patience, a positive attitude, and an ability to laugh. If I can’t relax and enjoy the unexpected, I vow to stay home!
• I vow to refrain from any discussion within the group related to US politics!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

AFRICAN SAFARI!

DATES: September 6-14, 2019

COST:
$8,989 per person, double occupancy (couple or roommate share)

AIR TRANSPORTATION:
You may make your own flight arrangements or we can assist with a $75 per person service fee (waived for WOW! Travel Club alumni). We cannot book mileage tickets or upgrades, which must be done directly with the carrier. If you would like us to assist, contact Howard Wise at howard@thectpgroup.com or call him at 818-444-2710. It is the responsibility of the traveler to provide the legal name as on the passport. Passport must be valid for six months from return date. Carriers may deny boarding if name on ticket does not EXACTLY match name on passport.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
Space is limited. Reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Confirmation deposit: $1,500 per person (double occupancy).
• Second deposit: $2,500 per person due February 1, 2019
• Final payment: Balance due June 7, 2019.

CANCELLATION:
If unforeseen events happen that force you to cancel, we will try to resell your space. Penalties vary depending on the date of cancellation:

• From time of booking to December 31, 2018: Full refund with exception of $500 service fee, per person
• From January 1, 2019, to June 6, 2019:  Forfeiture of deposits*
• After June 7, 2019 : No refund*

*If we are able to fill your place, we will refund all monies, less a $500 per person service fee.

SUPPLEMENTAL TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR TRIP CANCELLATION/INTERRUPTION:
We recommend insurance to cover financial penalties if you need to cancel your trip. Here is a link to Travel Guard, a reputable travel insurance provider. Here is a link to Squaremouth, a travel insurance broker that provides side-by-side comparisons of travel insurance plans.

RATES:
All rates quoted are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect as of September 2018, and are subject to change. Rates are based on a minimum group size of 14 paying guests. Should the group size(s) be smaller than this, package price or inclusions may be modified. Unused tour items, missed meals or activites, etc. are not refundable.

TIPS AND TAXES:
The package includes all service charges and taxes imposed by hotels and all entrance fees to museums, etc. Basic gratuities to drivers, guides and porters are included. You are welcome to extend additional gratuities for anyone who has provided exemplary service.

BAGGAGE:
Please check applicable baggage allowances and fees with your airline carrier.

PASSPORT and VISA:
You must have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity from the date of re-entry to your home country. You must also have two blank pages available for visa. Single-entry visas are available upon arrival at Kenyan airports; however, Kenyan Immigration plans to end visas upon arrival in the near future. Therefore, it is suggested that you obtain your visa, in advance, through an online service: eVisa. You are responsible for obtaining your visa PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

HEALTH/VACCINATIONS:
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control require (proof of vaccination must be presented upon entry into Kenya) vaccination for Yellow Fever. We suggest you consult your physician for recommendations. Additional information regarding Traveler’s Health precautions is available at the website for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
Final travel documents will be sent to your mailing address about two weeks prior to departure.

RISKS OF TRAVEL AND YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
International travel involves inherent risks. The CTP Group/WOW! Travel Club (CTP/WOW) cannot be liable for any injury, death or loss of personal property in connection with your participation in CTP/WOW activities. By participating in this CTP/WOW travel program, you assume risk of inherent dangers (including without limitation, annoyance and expenses) related to military or political action, civil disturbances, quarantine, strikes, detention, mental trauma, pilferage, weather, epidemiological events, acts of God or any other circumstances over which CTP/WOW has no control.

I understand that CTP/WOW reserves the right to refuse as a trip participant or remove from a trip, any person it judges to be incapable of meeting the rigors and requirements of participating in activities, or who it determines to detract from the enjoyment of the trip by others. I agree to follow all written and verbal rules of safety presented to me by CTP/WOW. CTP/WOW reserves the right to make route, hotel, itinerary and trip modifications as required or desirable to improve the trip quality and/or to accommodate the comfort and well-being of guests.

CTP/WOW reserves the right to alter or cancel any trip due to weather, sickness, political climate, and/or insufficient registration or other unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. While CTP/WOW will make every effort to obtain full or partial refunds from suppliers, CTP/WOW cannot guarantee your ability to recoup payment.

The above terms and conditions are hereby expressly incorporated into the “Release, Waiver and Indemnity Agreement” to be signed by you as a WOW! Travel Club participant.

WOW! VOWS:

All guests will be asked to sign and agree to the WOW! Vows for responsible travel:

• I vow to travel with my sense of wonder and my sense of humor.
• I vow to be a gracious guest and leave a place at least as good as I found it.
• I vow to be a respectful traveler – thoughtful of the people and places I visit.
• I vow to be on time or catch up with the group at my own expense.
• I vow to communicate any complaints, grievances or missed expectations to the tour leader promptly, privately and appropriately.
• I understand that travel requires patience, a positive attitude, and an ability to laugh. If I can’t relax and enjoy the unexpected, I vow to stay home!
• I vow to refrain from any discussion within the group related to US politics!

CONSENT:
Payment of the deposit OR any other partial payment for registration of a participant for CTP/WOW activities constitutes consent by all guests/participants registered by the party completing online registration. You and your guests/participants hereby agree to the Terms & Conditions of this website. The Terms & Conditions set forth on this website may not be modified or amended except in writing by an authorized officer of CTP/WOW.

All guests/participants are required to initial and sign a Release Waiver and Indemnity Agreement, which will be sent upon receipt of your deposit. Your final payment cannot be processed until you return the signed Release.

September 2018   CST # 1016440-10

International airfare is not included in the package. WOW! Travel Club/CTP can assist you with making reservations for a service fee of $75 per person (waived for WOW! Travel Club alumni). If you require assistance, please contact Howard Wise at howard@thectpgroup.com or 818-444-2710.

Please note that airfare within Kenya IS included in your package and arrangements will be made by WOW! Travel Club staff.
You should plan to depart the US on September 5th to arrive September 6th into Nairobi (NBO airport code).  Return flights should be scheduled for September 14th in the evening.

The airlines will release flight schedules for September 2019 some time in mid-October 2018.