Day 04: Cairo - Aswan - Abu Simbel - Aswan Optional Abu Simbel Excursion: An airport representative will assist you with check-in for your short flight (included) to Abu Simbel. Arrive Abu Simbel and board a shuttle bus for transfer to the temples of Ramses II and his queen Nefertari. A local Egyptologist will provide a narrated tour of Abu Simbel. Return shuttle to Abu Simbel airport to board your scheduled flight (included) to Aswan. You are met by cruise staff and transferred to the boat dock. $295/person
Day 11: Maasai Mara National Park Optional Balloon Safari: As the balloon is inflated against the first rays of sunrise your pilot will go through safety procedures. It’s then time to climb aboard. Once aloft, the balloon floats gently over the plains, giving a bird’s eye view of the game below as the sun creeps slowly over the horizon. Spread beneath you is a panorama of Africa – elephants looking improbably small; giraffe browsing amongst the treetops; antelope grazing; a pair of lionesses stalking a herd of wildebeest; an eagle guarding his eerie; and cheetah glancing up as the shadow of the huge balloon crosses their paths. After around one hour the balloon lands and nearby breakfast is already being prepared. $425/person adult & $320/person children ages 7-11 yrs
Optional Lake Victoria Adventure An early start this morning with a transfer to take you to the airstrip for a 06:30 hrs flight (25 minutes) by light aircraft to Mfangano or Rusinga Island on Lake Victoria. There will be an opportunity to try fishing for the legendary giant Nile perch found in these waters as you explore the myriad of tiny islands found in this region of the lake. An experienced and knowledgeable fisherman captains each boat. Lake Victoria is a spectacular sight: the world's second largest freshwater lake, an inland sea covering some 68,800 square kilometers. Although an area comparable in size to Scotland, Lake Victoria remained unknown to the outside world until the middle of the 19th century. Birdlife is abundant and includes the spectacular fish eagles that can be seen perching high in the treetops or dramatically swooping across the lake as they capture fish in their fiery talons. There is the chance to stop at a traditional fishing village and see how the villagers live from day to day before returning to the island for your return flight to the Maasai Mara. $450/person
