& Someday is Now Safaris Discover Tanzania June 14-26, 2019

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1 & Someday is Now Safaris Discover Tanzania June 14-26, 2019 Country Overview Discover the quintessential African landscapes when you explore Tanzania, the perfect East African destination for any traveler with an open mind and heart to experience amazing wildlife, fascinating cultures, and spectacular scenery. A relaxed attitude combined with the most outstanding wildlife spotting in Africa is within affordable reach. Your safari visits the best that East Africa has to offer: Tarangire National Park known for elephants found in abundance along the Tarangire River; the unique ecosystems of Lake Manyara National Park with 7 different habitats, and Ngorongoro Crater known as Africa s Garden of Eden; and finally the vast savannah of the Serengeti home to the incredible great migration of wildebeest and zebra. As you travel through the varied landscapes of the Great Rift Valley, the Ngorongoro highlands, the short grass plains, and the Serengeti savannah you will experience incredible scenery each with its unique wildlife. Interspersed are local villages and markets, and rural farms with young boys herding goats and cattle. It s all part of the experience. Speaking of experience; travelling by Land Cruisers on the Tanzania roads is an experience in itself. Roads are paved around Arusha and all the way to the entrance gate of the Ngorongoro Conservation area; however, in the national parks and the Serengeti they are all gravel roads. At times they can be bumpy (African massage) and dusty but it is all part of the adventure. When you reach your lodge or camp for that day you will be met with smiling staff faces, a wash cloth, and a cool drink, and escorted to luxury accommodations you wouldn t expect so far into the African bush. I never woke up in the morning in Africa when I wasn t happy Ernest Hemingway

2 Fully Escorted This safari is fully escorted by Ron and Joyce Glazier who have many years experience leading groups to Africa. Ron has 23 safaris to some of the best wildlife destinations in Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In addition to his extensive safari travels, Ron s graduate degrees in animal ecology and animal behavior, and environmental physiology, along with his career as a Zoo Director gives him a wealth of information about African wildlife. Joyce has 16 safaris to those seven countries. In addition to her travels Joyce has many years experience as a travel agent and corporate travel manager, which serves clients well in assisting with travel arrangements, coordinating with safari vendors, and handling any issues while on safari. Generally, our safaris are trouble free and run very smoothly but you must remember this is Africa and on Africa time, which is much more relaxed than at home. Hakuna matata, no problem, no worries. You can concentrate on the experience and if any issues arise, Mama Safari as Joyce is known at many of the safari lodges we frequent, will deal with them. of those parks. The Glazier s have also visited five national parks in India. These parks are known for their rich and varied wildlife. They were fortunate to see tigers in four In addition, this safari is led by Augustine Minja, owner and operator of AA Africa a licensed Tanzanian Safari Operator based in Arusha, Tanzania. Augustine holds a degree in Wild Life Management and has many years experience as a safari guide and wildlife naturalist. He is very well connected with all the staff at the lodges and camps we use and like Mama Safari will make sure your safari is worry free. Throughout your safari Augustine rotates between vehicles sharing a wealth of information about Tanzania s wildlife, vegetation, culture, and history. AA Africa uses only the most experienced driver/guides and reliable equipment. Bottled water is always available in the vehicles and each person is guaranteed a window seat. Land Cruisers have a roof that lifts up to permit you to stand up for unobstructed viewing and photography while on game runs.

3 Safari Itinerary Day 1: June 14, 2019: Depart LAX or other US International Airport for connection through Amsterdam to Tanzania s Kilimanjaro International Airport via KLM (other routings possible) Day 2: June 15, 2019: Kilimanjaro International Airport/Kibo Palace Hotel Your safari begins this evening with your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport on KLM. After going through immigration and customs you will be met by your AA Africa guides and driven to the Kibo Palace Hotel, which is centrally located in Arusha. The drive takes about 45 minutes. Your room will be ready for you to relax before heading out in the morning on safari. The Kibo Palace Hotel is named after the major peak of Mount Kilimanjaro and is comfortably appointed complete with Wi-Fi service should you need to contact home. Arrangements can be made for an added early day arrival (at an additional nominal cost) should you desire extra time to rest from the long flights from home before heading out on safari. The room includes breakfast but lunch and dinner are on your own. Kibo Palace Hotel for Overnight-Bed and Breakfast ( Day 3: June 16, 2019: Tarangire National Park/Maramboi Tented Camp: After enjoying a wonderful full-buffet breakfast be sure to try a made-to-order omelet including assorted pastries, fruit, breakfast meats, potatoes and vegetable, coffee and tea, you ll board your Land Cruiser for your safari.

4 We will make a short stop at the Cultural Heritage Center, which is the best place to shop for local arts and crafts and Tanzanite, a beautiful blue semi-precious stone. The rest of the morning is spent driving to Maramboi Tented Camp where we will arrive in time for lunch. On the way you pass the farms, villages, and markets typical of Tanzania. A tantalizing sample of the areas wildlife is often seen driving from the main road to Maramboi, which is located in a wildlife corridor between Tarangire NP and Lake Manyara NP. Upon arrival you will be given an orientation to the camp and its amenities and then taken to your luxurious safari tent. Your tent is complete with en-suite bathrooms that include hot water showers and flush toilets. Each has a view that is often filled with wildlife. Lunch follows at the pool veranda where you may also see impala, zebras, and warthogs coming in to the strategically placed waterhole. After lunch you ll take your first game drive in Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is noted for elephants particularly during the drier seasons when they congregate along the Tarangire River. Predators such as lions and leopards can be found in this park along with hyena, jackals, and even the occasional wild dog. Wildebeest, zebra, and antelope such as impala, steenbok, dik dik, and Thompson s gazelle are also seen. Predators such as lions and leopards can be found in this park along with hyena, jackals, and even the occasional wild dog. From your window seat you can take in Tarangire s varied and beautiful scenery or photograph lions lounging in the shade.

5 Most notable in Tarangire are baobab trees with their unique size and shape. Baobab trees are among the oldest living trees living more than 1,000 years. In the drier months elephants have been known to dig into their pulpy interiors seeking moisture. Day 4: June 17, 2019: Tarangire National Park/Maramboi Tented Camp: Your day begins with an early breakfast in the main lodge with an excellent breakfast buffet. A short drive takes you to the Tarangire National Park entrance for a full-day game drive. You ll have a picnic lunch at an overlook of the Tarangire River where you may see elephants coming in to drink.

6 Tarangire s landscape is as varied as the wildlife with hills and valleys, mixed woodlands, and open savannas with the Tarangire River cutting through the center of the park. The safari experience is one of anticipation; will it be a lion strolling by, a zebra with her foal, or a hammerkop (hammer head) probing along the river edge in search of a meal. Tarangire is noted for its elephants so we will look for them drinking at the river, wallowing in the mud, and scratching that itch on a convenient large rock. Lions can sometime be seen up in a tree but usually they are seen lounging in the shade. The abundant acacia trees are also the favorite resting place for leopards, so always scan the trees. Be sure to take lots of memory for your camera as you will invariably take more photos than you thought you would. However, make sure you put the camera down periodically and take in the African bush through all of your senses and just fix the experience in your mind and memories. It s easy to focus on seeing the big five elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, and Cape buffalo but there are many other animals equally fascinating, not to mention wonderful scenery. Elephants always have the right-of-way but waiting for the herd to pass sure beats stop-and-go traffic on the

7 freeway at home. Especially interesting is seeing some of the behavioral interactions or watching the matriarch as she guides the herd through their daily routine of going to the river to drink and bathe, feeding, and stopping to rest in the shade. You ll return to camp in time to freshen up before dinner and meet your fellow safari companions for a drink in the lounge. Reliving the day s encounters and sharing stories will turn out to be one of the highlights of the safari experience. Dinner and Overnight Maramboi Tented Camp or similar Full Board, ( Day 5: June 18, 2019: Lake Manyara National Park /Kitela Lodge: After breakfast you ll drive through the countryside and past villages and farms to the southern entrance of Lake Manyara National Park, which will take a little less than 2 hours. Entering the park, you ll have a game run before stopping for a picnic lunch. Lake Manyara is a soda lake that is perfect habitat for greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, and a great variety of shore birds and water fowl. At the shaded lunch spot complete with restrooms there is a board walk that takes you out to the edge of the lake for a closer view of the flamingoes, pelicans, and shore birds.

8 Lake Manyara is a small park but noted for its 7 distinct habitats. Located at the western edge of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, water percolates down the escarpment that supports a thick montane forest one of the most striking of the 7 habitats. The forest is abundant with baboons, black-faced vervet monkeys, and Syke s blue monkeys. Hornbills and a variety of other birds inhabit the forest and tree canopies. Impalas, giraffes, Cape buffalos, dik diks, elephants, waterbuck, bushbuck, zebras, wildebeest are found in the mixed woodlands and savannas. The park s superb bird fauna is found throughout all of the 7 habitats. If you are lucky you may see tree climbing lions and the elusive leopard. The highlight here is probably a nice hippo pool where at least a hundred hippos socialize. You will be allowed to get out of your vehicle to take close up photographs of hippos surrounded with different kinds of water birds like pelicans, storks, ibis etc. In the distance you will also be able to see thousands of flamingos in Lake Manyara (the distance varies depending on how much rain fell during the preceding long rainy season and thus the level of the lake). In the late afternoon you ll leave the park and drive up the switchbacks of the Rift Valley Escarpment. Be sure to look back as the view is spectacular. About 40 minutes later you will arrive at your lodge.

9 Kitela Lodge is set in a gorgeous landscaped park-like setting adjacent to a coffee plantation. Rooms are large and comfortable and after settling in you can enjoy the main lodge lounge or outside seating areas for a drink of your choice. A wonderful dinner follows in the dining room or on one of the covered balconies. Day 6: June 19, 2019: Tloma Village Cultural Activities After breakfast you will do a village walk at Tloma Village to see and experience different activities of the local Iraqw people. This will include visiting a school, hospital, brick making center, and other points of interest in the village. You will then return to your lodge for lunch and afternoon relaxation by the pool. At 4:00 p.m. you will be driven to Karatu for a market visit before you return to your lodge.

10 Day 7: June 20, 2019: Ngorongoro Crater/Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. Enjoy a wonderful buffet breakfast with egg dishes made to order then board our Land Cruiser to head up to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area the Ngorongoro Crater World Heritage Site. The Ngorongoro Crater is an extinct volcano and the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The volcano cone is believed to have collapsed nearly two million years ago but before the collapse may have rivaled Mount Kilimanjaro in height. From the Kitela Lodge you will pass back through Karatu and soon enter the Conservation Area at the entrance gate. From the entrance the road climbs steadily up through an impressive canopy forest before coming to the Ngorongoro Crater viewpoint. Your first view of the Crater is breathtaking. You ll drive along the crater rim to where the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge is situated but take the descent road into the Crater for a game run. You ll have a picnic lunch in the 100 square mile crater surrounded by some 25,000 animals. Around 4:00 p.m. you ll return to the Sopa Lodge where you ll check in for two incredible nights. Located on the crater rim the lodge offers spectacular views, especially as the sun sets. The rooms are large and comfortable with nice bathrooms with showers. Large windows with window seating are the perfect place to sit and enjoy the view, or catch up on your journal. The lodge has a very nice gift shop, comfortable lounge, and large dining room. There is also internet service should you need to check home. If you like, there is a very nice pool to relax in or swim out the kinks. Outside seating is also available for you to enjoy a drink of your choice while watching the sunset behind the Crater s west rim.

11 The lounge is a great place to join your safari companions and relive the day s adventure before retiring to dinner. Soup is delivered to your table before you make your own salad from the salad bar. Dinner is buffet style with choices for all palates and preferences. The lodge grounds are fenced so you can make your own way back to your room after enjoying dessert or an after dinner drink. Dinner and Overnight Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge-Full board ( Day 8: June 21, 2019: Ngorongoro Crater/Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge: This morning, after an early 6:00 am breakfast, you ll descend by 6:30 am to the crater floor for a full-day game run in one of the most unique wildlife habitats in Africa. At more than 7,000 feet the Crater rim is often shrouded in clouds in the morning but the sun usually burns off the clouds and the Crater floor is basked in sunlight. A light jacket is recommended as evenings and early mornings can be cool.

12 There are 5 lion prides in the Crater and they are constantly on the lookout for prey. Cape buffalo, wildebeest, and zebra are their favorites with large herds of each. The crater is the best place to see the rare black rhinos. They are protected around the clock to protect them from poachers and their numbers are increasing but a little luck is always welcome. Over the years, the floor of this crater has become mostly savannah (grassland), with a soda lake whose size changes depending on the rains that are the lifeline of this amazing land. On this lake, marvel at the colorful flamingos and a variety of other water bird. Resident species such as ostriches, crowned cranes, and Kori bustards are joined seasonally by migrant flocks of white and Abdim s storks. Patience may also reward you with glimpses of cheetah, hyena, jackal, elephant, warthog, hartebeest, eland and many other antelopes. Your wildlife-viewing will be dramatic, and the experience memorable. At noon enjoy a BBQ Bush Lunch in the crater floor.

13 After your catered BBQ lunch you ll have a game run on your way out of the crater and if luck is with you perhaps a cheetah or even a smaller spotted cat, the serval. On one excursion into the crater the group was fortunate to see a mother serval with two kittens. Unfortunately, such sightings cannot be guaranteed but one thing that can be guaranteed is one of the best wildlife viewing sites in East Africa. The Ngorongoro Crater has been called Africa s Eden and after your day there you will certainly understand why. After leaving the crater floor you will visit a typical Maasai village. The Maasai tend their herds of cattle in the Ngorongoro Highlands as they have for several hundred years. They are even permitted to take them down into the crater for water but they cannot remain in the crater to graze. At the village you will have the opportunity to learn more about their culture, join in a dance, go into one of their traditional homes, and shop for beadwork that they are noted for. After your tour of the Maasai village you will return to the Sopa Lodge in time to realx and freshen up for dinner. Dinner and Overnight Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge-Full board ( Day 9: June 22, 2019: Olduvai Gorge/Central Serengeti/Kubu Kubu Tented Camp: After breakfast, drive to Olduvai Gorge to visit the small museum at this world famous archeological site. It was here that Louis and Mary Leakey discovered some of the oldest fossil remains of early man. East Africa has been called the cradle of mankind. From the viewpoint you can see the 5 different rock layers that contained a wealth of animal fossil remains in addition to those mentioned above. Through various rock dating techniques the age of the fossils found in those respective rock layers can be determined. One of the resident archeologists will give you a short informative talk and then you will have time to visit the small museum. After your stop at the Gorge you will proceed to the Naabi Hills entrance gate to the Serengeti National Park

14 where we will stop for a picnic lunch. There is a short nature walk you can take up to the summit of the hill that offers a wonderful view of the short-grass plains. There is also a chance to see the colorful male agama lizard or perhaps a chameleon lizard with their interesting independently moveable eyes. In late February and early March the wildebeest gave birth to some 250,000 calves in the short-grass plains that we passed through on the way from the Olduvai Gorge are now headed to the Central Serengeti following the rains and better grazing. Once in the Park you will do a game drive enroute to the Kubu Kubu Tented Camp. Kubu Kubu Tented Camp is the newest addition Tanganyika Wilderness Camps and is situated in the central part of the Serengeti with a magnificent view of the endless plains of the Serengeti. It is strategically positioned in one of the main migration areas so in June you may even see the migration from your tent balcony.

15 There are 25 spacious en-suite tents which offer absolute comfort, exclusivity and a genuine African bush experience. In the central restaurant guests can enjoy exceptional food and wines, and the cozy lounge area has been creatively designed to give an atmosphere of intimacy and exclusivity. There is also a swimming pool in which to relax after a long game drive. Internet access is available in the camp with WiFi in the central area. Accommodation is on a full board basis, including drinks. Dinner and Overnight Kubu Kubu Tented Camp or similar-full Board. ( Day 10: June 23, 2019: Central Serengeti/Kubu Kubu Tented Camp You ll have morning and afternoon game drive in Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is one of the premier wildlife viewing areas in the world. It is most notable for the great migration of wildebeest and zebra. The wildebeest have their calves in February and March in the short grass plains that drove through coming from Ngorongoro Crater before entering the Serengeti NP entrance. After the long rains end in late April or early May the herds start to move west in search of better grazing. June is usually the best time to find the migration in the central Serengeti however, nature and the rains can be unpredictable so the herds may not be right in front of your tent but should be within easy driving distance. Be prepared to be flexible today. If the migration is close by you may return to the camp for lunch; however, depending on where they are we may take a picnic lunch to you can range farther afield. Some travelers opt to take a full-day game drive here regardless where the migration might be there s so much to see. Remember

16 game drives are at your pleasure and if you choose to not go on a game drive but want to relax around the camp, which is your prerogative. Your guides keep in touch with other guides who will pass the word if something exceptional may be seen, so don t be surprised if all of a sudden it s off you go. Maybe it s a lion up in a tree or a couple of young bulls testing each other. Dinner and Overnight Kubu Kubu Tented Camp or similar-full Board. ( Day 11: June 24, 2019: Central Serengeti/Kubu Kubu Tented Camp: Today will explore more of this amazing wildlife habitat with morning and afternoon game drives. For the more adventurous an optional hot air balloon trip can be arranged for an additional fee. Up before dawn with a cup of coffee you ll be driven to the launch site. Once there you will lift off and be taken where the breeze blows for an amazing view of the savanna and its animal and bird life can be seen from this unique perspective. The ride lasts around 45 minutes depending on the winds, and landing site, where you ll touch down-perhaps with a bounce or two and then enjoy a champagne breakfast in the bush. You ll meet up later in the morning with the rest of the group to continue on your game run.

17 Day 12: June 25, 2019: Seronera Airstrip/Kibo Palace Hotel/Kilimanjaro International Airport. After breakfast you will be transferred to Seronera Airstrip for your flight to Arusha departing at On arrival at Arusha Airport you will be driven to the Cultural Heritage Centre for your last shopping. Lunch and Day Room shall be at the Kibo Palace Hotel. In the evening will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your international flight home.

18 Day 13: June 26, 2019: Arrive home or wherever your travels may be taking you. You may be headed home but the memories will stay with you forever! I N C L U S I O N S : Full board Accommodations and 3 meals a day, except day 1, you shall be on Bed and Breakfast basis and on day 12 dinner shall be on your own. All wildlife viewing with private 4x4 Toyota land cruiser, driven by Professional English speaking driver guides. Professional Naturalist, Augustine to Lead the group Complimentary bottle of water during game drives. All park entry fees and Ngorongoro Conservation Area service fees. Tips for waiters and Porters. Flying Doctors evacuation fees. All Transfers as shown in the itinerary. E X C L U S I O N : Round trip International air transportation. Foreign airport and Local airport taxes. Passport and visa fees and service charges for obtaining visas. Excess baggage charges levied by airlines. Meals and beverages, other than specified. Soft and Alcoholic drinks except at Maramboi, Kitela and Kubu Kubu. Laundry and other items of a personal nature. Personal and baggage insurance. Accident, Trip Cancellation/Interruption, and theft INSURANCE. Cost for anything not specifically mentioned in the inclusion list above.

19 Tipping Suggestions: Tips for your driver guides, Lodges/Camp staff are not included: our recommendation is as below: Driver Guides: $10 per person and per day given at the end of the trip. Naturalist Guide: $10 per person and per day given at the end of the trip. Transfer driver. $3 per person per transfer. Gratuities to Village walk Local Guide-$5 per person. While at Maramboi Tented Lodge, Kitela Lodge and Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge there is shared tip box at the reception for all the staff, our recommendation is $3-$5 per person and per day given on the morning you are checking out. Additional Optional Activities The Hot Air Balloon Trip is optional and best secured with a reservation in advance. An early arrival in Arusha for a day of leisure and to rest after the long flight from home can be arranged the Kibo Palace for an added cost, which includes room and breakfast. Lunch and dinner for that day would be on your own. A tour of the Cultural Heritage Center can also be arranged. The Center has a wonderful selection of native arts and crafts and is the best place to buy Tanzanite, beautiful semi-precious stone that is mined only in Tanzania. There is also a marvelous Africa wildlife art gallery that shouldn t be missed. BASED ON 12 PAX SHARING 6 DOUBLE/TWIN ROOMS, THE COST FOR THIS SAFARI SHALL BE $6,295 PER PERSON. A single room supplement is available for an additional $1,120