KENYA & TANZANIA THE QUINTESSENTIAL EAST AFRICA EXPERIENCE 2018 EXPEDITIONS

Transcription

1 KENYA & TANZANIA THE QUINTESSENTIAL EAST AFRICA EXPERIENCE 2018 EXPEDITIONS

2 ESCAPE EVERYDAY Capture the essence of a bygone era of romance and adventure as you embrace the customs and natural bounty of Earth s most compelling regions with International Expeditions. More than a vacation, IE s creatively crafted itineraries each hosted by passionate native guides are an opportunity to enjoy unscripted encounters with locals, venture off schedule and discover your true nature as you explore our world. SEVEN REASONS TO TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH INTERNATIONAL EXPEDITIONS Award-winning ecotravel to more than 20 countries. 38 years of pioneering immersive experiences in Earth s wildest regions. Authentic encounters with local cultures. Exhilarating & absorbing activities such as hiking, birding & kayaking. The world s best naturalist guides & expedition leaders. Comfortable accommodations & delicious food in the wild. Just by traveling with IE, you are helping to support The Nature Conservancy s work in 72 countries & all 50 United States! Learn more at IEtravel.com/nature-conservancy

3 Encompassing a variety of natural and cultural wonders, International Expeditions Kenya and Tanzania safari offers an inspiring adventure. Nestled alongside rivers, tucked at the base of a towering peak or surrounding permanent watering holes, East Africa s parks and reserves protect an astounding variety of wildlife and centuries of tribal customs. In these sanctuaries, you can experience the thrill of game drives with only the savannah between you and the storied Big Five, or stroll the grounds of a village, listening as tribal lore becomes part of your tale of Africa. DISCOVER YOUR SAFARI MOMENT The gallop of giraffes toward an acacia tree; thousands of zebras dashing wildly across the Mara River; or a cheetah stalking its prey before the heat of the day thousands of scenes capture the daily drama of life in Africa. Perhaps you ll discover your safari moment watching the sun spill across the savannah on an early-morning game drive or chatting around a campfire with IE s personable local guides. EXPERIENCE AN EAST AFRICA SAFARI Drawing on our decades of experience in East Africa, International Expeditions Kenya and Tanzania safari offers an unparalleled safari experience a privileged picnic among the wildlife and exploration of signature parks. Travel to locales where the wildlife is most abundant and you re likely to encounter rarities like black rhino, as well as lion, leopard, elephant, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and more in the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem. Experience East Africa s migration any time of year! Our Kenya and Tanzania adventure is a thrilling and comprehensive look at the wildlife as well as a great value! AUTHENTIC SERENGETI CAMPING Spend nights under canvas at our exclusive Serengeti tented camp, featuring large, cabin-style walk-in tents each serviced by a personal butler. In authentic safari style, your small group will enjoy great service and an old-fashioned safari atmosphere. And the camp is positioned to be where the wildlife is typically most abundant during your Kenya and Tanzania safari. Every meal is a bush meal beneath the boundless African sky! TWO SEASONAL SAFARI OPTIONS Why two different safari options in East Africa? IE s seasonal itineraries Serengeti Survey and Masai Mara Immersion are designed to take advantage of the great migration through the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, ensuring you spend more time in the areas where the migration is present at the time of your visit. TO MAKE A RESERVATION Call (800) Visit See your travel professional

4 Kenya & Tanzania Serengeti Survey TANZANIA KENYA Masai Mara Reserve Nairobi East Africa s rich tapestry of life includes hundreds of scenes which capture the daily drama of life on these acacia-dotted plains. Settle into our safari vehicles to watch the sun spill across this home to legendary herds numbering Serengeti Olduvai Gorge Amboseli more than one million wildebeest, and hundreds of thousands of zebra and gazelle. DEPARTURES JOURNEY BY LAND JOURNEY BY AIR Lake Manyara Arusha Tarangire January 20, 2018 May 19, 2018 June 16, 2018 July 14, 2018 December 15, 2018 PRICE PER PERSON Double Occupancy $8,998 Single Occupancy $10,998 In-Country Air $958 Park Fees $925 PRICE PER PERSON Double Occupancy $7,998 Single Occupancy $9,998 In-Country Air $958 Park Fees $925 PRICE PER PERSON Double Occupancy $8,948 Single Occupancy $10,948 In-Country Air $958 Park Fees $925 PRICE PER PERSON Double Occupancy $9,398 Single Occupancy $11,398 In-Country Air $958 Park Fees $925 PRICE PER PERSON Double Occupancy $9,248 Single Occupancy $11,248 In-Country Air $958 Park Fees $925 Park fees and airfare are subject to change and must be purchased through IE. EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS Unparalleled safari experience featuring a picnic among the wildlife, window seat for everyone in our 4x4 Land Cruisers & local expert guides. Spend nights under canvas at our mobile tented camp. Survey six signature parks: Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater & Serengeti. Learn from a highly trained naturalist driver/guide (one for every six guests). DAILY ITINERARY Days 1 & 2 U.S. / NAIROBI, KENYA Fly independently to Nairobi, where we stay at the Eka Hotel. (Meals Aloft) Day 3 NAIROBI / MASAI MARA RESERVE Fly to the Masai Mara Reserve, a rich savannah famous for its concentration of plains game and predators, including leopard, cheetah and hyena. After checking into the Mara Serena Safari Lodge, enjoy the first game drive of your safari. From our lodge, enjoy expansive views of the plains below. (B,L,D) Day 4 MASAI MARA RESERVE Enjoy a full day of game drives in the famed Masai Mara Reserve. Here in this northern extension of the Serengeti Plains, the land is teeming with elephant, large prides of lion, buffalo, Thomson s gazelle, giraffe and even topi the only place in Kenya where they are common. You may rise early today for an optional hot air balloon safari. (B,L,D) Day 5 MASAI MARA RESERVE / AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK Enjoy one last game drive (time permitting) in the Mara before flying to Nairobi. From Nairobi, fly to Amboseli, tucked on the Kenya/Tanzania border. On a clear day, every vista of this scenic park is dominated by views of Mt. Kilimanjaro making a superb backdrop for your wildlife photography. Savor an afternoon game drive, watching the sun set across the park, before continuing to Amboseli Serena Lodge, where we spend two nights. (B,L,D) Day 6 AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK Amboseli is one of the largest of Kenya s parks. Although this is dry country, Amboseli s location in the rain shadow of Kilimanjaro means that the park enjoys year-round water. Two permanent swamps are ideal for game viewing, drawing the park s signature elephants, as well as giraffes and a variety of bird life, which we ll look for during our game drives. (B,L,D) Day 7 AMBOSELI / TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK Cross into Tanzania at Namanga and continue to Tarangire, Tanzania s third largest national park. Before checking into our comfortable accommodations at the Tarangire River Camp, we journey through the rolling countryside searching for the park s populations of black rhino, antelope, leopard, lion and cheetah. (B,L,D) 4 (800)

5 Day 8 TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK Sunrise will just be sweeping across the savannah on our morning Tanzanian safari, where our naturalist travel guides will point out elephants and some of the park s 260 recorded bird species. Tarangire also hosts migrating herds of wildebeest, zebra and Grant s gazelle, which we ll look for during our escorted afternoon game drive. (B,L,D) Day 9 TARANGIRE / LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK / NGORONGORO CRATER After breakfast, set out across the Great Rift Valley toward Lake Manyara, famous for its herds of elephant and tree-climbing lions. Game drives here are an opportunity to see buffalo, baboon, waterbuck, flamingo and prides of lion. After a lovely picnic lunch, continue toward Ngorongoro, where we spend the next two nights at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, which features a wonderful view of the crater. (B,L,D) Day 10 NGORONGORO CRATER After a sumptuous breakfast, set out for the Ngorongoro Crater, the world s largest unflooded caldera (collapsed cone of a volcano). Protected from the outside world by a huge rim, Ngorongoro s abundance of food and fresh water support more than 30,000 large mammals. We ll descend 2,000 feet into the crater for thrilling game drives among Africa s Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard), but also search out the rare black rhino this is your greatest chance to observe the black rhino in East Africa. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor. (B,L,D) Day 11 OLDUVAI GORGE / SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK Head for the Serengeti, en route visiting Olduvai Gorge,where evidence of early man was found by the Leakey family in the late 1950s. The Serengeti Plains are home to the greatest concentration of large mammals on Earth, and our frequent game drives are a chance to see immense herds. We spend the next three nights under canvas at Serengeti Explorer Camp. (B,L,D) Days 12 & 13 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK Our itinerary features daily game drives through the acacia savannahs and grasslands of the Serengeti offering opportunities to spot wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, topi, impala and hartebeest along with predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dog. Along the network of rivers and lakes, we may find hippos and crocodiles. You ll have ample opportunity in camp to learn more about our expert driver/guides and staff, personable locals who strive to bring Africa to life during your safari. (B,L,D Daily) Day 14 SERENGETI / ARUSHA / EN ROUTE After the final game drive (time permitting) of your safari, travel to the airstrip and fly to Arusha. Dayrooms are available at the Lake Duluti Serena Hotel before transferring to the airport for your independent flight home. (B,L) Day 15 ARRIVE HOME Arrive in your home country and connect with flights home. (Meals Aloft) QUESTIONS? CONTACT IE S TRAVEL PLANNERS (800)

6 Kenya & Tanzania Masai Mara Immersion TANZANIA KENYA Masai Mara Reserve Nairobi Discover Africa s abundant wildlife, from thunderous herds of wildebeest and elephants to the lone leopard stalking its prey, its body a lithe expression of power. Take advantage of these seasonal departures to spend additional Serengeti Olduvai Gorge Amboseli time in the Masai Mara Reserve. August-mid-October the park is a prime destination for witnessing the Great Migration. Thundering herds of gazelles, wildebeest and zebra making their famed crossing at the Mara River is unlike any other safari spectacle you re likely to see! JOURNEY BY LAND JOURNEY BY AIR Lake Manyara Arusha Tarangire DEPARTURES August 11; September 8; October 6, 2018 PRICE PER PERSON Double Occupancy $9,398 Single Occupancy $11,398 In-Country Air $958 Park Fees $925 Park fees and airfare are subject to change and must be purchased through IE. EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS Explore six signature parks, with additional time in Kenya s Masai Mara Reserve. Unparalleled safari experience featuring a picnic among the wildlife. Survey the African savannah from your window seat in our 4x4 Land Cruisers. Learn from highly trained naturalist driver/guides one for every six guests. DAILY ITINERARY Days 1 & 2 U.S. / NAIROBI, KENYA Fly independently to Nairobi, where we stay at the Eka Hotel. (Meals Aloft) Day 3 NAIROBI / MASAI MARA RESERVE Fly to the Masai Mara Reserve, a rich savannah famous for its concentration of plains game and predators, including leopard, cheetah and hyena. After checking into the Mara Serena Safari Lodge, enjoy the first game drive of your safari. From our lodge, enjoy expansive views of the plains below. (B,L,D) Days 4 & 5 MASAI MARA RESERVE Our safari includes morning and afternoon game drives in the famed Masai Mara Reserve. Here in this northern extension of the Serengeti Plains, the land is teeming with elephant, large prides of lion, buffalo, Thomson s gazelle, giraffe and even topi the only place in Kenya where they are common. You may even rise early one morning for an optional hot air balloon safari. (B,L,D Daily) Day 6 MASAI MARA RESERVE / AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK Enjoy one last game drive (time permitting) in the Mara before flying to Nairobi. From Nairobi, fly to Amboseli, tucked on the Kenya/Tanzania border. On a clear day, every vista of this scenic park is dominated by views of Mt. Kilimanjaro making a superb backdrop for your wildlife photography. Savor an afternoon game drive, watching the sun set across the park, before continuing to Amboseli Serena Lodge, where we spend the next two nights of our Kenya and Tanzania expedition itinerary. (B,L,D) Day 7 AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK Amboseli is one of the largest of Kenya s parks. Although this is dry country, Amboseli s location in the rain shadow of Kilimanjaro means that the park enjoys year-round water. Two permanent swamps are ideal for game viewing, drawing the park s signature elephants, as well as giraffes and a variety of bird life, which we ll look for during our game drives. (B,L,D) Day 8 AMBOSELI / TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK Cross into Tanzania at Namanga and continue to Tarangire, Tanzania s third largest national park. Before checking into our comfortable accommodations at the Tarangire River Camp, we journey through the rolling 6 (800)

7 countryside searching for the park s populations of black rhino, antelope, leopard, lion and cheetah. (B,L,D) Day 9 TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK Sunrise will just be sweeping across the savannah on our morning safari, where our naturalist travel guides will point out elephants and some of the park s 260 recorded bird species. Tarangire also hosts migrating herds of wildebeest, zebra and Grant s gazelle, which we ll look for during our escorted afternoon game drive. (B,L,D) Day 10 TARANGIRE / LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK / NGORONGORO CRATER After breakfast, set out across the Great Rift Valley toward Lake Manyara, famous for its herds of elephant and tree-climbing lions. Game drives here are an opportunity to see buffalo, baboon, waterbuck, flamingo and prides of lion. After a lovely picnic lunch, continue toward Ngorongoro, where we spend the next two nights at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge, which features a wonderful view of the crater. (B,L,D) chance to observe the black rhino in East Africa. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor, and continue our drive before returning to the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. (B,L,D) Day 12 OLDUVAI GORGE / SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK Head for the Serengeti, en route visiting Olduvai Gorge, where early evidence of man was found by the Leakey family in the late 1950s. The Serengeti Plains are home to the greatest concentration of large mammals on Earth, and our frequent game drives are a chance to see immense herds. We spend the next two nights under canvas at Serengeti Explorer mobile tented camp, positioned to be as close to the animals as possible. (B,L,D) Day 13 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK Enjoy game drives through the acacia savannahs and grasslands of the Serengeti offering opportunities to spot wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, topi, impala and hartebeest along with predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and wild dog. Along the network of rivers and lakes, we may find hippos and crocodiles. (B,L,D) Day 11 NGORONGORO CRATER After a sumptuous breakfast, set out for the Ngorongoro Crater, the world s largest unflooded caldera (collapsed cone of a volcano). Protected from the outside world by a huge rim, Ngorongoro s abundance of food and fresh water support more than 30,000 large mammals. We ll descend 2,000 feet into the crater for thrilling game drives among Africa s Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard), but also search out the rare black rhino this is your greatest Day 14 SERENGETI / ARUSHA / EN ROUTE After the final game drive (time permitting) of your safari in Kenya and Tanzania, travel to the airstrip and fly to Arusha. Dayrooms are available at the Lake Duluti Serena Hotel before transferring to the airport for your independent flight home. (B,L) Day 15 ARRIVE HOME Arrive in your home country and connect with flights home. (Meals Aloft) QUESTIONS? CONTACT IE S TRAVEL PLANNERS (800)

8 SAFARI ACCOMMODATIONS MARA SERENA SAFARI LODGE Drawing inspiration from the Maasai culture, the Mara Serena Safari Lodge blends raw African splendor and sumptuous sophistication. The ethnic décor draws on a vibrant color-palette of sunburst colors, embellished by Maasai art to create the look and feel of a traditional bush encampment. The lodge features individual rooms, each with their own balcony, a swimming pool and a spectacular restaurant overlooking a watering hole, where a fantasia of creatures collects to drink. AMBOSELI SERENA LODGE Framed against Mount Kilimanjaro, the Amboseli Serena Lodge draws on a subtle Maasai cultural motif, featuring natural woodcarvings, traditional artifacts local art. Each room offers an uninterrupted view over the ever-changing vistas of the African plains. Guests can enjoy an acacia-shaded swimming pool fed daily by the melt-waters of Kilimanjaro, a selection of natural timber game viewing decks and a water hole for the animals. TARANGIRE RIVER CAMP Tarangire River Camp features 20 luxury safari tents, each tastefully furnished and boasting stunning views of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Meals are a delicious affair, where dinners are served by candlelight in the thatch and timber elevated dining area, with dramatic views across the Masai plains, where a friendly and attentive staff are always on hand to cater to your every need. NGORONGORO SOPA LODGE Perched on the Eastern rim of the Crater, the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge enjoys spectacular, uninterrupted views of the sunset and sweeping landscapes below. Each of the spacious bedrooms feature two queen beds, separate dressing area and a glass-fronted verandah, where you may enjoy a private view of the Crater. SERENGETI EXPLORER CAMP Enjoy the luxury of bush meals and a private safari experience as you spend nights under canvas at this classic tented camp. Our site features large walk-in tents each serviced by a butler, en suite facilities with flush toilets and hot water on demand, easy chairs and verandahs. The camp is situated seasonally wherever the wildlife is typically most abundant at the time of your visit. LAKE DULUTI SERENA HOTEL Nestled in the heart of a coffee plantation on the shores of Lake Duluti, near Arusha, the Lake Duluti Serena Hotel is designed as an Africa village. It is renowned for its collection of spectacular bougainvillea. Our accommodations are housed in banana-stem thatched huts, grouped in semi-circles around tropical shade trees. All guest rooms have private balconies that boast magnificent views of the mighty, snow-capped Kilimanjaro or Lake Duluti and the rugged peaks of Mount Meru.

9 IEJOURNAL East Africa Conservation At some point, you have to find sustainability. People who are economically challenged look at selling resources as an immediate fix, but the long-term is disastrous for wildlife, plant communities, and ultimately the human populations that rely on those resources. We sell our today at the detriment of our future. It s not something we can replace. Animal Instinct: Joan Embery on Animals, East Africa & Ecotourism As goodwill ambassador to the San Diego Zoo s Zoological Society of San Diego, Joan Embery has been one of the world s most high-profile wildlife conservation advocates for over three decades now. A professional Fellow of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, she founded the American Association of Zoo Keepers and hosted numerous TV series on wildlife education. But she is perhaps best known for her thousands of appearances with animals on talk shows such as The Tonight Show (both the Johnny Carson and Jay Leno versions), Good Morning America and Live With Regis & Kathy Lee. Joan Embery currently lives on a ranch in California, where she keeps show horses as well as a variety of around 30 wildlife ambassadors (including a cheetah, lemur, zebra, toucan and more) she uses in her talks on the importance of environmental education. Q: When did you first fall in love with wildlife? A: As a child I spent summers with my uncle, who was a veterinarian, in Santa Cruz. That was my early inspiration to go to vet school. I applied at the San Diego Zoo in my first year of college. The only position available to women was working in the children s zoo, handrearing young animals. A year or two later they were hiring a spokesperson to represent the zoological society in the process of building a wild animal park. Over 600 people applied, and the PR Director gave it to a model with no animal experience. That didn t work out so well. When the opportunity arose, the Director stepped in and offered me the job on a trial basis. Within a year we were appearing on The Tonight Show. Q: At what point did you understand the connections between animals and the health of the environment? A: In my early years, I was training elephants. Elephants are poached and under extreme pressure because they require lots of water and land to forage, and can be destructive in close proximity to people. It s not long in working with animals before you realize that the very thing you love has serious challenges for the future. As I transitioned into conservation education and traveled all over the world, I saw tremendous impact to the environment. Animals that have existed for eons are declining in incredible numbers due to growing human populations, competition with livestock, deforestation, political instabilities, disease, etc. Q: What keeps you going back to East Africa? A: I ll never forget the first time I saw the Great Migration, which is really awe-inspiring. To see animals in such numbers a million wildebeest, zebras and all the hooved animals is hard for anybody to imagine. Along with it, to hit the Ngorongoro Crater as well as the Serengeti these are some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on the planet. I always enjoy taking people there because you can t be disappointed. There is always something to see the sights, the sounds, the sunsets, the landscape, and just the expanse of it. It s mind-boggling to realize that that still exists, and yet there are tremendous pressures. Taking trips over time, I ve see the population growth and the threat to the wildlife migration corridors. It s hard to go back once you ve lost habitat. Every time I go, I want to shout, You ve got to see while it still exists, before it s too late! I hate to say that, yet I ve seen the populations decline just in the short time since my first trip there. Anyone who has the capability to experience that in their lifetime almost everyone I ve traveled with will want to go back over and over again. Read more at

10 Custom Journeys in East Africa On a vast continent brimming with wildlife, colorful tribes and vistas of vast savannahs splashed with iconic wildlife, discover a timeless part of yourself while being immersed in the sensations of Africa. Distinct game parks, luxurious tented camps and the insider s-only access and knowledge of our Custom Travel Planners mean the possibilities in East Africa are as endless as your imagination. TANZANIA KENYA OTHER OPTIONS Plant your feet in the snows of Kilimanjaro after a scenic climb along the Rongai Route. Lounge on the beaches of Zanzibar or meander through the Old town, museums & forts of the Isles of Spices. Enjoy a guided walking safari in remote Selous Game Reserve, where the Rufiji & Ruaha Rivers create a haven for elephant & more. Trek through Kenya s Northern Frontier District on a camel safari. Soar above the savannah on a hot-air balloon safari with a Champagne breakfast in the bush. Bring the entire family for a kid-friendly safari visiting rescue & rehabilitation projects where your family can interact with giraffes & other wildlife. Add a gorilla trek in Rwanda. Fish for Nile perch at Lake Mfangano Island Camp. Enjoy an exclusive, romantic retreat at one of the 11 villas on the North Island Seychelles. LET US CREATE YOUR IDEAL ADVENTURE! Contact IE s Custom Travel Planners today. (800) or visit

11 FOR FULL SAMPLE ITINERARIES, PLEASE VISIT IETRAVEL.COM CLASSIC TANZANIA TANZANIA & KENYA ACTIVITIES The Serengeti. Ngorongoro Crater. The Great Rift Valley. Olduvai Gorge. Arusha. These are but a few celebrated places and great national parks that make Tanzania a country of safari superlatives and one of the world s most spectacular wildlife destinations. Each game drive is distinct, with experienced driver/guides who tailor the excursions to your preferences. ACTIVITIES Sunrise hot-air balloon safaris, photographing Africa s abundant wildlife, walking on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, or visiting a Maasai family in their home just a few of the adventures offered as you experience the splendor of Tanzania and Kenya. This intimate safari includes stays in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and both the Serengeti and Masai Mara, ensuring you the best wildlife viewing year-round. LUXURY TANZANIA SAFARI CLASSIC KENYA ACTIVITIES Discover East Africa s quintessential wildlife frontier a landscape hosting the Big Five as well as colorful birdlife. While enjoying an intimate look at the country s legendary wildlife and intriguing cultures in Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and the Serengeti, savor award-winning accommodations, including a two-night stay at the Serengeti Migration Camp, one of Travel + Leisure magazine's "Top 10 Hotels in the World." ACTIVITIES Ideal for a first-time safari, International Expeditions classic Kenya experience is comprehensive survey of iconic wildlife and vibrant culture. At the heart of this Kenya safari is the Masai Mara Reserve, widely considered Africa's greatest wildlife reserve, but you ll also explore Lake Naivasha, home to a huge hippo population and 400 bird species.

12 TO MAKE A RESERVATION (800) Visit See your travel professional