WildTrek. Tanzania. Safaris. Plan your custom safari today, with WildTrek Safaris!

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Magdalen Holmes
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19,340 feet. For those wanting to avoid other tourists, there are also some remote parks here where there are only a few camps and an abundance of wildlife.

1 19,340 feet. For those wanting to avoid other tourists, there are also some remote parks here where there are only a few camps and an abundance of wildlife. However, expect to pay more to visit these parks as the camps are more pricey and you must use bush flights to access the parks. In this PDF: Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Tarangire National Park Lake Manyara National Park Ngorongoro Conservation Area Serengeti National Park Gombe Stream National Park Ruaha National Park Selous Game Reserve Zanzibar Island

2 Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Our first location is primarily for those wishing to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. This is a fairly strenuous climb, and those participating should be in good physical condition and a frequent hiker. Many hikers succumb to high altitude sickness, and deaths on the mountain are a frequent occurrence. You should allow 6 days to climb the mountain. The climb begins by hiking through banana groves at 6,000 elevation continuing to glaciers at the summit of Kilimanjaro at 19,340. Kilimanjro has a hut system and you will hike from hut to hut accommpanied by guides and porters who will carry your gear and prepare your meals each day. While climbing Kilimanjaro you will find plant species found nowhere else except on Mt. Kenya (17,084 ). Plant species include the giant groundsels and giant lobelias. If you plan on doing a climb, you should plan on travel between January and the end of March, as this is the optimal weather window. A safari to other parks in can be included following your climb.

3 Tarangire National Park This is a small park and wildlife populations are smaller than in Ngorongoro and the Serengeti. Species which can be seen in this park include; wildebeest, elephant, zebra, gazelles, buffalo, eland and hartebeest. The particular advantage to the inclusion of this location in your itinerary is that there are much fewer visitors. This affords opportunities to view wildlife without interference from a lot of other tourist groups. LODGING OPTIONS: Most often selected is the Sopa Lodge and Tarangire Lodge as these are mid range in price. There are two camps available, Swala and Olivers Camps, these are very nice but more pricey than the lodges. Luxury Camps are available.

Lake Manyara National Park Another smaller park on the shores of Lake Manyara. This park has a large population of both resident and migratory birds.

4 Lake Manyara National Park Another smaller park on the shores of Lake Manyara. This park has a large population of both resident and migratory birds. Most populous on the lake are the greater and lesser flamingos which migrate to and from Lake Nakuru in Kenya. The lions in this park have developed the unusual behavior of tree climbing - a behavior not normally seen in lions in other locations. Here you will find a healthy population of hippo along the lake shore. There are elephant in this park as well, but their numbers have been drastically reduced due to heavy poaching in the past. A one day stay in this park is sufficient. LODGING OPTIONS: There are only two options here, the Serena Lodge and Lake Manyara Lodge. The Serena is the most popular, with nice rooms and excellent views of the lake below. Lake Manyara Lodge is government owned and operated, is less costly than the Serena, but is also lacking in amenities.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area This area is most notable for the Ngorongoro Crater, which has been described in literature and film as The Garden of Eden.

5 Ngorongoro Conservation Area This area is most notable for the Ngorongoro Crater, which has been described in literature and film as The Garden of Eden. The crater contains perhaps the greatest concentration of wildlife to be found anywhere in. Because of this, the area suffers from a large number of tourists as well. This makes interference free wildlife viewing all but impossible. If however you can overlook this, it is well worth visiting. Because of the high tourism impact, in 2007 authorities started restricting tourists to half day game drives only. SIDE NOTE: When traveling from Ngorongoro to the Serengeti it is possible to visit Olduvai Gorge and the site of the prehistoric finds made by Louis and Mary Leakey. There is little to see in the gorge, but the Museum is worth the stop. LODGING OPTIONS: There are three mid range options here for accommodations. The Serena Lodge, the Sopa Lodge and the Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge. All three of these lodges sit on the Crater rim and all have great views. The Serena and Sopa are the best of the three. Wildlife lodge is owned and operated by the government, and like the other government run lodges is lacking in amenities. There is one Luxury lodge, Crater Lodge and a nearby luxury tented camp.

6 Serengeti National Park Probably the most famous of all the parks in and one of the largest. There are literally millions of ungulates within the park. It is estimated that there are over 1.5 million wildebeest alone. Other species to be found here include; zebra, gazelle, buffalo, hartebeast, topi, lion, leopard, cheetah, civet, cerval, baboon, rhino, elephant, giraffe and others. Because of the size of the park it is possible to view wildlife with less interference from other tourist groups as can be experienced in smaller parks. LODGING OPTIONS: There are a number of mid range lodges to choose from. If you are staying in the Serengeti we recommend choosing a centrally located lodge to reduce driving distances. These are the Serena, the Sopa and Seronera Wildlife Lodge (government owned & operated). Other lodges located outside the center of the Serengeti include, Ndutu Lodge in the southeast section and Lobo Wildlife Lodge in the northern section (government owned & operated, but better than others operated by the government). All other lodges and camps are luxury rated.

Gombe Stream National Park Located in western, this is the park made famous by the studies of Dr. Jane Goodall. The primary reason for visiting is to view the chimpanzee.

7 Gombe Stream National Park Located in western, this is the park made famous by the studies of Dr. Jane Goodall. The primary reason for visiting is to view the chimpanzee. All trips into the field must be made on foot accompanied by a Park Ranger. As there is ample cover and the chimps are on the move, you might not encounter them. Park fees here are higher to cover the costs of ranger escort. Visits to this park also require access by bush flight. LODGING OPTIONS: There is only one camp in this park, Gombe Tented Camp.

Ruaha National Park In central this is a large but little visited national park. The park is heavy bush country and the landscape not particularly varied.

8 Ruaha National Park In central this is a large but little visited national park. The park is heavy bush country and the landscape not particularly varied. There are however, elephant, buffalo and lion that can be seen here. Because the park is remote, visitor must use a bush flight to access. Lodging Options: Mdonya Old River Camp is a rustic camp, but well located for wildlife viewing with good service and romantic atmosphere. Ruaha River Lodge more centrally located in the park, it is the oldest lodge in the Park.

Selous Game Reserve This is large centrally located park, again with much fewer visitors as you must access with a bush flight. Excellent variety of experience, with vehicle, boat and foot safaris.

9 Selous Game Reserve This is large centrally located park, again with much fewer visitors as you must access with a bush flight. Excellent variety of experience, with vehicle, boat and foot safaris. An abundance of wildlife and birds can be found in this park, including the magnificient greater kudu. LODGING OPTIONS: Most lodges & camps in this park are luxury rated. Lake Manze Camp is the only mid range accommodation, and like Mdonya, is a rustic camp aimed at a much more outdoorsy type.

The best base from which to experience this unique culture, is Stone Town, the oldest part of the city with a rich heritage Experiences in Stone Town include a walking historical tour.

10 Zanzibar Island Located off the coast, this is an excellent location for cultural and history experiences. Zanzibar is perhaps most famous as a slave trading port and the most important supplier of spices and cloves. The best base from which to experience this unique culture, is Stone Town, the oldest part of the city with a rich heritage Experiences in Stone Town include a walking historical tour. Locations to visit include: Mathews House, which was the home of Lloyd Mathews ( ). Mathews was a navel officer who was put in charge of the Sultan s army in 1877 and later became the Chief Minister of Zanzibar. Tippu Tip House, Tippu Tip was a merchant-prince who was active in the slave and ivory trades in the Congo River basin. Shirazi Mosque which dates back to 1107A.D. Beit al-sahel, it was here that the sultans and their families lived from the 1880s until their rule was overturned by the revolution of Biet-el-Ajaib (House of Wonders) built in 1883 by Sultan Barghash as his palace, and known for it s elaborate and ornate decorations. Livingston House was used by Livingston as a base while he was staying on the island organizing journeys to the interior. Hamamni Persian Baths, built by the Sultan Barghash as public baths. Zanzibar Museum, although a bit run down, contains interesting exhibits from the Sultans, slave traders and European explorers. Anglican Church of Christ, built to commemorate the end of the slave trade. The church was built on the actual site of the slave market. On the north end and east coast of the Island are numerous beach resorts. Most resorts offer and number of activities, most popular of which is diving. Other activities are plentiful as well, inlcuding deep sea fishing, snorkeling, glass bottom boat tours, windsurfing and just exploring the miles of deserted white sand beachs and turquoise blue Indian Ocean. LODGING OPTIONS: In Stone Town most Americans opt for the Serena Hotel, a bit pricey, but on the waterfront, modern and with a lounge. As the Island is mainly Islamic, bars are few and many hotels do not have a lounge. The only other hotel offering bar service is the Zanzibar Palace Hotel in the inner part of Stone Town, a small elegant hotel with only 9 rooms. The only other Hotel in Stone Town on the waterfront is the Tembo Hotel. This hotel is clean and neat, but with no bar service. There is however a restaurant and bar a short walking distance away. Last option is Fishermans Huts, on the beach, but about a 30 minute drive south of Stone Town. Some rooms have ocean views and there is a lounge with entertainment. Lodging option on the north and east coasts are to numerous to list here. Let us know what you would like in the way of beach accommodations and we will be happy to make some recommendations. On the east coast, Breezes Beach Club, Karafuu Resort and the Sultans Palace are the most popular. Most Americans opt for either Breezes or much further north, Blue Bay Beach Club as these two offer the best diving. Karafuu and Sultans are both Italian owned, and cater mostly to Europeans. Americans have reported a less than hospitable stay, not from the staff, but due to attitudes on the part of European guests.

Scheduled Departures

Scheduled Departures Dates for 2012 OFF THE BEATEN PATH Basic Camping (12 Days/11 Nights) (Departs Mondays 10 Passengers Maximum) January 9 and 23 February 6 and 20 March 5 and 19 April by request only