18-DAY NORTH AND SOUTH SAFARI TO TANZANIA

Transcription

1 18-DAY NORTH AND SOUTH SAFARI TO TANZANIA Group Tented safari to Lake Manyara/Serengeti/Ngorongoro/Tarangire Flying safari to the Selous and Ruaha Visit Lazy Lagoon Program highlights: This popular program is a group tented safari driving through the parks to Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater followed by a flying safari to the Selous and Ruaha. Your driver/guide has an excellent knowledge of the areas that you will visit. The parks are chosen for their eco-systems and variety of wildlife and bird species. During your safari in the northern circuit you will be in a 4-wheel drive Landrover. In the Selous and Ruaha enjoy game drives in open-vehicles. The highlight of your adventure may be the diverse activities in the Selous and Ruaha such as walking safaris and boating on the Rufiji River. Enjoy time on the beach on the tropical island off the Tanzanian coast East Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite 600 Fort Lauderdale, Florida U.S.A Tel: Tel: Fax: safari@africanadventure.com

2 Day Destination Accommodation Fly USA Europe Kilimanjaro Mount Meru Hotel 03 Drive to Lake Manyara Lake Manyara Wildlife Camp 04 AM game drive in Lake Manyara Drive to Serengeti Kati Kati Explorer Camp 05 Serengeti Kati Kati Explorer Camp 06 Drive to Ngorongoro Ngorongoro Farmhouse or Tloma Lodge 07 Full Day Crater tour Ngorongoro Farmhouse or Tloma Lodge 08 Drive to Tarangire Afternoon game drive 09 Fly Arusha Selous Afternoon game activity Lake Burunge Tented Camp Rufiji River Camp 10 Selous Game Reserve Rufiji River Camp 11 Selous Game Reserve Rufiji River Camp 12 Fly Selous Ruaha Afternoon game activity Ruaha River Lodge 13 Ruaha National Park Ruaha River Lodge 14 Fly Ruaha Lazy Lagoon Boat transfer to resort Afternoon at leisure Lazy Lagoon Island Retreat - Days at leisure Lazy Lagoon 17 Fly Dar es Salaam - Europe 18 Fly Europe USA

3 DAY 01 (FRI) USA/EUROPE Depart this evening on an overnight flight to Europe. ITINERARY DAY 02 (SAT) EUROPE/KILIMANJARO/ARUSHA Connect with your flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. On arrival this evening you will be transferred to your hotel in Arusha. Located in the city of Arusha, Tanzania, the Mount Meru Hotel lies on nine acres of lush landscape, surrounded by some of Africa s most breath-taking vistas. The hotel offers 178 rooms with individual airconditioning, mini bar, electronic safes, satellite television, free Wi-Fi, hair dryer and tea and coffee making facilities. The restaurant and lounge open out onto the terrace. There is a swimming pool to cool off in between touring. The adjacent carefully designed golf course is sure to attract bird lovers from all over. An array of birdies, eagles and even an albatross or two have been rumored to be in residence. Accommodation: Mount Meru Hotel (B) Executive Room DAY 03 (SUN) ARUSHA/LAKE MANYARA This morning is yours to enjoy at leisure. After lunch depart on your lodge safari to Lake Manyara Park. Enjoy the late afternoon at leisure. Lake Manyara Wildlife Camp overlooks the Lake Manyara floodplain and only a few minutes from the National Park entry. The camp consists of ten canvas en suite tents and sixteen cottages, each with private balconies overlooking the floodplain. There is a large swimming pool and expansive deck and the main lodge area offers the ding room and a two-story lounge featuring the Hakuna Matata Bar. Accommodation: Lake Manyara Wildlife Camp (Full Board) Standard Tent

4 DAY 04 (MON) LAKE MANYARA/SERENGETI Morning game drive in the park. Lake Manyara National Park is most famed for its tree-climbing lions that may be seen (if you are very lucky) sleeping amongst the branches of acacia trees. The park is situated in the Great Rift Valley where hippos abound along with the excellent bird life as well as elephant and baboon. Enjoy lunch back at the lodge. Continue to the Serengeti National Park through the vast African plains. You will arrive at your lodge late afternoon game viewing en route. Serengeti is derived from the Maasai language and appropriately means "endless plain." The park's 5,700 square miles makes it larger than the state of Connecticut. Altitude varies from 3,120 to 6,070 feet. As you enter the park gate you will take a game drive through the open plains. Nearly 500 species of birds and 35 species of large plains animals can be found in the Serengeti. The huge herds of plains game such as wildebeest, zebra and antelope dominate the park while the attendant predators such as lion and cheetah are to be found amongst the many kopjes scattered across the plain. Leopard can often be found draped in the trees along the Seronera River. From December-May wildebeest, zebra, eland and Thomson's gazelle usually concentrate on the treeless short-grass plains in the extreme southeastern Serengeti and western Ngorongoro Conservation Area near Lake Ndutu in search of short grass, which they prefer over the longer dry-stemmed variety. This is the best time to visit the southern Serengeti plains. The Kati Kati Explorer Camp is located in the central Serengeti year-round and is the ideal base for exploring the open plains. You will have full camp service with your home comforts. The 10 tents are large, with en suite bathrooms, insect proof windows, comfortable single beds with fresh linens and duvets, private verandas. You will be brought your morning coffee before your morning game drives. Washbasins are placed outside the tents and filled with hot water to freshen up before you begin another day of adventure. Hurricane lamps are used for lighting.

5 A day of game viewing usually consists of morning and afternoon game drives. On your return to the camp after a morning game drive you may have an excellent late breakfast or gourmet picnic lunch when you then may relax on the veranda of your luxurious tent. Afternoon tea and a further game drive is followed by iced cold drinks and a delicious dinner. All your meals are excellent and are taken in a separate dining tent. Accommodation: Kati Kati Explorer Camp (Full Board) DAY 05 (TUE) SERENGETI Morning and afternoon game drives in the park. An optional balloon ride may be taken this morning. Accommodation: Kati Kati Explorer Camp (Full Board) DAY 06 (WED) SERENGETI/NGORONGORO CRATER After breakfast proceed to Ngorongoro game driving on the way. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route. Arrive at your lodge late in the day where you will have the evening at leisure. Ngorongoro Crater is the largest unflooded, intact caldera in the world. Known as the eighth wonder of the world, its vastness and beauty are truly overwhelming. Ngorongoro Crater itself is but a small portion of the 3,200-square-mile Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a World Heritage site that is characterized by a highland plateau with volcanic mountains as well as several craters, extensive savannah and forests. Altitudes range from 4,430 to 11,800 feet. Ngorongoro Crater is about 12 miles wide and its rim rises 1,200-1,600 feet off of its expansive 102-squaremile floor. The steep descent into the crater along winding roads takes minutes from the crater rim. The crater floor is predominantly grasslands (making game easy to spot) with two swamps fed by streams, and the Lerai Forest. The walls of the crater are lightly forested. Ngorongoro Farm House is a small and exclusive lodge facing the Oldeani Volcano, about a ten minute drive from the gate entrance to Ngorongoro Crater. There are 52 cottages built on the style of an old colonial farm offering an atmosphere from a bygone era. The main building, covered with a thatch roof, has a reception, bar, dining area, library and lounge with fireplace. There is also a swimming pool and internet access. Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farm House (Full Board)

6 OR Tloma Lodge offers 36 cottages located within the Ngorongoro Highlands area. Its brilliant positioning on the raised shoulder of a valley provides breathtaking views over a coffee-plantation and onto the eastern wall of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. This lodge has been modeled after its sister camp, the very Ngorongoro Farm House, only 15 minutes away. Accommodation: Tloma Lodge (Full Board) DAY 07 (THU) NGORONGORO CRATER After breakfast at your lodge, descend into the crater for a full-day of game viewing. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the crater floor. Return to your lodge late in the day. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Ngorongoro contains possibly the largest permanent concentration of wildlife in Africa, with an estimated average of 30,000 large mammals. In addition, this is one of the best reserves in Africa in which to see black rhino. Large concentrations of wildlife make Ngorongoro Crater their permanent home. Game viewing is good year-round. Because there is a permanent source of fresh water, there's no reason for much of the wildlife to migrate as they must do in the Serengeti. Accommodation: Ngorongoro Farmhouse or Tloma Lodge (Full Board) DAY 08 (FRI) NGORONGORO/TARANGIRE Proceed to Tarangire Park where you will have lunch at your camp. Enjoy an afternoon game drive. Tarangire is the third largest national park in Tanzania. Majestic baobab trees are an interesting feature of the park, dwarfing all but the elephants feeding beneath them. During the dry season from June to November, animals concentrate along Tarangire River, which provides the only permanent water supply.

7 The area supports a great diversity of wildlife, including giraffe, buffalo, lesser kudu, eland, oryx and zebra. Lion, leopard and cheetahs are also present in the area. Up to 6,000 elephants inhabit Tarangire in the dry season. Lake Burunge Tented Camp, built on the shores of Lake Burunge, is located in the migratory corridor between Tarangire and Lake Manyara. The luxury camp features 20 en suite tents with flush toilets and hot/cold water showers and a spacious private verandah. The camp s main building includes a central lounge and bar dining area with a raised wooden deck. Accommodation: Lake Burunge Tented Camp (Full Board) DAY 09 (SAT) TARANGIRE/ARUSHA/SELOUS This morning you will transfer to the Arusha airport your scheduled charter flight to the Selous (taking a picnic lunch with you). You will be met on arrival and transfer to your next camp. *PLEASE NOTE* There is a luggage limit of 33lbs (15kg) per person on the charter flight so please prepack your luggage accordingly in a soft-sided bag. Scheduled Charter flights times are estimates and may include multiple stops. The little-known Selous Game Reserve happens to be the second largest game reserve in Africa, and it is a World Heritage Site. The Selous is a stronghold for over 50,000 elephant, 150,000 buffalo (herds often exceed 1,000), and large populations of lion, leopard, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, greater kudu, hippo, crocodiles, and numerous other species, including giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, African wild dog, impala and a small number of black rhino. Colobus monkey can be found in the forests along the Rufiji River. Over one million large animals live within its borders. Over 350 species of birds and 2,000 plant species have been recorded. Almost 75% of this low-lying reserve (360-4,100 ft./110-1,250 m) is composed of miombo woodlands, with a balance of grasslands, floodplains, marshes and dense forests. The Rufiji River, the largest river in East Africa, roughly bisects the park as it flows from the southwest to the northeast. The Rufiji and its tributaries, including Great Ruaha and Luwego, have high concentrations of hippo and crocs. Fish eagles are numerous.

8 This reserve can give you the feeling of exploring the bush for the first time, because you will encounter few other visitors during your safari. Morning walks accompanied by an armed ranger and guide are popular and are conducted by all the camps. Exploring the Rufiji River, its channels, swamps and lakes by boat is another great way to view game and experience the reserve. You should consider adding the Selous onto a northern Tanzania itinerary, because game viewing by boat is not possible in the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara or Tarangire. Fishing is also popular. Rufiji River Camp is a long-established permanent tented camp located in the northeastern part of the park overlooking the Rufiji River. There are 20 tents that offer en suite facilities each with its own verandah. The shaded bar, lounge and dining area welcome guests after an exciting day of game viewing. Sundowners followed by a dinner of international and local favorites are enjoyed before a night of star gazing begins. Activities include game drives in open vehicles, guided walking safaris, boat trips and fishing. Accommodation: Rufiji River Camp (Full Board) DAY (SUN+MON) SELOUS Enjoy two days of game viewing activities. Accommodation: Rufiji River Camp (Full Board) DAY 12 (TUE) SELOUS/RUAHA Transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled charter flight to Ruaha National Park. Ruaha's scenery is spectacular, and its 5,000-square-mile (12,950-km2) area makes it almost as large as Serengeti National Park. The landscape is characterized by miombo woodland with rocky hills on a plateau over 3,300 feet (1,000 m) in altitude. Park elevation ranges from 2,460 feet (750 m) in the Ruaha Valley to the 6,230-foot (1,900-m) Ikingu Mountain in the west of the park. The Great Ruaha River, with its impressive gorges, deep pools and rapids, runs for 100 miles (160 km), close to the park's eastern boundary, and it is home to many hippo and crocodiles. The black rocks of the riverbed contrast against the golden grass riverbank which is a beautiful sight indeed. This is an excellent area for walking.

9 The dry season, June-November, is the best time to visit the park, when game is concentrated along the Ruaha River. Large numbers of greater and lesser kudu, elephant, wildebeest and impala can be seen, along with eland, sable antelope, roan antelope, buffalo, Defassa waterbuck, ostrich and giraffe. Lion, leopard, spotted and striped hyena, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox and African wild dog are also present in significant numbers. Black rhino are present but seldom seen. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded. In addition to morning and afternoon excursions, midday game viewing in this park can also be very productive because wildlife can be seen walking to and from the river. On the 20-minute drive from the airstrip to camp, numerous game can be spotted. Ruaha River Lodge is the only lodge in the Ruaha Reserve and is built on a rocky ridge with spectacular views of the Great Ruaha River. The 24 local stone and thatch en suite accommodation bandas are individually sited along the river and offer unrivalled views of the animals coming down to the water to drink. Game drives in specially adapted 4 x 4 vehicles are offered and as well as walks. Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge (Full Board) DAY 13 (WED) RUAHA Enjoy a day of game viewing activities. Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge (Full Board) DAY 14 (THU) RUAHA/LAZY LAGOON ISLAND Board your scheduled charter flight to an airstrip on the mainland across from Lazy Lagoon Island. Board a boat for a 10 minute transfer to the Lazy Lagoon. Lazy Lagoon is a tropical island located 70 km north from Dar es Salaam off the Tanzanian coastline. The lodge features 12 en suite bandas each with an upstairs loft area and balcony with unimpeded views of the sea. Relax on your private deck or walk directly out to the beach. The main lounge area features a dining room and bar with expansive wood floors and thatched high ceiling, allowing for the tropical breezes to cool you.

10 There are a variety of activities to keep visitors busy including swimming, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking and a historical visit to Bagamoyo can be arranged (additional fee may apply). Or enjoy just relax on your private verandah and listen to the trade winds blow. Accommodation: Lazy Lagoon (All-Inclusive) DAY (FRI+SAT) LAZY LAGOON Enjoy two days at leisure. Accommodation: Lazy Lagoon (All-Inclusive) DAY 17 (SUN) LAZY LAGOON/DAR ES SALAAM/EUROPE Enjoy the morning at leisure. Late this afternoon you will be transferred to the Dar es Salaam airport. Onward evening departure flight to Europe. DAY 18 (MON) EUROPE/USA Connect to your onward flight to the USA. WELCOME HOME!

11 2018 LAND ARRANGEMENTS: Jan 5-Mar 14 Mar Apr-May June Jul-Oct Nov-Dec 15 Per person sharing $ $ N/A $ $ $ Single Supplement $ $ N/A $ $ $ Optional Upgrade to Private Vehicle/Guide for Days April-May GROUP DEPARTURES: Please Request Selous National Park is closed Weekly on Friday INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE: (subject to change until ticketed) Please note the following sample airfares. Lower promotional airfares are offered throughout the year so please take a moment to contact our in house air department for even better pricing options! ECONOMY AIR: from $1, per person (low season) BUSINESS AIR: from $6, per person (low season) New York/Kilimanjaro Dar es Salaam/New York (via Europe) - Please call for add-ons from your departure city. LAND ARRANGEMENT COSTS INCLUDE: - All accommodations - All meals and game activities (Full Board) on safari - Airport, road and scheduled charter flight transfers - Park fees and guiding fees: - Flying doctor service - Mineral water and soda on game drives in northern Tanzania - All inclusive at Lazy Lagoon which includes meals, soft drinks and local cocktails - Bed and breakfast (B) in Arusha - Scheduled charter flight Arusha/Selous/Ruaha/Mainland near Lazy Lagoon NOT INCLUDED: - Tips to staff and driver/guides - All drinks - Laundry - Airport departure taxes - Tanzania visa - Optional ballooning safari ($ per person) - International scheduled airfares - Items of a personal nature - Travel insurance

12 Notes: 1.) Christmas/New Year supplements will apply. Please request details from your Safari Consultant. 2.) Single Supplement is based on a minimum of two people traveling together. Solo travelers please request special pricing. 3.) For travelers arriving Arusha alone, additional transfer supplements will apply. Trip reports: TOUR CODE: T18NORTH & SOUTH Allan and I want to thank you all for the most wonderful trip we have ever experienced!! From beginning to end it was flawless and filled with delightful and unexpected surprises. Our guide, Seif, was fantastic and amazing (I'm sorry,i can't seem to stop talking without superlatives). Seif's professionalism, experience, knowledge, charm and his obvious love for his job, all combined to give us a perfect safari. He immediately picked up on the extent of our enthusiasm and interest and he went out of his way to give us the best opportunities and experiences possible. The lodges and camps were amazing and the hospitality and warmth we found there is unsurpassable The visits to local native villages gave us an insight to the culture of the people and has stimulated us to learn more. In the Serengeti, we were serenaded to sleep with the sounds of hyenas, lions, elephants and a few other unidentifiable sounds. The wildlife sightings in the Serengeti were nothing short of amazing--leopards, cheetahs, wildebeests by the thousands. It was all breathtaking and really beyond description. In the Selous, more wonderful surprises awaited us. We were bowled over by our luxurious accommodation complete with our own fantastic outdoor shower!! At night the hippos came up to graze on the grass beside our tent...so close we could hear them chewing! What a thrill. This camp has a superb chef and we had several wonderful dining experiences. The walking safari was so educational.who knew that animal poop could tell you so much? We actually enjoyed that morning very much and what a great surprise it was to find a full breakfast set up for us beside the lake.another special part of experiences here were the boat safaris. The birds were incredibly beautiful and we saw a lot of wildlife from the boat as well. Having sundowners on the river, gave us another memory to hold. We really do feel that we had the perfect safari and I feel that this is due to the fact we chose Africa Adventure Company to help us make our dream come true. Thank you, Thank you. Allan and Connie Young