RIFT VALLEY IN THE DRY SEASON TANZANIA 11 DAYS - JULY TO OCTOBER 2016 By the dry season (from July to October) the scarcity of water has forced wildlife in many areas to move to greener pastures or to areas of water. Wildlife viewing in the dry season is always excellent, and this itinerary offers the very best of northern Tanzania at this time of year. We visit Tarangire national park, where wildlife from miles around congregate on the Tarangire River, one of the few places where there is permanent water. We drive past traditional villages through the dry Great Rift Valley, climbing the volcanic slopes of Ngorongoro Crater to witness a sight few would believe still exists - a giant caldera replete with wildlife! Then we fly to the far northern reaches of the Serengeti, in pursuit of the great migration of wildebeest. This itinerary can also be done in reverse.
11-DAY ITINERARY FOR JULY-OCTOBER Day 1 Small lodge just outside Arusha, Tanzania Days 2-4 Small luxury tented camp in Tarangire National Park Days 5 & 6 The Highlands Camp or Ngorongoro Crater Lodge Days 7-10 Seasonal tented camp (non-exclusive or exclusive), northwestern Serengeti Day 11 Last day - Fly to Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airports, Day rooms, Fly home HIGHLIGHTS Elephant families and gnarled baobab trees in Tarangire. Stunning scenery and dense wildlife populations in Ngorongoro Crater, including blackmaned lions and pink flamingoes. The spectacle of the Serengeti migration. The great diversity of habitats, scenery and species of wildlife in each place we stay. ACTIVITIES The activities shown in bold type are possible. Activities shown in italics may be possible if requested before finalizing the itinerary, and with prior planning. ARUSHA (DAY 1) - shopping TARANGIRE - game drives, walks, fly camping (depends on which camp we book in Tarangire, so this must be decided in the early stages before finalizing the booking). NGORONGORO CRATER - game drives in Ngorongoro Crater, walks and cultural vists may be possible outside the Crater if staying in a tented camp. NORTHERN SERENGETI - game drives, walks, hot air balloon ride (extra cost) CLIMATE Northern Tanzania is only 250-400kms (155-250mi) from the Equator. Tanzania s proximity to the Equator means that altitude is a more significant influence on temperatures than time of year. Air temperature drops as you climb at a rate of about 1.3 C for every 200m altitude gained (3.5 F/ 1,000 ft). Generally, the warmest temperatures will be at the Coast. During the dry season months temperatures in the northern city of Arusha, which is at 1,400m a.s.l. (4,600ft), measures a minimum of about 14 o C (57 o F), and a maximum of about 29 o C (84 o F). Temperatures in Tarangire National Park which is at about 1100m a.s.l. (3,600 ft) will be about 2 C
(35 o F) warmer. At the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, which is at 2,200m a.s.l. (7,200 ft), it will be about 5.2 o C (41 o F) cooler. Overall the climate is very mild and comfortable. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS This highly varied safari can be tailored to suit almost any group s needs, and is excellent for children from 8 years upwards. Young children should share the tent/room with an adult, and may not be allowed to participate in some activities such as bush walks or fly camping. If there are any special needs (such as elderly people, or young children), it is crucial that we are informed before designing the itinerary for you, as these could influence our choice of lodges or places recommended. We can tailor this itinerary to most groups. For instance we can maximize wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities, or offer a blend of activities, including opportunities for cultural interaction and to be more active. FLIGHTS TO / FROM TANZANIA International flights - We do not book international flights. KLM and Qatar Airways have daily direct flights from Amsterdam or Doha to Kilimanjaro (1 hours drive from Arusha) respectively. Turkish Airlines also fly direct, although they arrive and depart in the early hours of the morning (about 3am). Regional flights - Regional flights within Tanzania will be quoted depending on the routing required, and are not included in the safari cost.
ARUSHA The town of Arusha is situated at 1,400m / 4,500 feet above sea level (a.s.l.) on the foothills of Mount Meru and prides itself as the safari capital of Tanzania. The town was once a quiet colonial administrative centre with avenues lined with lilac flowered Jacaranda trees and orange flowered Nandi Flame Trees. Now it is a hustling and bustling centre of business for northern Tanzania. It is especially a tourism hub between Mount Kilimanjaro and the most famous wildlife areas in Tanzania Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. It is also only a hour s drive from Kilimanjaro International Airport, and only a few hours drive or an hours regional flight from Nairobi in Kenya. Each en suite cottage features a comfortable split level living area with plenty of space for the king size beds with mosquito nets, lounge with fireplace, direct dial phone, broadband connection, complimentary mini-bar and fruit basket. Each room has a bathroom with a bathtub, shower and full range of amenities. Arusha is a good place to pause and browse the shops, enjoy an outdoor buffet lunch, or visit one of the various non-profit centres that help the community. Naturally there is a wide choice of places to stay here, but our favorite lodge is situated in a coffee plantation on the outskirts of Arusha, offering stunning views of Mount Meru, only 10 minutes from the regional airport, and near the road to Lake Manyara - the perfect location to begin the safari. Nearby the Friedkin Recreation Centre offers a fully equipped gymnasium with aerobics studio, steam room, pool, tennis and squash courts as well as a 5 kilometer running track. The lodge has ten superbly decorated garden cottages, an additional seventh cottage with two bedroomed ideal for families. The interiors of the cottages have been designed with a blend of African arts & crafts and colonial style furnishings.
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK Tarangire National Park (2, 800 km 2 / 1,000 miles 2 ) is centered on the Tarangire River, the most important water source in this eastern part of the Great Rift Valley, and is crucial as a dry season refuge for multitudes of migratory animals (especially zebra, but also wildebeest and other species), which move in here from the surrounding mainly unprotected areas. The park is perhaps most known for its for its ancient baobab tree forests and astounding numbers of elephants. These two giants dominate the park, and are especially prominent in the green season (December & January), when the baobabs provide leafy shade, and the elephants congregate in huge herds. The rains have begun, and are in full spate by April. After a good rainy season migratory animals (especially wildebeest and zebra) will start entering the park in June and the numbers will increase as the the dry season progresses. The baobabs drop their leaves to conserve water, and resemble ancient grey gnarled giants in artistic poses. By October multitudes of thirsty animals can been seen coming to water sources before midday (when temperatures are 86 F /30 C or more). After drinking they seek shade and rest until the late afternoon, when they become active again. Solitary leopards and prides of lions feast at this time of year as there is so much game. An hour spent overlooking the Tarangire river or Silale swamp can be an overwhelming experience due to the amazing variety and quantity of animals seen there. LUXURY CAMPS We usually select one of two small luxury tented camps in the far southern end of the park, with no more than 12 tents. One of the camps overlooks the Minyonyo Floodplain, and has only has 10 beautifully appointed luxurious tents, each with en suite bathroom shower and flush loo. For smaller groups who want to have a camp to themselves it is possible to stay in its smaller 5 tent cousin camp of similar standard. It may also be possible to overnight in a lightweight fly camp for those who are interested in mainly walking. This should be requested upon booking.
NGORONGORO CRATER Even if there weren t much wildlife here, the vast 180 km 2 (100 m 2 ) Crater, with its backdrop of extinct volcanos, would still be amazing. However the Crater is home to over 25,000 ungulates, and is said to have the highest density of large mammalian predators on Earth. This is undoubtedly the best place in Tanzania to view black rhino as well as large prides of lion, including magnificent black-maned males. It is also home to huge herds of wildebeest, zebra, Thomson's gazelle and other plains game. An alkaline lake in the floor of the Crater provides a habitat for colourful flamingo and a variety of other water birds. Professor Bernard Grzimek best described the Ngorongoro Crater in his book, The Serengeti Shall not Die. He said, It is impossible to give a fair description of the size and beauty of the Crater, for there is nothing with which one can compare it. It is one of the Wonders of the World. We descend more than 2,000 feet on steep tracks cut into the crater wall to reach the open plains of the Crater floor.
THE HIGHLANDS, NGORONGORO The Highlands camp has only just opened! It is situated in a remote area, far from any other lodges and camps, on the slopes of another caldera, Olmoti, which is on the north side of Ngorongoro Crater. It is less than an hours drive to Ngorongoro Crater, descending the track on the far side. The camp enjoys views out to the north-west - into the vast Serengeti Plains and the Gol Mountains. The camp has only eight stylish tented accommodation domes, each with its own wood-burning stove, and ensuite shower with hot and cold water and flush loo. The main lounge area has an innovative indoor fireplace enabling a campfire experience indoors on cold nights. Aside from a morning or full day trip to Ngorongoro Crater it is also possible to hike up Olmoti mountain or visit a Maasai village.
NGORONGORO CRATER LODGE The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is one of the most luxurious lodges in Africa, situated on the Crater rim with an outstanding view. The lodge has 30 individual rooms divided into 3 separate sections, each with its own dining room and lounge. Here we may relax on our veranda and marvel at the view. We can soak in a hot bath, or walk around the lodge grounds, and visit the shop. We can socialize in the elaborate lounge sipping our favorite cocktail. We can catch up with our journal or relax on the deck in front of the dining room and watch buffalo, zebra or elephants feeding on the vegetation.
THE SERENGETI IN THE LATE DRY SEASON (MID-JULY TO OCTOBER) The huge herds of migrating wildebeest and zebra have usually reached the banks of the Mara River in the northern Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) and the Masai Mara Game Reserve (Kenya) by the end of July. Although this is the height of the dry season, highlands to the northeast in Kenya facilitate build-up of cloud on hot days, resulting in thunder storms. There are also plenty of streams and other sources of permanent water. Mara in the Maasai language means patchy, and this area is very varied, with the ideal grasslands for the grazers, and bush where rhino and elephant can feed, and the predators may hide in. As a result it is here that we expect to encounter herds of zebra and wildebeest, forming the densest migration of large land mammals on earth. Such huge numbers of game naturally support large numbers of predators, including less territorial hunters such as hyena and cheetah. We are also treated to sightings of giraffe, elephant, buffalo and topi, and numerous other animals. SEASONAL TENTED CAMP OR SMALL LODGE We stay in a seasonal tented camp put up for a 2 or 3 month season. We can either book the camp exclusively (just for us), or book tents on a shared basis, in which case there could be other guests in camp. For larger groups of 8 or more people the cost difference may be very little.the location of this camp varies from season to season. It will most likely be in the Nyamalumbwa Hills area - in the remote northernmost corner of the Serengeti National Park. Alternatively it could be near the Mara River. The camp has separate dining and lounge tents. The lounge has a full bar with a small library, comfy cushions to relax in, and a bank of electrical outlets to charge camera/ipad batteries. Each accommodation tent has large beds with crisp linen, a writing desk, dressing area and an en suite bucket shower and flush loo. A daily laundry service is included (except ladies smalls). We can game drive in the wildlife-packed area close to camp and the Bologonja River, or we could head north towards the Sand River and the Springs and near the Kenyan border, or even south towards the Barakupess Plains. We could also go for a full day excursion, with a picnic lunch, westwards to the Mara river, in the hope of witnessing a wildebeest crossing. There is nothing better than sipping cocktails around the campfire at dusk, listening to a serenade of roaring lions in the distance!
COST OF THE ABOVE 11-DAY SAFARI IN THE DRY SEASON - JUNE TO OCTOBER 2016 To calculate total cost of this 11 dy safari add 1. Safari cost x Nº guests to 2. a) Private charters x Nº aircraft OR b) Schedule flights x Nº guests quoted here 1. 3 NIGHTS NGORONGORO CRATER & 3 NIGHTS SERENGETI COST PER PERSON With A Step Ahead guide & private vehicle: Number of guests 4 6 8 10 12 Ngorongoro Tented Camp - $11,990 $11,100 $10,450 $9,990 $9,650 With local resident guides & private vehicle: Number of guests 4 6 8 10 12 Ngorongoro Tented Camp - $9,180 $9,040 $8,850 $8,680 $8,650 2. 2 NIGHTS NGORONGORO CRATER & 4 NIGHTS SERENGETI COST PER PERSON With A Step Ahead guide & private vehicle: Number of guests 4 6 8 10 12 Ngorongoro Tented Camp - $12,120 $11,080 $10,490 $9,980 $9,950 Ngorongoro Crater Lodge - $14,050 $12,990 $12,420 $11,900 $11,580 With local resident guides & private vehicle: Number of guests 4 6 8 10 12 Ngorongoro Tented Camp - $9,280 $9,040 $8,980 $8,680 $8,670 Ngorongoro Crater Lodge - $11,240 $10,990 $10,940 $10,640 $10,620 Notes: 1. At the time of print VAT does not apply to certain tourism services, however the Tanzania Government has been debating the introduction of VAT for these. However, if the safari has been booked and the deposit paid, it is likely the prices originally quoted will hold. If the deposit has not been paid, it is possible new VAT regulations could be introduced without prior warning, and the overall cost may increase. 2. For larger groups of 10 or 12 people the cost may be the same for booking the camps in Tarangire and the the Serengeti on an exclusive basis. Please enquire if interested in exclusivity. 3. Fly camping may be a possibility in Tarangire, depending on which main camp that we book there. If you are interested in this activity/accommodation please ensure we know before booking your safari. 4. Costs are not quoted for group sizes of odd numbers. These can be supplied on request. 5. There is a National Park Fee discount for any child under 15 of USD $300 per child. 6. It is possible to extend this safari to include a stay in the Selous Game Reserve (45 minutes flight from Dares-Salaam) or on Zanzibar Island (only a 1 hour flight from the Selous and 20-minute flight from Dar-es- Salaam). Costs and details for the Selous and for Zanzibar can be supplied on request. 2. FLIGHTS - Northern Tanzania safari only Manyara/Serengeti & Serengeti/Arusha (approximate cost only due to frequent changes in fuel costs and taxes) EITHER a) SCHEDULED FLIGHTS Approximately USD $800 per person Scheduled flights leave at specific times from certain airstrips. We have to be at the airstrip ½ hour before departure. The aircraft will not wait for any latecomers. The flight might include stops to pick up and drop off other passengers on the way to our destination. Flights are costed per person. This cost does NOT include the guide(s) whose flights would have to be added to the group cost. It is possible to use schedule flights for some legs and private charters for others. If you use only schedule flights for this itinerary, we may need to
change the order of the camps visited. OR b) PRIVATE CHARTER FLIGHTS Exact costs can be supplied on request. There would be 2 flights (Ngorongoro-Serengeti and Serengeti-Arusha) which would be a ballpark (very approximate) cost of USD $9,000 for ONE aircraft (9 or 10 passenger capacity). Charter flights leave from the airstrip of choice (usually the nearest) and at the time requested upon booking. It might be possible to adjust the times during the safari, but this depends on availability and how it fits in with other confirmed flights for the aircraft booked. Flight are costed per aircraft, so for a group of 10 or more TWO aircraft are required Included in the above safari costs: Services of a professional A Step Ahead guide only where stated in the cost; services of experienced regional expert guides leading or accompanying the A Step Ahead guide for groups of 6 people or more; accommodation in best available twin-bedded tent/room on full board everywhere; services of a fully trained crew; laundry service from Day 2 to Day 10 when not a move day (not ladies underwear); ground transport in customized 4 wheel drive vehicles while on safari (from leaving Arusha to leaving the Serengeti); all park entry and camping fees; soft and alcoholic drinks (except premium brands); walking safaris where applicable; Flying Doctor membership (covers air evacuation to Nairobi Hospital in an emergency); transfers to/from the hotel and the airport on the first and last days. Not included in the above safari price: Items of a personal nature (e.g. visas, airport taxes, telephone or fax services, massages, internet services etc.); balloon flights; premium brand alcoholic drinks, any drinks or room extras on the last day; medical or hospitalization costs in the event of illness or emergency; any kind of insurance; international flights; any regional flights (please see separate cost above); gratuities. PLEASE SEE OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS FOR AFRICA (2015) DOCUMENT FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON TERMS AND INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS OUR A STEP AHEAD GUIDES Our guides are keen and passionate bush professionals, who guide safaris because they absolutely love being in nature and helping their guests understand the world they cherish. They are mostly all-rounders, expert at the many varied fields a guide should know about, and are not limited to one field. They have experience traveling and being in the bush in many different countries in Africa and so are able to offer a broad view on most things. They are involved in designing custom itineraries for our guests. They compliment and work well with the locally based guides in the various countries or camps, and they ensure continuity and are good at adding special touches to a safari to make sure you have an amazing safari experience. Invariably once on safari with one of our A Step Ahead professional guides, our guests will recommend no other to their friends back home! That is the greatest tribute they give them. Most of our A Step Ahead safaris are led by one of our guides.