Northern Tanzania a journey of discovery. Educational : 5-12 November 2016 Join our educational safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti staying in a variety of lodges and camps, and visiting plenty more, to get an understanding of the diversity of what this region has to offer. We have built in some quality time to enjoy game drives with the option of enjoying a balloon safari over the Serengeti plains.
Imagine finding yourself under the vast African sky in the middle of one of the last expanses of true wilderness left on our planet, surrounded by animals - at night listening to the haunting and mysterious sounds of night predators and their prey as the drama of their interactions unfold. Safari Itinerary - IN BRIEF With regard to the inspection visits they may not all be possible, depending on how long one spends at each lodge, and game viewing en route.. but we will try and fit in as many as possible without impacting on your enjoyment of the safari! 5 November Arrive Kilimanjaro/Arusha Overnight Arusha African Tulip Hotel, BB 6 November Drive to Tarangire. Tarangire Safari Lodge, FB Game drives. 7 November Site inspections Tarangire to Karatu Overnight Ngorongoro area. 8 November Ngorongoro Crater safari Overnight The Highlands 9 November Drive to central Serengeti. Overnight Serengeti Wilderness Camp 10 November Drive to northern Serengeti Balloon safari this morning (optional) Overnight Sayari Camp 11 November Return to Central Serengeti Overnight Serengeti Wilderness Camp 12 November Balloon safari (possibility) Ffly out of Serengeti to Arusha or Kilimanjaro depending on departure flight time Hotel inspections around Arusha available depending on arrival time Visit Tarangire Safari Camp Simba Camp Visit Chem Chem Little Chem Chem Lake Burunge or Maramboi Kirurumu Bouganvillea Retreat Ngorongoro Visit Ngorongoro Serena Visit Ngorongoro Sopa Serengeti Pioneer Camp Visit Four Seasons Lodge Mbuzi Mawe Nomads As above visiting lodges en route back to Central area
Detailed Safari Itinerary Day 1- Saturday 5 November, Arusha Arrive Kilimanjaro International airport. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Arusha for the night. Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis at the AFRICAN TULIP HOTEL. Depending on your arrival times, we will also visit Rivertrees Lodge, and Arusha Coffee Lodge. Mount Meru Game Lodge, Lake Duluti Lodge are also between Kilimanjaro and Arusha and could be visited. To be discussed at the time of booking. Dinner for own account. Day 2 Sunday 6 November - your safari begins. This morning we head off quite early, with a picnic lunch, in order to spend quality time in Tarangire National park, exploring this beautiful park with baobabs lined up like sentries guarding the hills. The park boasts good herds of elephant (particularly in the drier months), as well as various plains game, lions, leopard and excellent birding. It hosts the greatest concentration of wildlife outside the Serengeti ecosystem - a smorgasbord for predators and the one place in Tanzania where dry-country antelope such as the stately fringe-eared oryx and peculiar long-necked gerenuk are regularly observed. During the rainy season, the seasonal visitors scatter over a 20,000 sq km (12,500 sq miles) range until they exhaust the green plains and the river calls once more. But Tarangire's mobs of elephant are easily encountered, wet or dry. The swamps, tinged green year round, are the focus for 550 bird varieties, the most breeding species in one habitat anywhere in the world. We will overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge, a modestly priced option inside the park, all meals included. Game drives in the park. http://www.tarangiresafarilodge.com/ We also plan to visit Tarangire Safari Camp today.
Day 3 7 November We will visit a number of lodges and camps in the area time permitting including : Maramboi or Lake Burunge (mid range) Chem Chem & Little Chem Chem (upper range) From Tarangire, we head up the escarpment pausing to admire the views of Lake Manyara below glimmering pink with the tinge of flamingos. Lake Manyara is a shallow, alkaline lake at the base of a sheer stretch of the western Rift Valley escarpment. We continue through to Karatu. Time permitting, site inspection of Kirurumu Continue to Ngorongoro highlands to overnight at one of the lodges in the area (to be confirmed). We also hope to visit : Bouganvillea Lodge (mid range) - http://www.bougainvillealodge.net Farmhouse Lodge (mid range) / Farmhouse Valley Lodge - http://www.tanganyikawildernesscamps.com/ourwildernesscamps Day 4 8 November - Ngorongoro Today we head into Ngorongoro Crater, and after driving steadily down the steep 610 metre sides of the crater, we enjoy spectacular game viewing in the crater which is almost guaranteed to turn up four of the Big Five, as well as a rich variety of birds, all viewed against the backdrop of the thickly forested crater walls. Picnic lunch in the crater. Afternoon head up to visit further lodges and continue to The Highlands, Asilia s new camp, to overnight.
Ngorongoro Crater is one of the natural wonders of the world. A large volcanic caldera, with an area of 259 square kilometres, it contains a huge variety of game and birds and is often referred to as a microcosm of Africa with its dramatic weather changes and varied terrains consisting of forest, grasslands and both freshwater and soda lakes. It may be cold at night, so bring some warm clothing. Overnight at the brand new Asilia Highlands brand new camp in the Ngorongoro area. http://www.asiliaafrica.com/east-africa-safari/tanzania/ngorongoro-conservation/the-highlands Day 5 9 November - Serengeti Time permitting, we will pop in to see Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge and possibly Serena Lodge, on the way to the Serengeti. Depart the Ngorongoro region, en route to the Serengeti, with picnic lunch, there is the opportunity to stop off at Olduvai Gorge for a short visit and an insight into history of the region. There is an additional cost for this of USD 36 per person, payable direct. It is at Olduvai Gorge where, in 1959, Mary Leakey made her ground-breaking discovery of a hominid (human-like) skull dating back 1.8 million years. Since then other hominid species, possibly our early ancestors, have been found in the area dating as far back as 3.7 million years. The whole area is often referred to as the cradle of mankind. If you particularly want to visit a Masaai village, let us know so we can plan into our day (also optional, and in the region of USD 40-50 per vehicle, payable direct), before continuing to the Serengeti Wilderness Camp.
Our camps Serengeti Wilderness Camp (permanent camp), Serengeti North Wilderness Camp and/or Ndutu Wilderness Camp (seasonal camps) are located inside the national park and conservation areas respectively. These camps are designed in the safari style of olde simple, but comfortable with every need being taken care of. Each camp comprises of only 12 tents, each comfortably furnished with great attention to detail. Quality linens, solar lighting, eco-friendly flush toilet and shower en suite. Depending on the time of year and the anticipated movement of game your guests would stay at either one of our camps during your time in the Serengeti. You will be at Serengeti Wilderness Camp, located centrally, and a great place to base up just about all year round. There is exceptional resident game in the area, including the big cats, herds of elephant, resident wildebeest and zebra, buffalo and plenty of antelope. At certain times of the year the migration is a stone s throw from the camp. The seasonal camp moves from Ndutu (in the south) during the calving season), to the North for the migration and river crossings. Whichever camp you stay at, our guides will take you to the best game viewing possible, sometimes that may entail a long day in the vehicle, others the game may be close by! Sumptuous meals are prepared by our friendly safari chefs, and are served in the dining tent, or directly under the stars. The Serengeti is unequalled for its beauty and contains more than three million large mammals spread over the vast endless plains. It is here, at certain times of the year, that we may encounter the breathtaking spectacle of the annual wildebeest migration, where one and a quarter million wildebeest trek in columns of up to forty kilometres long in search of grazing, drawing with them their predators and numerous other species of game. From January to March the herds can largely be found in the southern area, proceeding north through the centre and Western Corridor during June and July before entering Kenya s Masai Mara. They return south in November to repeat this amazing instinctive procession all over again. Africa s most famous national park covers an area of almost 15000 sq km and is world-renowned for its dense predator population and the annual wildebeest migration. The park is part of the much large Serengeti eco-system, which includes Kenya s Masai Mara Game Reserve, and encompasses more than double this area.
The greater part of the park is open grassland, patches of acacia woodland and isolated areas of granite rock outcrops called kopjies. Animal migration is linked to the annual rainfall patterns and its effect on their feeding habitats. Formerly the home of the Maasai tribe who displaced the Datoga pastoralists in the 17 th century, the name Serengeti is derived from the Maasai word serengit, meaning endless plain. The national park was created by the Tanzania Government in 1951 and became famous through the work of Professor Bernard Grzimek (in particular his book Serengeti Shall Not Die ). Huge herds of wildebeest and zebra can be found here along with smaller concentrations of Thomson s gazelle, Grant s gazelle, impala, kongoni, Kirk s dik dik, klipspringer and small numbers of roan, oryx, oribi, eland and waterbuck. There are also significant numbers of buffalo, giraffe and warthog. Elephants are relatively scarce on the open plains, and more common in the northern areas and the western corridor. The few remaining black rhinos are restricted to a (generally) inaccessible part of the park so one doesn t often see them. But the most popular animals to be found here in greater abundance than elsewhere on the northern circuit are the cats. Lions, cheetahs and leopard may all be seen here along with other predators, such as the spotted hyena, golden and black-backed jackals, wild cats and servals. All meals included. Day 6 10 November Serengeti North Today will be spent travelling to the northern areas of the Serengeti quite a long day in the vehicle, but you are sure to see some amazing game en route. We intend to visit a number of lodges in the area, time permitting, either on the way there, or on the return journey: Mbuze Mawe a permanent tented camp Four Seasons a large upmarket lodge Nomads an intimate luxury lodge Serengeti Serena a large, mid range lodge Overnight at the luxurious Sayari Camp, part of the Asilia stable of properties. http://www.asiliaafrica.com/east-africa-safari/tanzania/serengeti/sayari-camp
Day 7 11 November, Serengeti We return to the central area of the Serengeti, to spend one more night at Serengeti Wilderness Camp. Balloon safari If you would like to go on an early morning balloon safari over the Serengeti, this will be possible if you are at our central camp in the Serengeti. Please note that balloon safaris can only be organised by PRE- ARRANGEMENT and there is an additional cost for this. We will either organise for the morning of the 10 November, or possibly the 12 November but then you will need to fly out in the AFTERNOON on your last day. We have been offered a fantastic 50% discount for operators who wish to do this! Day 8 12 November Serengeti to Arusha Transfer to the Seronera airstrip for your (flight to Arusha (or Kilimanjaro) mid morning. Notes about the safari. Inside your spacious safari vehicle you will find a selection of reference books on Tanzania s parks, history, its flora and fauna, and a cool-box or fridge for drinks. In our specially customised extended land cruisers the windows are enlarged and the roof height extended to allow ease of photography and game-viewing, with plenty of room to stretch your legs. Our land cruisers have game viewing hatches that allow 360 degree views. We provide bean bags for avid photographers, and bottled water for guests on their safari. Your guide is an experienced professional who will prioritise your comfort and safety as well as ensuring optimal game-viewing opportunities throughout your safari with us.. Safari starts/ends Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha. This educational safari is only available to bona-fide tour operators. Prices Cost per person sharing USD 1290 Plus park fees and camp fees of USD 680 Optional balloon safari (50% discount to tour operators) USD 298 pp (usual price is over USD 500!) If you specifically want a SINGLE room/tent, let us know there will be a surcharge and it will depend on availability. Optional visit to Olduvai Gorge (USD36 pp) or Masai Village (approx. USD50/vehicle)
Price includes: accommodation at quality lodges and tented camp as set out above all meals on safari bed and breakfast in Arusha (one night) airport transfers Kilimanjaro/return to Arusha park fees and entries game viewing activities as indicated services of a driver/guide, support crew and cook as appropriate bottled water for game drives / in vehicle (not at hotels/lodges) maximum six guests in a vehicle all WITH WINDOW SEATS no middle seats. One way flight from Seronera to Arusha (JRO is more expensive) Excludes international flights, visas, airport transfers, travel insurance, health requirements, gratuities, drinks, all items of a personal nature and any service not specified. Optional one way flight from Serengeti-Arusha/Kilimanjaro Health Requirements - Yellow Fever inoculations are necessary if you are travelling from or via another endemic area. This must be done no later than 10 days prior to departure. Anti-malaria tablets are also necessary. Visas Are required by most citizens for entry into Tanzania and may be organised on arrival. SA passport holders currently do not need a visa for entering Tanzania. Travel insurance is compulsory for all guests (and agents) travelling with Wild Frontiers. The Migration Explained The following should be used as a guideline when planning your safari to East Africa movement of wildlife depends on a great many aspects but this helps to explain the seasonality of game viewing. Remember there is resident game throughout the year in the Serengeti/Ngorongoro eco-systems. JAN / FEB / MARCH The big herds of wildebeest are generally in the southern plains of the Serengeti eco-system, calving takes place over approximately two weeks. Lots of predators, good visibility of game, mix of open plains and some woodland. APRIL / MAY The herds start moving toward central Serengeti. This is typically the rainy season, however, game viewing is still excellent and there are some great discounts available at lodges and camps. It generally doesn t rain all day. Photography is generally superb with moody skies and good depth of colour.
JUNE / JULY / AUGUST The wildebeest move from the central area and split to the west and north, continuing their trek toward the Mara River. River crossings may be seen in both the western corridor (Grumeti area) and north (Mara River) within the Serengeti. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER Whilst some of the wildebeest successfully reach the Masai Mara, there are still hundreds of thousands remaining in the northern region of Serengeti, offering those with patience the chance to see river crossings (the Mara River runs through the Serengeti). NOVEMBER / DECEMBER The big herds start to return from the north, to the southern plains, to start the whole process again! REMEMBER There is excellent game viewing throughout the year. Travel during the months of April/May GREEN SEASON and SAVE! April and May in the Serengeti are two of our favourite times to travel. Not so busy, no dust, amazing skies and spectacular sunsets and generally the migration is around the central area/moru Kopjies. During this period less people visit the area which result in hotels/lodges etc. lowering their rates. So you can take advantage of paying less and having less people around a wildlife sighting. We offer many other fabulous safaris to this part of the world with activities ranging from walking, photography, bird-watching and spa treatments. We tailor make itineraries from camping to upmarket lodge safaris for individuals and groups. For more details and options, contact debbie@wildfrontiers.com, or susan@wildfrontiers.com Wild Frontiers - HEAD OFFICE - Johannesburg P.O. Box 844, Halfway House, 1684, South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 11 702 2035 l Alternative Tel: +27 (0) 72 927 7529 Fax: +27 (0) 86 689 6759 Central Reservations: reservations@wildfrontiers.com Websites: www.wildfrontiers.com www.kilimanjaromarathon.com www.vicfallsmarathon.com Members of: ATTA / AUTO / TATO Copyright WILD FRONTIERS 2016 Copyright and database rights protection exists in this publication and all rights are reserved. The document is furthermore provided for the information of WILD FRONTIERS clients only. This publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced, transmitted, conveyed, communicated or used in any form or by any means, whether in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of WILD FRONTIERS.All business is conducted in terms of our Standard Terms and Conditions, the full text of which is available at www.wildfrontiers.com or on request from our offices. All clients doing business with Wild Frontiers (Pty) Ltd will be deemed to have read and accepted to be bound by our Standard Terms and Conditions E. & O.E 2016 All prices are subject to change due to rate of exchange fluctuation or any unforeseen price increase. Terms & Conditions apply. E. & O.E.