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Vacation
Details
Wednesday, January 13
In flight
We depart Minneapolis Lindberg Terminal on our Northwest/KLM
flight to Amsterdam, continuing on to Kilimanjaro, Africa.
Refreshments will be served en route.
Thursday, January 14
Kilimanjaro
Our guide will meet us at the Kilimanjaro International Airport
and we will be transferred to our overnight lodge which is built
in an old coffee plantation, Mountain Village Serena Lodge. It
is a beautiful traditional ’African Village’ creation surrounded
by lush tropical plants and trees, overlooking Lake Duluti,
where approximately 130 different bird species have been
recorded. Brilliant views of Mt. Meru (15,000 ft) and Mt.
Kilimanjaro (19,730 ft) on a clear day are visible from the
ground.
Friday, January 15
Tarangire National Park
After breakfast we will leave early in the morning for Tarangire
National Park. Our first experience of safari life will be the
thrilling game drive through the vastness of Tarangire National
Park. Game driving through the park, you will marvel at the
beauty of this pristine wilderness before arriving at our
overnight lodge, which nestles into a wooded hillside valley
overlooking Tarangire Hill. The lodge has a large public area to
relax in the evenings and enjoy the surrounding baobab filled
landscape.
B,L,D
Saturday, January 16
Tarangire National Park
Today we will spend a full day game driving through Tarangire
National Park. We will start the day very early to enjoy the
sunrise in the park and when the animals are very active. Our
concentration today will be along the many water sources,
including the Tarangire River and the Silale Swamps. Large herds
of elephants and other animals concentrate along the water
sources during the dry season. We will enjoy our picnic lunch,
perhaps under an acacia tree. In the evening we will drive back
to the lodge to enjoy the sundowner by the swimming pool.
B,L,D
Sunday, January 17
Lake Manyara National Park
We will leave early in the morning for Lake Manyara National
Park and arrive at the park gate at opening hours. We will spend
the rest of the day viewing game in the park and around the lake
which is known for its big population of flamingos. At sunset we
will drive to our overnight lodge which is perched on the edge
of Mtowa Mbu escarpment, and overlooks the Great Rift Valley and
the Manyara Soda Lake. The extraordinary bird life of Manyara
has made it Manyara Soda Lake. The extraordinary bird life of
Manyara has made it renowned amongst the ornithologists. The
interior décor of each of the rooms, circular in shape
indigenous to the traditional architect, depict the bird
migration pattern creating a scene of idyllic serenity.
B,L,D
Monday, January 18
Serengeti National Park
We will leave early in the morning and drive through the small
town of Karatu towards Ngorongoro conservation area. We will
drive around the main Ngorongoro crater rim while viewing the
Serengeti endless plains. We will make a
stop and visit a Masai Boma (village) to learn and explore their
traditions and ways of life. We will have a chance to see them
performing their traditional dances and if interested you can
join in the dance to add something to your adventure resume.
After the visit we will proceed with our game drive with another
stop at Olduvai Gorge, site of Louis and Mary Leakey’s famous
discoveries of man’s ancient ancestors, the Zinjanthropus Bosei.
We will take tour of the site and the museum. After the tour we
will proceed with our drive to Serengeti via shifting sand,
where we will be amazed by this big pile of sand that has been
moving many miles for years and years. We will continue to Baabi
Hill gate where we will register and start game viewing in
Serengeti towards our overnight lodge whis is scenically located
in a glade guarded by 3 million year old granite towers, Mubzi
Mawe meaning (Klipspringer in English) makes a maximum use of
its unique wilderness location. Unlike any other lodge, it lies
at the epicenter of the Serengeti, a place of infinite calm
surrounded by untamed majesty.
B,L,D
Tuesday, January 19
Serengeti National Park
We depart very early in the morning for a
sunrise game drive when animals are very active grazing on the
grasslands and the predators are busy hunting. We will spend the
entire day game viewing and following the great migration of
wildebeests and a big number of predators hunting them as they
migrate. We will enjoy a picnic lunch under an acacia tree.
After lunch we will make our way through the plains following
the Seronera river valley. Seronera, an area rich with wild life
year round is
set
high on the saddle of a tree-clad ridge commanding panoramic
views over the endlessly rolling reaches and volcanic reefs of
the Serengeti. We will stop at the Serengeti information center
on the way to our next overnight lodge. Serengeti Serena lodge,
which is built on a hill overlooking the plains, is the ultimate
fusion of traditional African architecture and world class
style. Drawing its inspiration from the circular “Rondavel”
dwellings and winding paths of a traditional Masai village, the
lodge features thickly-thatched, stone built rooms, spaciously
set amongst groves of indigenous trees that are cooled by
sparkling streams and papyrus-fringed ponds.
B,L,D
Wednesday, January 20
Serengeti National Park
Today
we will leave after a leisurely breakfast and make our way
towards the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park. Our
attention today will be on the Grumeti River, very famous for
its large number of the most aggressive and biggest Crocodiles
and Hippos in Africa. We will spend time observing the
Crocodiles hunting for wildebeests and sharing habitat with the
Hippos. In the evening we will return back to the lodge,
arriving just in time for sundowner at the pool, where you will
have a chance to enjoy the spectacular view of the sunset on the
plains while enjoying a glass of wine or ice cold beer or just
relax and enjoy your swim at the pool.
B,L,D
Thursday, January 21
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Today
we will leave after a leisurely breakfast and make our way
towards Ngorongoro conservation area while game viewing on the
way. We will arrive for lunch at our overnight lodge which is
built on the rim with spectacular views of the crater. After
lunch and a short break we will drive into the Ngorongoro Crater
for a half day game drive. We will spend the rest of the
exploring the Ngorongoro Crater which is a World Heritage Site,
home to nearly 25,000 animals, giving you a very real chance of
spotting the big five: lion, elephant, endangered black rhino,
buffalo and leopard plus countless other African mammal species.
Witness the magnificent array of habitats, each with its own
unique wildlife and flora. In the evening we will return to our
overnight lodge. Ngorogoro Serena lodge exists in perfect
harmony with the natural environment. Awarded the green globe,
the plant and ivy-covered stone camouflaged lodge has elegant
rooms ornately decorated with local materials. Most of the rooms
have a private terrace offering incredible views of the vast
conservation area inhabited by the Maasai tribe as well as an
abundant variety of wildlife and bird life.
B,L,D
Friday, January 22
In
flight
Today
we will leave after a leisurely breakfast and drive back to
Arusha through the small towns of Karatu and Mto wa Mbu. We will
make a few stops at curio and souvenir shops which are
beautifully decorated and full of high authentic artworks,
sculptures, antiques, fabrics and textiles from Tanzania. On our
arrival in Arusha, we will have a day room to shower, refresh
and repack your luggage. In the evening we will have a farewell
dinner and after dinner we will transfer to the airport to catch
our flight back home.
B,D
Saturday, January 23
Home
We
return home with fond memories of Tanzania, Africa’s best kept
secret, and the spectacular wildlife safari’s
Price Per Person:
Double Occupancy: $6879
Single Occupancy: $7559
Deposit: $500 per person
Final Due: November 13, 2009
Please note: Tanzanian Visa Fee
and processing is $100 additional.
Valid
passport must be valid six months after returning from this
vacation.
Cancellation Policy:
If cancellation notice is received, in writing, by the following
days, the appropriate penalty will apply:
59-31 days prior to departure: $1000
31-15 days prior to departure: 50% of tour cost
14 days or less: no refund
*Plus any non-refundable deposit.
Please see
General Information for other tour conditions.
Please see
Insurance
for more information.
Please see
Reservations to make a reservation. |
