Tanzania: A Classic Serengeti Safari
$6,530 based on double occupancy; $990 single supplement
February 6 – 18, 2009
See the brochure (pdf)
Trip Overview
Search for elephants, buffalos, waterbucks, giraffes, elands and lesser kudos. Be on the lookout for rare black rhinos, lions and cheetahs. Observe hippos submerged up to their eyes in wetland pools and flocks of flamingos feeding on a soda lake. You may even spot lions stalking their prey. Among the vast and unspoiled landscape, watch in awe as a herd of elephants passes within feet of your Land Rover, its gentle rumbling calling out to group members.
Trip Itinerary
February 6: Depart U.S.
Depart the United States on NW/KLM Airlines overnight group flight to Amsterdam, or independently. (Meals aloft)
February 7: Amsterdam / Arusha, Tanzania
In Amsterdam, connect withyou r flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport, arriving late in the evening. Your guide greets you upon arrival and takes you to your lodge on the slopes of Mount Meru. Enjoy the lush gardens and a friendly welcome during your first evening in Tanzania. Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge (Meals aloft, snack)
February 8: Tarangire National Park
After breakfast and a safari briefing, cross the Maasai steppe on your way to Tarangire National Park, where giant baobab trees and umbrella acacias dot the rocky hills and verdant valleys. Watch for elephants, lions, cheetahs and buffaloes, as well as a variety of colorful birds. More than 300 species have been recorded in the park, including green wood hoopoes and green and yellow parrots. Tarangire Safari Lodge (B,L,D)
February 9: Tarangire National Park
The Tarangire River bisects the park and provides a year-round source of food and water for the resident and migratory wildlife populations, making this an ideal place for wildlife viewing. Searchfor leopards, lions, reedbucks, gerenuks, Grant’s gazelles and more as you roam the park. Your permanent tented camp is perfectly situated overlooking the Tarangire River. Tarangire Safari Lodge (B,L,D)
February 10: Lake Manyara National Park / Ngorongoro Highlands
Early this morning, drive to the Great Rift Valley, stopping at Lake Manyara National Park. This beautiful park is home to spectacular wildlife, and you can look for elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, giraffes and baboons. At the lake, watch for hippos and an array of birds, including the colorful bee-eater, barbet, kingfisher, gigantic ground hornbill and white-backed pelican. After a picnic lunch in the park, climb the great rift escarpment by Land Rover into the Ngorongoro Highlands. In the late afternoon, arrive at Gibb’s Farm, which is surrounded by a coffee farm and overlooks lush and verdant agricultural country. The gardens are exquisite, as is the food, which is prepared fresh daily with the best of the morning’s harvest. Take a guided walk on the farm this afternoon. Gibb’s Farm (B, L, D)
February 11: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Awake to the dawn chorus of local birdlife, with tea and coffee served on your private veranda. Take a guided bird-viewing walk to identify and observe some of the 200-plus avian species on the farm, including the turaco, honeyguide, weaver and waxbill. Depart Gibb’s late this morning, arriving at camp for lunch. Spend a couple of hours exploring the rich biodiversity of the Ngorongoro crater rim. At the end of the day, retire to your comfortable Classic Camp to savor the seclusion and rustic beauty of your first nights deep in the heart of Africa. Ngorongoro Classic Camp (B,L,D)
February 12: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
This geological marvel, known as the Ngorongoro Crater, is unique in the world; it has lakes, forests, savannas and an astounding population of 30,000 animals within 102 square miles. It is no wonder that this crater is often referred as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Your evening is spent high on the crater rim at your camp. Ngorongoro Classic Camp (B,L,D)
February 13: Olduvai Gorge / Serengeti National Park
Depart early this morning for the great Serengeti, stopping at the legendary Olduvai Gorge to explore some of the earliest remains of human species unearthed here by the dedicated Leakey family. The small but informative Gorge Museum exhibits the Leakeys’ archeological methods and remarkable finds. As you travel further into the African wilds, look for giraffes, lions, ostriches, zebras and warthogs. Spend four glorious nights under the star-filled night sky. Serengeti Classic Camp at Elmakati (B,L,D)
February 14: Serengeti National Park
At this time of year, vast herds of wildlife make up the migration amassed on the plains. Watch for lions, cheetahs and hyenas, as well as the swiftly running gazelles and thundering wildebeests across the endless open spaces. It is also calving season for wildebeests, and you may spot a mother bringing new life into the world. Serengeti Classic Camp at Elmakati (B,L,D)
February 15: Serengeti National Park
Journey to the central part of the Serengeti to spend two nights. We have you spend time in two exclusive Serengeti camps, taking advantage of seasonal wildlife variations and maximizing the diversity of your experience. Seek a vast array of animals, explore a village at the edge of the park and immerse yourself in a serene, yet truly wild place. Serengeti Classic Camp at Robanda (B, L, D)
February 16: Serengeti National Park
You have another full day to journey far and wide in this immense park, allowing your guides to lead the way. An infinite number of dramas play themselves out on these endless plains: predators stalk prey; animals eat, scavenge and graze; mothers nurture their young; birds hover and soar overhead; young animals frolic as older animals keep a watchful eye on the vulnerable little ones. Enjoy one more night in this unforgettable wilderness and prepare for your re-entry into the bustle of the modern world. Serengeti Classic Camp at Robanda (B,L,D)
February 17: Serengeti / Arusha / Depart
After breakfast, say goodbye to your guides and head back to Arusha on a short, mid-morning flight. Have lunch in Arusha and relax in your day room before the farewell dinner. Fly home later this evening. Day room: KIA Lodge (B,L,D)
February 18: Amsterdam / U.S.
Connect in Amsterdam and arrive in the United States. (Meals aloft)
