Africa:Tanzania
Green Hills of Africa
Tour Highlights:
-Discover Lake Manyara National Park’s rich mosaic of ecosystems from emerald green forest to grassy floodplain to the alkaline lake and the distant jagged, blue volcanic peaks
-Enjoy three nights on the Serengeti Plains, providing ample time to probe into its primitive natural beauty and fantastic abundance of plains game
-Travel into one of Africa’s most famous sights –Ngorongoro Crater to learn about this self-contained ecosystem inhabited by an amazing number of animals. Savor a picnic lunch in the heart of this phenomenal landmark
-Exclusive stays in wonderfully eclectic accommodations: a lodge built in the trees brings out the child in us all; a lodge perched on the edge of Ngorongoro Crater offers breathtaking views; and a luxurious tented camp that changes locations to follow the animals
Day 1: Arrive Arusha, Tanzania
Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, proceed through Immigration, collect your baggage and proceed through Customs. After exiting the Customs & Immigrations Hall, please look out for a uniformed Big Five Tours & Expeditions Driver / Guide holding a Big Five Tours Banner with your name or tour name on it. Your guide will assist you with your luggage and transfer you to the lovely Arusha Coffee Lodge, located in one of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantations. Arusha Coffee Lodge
Day 2: Arusha / Lake Manyara
Today, a short flight to Lake Manyara which lies at the foot of the escarpment of the eastern branch of the Great Rift Valley. This small park has a diverse ecosystem which supports a surprising array of animals. Your game run will bring us into East Africa’s most concentrated elephant country. If you’re lucky, you may even spot one of the park’s famed tree-climbing lions, seeking cover in the shade of high acacia branches. Lake Manyara Serena Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 3: Lake Manyara
The parks impressive variety of habitats and species were celebrated in the writings of Hemingway and range from hippo pools to savannahs grazed by zebra, buffalo and Coke’s hartebeest, to elephant-filled glades, to acacia woodlands. Between outings, enjoy fine views and amenities. Lake Manyara Serena Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 4: Lake Manyara / Ngorongoro Crater
Indulge your sense of personal discovery as you near Ngorongoro Crater. On 1892, a German explorer was the first European to record seeing the crater. He, too, approached it as you do today, via Lake Manyara. Certainly one of the world’s most remarkable natural wonders, the crater’s steep unbroken rim drops some 2,000 feet to the basin that encompasses 102 square miles. This may have been one of the world’s tallest mountains until about two million years ago, when a volcano exploded, collapsing it into this massive crater. Today, Masai pastoralists and their grazing cattle and goats share this stage with 30,000 animals – lions, elephants, rhinos, wildebeest, flocks of flamingos and so much more. Your one-of-a-kind safari lodge sits on the rim of the crater; its design inspired by traditional Masai homesteads. Interiors hint at the days of early settlers. Beneath grass roofs, exquisite beaded chandeliers, antiques, silk curtains and leather chairs blend with African art.
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater
The day’s focus is the crater floor, reached by a rocky track down the steep side. Game viewing here is excellent throughout the year. You come startlingly close to some of the crater’s lions. Amid dramatic landscapes dotted with buffalo, zebra, reedbuck and rhinos, you relish every morsel of your picnic lunch. Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (B,L,D)
Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti National Park
Today your destination is the spectacular Serengeti. Africa’s most famous park is without equal in its primitive natural beauty, its liberating open space, and its fantastic abundance of plains game. During migration, vast numbers of animals stretch to the horizon in long slender columns. They face fierce obstacles from voracious predators to treacherous river crossings. Your roaming camp boasts spacious canvas Bedouin-style tents with custom-made Indian rugs, crisp linens and sparkling crystal complete the romantic ambience. Each tent comes with en suite facilities, separate bathrooms and alfresco bucket showers. Serengeti Under Canvas (B,L,D)
Day 7 & 8: Serengeti National Park
Over the next two days, your wilderness camp actually follows the animals – hyenas and jackals, ostrich and cranes, giraffes, impalas, elephants, lions, and maybe the elusive leopard. With more than 500 bird species in the park, bird watching can leave you breathless. Serengeti Under Canvas (B,L,D)
Day 9: Serengeti National Park / Arusha / Depart
Savor one last early morning game drive before you leave this fabled land. Return to Arusha via a scenic flight over the Great Rift Valley. Enjoy a gala farewell dinner before returning to the airport. You must say “Kwaheri” (Swahili goodbye). Arusha Coffee Lodge – Day Room (B,L,D)
Rates/Departures:
Green Hills of Africa | Double | Single Supplement | Comments |
| Departure Dates: Jan 09, Feb 13, Mar 13, Jun 19, Jul 17, Aug 14, Sep 11, Oct 09, Nov 13, Dec 11, 2010 | $10590 | $1890 | |
| Departure Dates: Apr 17, May 15, 2010 | $7390 | $1490 |
Rates are for land arrangements only. Airfares are not included unless specifically mentioned in inclusions and can be quoted separately. Rates are per person, in US dollars, and based on two people sharing a room. Valid Jan. 01 – Dec. 21, 2010, unless otherwise noted. The single supplements indicated are based on a single room supplement after the two passenger minimum is met. For solo travelers, additional supplements will apply.