Tanzania Photo Safari Itinerary

DAY 1

U.S. / EN ROUTE

Our East African safari begins when you fly independently from the Atlanta International Airport.

DAY 2

ARRIVE ARUSHA, TANZANIA

Our jet lands late in the evening at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha, the capital of Northern Tanzania. “Jambo" (Hello) is the cheerful welcome from your safari representative, who escorts us to our hotel. Secreted in the depths of a tree-shaded coffee plantation, wreathed in multi-coloured tresses of tumbling bougainvillea, cooled by mountain streams and strung like a necklace around the shores of an idyllic wooded lake, Mountain Village offers a haven of calm and serenity just outside the hustle and bustle of Arusha, Tanzania’s premier “Safari Town.” Set in the flowered gardens of a coffee planter’s farm house and surrounded by rolling groves of wax-green coffee bushes, Mountain Village offers wide timbered decks with panoramic views over Lake Duluti, and a selection of ethnically-styled rondavel village-cluster rooms, each one neatly thatched with Makuti stems, lavishly embellished with Makonde carvings and comfortably furnished in traditional safari style. (Meals Aloft)

DAYS 3 & 4

TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK

Our drive this morning takes us to Tarangire, the third largest game park in Tanzania and the home to vast wildlife year round thanks to its constant source of water, the Tarangire River. Before checking into our comfortable accommodations at the Tarangire Sopa Lodge, we journey through the rolling countryside searching for Tarangire wildlife, including endangered black rhino, antelope, leopard, lion and cheetah. The park's inhabitants include an unusually large elephant population as well as eland, kudu, gazelle, fringe-eared oryx and giraffe. Birdlife is also plentiful here. Tarangire is an oasis in dry country, perpetually crowded, even when other parks have limited wildlife. We return to our lodge each evening after game drives. Hidden among the kopjes, lies Tarangire Sopa Lodge, surrounded by ancient baobab trees. It is the home of the greatest concentration of elephants in Africa, and other game including the elusive leopard. Over 400 bird species can be spotted here as well. With water constantly available in the area, the greenery is lush providing a wonderful contrast to the burnt ground. (B,L,D)

DAY 5

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

Following breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara National Park, one of Africa’s jewels. In the park’s north is an extensive area of forest populated by baboons, monkeys and flocks of noisy hornbills. Further south is an area of umbrella thorn trees, where we find impala, zebra, giraffe and wildebeest. Visit Manyara’s hippo pools and search for the most famous residents: tree-climbing lions. Spend tonight at the Manyara Serena Lodge. (B,L,D)

DAYS 6 & 7

NGORONGORO CRATER

Continue to the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, "Africa's Garden of Eden." During our two days in this region, we drive down into the Crater where an abundance of food and fresh water provides a permanent home to more than 30,000 large mammals. Throughout the Ngorongoro conservation area, you'll see wildebeest, zebra, gazelle, hippo and all the “big five” – elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino. This is the only place in East Africa where you can easily observe a natural population of black rhino. We also visit a remote Maasai village for a chance to experience the culture of East Africa. Our accommodation is the stunning Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. (B,L,D Daily)

DAY 8

OLDUVAI GORGE / SERENGETI PLAINS

Drive to the famous Serengeti National Park, first visiting Olduvai Gorge, where the Leakey family did important work that shed light on early human development with Mary Leakey's discovery of a 1.7 million-year-old fossil skull. We continue on to one of the grandest settings in all of Africa — the Serengeti Plains, home to the greatest concentration of large, migratory mammals on Earth. This is not just another Tanzania tour; it is a journey into creation, for one million animals inhabit the Serengeti and live in total freedom in limitless plains scattered with prehistoric rocky outcrops, patches of acacia bush, and occasional small rivers. The migratory herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle roam widely, searching for green grass and water. They face challengers from predators such as lions, cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs, who must hunt to survive. Spend the next three nights at the Kirawira Camp. (B,L,D)

DAYS 9 & 10

SERENGETI PLAINS

Those of us who have booked a hot air balloon safari (additional cost applies) will rise before dawn for this amazing adventure followed by a huge Champagne breakfast in the wild. Continue on the northern region of the Serengeti and our luxury mobile tent camp. Our game runs in the Serengeti may afford you a glimpse of the black-maned lion for which the park is renowned, as well as leopard and other predators. In the great Serengeti kingdom, the large predators — lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena — remain locked in an age-old rivalry for supremacy, with millions of herbivores as their quarry. Visitors are privileged witnesses to the savage rituals of predator and prey acted out each day on these plains of plenty. Keep your camera ready for spectacular photographs. Everyday is a day of discovery and adventure and the reason why so many people return again and again to Africa! (B,L,D Daily)

DAY 11

SERENGETI / ARUSHA / EN ROUTE

Fly to Arusha. On arrival, we will be taken to Mountain Village where dayrooms are available until our evening check-out. Transportation is provided to take us shopping for souvenirs or items of interest including wood carvings and jewelry and trip memorabilia, or we may choose to stay at the lodge to swim and relax. Prior to our flight, we enjoy a farewell dinner and transfer to the airport to check in for departure to Amsterdam. (B,L,D)

DAY 12

ARRIVE U.S.

Connect with our flight back to the U.S. and home. Return to the U.S. with memories of East Africa that photographs and words alone cannot describe!