AFRICAN ADVENTURE SAFARI

JULY 1-11, 2009

A leopard stalks its prey in the Serengeti.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND – WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE OUR 4TH ANNUAL
AFRICAN ADVENTURE SAFARI

Join us for 8 nights of amazing sights, sounds and excitement as we take to the heart of it all.  Tanzania, home to the famed Serengeti, the most diverse, natural home of wildlife on earth.

We will visit 4 national parks, home to the big 5 – Lions, Leopards, Elephants,  Rhinos and Buffalos.  You will also witness, Hippos, Giraffes, Zebras and Cheetahs, all in their natural habitats.

   Young elephants play-fighting in the Serengeti     

White rhinos having a “rough day”. 

Plus, you will visit two native African tribes, the Masi and the Maru.  Meet the tribe members, interact with their people, learn their culture and even hear or join in their musical expression. 

Weather is ideal in Tanzania in July, as their southern hemisphere location, makes July the coolest weather of the year, with highs in the mid to upper 70’s and night time lows in the 50’s, meaning the animals are at the most abundant and viewable for all safari goers

Wildlife viewing is usually best in late June to early August when the famed migration passes through, providing sightings of millions of wildebeest and other large animals migrating from Tanzania to Kenya.

All meals are included at each hotel /lodge on our itinerary, so all can enjoy their stay - worry free and hassle free.

All together, it’s a trip of a lifetime.

ITINERARY for JULY 2009 GROUP

July 1st , 2009 – in flight

Depart the US this evening on United airlines from Washington DC’s IAD (Dulles) airport, nonstop service to London Heathrow.  Our group escort will meet all at IAD airport and travel with the group for the full duration of the trip.

July 2nd, 2009 - Flight stopover for day in London

Arrive London this morning.  Today is a free day to explore London at your leisure, while your luggage is transferred automatically by the airline to our evening flight nonstop to Nairobi Kenya.

If you wish, sign up for our optional group sightseeing tour. 

  July 03: NAIROBI – ARUSHA:
Early morning arrival in Nairobi at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where we are met by our local guides and our tour manager, all of which will be with us for the full duration of the trip.  We will be shown to our chartered Transfer Bus.

We will be taken to the nearby Panari Hotel where breakfast. Is available for purchase and a chance to relax after the long flight and rejuvenate ourselves. 

By around 9:30am, we depart in our chartered coach to Arusha Tanzania via the Namanga border town where we will be assisted with the Immigration & Customs formalities.

You will arrive in Arusha in the early to mid afternoon and we will check into our hotel, the SG Resort.

Late Lunch will be provided at the SG Resort.

After freshening up, you will converge at the lobby for a comprehensive Safari briefing to be conducted at 4:30 this afternoon.  This lasts for about half an hour. You will get to know your local Safari Guides and ask questions so that the following morning, you are not strangers any more.

Dinner will be served tonight at the SG Resort.

You may get a strong urge to retire early this evening.
Accommodation at SG Resort.

SG RESORT - ARUSHA
A magnificent setting of lush tropical gardens, combined with superb accommodation and personalized service, are just some of the pleasures the discerning traveler can look forward to when visiting the luxurious and secure SG Resort hotel in Arusha Tanzania.

The hotel is located alongside of Nairobi road, just 1 mile from the Arusha town center.   Arusha is the gateway town to the northern circuit of Tanzania’s famous national parks.

Each of the hotel’s  24 rooms and suites have been tastefully decorated and furnished to reflect the beauty and culture of Tanzania. The hotel management supervise each and every quality standard in the rooms to ensure utmost comfort and convenience

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A TRAVELER REVIEW OF THE SG RESORT.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297913-d1129613-r18719107-SG_Resort_Hotel-Arusha.html

CLICK LINK TO VIEW MORE PICTURES OF THE SG RESORT

http://www.2afrika.com/site/slideshows/sg-resort/index.htm

July 04: ARUSHA – ARUSHA N PARK - ARUSHA:
Breakfast at the hotel.
At 8:00am, we will leave for Arusha National Park in 4x4 Safari Land Cruisers for morning and afternoon game drives.

Upon arrival, we will enjoy the first of several safari game drives.  All game drives throughout our tour, in all national parks (Arusha, Lake Mayanara, Serengeti and Ngorogoro Crater) are in comfortable and spacious 4x4 jeep safari all terrain vehicles accommodating 6 to 8 passengers per vehicle.

 
TRANSPORT VEHICLES IN TANZANIA
  
Great photo opportunities abound in all parks visited from the comfort and safety of our spacious 4x4 safari vehicles.  Sometimes, animals will be as close as a few feet away, as they quietly walk by in their own habitat and lucky tourists snap up photos of a lifetime !.

Arusha National Park is a secret jewel of many facets.  It is not only the closest national park to Arusha town, but also one of the most beguiling.  This is a treasure, a rich tapestry of habitats, teeming with animals and birds.  The park has three distinct zones that contribute to its variety and beauty: the lush swamps of Ngurdoto Crater; the tranquil beauty of the Momella lakes, each a different hue; and the chill rocky alpine heights of Mount Meru rising to 4,566 metres (14,990 feet). 

Arusha offers many animal sightings .

 Zebras graze on red grasslands, wide-eyed dik dik dart into scrubby bush-like overgrown hares on spindly legs. 

 Leopards lurk shadowy forests that are draped with waterfalls.  Reedbuck pick through marshy pools and Giraffes glide across the grassy hills. 

There are more than 400 species of birds.  Fluffy-tailed black and white colobus monkeys riot in the damp forest mists. 

In the distance Mount Kilimanjaro watches over all. But it is her unassuming cousin, Mount Meru that dominates, offering unparalleled views of the famous neighbour. 

Late afternoon, return to SG Resort for dinner and accommodation.

July 05: ARUSHA – LAKE MANYARA
After breakfast, we will be driven to Lake Manyara National Park arriving in 2 hours. 

Entering the park the tall trees surround the ground forest. In many ways it resembles a tropical rainforest - with its verdant foliage and variety of bird life - the difference being these trees are supported by a water supply from underneath rather than by abundant rainfall.

Following the formation of the Rift Valley, streams cascaded down the rocky walls and, because there was no outlet, a lake was formed. It was at its largest about a quarter of a million years ago. The average area of the lake is around 390 square kilometers varying from year to year.

The lake harbors abundant aquatic life ranging from pink flamingoes to elegant pelicans. The hippos are no doubt commandingly noticeable in the inlets of various rivers & rivulets feeding this lake with fresh water. At the far southern end of the park, are some Hot water springs owing to the vulcanicity which the whole region went through, about a million years ago.

Perfectly popular are the tree-climbing lions of this park – they are known to take this position especially during the dry season on the low-lying branches of the dominant umbrella acacias.

With picnic box lunches served at midday, you will be sure to see the most possible wildlife in this wonderful park.  

Late in the afternoon, we will proceed to our Lodge for the night, Migunga Tented Camp, where we will enjoy the best of two worlds – All passengers will enjoy the comforts of having two full, modern beds in each of these unique tents built on sturdy platforms.  Each platform tent also has the comforts of a private bathroom, with hot shower and traditional flush toilet.  Full screening, with the best protection against mosquitos and the best ventilation, provide all with a comfortable, relaxed stay, set in the tranquility of the African Bush.  The added scenic beauty of a private verandah with patio furniture is also a feature of each platform tent.
Migunga Tented Camp is the ideal place for starting and finishing your safari.  It is on the doorstep of some of the finest animal reserves and scenery in Africa. 

The Camp is set on thirty-five acres of acacia forest in a secluded part of Migungani Village.
There are local lodge attendants  ready to escort you in the evenings from your tent to the restaurant for dinner and back to your tent if you wish the comfort of such personal guidance
The tents are amazing, comfortable, and the place to walk around is beautiful. The dining room and bar are under a main large tent where you can admire the whole camp from there. Its beautiful with many tall trees and the velvet monkeys crawling around and climbing from tree to tree.

Migunga tented camp is a wonderfully tranquil place.  Accommodations are in sturdy canvas tents set upon wooden platforms, with each maintaining its own bathroom with hot showers and modern flush toilets.   A pleasant verandah is in front of each platform tent so guests can simply relax and enjoy the tranquility of your surroundings.  The ambience is straight out of the famed movie “Out of Africa” and is a true delight on any Safari visit – offering the best of both worlds – The comforts of home, with the authentic feel of being on safari.

July 06: MANYARA – SERENGETI
Breakfast at the Camp.

 Then, we will depart in our 4x 4 safari vehicles for a drive through the Mbulu countryside enjoying fantastic views of the terrain in every few moments.  Proceed on to the Naabi Hill where you will take your picnics. We will then set off on an en route game drive in the famous Serengeti National Park so that we arrive at Serengeti Tented Camp (Ikoma) in the early evening.

Between the Ngorongoro Highlands, Lake Victoria and Tanzania’s northern border with Kenya stretches the world’s last great wildlife refuge - the Serengeti. The name comes from the Maasai “siringet,”  meaning “endless plains”. The Serengeti’s 14,763 square kms. contains about three million large animals, most taking part in seasonal migrations, unparalleled in nature.

Twice a year, 1.4 million wildebeest, 300,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle gather to undertake the long trek to new grazing lands. The migration of the herbivores roughly defines the boundaries of Serengeti National Park, which is the central zone of the Serengeti ecosystem, an area that also takes in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Maswa Game Reserve in the west. Within this 25,900 square kms. of varied landscape live thirty-five species of plains game and 500 bird species.

Set in the midst of an incredible vista of savannah and skies, sheltered in a grove of acacia trees is Serengeti Tented Camp.  Ideally situated along the path of the migrating wildebeest between Kenya and Tanzania, the camp is situated at the border of the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. There you will find yourself on probably one of the best game drives in the area - along the western corridor of the park, taking in Kirawira and the Grumeti river - home to the infamous wildebeest-eating giant crocodiles. There is no better place to take in one of the world's greatest wildlife spectacles.

  The camp is well situated for numerous fantastic game drives and walk; including the probably best drive in the Park: the circuit along the western corridor via Banagi, the Grumetti River, and Kirawira.

Each Platform Tent has 2 comfortable beds, with its own bathroom with a Hot Shower and a Flush Toilet.
The Tents are spacious and each has a verandah.
The windows with a mosquito netting are big,  hence the tents are always well-ventillated.

There are assistants ready to escort you in the evenings from your Tent to the Restaurant for dinner and back to your Tent.
This instills a sense of security for all.
Because it lies outside the national park boundary, the camp is permitted to offer guided walks through the surrounding acacia woodland, which often offer interesting mammal sightings and provide reliably good birdwatching. Night drives through the concession often yield sightings of nocturnal bushbabies, mongooses, genets and (more occasionally) the weird and wonderful aardvark. Performances by the village dance troop are arranged with 24-hour notice. The camp is well positioned for game drives east towards the game-rich Seronera Plains and south along an untrammeled game circuit via Banagi to the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor.

It is interesting to hear a hyena laughter at night and a zebra braying at dawn to welcome a new day.
Staying in these lodges is truly a magical experience, offering the comforts of home, while in a natural setting.
The first night feels different; on the second night you are so happy to be there for this fantastic experience and come the third day you are sorry you have to leave!

Click here to view more about our stay at this wonderful slice of the African Serengeti.  http://www.moivaro.com/serengeti_lodge_tanzania.htm

 
July 07 2009: SERENGETI

The entire day will be spent with game drives in the Serengeti, offering fabulous photo opportunities of wildlife up close and in their natural habitat.

All meals and accommodation will be provided at Serengeti Tented Camp (Ikoma).

8th July: SERENGETI - NGORONGORO
Today we embark on a final game drive in Serengeti as we gradually move towards the Park Gate.

After enjoying a picnic lunch, we will then visit the Oldupai Gorge, otherwise referred to as the “Cradle of Mankind.” The immense savannas of east Africa mark the area where the human race is believed to have emerged.  The Olduvai Gorge near the Serengeti in Tanzania has yielded the oldest known remains of modern humans.  Next we then visit a Maasai Tribal Village for a true interaction with the Masai Indian people, where you will learn their culture and customs and interact with their people, before continuing to Ngorongoro.

Late in the afternoon, our safari vehicles will ascend out of the crater and proceed to Bougainvillea Safari Lodge where we will take dinner and stay for the night.

A convenient location makes this small Lodge the perfect choice for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This Lodge is just a few metres from the tarmac road that leads to the famous Ngorongoro Crater Park Gate - some 15 minutes drive.

THE VERANDAHS AT EACH COTTAGE
From the moment you arrive, you are made to feel at home. Welcome drinks are served by a smiling staff, your room is ready and Chef Reggie is preparing a gourmet dinner that is bound to please.
The lodge features 24 fully furnished, self contained cottages with either two twin beds or one king bed. 
Each cottage features a spacious verandah, fireplace and electrical outlets for those with digital cameras and laptops.  The lodge also offers a bar with a selection of popular soft drinks, wines, beers, and spirits.

Its high quality of accommodation and meals have received lots of praise from various customers. They always yarn to welcome new clients on board and give them a chance to impress them. From the moment you arrive, you are made to feel at home. Welcome drinks are served by a smiling staff, your room is ready and Chef Reggie is preparing a gourmet dinner that is mouth-watering.The lodge features 24 fully furnished, self contained cottages with either two twin beds or one king bed.Each cottage features a spacious verandah, fireplace and electrical outlets for those with digital cameras and laptops. There's also plenty of hot water. The lodge also offers a bar with a selection of popular soft drinks, wines, beers, and spirits. Aside from the dining room, there are small bandas for private meals or small meetings.

  KING BED ACCOMMODATIONS

Click the below link for more info and photos of our lodge

http://www.bougainvillealodge.net/index.html

July 09: NGORONGORO CRATER
Breakfast will be served at the Lodge followed by a short drive to the rim of the crater.
Immediately after, descend to the floor of the crater for game viewing.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers 2286 sq km and encompasses the volcanic area around the Ngorongoro Crater - including the still active volcano of Oldonyo Lengai and the famous Olduvai Gorge. Its centerpiece, the Ngorongoro Crater, is the largest unbroken caldera in the world and the first sight of it is breathtaking. The floor of the crater is only 100 sq miles but is home to around 30,000 animals with a high concentration of predators.

The crater supports up to 25,000 large mammals. Grazers dominate: zebra, wildebeest - accounting for almost half the animals - gazelle, buffalo, eland, hartebeest and wart hog. Giraffe, for example, stay away because there is insufficient food at tree level; topi because they compete directly with wildebeest. An odd feature of the crater elephants is that they are almost exclusively bulls. Breeding herds - comprising large numbers of females and young with a few attendant older males - are probably unable to find sufficient quality food in the crater.

Ngorongoro has carnivores in quantity, drawn by the large herds of prey animals. It has the densest population of large predators, mainly lion - about 100 - and more than 400 spotted hyena, living in eight clans of up to eighty individuals. Both lions and hyenas will scavenge from each other, depending on weight of numbers and of course, hunger.

Most of the bird wildlife in Ngorongoro is seasonal. Also influencing the variety of bird species on display is the ratio of soda water to fresh water – soda water has the largest expanse of water on the crater floor, Lake Magadi. The lake is alkaline due to deposits of volcanic ash thrown out by surrounding volcanoes.

Picnic Lunches will be provided at midday at the Ngoitoktok picnic site.

Late in the afternoon, you will return to Bougainvillea Safari Lodge where you will take dinner and stay for the second night.

July 10: NGORONGORO - ARUSHA
After a leisurely breakfast, we will drive back to Arusha.

You will have an opportunity of going shopping for possible souvenirs en route.
Lunch will be served at SG Resort at noon.

At 1pm we will leave for Mama Nora Child Care Trust -  an Orphanage with charming children who are always happy to receive visitors. The hostess - Mama Nora, a psychologically strong lady with a special heart, will give a short history of the Orphanage after which these beautiful children will sing good African songs for you.

Soon after, you will be driven to the nearby Mulala Village located on the slopes of Mt. Meru. – approx. a 45 minute drive.  We shall be hosted by a typical Rural Women’s Group called Agape Women’s Group. This is a well coordinated group of rural ladies who work hard to liberate themselves economically by engaging in various projects, the most popular being production of very high quality Cheese.  They also produce best of the range honey which is harvested from a special bee specie easily seen at their homestead.

They also bake bread, farming and are very happy to show you how they perform their everyday chores.

At around 5pm, we will be treated to a range of traditional Meru tribe foodstuffs..…. All in small quantities because you will still be full. Then how sad it feels when you have to be reminded to leave these very accommodating ladies

At 6pm, we start the drive back to SG Resort where we will enjoy dinner and stay for the night.

                   VARIOUS IMAGES OF OUR LAST VISIT TO MULALA VILLAGE

July 11: ARUSHA - NAIROBI
A leisurely breakfast at the Lodge.
The entire morning for resting at the hotel.
Lunch is included at the SG Resort.

Soon after, we will board your Transfer Bus and drive via Namanga border town then on to the Airport  where we will arrive in very good time for checking-in for your International Flight back to USA.  Enroute, time permitting, a stop may be made at the Mamba Village for a visit to the Giraffe Centre for an up close look at these giant and unique creatures

INCLUDED IN OUR AFRICAN SAFARI:

• ROUND TRIP AIR ON UNITED AND KENYA AIR FROM WASHINGTON DC’S IAD (DULLES AIRPORT) WITH ALLSINGLESTRAVEL TRIP ESCORT ON ALL FLIGHTS.
• Iprofessional Meet and greet service with group transportation from the Nairobi airport to Arusha and back, with with preofessional assistance at border crossing
•  All accommodations, and yours as listed above
• ABreakfast and dinner daily at each lodge and lunch each day (on safari)
• AAll wildlife safari drives and other special visits, as per the itinerary
• FFree roommate matching
• BBottled water for all passengers each day

TRIP COST:  $4199 PER PERSON + TAXES ON FLIGHTS (APPROX. BETWEEM $300 AND $400 PER PERSON, INCLUDING FUEL SURCHRGES. Note, taxes are subject to change by the airline until ticketed.)

Optional single supplement: $699 for those not wishing the free roommate matching service)

A deposit of $200 holds your space.  Deposits are refundable if cancelled by March 15th.  Balance payments are due April 10th and are non refundable at that time.

OPTIONAL DAY TRIP TO MT KILIMANJARO
This option can be done instead of the visit to Arusha N Park on 4th July, at a Supplementary cost of $199 per person

Important Note
A visit to Tanzania is considered complete when combined with a Day Hike to the foot of the Tallest Free-Standing Mountain in the world – Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The Hike is a consistent 5.6 mile ascent which is very interesting for the physically fit people, but, it is said to be strenuous for those who are physically unfit.

If one has chest problems, then he/she should not do it.

In order to enjoy it, we recommend some training for at least three months. This would involve light jogging over a distance of 1.5 miles once or twice a week plus walking over a distance of 5 to 8 miles at least twice a week.

4th July 2009
After breakfast, you will link up with your Mountain Guides and be transferred to the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro (the drive is approx 2 to 2.5 hours)

Registration process is conducted at the Marangu Park Gate (6000 feet), then you collect your day pack which includes your bottled drinking water, picnic lunch box & your camera, then off you begin the hike.
You will walk through dense Tropical Rain Forest which is characterized by the presence of singing birds, some colobus monkeys, some waterfalls and cataracts. The path consistently covers a pretty steady gradient with a few more steep but short sections. It then opens to giant heather and you are at the first Hut – the Mandara Hut (4 to 5hrs walk.) You take your picnics here.

After some rest, its advisable to do some 30 minutes more of walking to Maundi Crater which has a great cultural importance to the local tribe – the Chagga. If the weather is clear, you may see the peak of the Kilimanjaro from this point.

We will then walk back to Marangu gate (3hrs) where you will find your bus waiting to transfer you back to Arusha.

DRIVING TIMES