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11 Day $3995pp.
Tanzania is home to some of the most famous
game parks in the world, an almost endless number and variety of
animals, and fascinating cultures. And this is an especially exciting
time to visit... the massive herds are migrating after the rains,
followed by predators stalking them through the tall prairie grasses.
This experience, coupled with the chance to learn traditional art forms
from local artisans and guides, results in a fantastic adventure to
East
Africa!
Includes: All lodging, meals as indicated and guides. Dates: June 29 Difficulty: Easy - Moderate |
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| Day 1 | Welcome to Tanzania! After arriving, we'll transfer to Arusha, the 'hub' of Tanzania's active safari business. Accommodations: New Arusha Hotel Meals: Dinner |
| Day 2 | Lake Manyara National Park Located at the foot of the Great Rift Valley, Lake Manyara National Park features a large alkaline lake and lush forests that are home to baboons, blue monkeys, hippos and more than 350 species of birds. Accommodations: Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 3 | Serengeti National Park Called the Siringet ('endless plains') by the Masai, the Serengeti is perhaps the best known National Park in the world. This is the perfect time of year to view the annual migration, a tremendous display of thousands of animals from the massive herds to the predators that follow them. See lions, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, antelope, hyena, and perhaps a cheetah. Accommodations: Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 4 | Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge After a morning of game viewing in the Serengeti, we'll head to the Olduvai Gorge the site where Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the jawbone of a Zinjanthropus Boisei Man. These and many other artifacts date back to almost 2 million years. We'll also visit the museum and learn why Zinjanthropus was nicknamed 'the Nutcracker'. Accommodations: Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 5 | Ngorongoro Crater Ngorongoro Crater - a World Heritage site - was once an active volcano. When it collapsed, it left a caldera 20 km wide the largest unbroken caldera in the world. This created an ideal environment for over thirty thousand animals, including the rare white rhino. As we descend the 620 meter wall of the crater, we'll watch for other large mammals including elephant, buffalo, and hippo and scan the treetops for leopards. Accommodations: Camping Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 6 | Snake Park and Arusha As we leave the high country and head back to Arusha, we'll stop at the Venomous Snake Park, a fantastic site for seeing and learning about some of the world's deadliest snakes. Spend the afternoon on your own exploring Arusha's markets and neighborhoods. Accommodations: New Arusha Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 7 | Batiking & Carving This morning learn to make conventional tie-dyed and batiked cloth - Tanzanian style! Our teacher has 15 years experience as an artist and instructor and has exhibited and taught throughout East Africa and Europe. In the afternoon, we'll discover the techniques used in ebony Makonde carvings. Members of the Antique Carving Co-op Society lead us in the original Makonde carving arts, focusing on family trees, spirits, masks and drums. Accommodations: Tanzanite Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Dinner |
| Day 8 | Hike the Northern Pare Mountains Starting our day in the town of Usangi, we'll climb 800 meters through a natural forest to the top of Kamwala mountain, one of 11 surrounding peaks. On the way, Mzee Keiya - an old farmer - will share fascinating stories about the miracles that once took place here. At the peak, the local Lomwe Secondary School will provide lunch as we have a discussion on the history of the Pare culture. This evening, join local families for dinner and an overnight homestay. (Alternative activities can be arranged if you feel you are not able to climb Kamwala Mountain.) Accommodations: Homestays Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 9 | Rift Valley Drive See the vast Tanzanian countryside firsthand as we descend from the mountains to the eastern sea coast and the economic hub of the country - Dar es Salaam. We'll visit villages along the way and spend the next two nights in a tented camp alongside the Indian Ocean. Accommodations: Mikokoni Luxury Camp Meals: Breakfast, Dinner(B) |
| Day 10 | Fishing & Storytelling Wake up at your leisure and explore the beach and surrounding area. Or head out to sea with local fishermen who will teach you the methods of traditional Tanzanian fishing. After the boats return, we'll build a bonfire and cook the day's catch. As the sun sets, we'll learn traditional Tanzanian tales from a local storyteller who weaves his way through myths and legends native to East Africa. Accommodations: Mikokoni Luxury Camp Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Day 11 | Dancing & Music; Games Enjoy a fun-filled morning of learning traditional music, dances and songs with the Parapanda Musicians and Dancers. Then head to Mwenge for a session on traditional Tanzanian games try to outwit the pros after learning the ins and outs of Bao, one of the most popular board games in the world! Mwenge is also the home of the Makonde carvers market. We'll have plenty of time to browse through the numerous traditional and contemporary arts and handicrafts shops and watch the carvers at work. Tonight we say goodbye with a farewell toast before boarding our evening flight for the trip back home. Accommodations: New Africa Hotel (Day Room) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |