Tanzania Discovery Safari

Topic: Tour CalendarNEW November 3 to 15, 2008

and the mysteries of Zanzibar

TANZANIA! Just the name evokes the heart and soul of Africa. The spectacular landscapes of the Northern National Parks and Reserves are renowned for some of the finest game viewing in the world. Our safari will visit three of the most spectacular—incomparable Ngorongoro Crater, legendary Serengeti, and stunning Tarangire. November is a perfect month for our travel; the climate is warm and dry with very low humidity. The perfect afterglow to our safari will be three days in exotic Zanzibar. We invite you to join us on a memorable journey—filled with the sights and sounds of ageless Africa!

November 2008

Day 1 ~ 3, Monday - Departure

Our journey to exotic Tanzania is about to begin! We’ll depart the Gerald R. Ford International Airport this afternoon for a short flight to Detroit where we will connect with our transatlantic flight to Amsterdam.

Day 2 ~ 4, Tuesday - Amsterdam, Arusha

This morning we arrive in Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport and then connect onward to Tanzania. This evening we land at Kilimanjaro Airport, where our Tanzania Discovery Safari driver/guide will welcome us with a jubilant Jambo (hello)! After gathering our luggage, we’ll transfer to the Serena Mountain Village in Arusha for a well-deserved night of rest. The lodge is a re-creation of a traditional African village, with private balconies overlooking Lake Duluti.

Day 3 ~ 5, Wednesday - Tarangire National Park

Following breakfast and a safari briefing, we’ll drive to Tarangire Sopa Lodge, our home for the next two days. Located in a tranquil oasis setting, the spectacular baobab and acacia woodlands in the north are home to some 250 colorful species of birds. After lunch we will take our first game drive into the park, famous for its large elephant herds! After the game drive, we will return to the lodge for dinner.

Day 4 ~ 6, Thursday - Tarangire National Park

Today, we will discover the great and small creatures of Tarangire on our two game drives—one in the early morning and the other mid-afternoon. The park derives its name from the Tarangire River that flows north to south year-round and sustains an abundance of fauna and flora rarely seen elsewhere. Magnificent herds of elephant congregate and socialize in the area and the baobab tree woodlands play host to a vast variety of resident and migratory bird life. After a wonderful day, we will return back to the lodge for dinner and rest.

Day 5 ~ 7, Friday - Ngorongoro Crater

After breakfast, journey to Gibb’s Farm. Enjoy a relaxing experience on a traditional rural farm. Built in 1924 by German settlers, the farm grows fresh vegetables and its own coffee. We’ll have time for a guided nature walk around the farm before a tasty lunch is served. Continue on to the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge for a one-night stay. Perched on the uppermost eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater (a World Heritage Site), the lodge offers unique and spectacular views down into the crater floor and breathtaking sunsets over the western horizon. Nothing will prepare you for your first view of the ancient crater—it is one of the most beautiful wildlife havens left on earth! Take time to immerse yourself in the beauty of this place before sitting down to a wonderful dinner.

Day 6 ~ 8, Saturday - Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti

After breakfast, depart with a picnic lunch and descend through the early morning mist to the crater floor (likened by some to the Garden of Eden) for a full day of game viewing. A fever and fig tree forest gives shade to an awe-inspiring array of creatures, including the “big five” – lion, buffalo, elephant, rhino, and leopard. Countless flamingoes cover the soda lake like a pink cloud. After an incredible day, drive to Serengeti Park, with game viewing en route, to the Serengeti Sopa Lodge for a two-night stay.

Day 7 ~ 9, Sunday - Serengeti National Park

Today we travel to a wildlife legend—the famous rolling grasslands of Serengeti National Park! Armed with picnic lunches, we will enjoy a full day of game viewing in the Serengeti Park in search of the wildebeest and zebra migration in this area at this time of the year. The short grass plains are the hunting grounds for lion, leopard, and cheetah. With its wide-open spaces and diverse wildlife population, the Serengeti typifies everyone’s version of the ‘dream Africa.’ Dinner and a relaxing evening await us when we return.

Day 8 ~ 10, Monday - Serengeti Park / Olduvai Gorge

Following breakfast, we’ll leave with picnic lunches for game viewing in the Serengeti Park and drive to Olduvai Gorge where the Leakey family, in their search for the origins of mankind, unearthed the fossil Homo Habilis, who lived 1.75 million years ago. Imagine the thrill of standing at the very site where history was made. From there, we will drive to the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge for our overnight stay. It is difficult to imagine a more tranquil setting—the lodge overlooks the Great Rift Valley and the stunning Manyara soda lake. We will arrive in time for dinner and relaxation.

Day 9 ~ 11, Tuesday - Arusha / Zanzibar

Following breakfast, we’ll drive to the town of Arusha for some sightseeing and some last-minute shopping at the local craft shops. Nestled in the foothills of rugged Mt. Meru, Arusha also offers commanding views of the mighty Kilimanjaro. Lunch today is independent. After lunch, we will transfer to Arusha Airport for our Precision Air flight to Zanzibar. Arriving in Zanzibar, we will transfer to the Tembo Hotel for a three-night stay. Situated on the waterfront in the heart of Stonetown, the Tembo offers charming accommodations in authentic Zanzibari style. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant.

Day 10 ~ 12, Wednesday - Stonetown and Spice Plantation Tour

After breakfast, we’re off on a tour of historic Stonetown. First a stop at the bustling city market with its throng of vendors offering baskets of spices, fresh tropical fruits, and freshly caught seafood. Next, we will visit the Anglican Church of Christ, built in 1874 on the site of the old slave market. We’ll view intriguing relics from the time of the sultans at the Zanzibar Museum, plus visit the People’s Palace and the “House of Wonders.” While walking through the narrow streets, be sure to look for the whitewashed coral-rag houses with their ornately carved, brass-studded doors and elegant balconies overhead. After an independent lunch, our afternoon will be devoted to a fragrant Spice Tour. Our visit to a spice plantation will delight your senses as we learn about (and taste) fresh lemongrass, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and more! En route back to the hotel, we’ll make a refreshment stop. Dinner will be at another local restaurant this evening.

Day 11 ~ 13, Thursday - Zanzibar at your Leisure

This morning is entirely at your leisure so you can explore colorful Zanzibar at your own pace. This afternoon, we will travel to a resort area and enjoy sailing in a dhow. Return to the hotel this evening with dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 12 ~ 14, Friday - Dar-es-Salaam / Departure

After breakfast, your morning is free for last-minute explorations or shopping. Early this afternoon, we will transfer to the airport for a flight back to the mainland city of Dar-es-Salaam. This vibrant metropolis and port was once a modest fishing village. We’ll be met on arrival and spend the afternoon seeing the sights with a local guide, including the colorful Kariakoo Market and the bustling harbor where traditional Arab dhows mingle with huge ocean-going vessels. We’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to the airport to catch our international flight back to Amsterdam.

Day 13 ~ 15, Saturday - Return Home

Upon arrival in Amsterdam this morning, we’ll board our connecting flights back to Detroit and then home to Grand Rapids. We hope you had a fabulous time on safari and a memorable journey in Zanzibar!

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