Day 1:
Departure
Depart the U.S. to Tanzania. (Meals Aloft)

Day 2:
Arrive in Tanzania
Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania in the late evening.  We will be met by our driver-guide and taken to the Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge, bungalows nestled at the base of Mt. Meru, for your overnight.  The lodge has blended a charming atmosphere together with every comfort, such as a swimming pool.  It is an ideal spot to enjoy the impressive flora and fauna of East Africa. Moivaro Coffe Plantation Lodge (Meals aloft)

Day 3:
Lake Manyara
After breakfast, we’ll begin our lodge safari in Lake Manyara National Park.  During dry seasons, non-migratory animals take refuge in the permanent waters of the lake.  The park is home to large baboon troops, blue monkeys (who may sit feet away while travelers much on their lunches), tree climbing lions (possibly a learned behavior), elephants and much more.  Packed lunch.  Overnight at the charming Manyara Serena.  (B, L, D)

Day 4:
Serengeti
After breakfast, onward to the amazing Serengeti National Park with game drives en route.  Enjoy your safari from an optional magnificent hot air balloon ride.  Those who wish to take this optional flight and enjoy a champagne breakfast must be sure to request this addition.  The Serengeti is where we’ll find the prides of lions, such as the Maasai pride and the Cub Valley pride.  This area of Tanzania has the highest concentration of animals on the continent.  Packed lunches. Overnight at Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge.  The lodge looks out over the seemingly endless Serengeti plains.  This hillside lodge is a tranquil oasis set in thousands of square kilometers of National Park.  (B, L, D)

Day 5:
Serengeti
After breakfast, embark on a full day game drive.  The magnificent hot air balloon ride can be requested either day for an additional supplement (must be requested prior to arrival).  We may have an optional sunrise game drive when the cats are most likely to hunt.  Packed lunch. Overnight at the Ndutu Lodge.  The Ndutu Lodge still has the informal, intimate feeling of the original bush camp, built by legenday hunter George Dove in the 60s.  Now, comfortable cottages have replaced tents, but the main buildings place no barriers between you and nature.  At breakfast you will be delighted by iridescent birds, at lunch you may be entertained by a passing group of elephants, and at dinner by and exquisite genet gliding over the rafters.  (B, L, D)

Day 6:
Serengeti – Olduvai
After breakfast, game drives en route to the Migration Museum (excellent displays!) and Olduvai Gorge.  We’ll have a picnic lunch at the Gorge with a brief presentation on the discoveries made by the Leakey family. Overnight at the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge that offers breathtaking views of the crater floor far below.  The lodge is constructed of local stone and is mounded into the contours of its site.  Thanks to its sensitive design, it is practically invisible from the crater below.  (B, L, D)

Day 7 :
Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, we’ll explore the Tarangire National Park.  Here animals take refuge in the permanent waters of the Tarangire River.  The park covers an area of 2,600 sq. km.  Spread across a region of great natural beauty, Tarangire is home to a rich kaleidoscope of creatures.  Of special interest is the presence of both greater and lesser kudu, lion, eland, oryx and gerenuk.  The park is also noted for its abundance of giraffe.  Packed lunch.  Overnight at the Tarangire Tented Camp. (B, L, D)

Day 8:
Onward to Barabaig Village
The Barabaig culture is quite unknown and even Tanzanians living a mere 4 hours away are not aware of this culture.  The Barabaig are Nilo-cushitic, pastoralists, patrilineal and polygamous.  Barabaig shamans hold the power to summon rain and Barabaig women can also make it rain through dance and prayer.  While the Barabaig are quite hospitable and are overjoyed with visitors, they have chosen not to adapt their culture to globalization.  Visitors must abide by certain codes of conduct while in the village. After breakfast, we’ll journey southwest to the town of Katesh.  This is a beautiful drive along the Great Rift Valley and passing Mt. Hanang.  Upon arrival, we will be given a brief cultural orientation on Barabaig culture and expected code of conduct.  We will then be driven to the Barabaig village.  Upon arrival, we will be met by many Barabaig, such as the elders, the village chairman, and district counselor.  Our friends will warmly introduce us to the village and its people.  Barabaig warriors will guard us while we camp overnight (there is no threat of theft, it is just their way of taking care of us).  Camps consist of full standup tents with proper beds, showers and toilet facilities, tables, chairs, camp hands, waiters, mess tent, cooks, etc. and will be set up prior to the clients’ arrival.  Drinks will be available for purchase at the camp.  (B, L, D)

Day 9-11
Barabaig Village – Walking Safari, Beading, RainMakers, Ethno-Botany, Honey-Beer Brewing
Over the next few days, our group will learn about Barabaig culture from the Barabaig.  The women of the village will teach us how to make their beaded goatskin outfits.  We’ll join the medicine man to collect various roots, leaves and fruits that are used to treat the villagers and their livestock as well as ward off curses and evil spirits.  We may even discuss a particular personal ailment with the medicine man.  We’ll also meet the rainmakers and discuss their lives as rainmakers and the rainmaking tradition.  (This is very secretive and the rainmakers must feel quite comfortable with the group before dicussing or showing anything in depth.)  Overnight in the camp.  (B, L, D)

Day 12:
Village Farewell and Onward to Arusha
This morning, we’ll say farewell to our hosts and new friends in the village.  After breakfast, we’ll journey back to Arusha for either dayrooms at the Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge if you are departing for home, or boarding the plane to our extension adventure in Zanzibar!

Zanzibar Extension
June 25-30, 2007

Onward to Zanzibar, where numerous beautiful beaches abound and in-depth history can be found.  It was a port for the ivory and slave trade route, and it also has many ancient ruins of mosques, a historical museum, and sites of interest from the German colonial period.  After Zanzibar, venture to one of Tanzania’s newest national parks, the awesome Saadani National Park.  This park is also the only park in East Africa that borders the Indian Ocean, where you may actually see the elephants in the water.  Also, there are many species of mammals here that are not found in other parts of Tanzania.  Frolic on the gorgeous white sandy beaches of Saadani and enjoy a boat safari that is the best in Africa!  This extension is a perfect relaxing complement to your days on safari and in the villages.

Day 12:
Arusha Farewell and Onward to Zanzibar
After lunch at the Moviaro Coffee Plantation, board your flight to the intriguing island of Zanzibar.  Transfer from the airport to the Zanzibar Serena Hotel for your overnight.  This hotel is situated on the seafront of Zanzibar’s historic Stone Town.  The oceanfront, air-conditioned rooms exude an aura of calm overlooking the Indian Ocean.  The hotel was created by renovating and rehabilitating two romantic and historic buildings.  The inn offers a seafront restaurant, bar and spacious and secluded swimming pool.  However, this evening you will dine at the Tower Top Restaurant in the Emerson & Green Hotel, which is an integral part of the skyline of Zanzibar along with mosque minarets, Hindu temple towers, and church spires.  This most amazing restaurant is the second tallest building in Stone Town Zanzibar.  (B, L, D)

Day 13:
Morning City Tour and Afternoon Spice Tour
The morning will be spent on a walking city tour of Zanzibar.  This is a guided historical tour to the old town of Zanzibar, fondly known as Stone Town.  The tour is covered mainly on foot, providing the guests the opportunity to stroll through the narrow alleys, sighting splendid artifacts like carved Arab doors with brass studs, carved balconies, and the old post office.  The highlights of the tour are:

• The central market, built in 1904, a bustling place where fish, fruits, vegetables and spices are sold.
• The Anglican cathedral (1873), built on the site of the former slave market.
• The national museum, opened in 1925.
• Tippu Tip House, residence of a famous slave trader.
• House of Wonders Palace Museum (1883), formerly the residence of the Sultan.
• Marahubi palace ruins.  Built in 1880-82, and accidentally burnt down in 1889.

The afternoon Spice Tour will include a trip to the lush green gardens of innumerable species of spices and tropical fruit trees.  Many of these spices have medicinal properties and are still used by the locals to cure certain maladies.  Taste a variety of fruits ranging from the rose apple to the guava…savor different spices in their aromatic state: cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla, black pepper, you name it!  You get to see rare plants used for their value in preparing cosmetics: henna, lipstick tree, perfume trees, etc.  The ruins of the Kidichi Persian baths are also visited en route.  From the spice farms the tour will proceed to Mangapwani beach about 25 km from Zanzibar town driving through typical Zanzibar villages, and a visit to the slave caves.  Spend some time on the beach before driving back to the hotel.  Lunch and dinner on one’s own; there are many restaurants to choose from.  Overnight at the Serena Hotel.  (B)

Day 14:
Jozani Forest
After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a morning Jozani Forest tour.  Jozani is the only remaining wetland forest intact on the island.  About a 45 minute drive from the city center, it is home to the surviving members of the Red Colobus monkeys (procolobus kirkii), a very rare species and only found in Zanzibar.  The forest is a delight, with a swamp in the middle and small streams flowing into the ocean.  Afterwards, look forward to a guided shopping tour in Stone Town and a serene, beautiful sunset dhow cruise.  Overnight at the Serena Hotel. (B)

Day 15:
Onward to Saadani
After breakfast at  the Dhow Palace, ferry back to the main island to board your flight Saadani National Park.  The park is romantic, gorgeous, secluded and on a powdery white sandy beach on the Indian Ocean. Mkwaja Saadani National Park contains distinctive and rare habitats. Unique in East Africa is the beach and salt grass flats along the Indian Ocean. At least 24 species of large mammals are found here, including the rare Roosevelt sable antelope; furthermore the beach areas contain one of the last significant East African breeding beaches in for the green turtle.  At the Wami River mouth, there is large and still well preserved mangrove swamps. The northern part, formally a cattle ranch, is dominated by coastal lowland mosaic, presenting an exceptional variety of habitats, such as woodland, forest, coastal thicket, semi-arid scrub, grassland, wetlands, salt marshes, mangroves and beaches. The vegetation supports aconsiderable number of elephants, buffaloes, large antelopes, and the rare Giant brown bat. On the coast of Indian Ocean the park has several unique landforms, such as several pristine sand dunes with interesting vegetation. The main and much recognizable natural feature of the park is the Zaraninge Forest; 200 square kilometers (50,000 acres) of closed canopy tropical forest. It is one of the larger coastal forests in Tanzania. The forest dominates the western part of Mkwaja Saadani National Park. Saadani is host to new species of reptile (dwarf gecko), amphibian (Hyperolius parkeri), an endemic snail and many other species of invertebrates, 8 bird species, and large mammals. African buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, and several antelopes species and lions are all found in the southern portion of the national park, which dominated by Wami River and its delta. Mkwaja Saadani National park with its complex ecosystem hold a large number of water birds including the greater flamingo, high concentration of cetacean and important population of crocodiles and hippos.  Evening game drive.  Overnight at Saadani Safari Lodge.  The lodge has been completely refurbished in 2001, and boasts 9 luxury beachfront tent-bandas and one honeymoon suite. Saadani has en-suite facilities, solar lighting, and a private verandah that just sits just a few paces from a pristine Indian Ocean beach. Bottled-nosed dolphins are common off the South coast of the reserve, whales pass through the Zanzibar channel in October and November, and there is a green turtle breeding beach at Madete in the North.  You have arrived in paradise!  (B, L, D)

Day 16:
Saadani Boat Safari
Start the day with a boat safari and later a village walking safari in Saadani National Park.  Game drive also if time permits.  It is thrilling to track giraffe from the beach to the forest!  The boat safari on the Wami River is possibly the best boat safari in Tanzania.  Overnight at the Saadani Safari Lodge.  (B, L, D)

*Note that upon arrival, the park warden may rearrange the order of the game drives, boat safari and village tour.

Day 17:
A Farewell to Africa
Force yourself to depart Saadani for a flight to Dar es Salaam, where you will have a half-day city tour.  Enjoy a farewell dinner before your departure flight home.  Thus, your magical journey has ended with many treasured memories of the wonderful land of Africa. (B, D, meals aloft)

Itinerary subject to change.
If local prices increase beyond our control, rates could be affected. Itinerary is subject to change given local conditions.