Affordable Nature
Tanzania

 

Discover quintessential African when you take a walk on the wild side in Tanzania. A relaxed attitude combined with some of the best reserves and parks on the continent is within affordable reach. Your safari hits all of the incredible spots, from Tarangire with its enormous elephant herds, to the vast savannahs of the Serengeti, the roots of modern man at Olduvai Gorge, and the unique eco-system of Ngorongoro Crater. This is a genuine slice of the true Africa where animal is King and the landscape free from modern encroachment. With more land devoted to wildlife than anywhere else in the world, this is a genuine safari paradise.

Days 1/2 - New York or Washington, D.C./London/Nairobi/Arusha
Board your overnight flight to London, where you connect with your flight to Arusha via Nairobi. Upon arrival you will be met by your Classic Escapes naturalist and transferred to your beautifully landscaped hotel located in the central part of town. THE NEW ARUSHA HOTEL. (Meals Aloft)

Days 3/4 - Tarangire National Park
A landscape dotted with towering baobab trees greets you as your vehicle enters Tarangire. Herds of elephant – the largest population in northern Tanzania – search for underground springs along with wildebeest, zebra and eland, and this is the one place in Tanzania to spot dry country antelope, such as the fringe-eared oryx. Over 550 bird species entrance you and the swamps support one of the most extensive habitats of breeding species in the world. Blending into the valley’s wooded slopes and overlooking Tarangire Hill is your comfortable lodge. TARANGIRE SOPA LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)

Days 5/6/7 - Serengeti National Park
Drive to the Serengeti – the crown jewel of Tanzania’s protected areas and host to the annual centuries-old migration of over one million wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of zebra with neighboring Maasai Mara in Kenya. Observe as cheetah, leopard and hyena keep watch on the herds of impala, topi, buffalo and Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelle. The acacia and sausage trees, and wild date palm thickets of the Seronera Valley are home to vervet monkey, baboon and elephant. Look for lion stalking its prey along rivers and hippo pools inhabited with scores of water birds, including Marabou stork, with opportunistic jackal waiting nearby for the leftovers. Survey the graceful cadence of giraffe walking across the savannah. Prehistoric rock outcroppings are alive with hyrax and dwarf mongoose. Rise with the sun and soar through the skies on a balloon safari for exhilarating panoramas of the Serengeti (at additional cost). Your lodge is situated amidst the Nyarboro Hills with lovely views and spacious rooms. SERENGETI SOPA LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)

Days 8/9 - Olduvai Gorge/Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Discover Olduvai Gorge, where in 1959, Louis and Mary Leakey uncovered Zinjanthropus and Homo habilis. One of the world’s most important paleoanthropological locations, tour the museum to learn about their archeological methods and remarkable finds. Continue to Ngorongoro Crater – an extinct volcano and World Heritage site. Your lodge is atop Lemala Hill on the Crater’s eastern edge, where your room’s floor-to-ceiling window allows for an amazing view across this ‘Garden of Eden.’ The next morning, descend almost 2,000 feet through misty clouds to the crater’s floor for a treasure trove of wildlife and scenery. Swaggering prides of black-mane lions roam the grasslands, home to large herds of wildebeest, buffalo, hartebeest, eland and zebra, with hyena packs close behind. Protected around the clock, this is the best area to see the rare black rhino. Colorful flamingo, spoonbill and jacana inhabit the shores of the soda lakes, while Hildebrandt’s Francolin and turaco lurk in the forest and Verreaux’s Eagle and Auger Buzzard soar high above. Bull elephants with massive tusks charge the plains while their female counterparts, along with the solitary leopard, meander through the forests. Afterwards, visit a Maasai village for a glimpse into their culture. NGORONGORO SOPA LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)

Days 10/11 - Arusha/Nairobi/London/New York or Washington D.C.
Return to Arusha this morning by vehicle where a dayroom awaits you at the NEW ARUSHA HOTEL. Shop at the African Heritage marketplace or relax poolside before enjoying snacks at your lodge, then board your flight home via Nairobi and London. (B,L; Meals Aloft)

Post-Extension to Tsavo West & Amboseli National Parks
Extend your safari to Tsavo West National Park, a volcanic landscape crossed by four rivers populated with over 1,000 plant species. Join hippo and crocodile in their underwater world at Mzima Springs. Marvel at the elephant population’s skin, dyed crimson by Tsavo’s red soil. Look for descendants of the infamous ‘Man-eaters of Tsavo’ lions popularized in the film Ghost in the Darkness. Visit a nearby local village and school. Then journey to Amboseli National Park, situated in the shadows of the majestic, snow-capped peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro, and home to an impressive five wildlife habitats that attract a wide variety of animal and bird life. Its large elephant herds have been studied for over 30 years by noted American naturalist and author, Cynthia Moss, founder of the Amboseli Elephant Research Project.

Your Safari Includes :

• The extension returns from Nairobi. Other departure cities are possible at additional cost.
• Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
• American breakfast in Arusha. All meals while on safari in Tanzania on the main program and in Kenya on the extension. Other meals as indicated.
• All wildlife viewing by private 4x4 vehicles driven by a naturalist driver/guide.
• Complimentary bottled water in vehicles and at meals.
• Professional naturalist will accompany the group with a minimum of ten travelers.
• All applicable hotel/lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
• All park entry fees.
• Complimentary baggage tags and passport wallet.

For reservations or more information, please contact:
Classic Escapes Inc. at (800) 627-1244