Grand Africa Safari

   january 17-28, 2024
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pAST SAFARIS WERE $6,879...
now JOIN THE GRAND AFRICA SAFARI FOR just
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$5,879!
​until April 30, 2023
With optional climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro
a PRE-SAFARI AND/OR POST ZANZIBAR EXTENSION

A truly unforgettable Grand Africa Safari:
       While the animals and birds are amazing, the people of Tanzania are some of the kindest, most friendly, and generous people in the world. They LIVE "hakuna matata"  (no worries). 
*Come January for the perfect time for this Safari. The short rains green everything up so elephants and other herbivores are busy eating while the predators stalk them. And January is prime birthing season.
* Experienced, local Guide for every six people! 
* Your own cruiser-window viewing seat
* Meet-the-people at: church, orphanage and Maasai village
* Hot-air balloon ride over the Serengeti
* All inclusive great food
​* 4-Star grand safari lodges w/local entertainment 
* $900 National Park fees!

WHY TANZANIA?
Of all of the wonderous lands of Africa, only Tanzania has a wildly diverse topography AND millions of animals and birds of migrating herds that you'll see. Here's a quick overview of our diverse route:
1. Mt. Kilimanjaro: 19,341 snow capped icon that we land near.
2. Arusha National Park:  Add on another night in Arusha for this great natural wonder with giraffes, colobus monkeys, and the Ngurdoto Crater under the eye of Mt. Meru. View this park on a Pre-Safari expedition. Call for details.
3. Tarangire National Park and Sopa Lodge: The  Tarangire River is the source of water for the famous elephant migrations. Many lions, cape buffalo, impala, ostrich and more are found by our guides.
4. Lake Manyara: Huge lake famous for flamingos. elephants, and leopards in the trees.
5. Rift Valley: It starts above the Dead Sea and ends near where we climb to its high plateaus.
6. Gibbs Farm: Coffee and vegetable farm with a great dining area and flower gardens.
7. Ngorongoro Crater:  A massive extinct volcano nearly as tall as Mt. Kilimanjaro blew its top off eons ago leaving a crater more than 12 miles in diameter. It has its own ecological system and herds.
8. Oldupai Gorge: Where Dr. Leaky's archaelogical "primitive man" digs are still located. We drive down to the actual site.
9. Serengeti: Massive plains that host the world's largest herds. Dotted with granite "kopjes" that stick out like rocky islands in a sea of grass.
10. Maasai villages:  they host us, dance, leap, and invite us into their mud huts. Fascinating ancient culture still in operation.

Itinerary
Airline routes to Africa change -- some non-stop flights are added and others curtailed. Please check the best route and fare you can find on the internet and then compare with our travel agent Dawn Harvey at 801-205-8621. The best flights are those with a forced layover in Amsterdam. A great way to break up the trip and beat jet-lag. In the morning you fly to Tanzania's Kilimanjaro (JRO) airport. An optional flight from Serengeti to Arusha is also available.
(Extra Pre-Safari Adventure: Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport on Friday. Saturday early morning game drive...the best time to see the animals and birds of Momella Lakes in Arusha National Park. Lunch at the famed John Wayne hunting lodge -- Momella Wildlife Lodge. Afternoon safari to Ngurdoto Crater and jungle near Mt. Meru.)

Day 1, Saturday: Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) near Arusha, Tanzania. Our Grand Africa Safari hosts take us to the Gold Crest Hotel. A welcome night's sleep!
Day 2, Sunday: Meet the People at Church in Arusha. Head to Tarangire National Park
         After breakfast, attend the Arusha Branch church service at 10 AM. Linger longer with sandwiches so you meet the African members.
        Then off to Tarangire National Park for a game drive. your first chance to meet up with elephants. Don’t be surprised if they’re standing in the middle of the van’s path, munching on grass. We’ll patiently wait for him to move on. And tell you how to tell the "hims" from the "hers." Dinner and overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge.
Day 4, Monday: Tarangire National Park 
         Morning and afternoon game drive in Tarangire National Park with another chance to view the unspoiled natural habitats. Full board and overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge.
Day 5, Tuesday: Lake Manyara, Rift Valley Wall, Gibbs Farm and orphanage to Ngorongoro Crater
        Morning game drive in Lake Manyara National Park with its variety of wildlife like buffalo, elephant, leopard, lions (sometimes seen on trees), giraffe and abundant pink flamingos on the lake shore.
         Lunch at famous old Gibbs Farm with a wonderful meal of fresh fruits, vegetables, and creative Tanzanian main dishes. Wander through the amazing flowering gardens.
          Then we head to an orphanage that loves our passengers. Bring some gifts for children for pre-school or younger to teens.
           Then on to our luxury hotel overlooking Ngorongoro Crater. Dinner and two nights.
Day 6, Wednesday: The Ngorongoro Crater Day! 
          After breakfast you drive down to the crater floor for a full day crater game drive with picnic lunch. Then more game drives to find the rare leopard and rhino, as well as lions, elephants, ostrich, hyena, baboons, zebra and more. Dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Serena Lodge. 
Day 7, Thursday: Oldupai Archaeological Digs and Massai village and Serengeti! 
           After breakfast visit Oldupai Gorge (actual Maasai word is Oldupai but some Germans accidentally changed it to Olduvai). Our archaeologist guide helps us tour the Gorge Museum and then takes us to where Louis and Mary Leaky found hand axes and quasi-human remains the labeled zinjanthropus. It is listed as the oldest archaeological evidence of human life dating back 1.8 million years. 
           On the way to Serengeti we stop at a real Maasai village where we meet the tribal chief and enter his primitive  enclosure -- tree branches held together by lattice and mud works. They show us how they live as a community in this departure from the modern world. 
         Then on to the Serengeti where everything is big from the herds of wildebeest and zebra to the lazy prides of lion which are relatively numerous and found during the day time resting on or below trees along the Seronera river. 
       Full board and overnight at Serengeti Seronera Lodge. It's the best place to see wild animals -- not ultra-luxury but very nice with a pool. Our passengers once saw a hippo out their window eating the lawn. Some found monkeys awaiting them on the porch. Unexpected joys at every turn.
Day 8,  Friday: Balloon Over The Serengeti
           We head out about 5 AM to the balloon launch site for a 1 hour flight over the Serengeti to spot animals and the morning sun. Beautiful gourmet setting and breakfast follows. Normal price is $540 per person...50% off if you pay in advance.
           Then a morning and afternoon game drive in the immense Serengeti plains. Keep your camera ready for spectacular photographs of black-maned lions, cheetah, leopards etc. Visit the hippo pool with crocodiles, and a variety of birds such as the secretary bird, ostrich, starling, and marabou stork.
Day 9, Saturday: Morning game drive. After lunch, we fly to Arusha to enjoy the famous cultural arts center before your flight to the USA.
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Or ask about our post extension for a dream stay to the spice farms and white sand beach resorts of Zanzibar!

INCLUDED

1. Tour Led and Curated by Mark and Elizabeth Stoddard. We've organized/curated the details for your best Safari. A month out you'll be sent a thorough handbook and pre-safari materials. We love our customers and do all we can to care for you, so you have a fantastic Grand Africa Safari!
2. All Inclusive meals, tours, transfers and lodging in Africa.
3.  All National Park fees ($900+ pp) are included.
4. Toyota LandCruiser with a pop-top roof seats 9, but only 6 people allowed per van for one window seat per person .
5.​  Experienced local guide/driver for every six people. Each Safari Cruiser driver charts his own course to make sure you see the Safari in the best way.  
6. Amazing Hot Air Balloon ride over the Serengeti! Soar above the Serengeti with the giraffes, zebras, antelopes, wildebeests and lions below you. Your camera will fill to the brim. A $540 price is charged per person but if you pay in advance, pay just 50%. "More than worth it! Fantastic!" Don Mueller.
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What you do NOT need:

• Vaccination certificates (if it changes, we'll let you know) and Covid testing
• Mandatory malarial care (see your doctor)
• Snacks (we over feed you all three meals)
• You do NOT need lots of clothing...pack light. 
• Toilet paper (bathrooms are well cared for).
• No need for lots of cash -- ATMs even in towns.
• Extra water carriers -- vans have bottled water as do the hotel rooms. Drinks at meal times are extra (bring the bottle from the van or room!).
• 220v 3 prong plug for your adapter/transformer.  

Not included:
1. Airfare. Our independent agent, Dawn Harvey, would be pleased to assist you. The best way to utilize her is to shop the routes and pricing and then call her and let her see if she can do even better. She usually has the best routes and pricing, but not always. Call her at 801-205-8621. She is often on the phone with the airlines, so leave her a message and she'll call back.
2. Visas. Tanzania charges a $100 fee. We will send you the application and help you apply for it after you get your airline reservations. (It used to be purchased at the airport which caused all sorts of delays so getting it ahead of time makes things easier.)
3. Travel insurance (basic recommended or better).
4. Souvenirs. So much to choose from. Tanzanite too.
5. Tips of about $200 per person for guide/driver, porters, servers, and a few others.

LUGGAGE LIMIT:  Luggage is restricted to one carry-on size suitcase per person plus a backpack or carry-on duffel bag or equivalent. You don't need to pack much. Go light! We all are. 
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​CALL 1-801-669-1777
​FOR DETAILS AND BOOKINGS.

PRICE: $5,879  PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY.  Ask about our guaranteed singles program.  $500 non-refundable deposit per person. Full payment due 2 months out. 
A limited time & availability offer.
Click HERE or Call & Talk to Elizabeth to save your place on this great adventure!  801.669.1777