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Itinerary
(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 - January 18, Thursday. Depart USA Day 2 - January 19, Friday. Arrive Amsterdam. Optional tour. Overnight at Ramada Inn. Day 3 - January 20. Saturday. Depart for Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) near Arusha, Tanzania. Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) Our Grand Africa Safari hosts take us to the Gold Crest Hotel. A welcome night's sleep! Day 4 - January 21, 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 5 - January 22, 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 6 - January 23, 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 7 - January 24, 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 8 - January 25, Thursday: Oldupai Archaeological Digs, a 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 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 9 - January 26, Friday: Balloon Over 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 10 - January 27, Saturday: Morning game drive. After lunch, we fly to Arusha to enjoy the famous cultural arts center before your flight to the USA. Call Liz @ 801.669.1777
to reserve a spot in January 2024 |