Departure: Early Spring
Join us on this rare chance to experience Tanzania’s Birds & Big Game with Avian Biologist and bird expert Daniel Edelstein & Tanzanian Ornithologist Edwin Osujaki on an exploration of wildlife, culture and landscapes. This adventure offers special sightings include the calving of wildebeest and zebra during the Great Migration across the Serengeti Plains. You set off at day break never knowing what lies around the next corner – a lion up a tree, a leopard sloping off through the bush or a herd of elephants majestically crossings the plains! This itinerary has been specially crafted for viewing & photographing birds, game, migration, culture and scenery in the particular areas. Space is limited to 10 persons
Daniel Edelstein Bio
Daniel Edelstein is a professional birding guide since the 1980s. He works full-time as a freelance Avian Biologist and is a Certified Wildlife Biologist Associate. Daniel has presented birding programs and led tours in more than 20 USA states. In addition, he teaches all the college-level birding classes as an Adjunct Faculty Member in the Biology Department at Merritt College (Oakland, CA). Daniel is a Federal Permit Owner To Conduct Surveys For California Tiger Salamander, California Red-legged Frog, and Ridgway’s Rail.
Edwin Osujaki Bio
Edwin Osujaki (also known as “Kamau”) was born and raised in Arusha, Tanzania and has been working as a professional safari guide in Tanzania for the past 11 years. He graduated #2 in his class from the prestigious Mwewe Ranger Training and was certified in Ornithology at the Naivasha School in Kenya, trained under the famous East African birder, Don Turner. He has worked with two of the biggest safari companies in Tanzania and has led numerous tourists from the US, UK, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. He believes that any day spent looking for birds is a beautiful day – and often leads to unexpected and exciting sightings for other animals too!
ITINERARY
Day 1
Land in Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), with daytime views of the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. Enjoy VIP service with express customs and immigration clearances before meeting your guides and enjoying a drive about 20 miles west towards Arusha, a picturesque city nestled at the bases of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru and overnight on a private wildlife estate at Lemala Kilivillas on all inclusive basis
Lemala Kili Villas will be your accommodation for the night and is located on a private wildlife estate and offer a relaxing start or end to a safari in Tanzania. They are perfect for short or long stay and can be taken on exclusive basis if traveling with friends and family. Located just outside Arusha, which is the gateway to some of Tanzania’s best national parks; Kili Villas also boast access to Tanzania’s only championship golf course. Each villa has four en suite bedrooms, open fireplaces, complimentary Wi-Fi and private chefs to produce everything from delicious breakfasts to refreshing lunches, afternoon teas and sundowner cocktails to be enjoyed around the swimming pool. Dinners on the veranda are delightful using only the freshest of produce. Whether for a short stay or extended, there is plenty to do ranging from early morning horse rides, to a round of golf on the 18 hole champion golf course, relax at the Polo Club, take a tour of a fragrant coffee plantation in Arusha or work up a sweat hiking and canoeing around Kilimanjaro and Lake Duluti.
Day 2
Spend the entire day in Arusha National Park, a wildlife oasis in the middle of Arusha, home to the singular Black-and-White Colobus monkey and plenty of other aquatic and terrestrial birds and land animals. Enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the crater and with any luck some good views of Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro might be possible.
Day 3
Drive about 90 miles southwest to Tarangire National Park, stopping at an authentic Maasai Boma and having a ‘chat’ under a tree with the Local Chief. An authentic glimpse into the distinctive Maasai culture is a must whilst in Tanzania. Preservation of their proud traditions has set the Maasai apart from other indigenous groups in Tanzania, and embodies a side of Africa with which few outsiders can contact. We offer guests a memorable opportunity to interactively experience the Maasai way of life through an excursion to a traditional boma where guests will be able to participate in a variety of unique cultural activities, and encouraged to delve as deep into the experience as possible! Woman can experience what life as a Maasai Woman is all about and the Men will herd some goats and sheep and try the local brew. Arrive at your accommodation for lunch, an afternoon siesta before going on an afternoon game drive to see large herds of elephants and endemic birds such as the Ashy Starling, Yellow Collared Lovebird, and Fisher’s Lovebird. Overnight at Lemala Mpingo Ridge on all inclusive basis.
Situate high on a ridge with elevated views across Tarangire River and the valley below. Sweeping views of the park from each room and the main areas makes this property not only unique but truly specials. each of the 15 tented suites have been carefully placed to maximize the views and take advantage of the cooling winds. There’s’ nothing quite like climbing into a luxurious bath that is situated on an elevated part o the deck under the star studded skies to revive the senses, sooth the soul and wash away the African dust lost in thought of your days experience.
Day 4
Enjoy an early morning game drive exploring Tarangire National park with its vast Baobab trees, swamps, reptiles like Monitor Lizards and pythons, and many colorful species of endemic and migratory birds. Then continue onto Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its pink flamingos, tree-climbing lions, and many species of migrant birds and waterfowl. Tanzania’s towering Mto wa Mbu escarpment provides a remarkable backdrop for a one-of-a-kind visit amidst the rich wildlife and unsurpassed tranquility of Lake Manyara National Park. The lake is home to over 300 migratory birds including flamingoes, long-crested eagles and grey-headed kingfisher. Carry and eat lunch in the park, arriving at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge in time for dinner with overnight accommodation Lake Manyara Serena on full board basis
Day 5
Enjoy a cultural experience in Manyara where you will interact with the local people, enjoy some local cuisine, sample the local delights and walk the rice paddies before arriving at Lake Eyasi for overnight accommodation at Ziwani Lodge on full board
Ziwani Lodge offers sophisticated accommodation with just 7 cottages (including 1 family cottage) on the shores of Lake Eyasi, an excellent location with sweeping views toward the Rift, boasting a beautiful swimming pool for cooling off on hot afternoons. Ziwani fits perfectly in a northern Tanzania safari in style & elegance, combining the breathtaking landscapes and games of our marvelous country with the possibility of enjoying authentic, off the beaten track, cultural tourism, and real encounter with ancient Tanzanian tribes.
Day 6
Depart early in the morning and drive about 45 miles to visit Hadzabes, village to the eponymous tribe of hunters who maintain ancient methods of living amidst diverse bird species in the Lake Eyasi region.
Take a journey into the “Gods must be crazy” movie. The Hadzabe tribe of Tanzania is the last true nomads of Africa. We take you on an amazing adventure with the Hadzas. You will join the men as they hunt for their daily subsidence using traditional Bow and arrows, or join the women as they forage for fruits and berries. Spending time with the
Hazabe people, ancient hunter-gatherers who inhabit the land near Lake Eyasi, a gorgeous soda lake that’s part of the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, and witness their unchanged, traditional way of life and harmony with the earth. Accompanied throughout by a ranger, guests have the opportunity to engage with the Bushmen and learn all about their time-honored hunting techniques, survival skills, food preparation and cultural norms. A veritable step back in time, this is an undeniably authentic cultural journey into rural Tanzania that reveals the untold world of these charismatic people. Amongst the world’s last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes inhabiting the scrubby bush land, Hazabe men search for food alone, and return home with golden honey, sweet fruit, or hearty wild game when, and if available. Women go out in large groups and forage for bright berries, baobab fruit, and tubers, depending on availability. In the rainy, wet season, sweet honey is the main staple of their diet along with colourful fruit, tubers, and sometimes meat. This is not a show or a “tourist put on”. This is the real deal. A true African cultural experience and kids just love it!
After this truly mind enriching experience, continue onto the Ngorongoro Highlands arriving at Lemala Ngorongoro for sundowners and overnight at Lemala Ngorongoro on all inclusive basis
Lemala Ngorongoro is intimately set in a delightful ancient acacia forest close to the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater. As it is located next to the quiet Lemala crater access road on the eastern side, a key advantage of staying at Lemala Ngorongoro is the quick and easy drive down on to the crater floor in the morning; Lemala guests usually have an hour’s head start over others descending via the far busier Seneto crater access road on the western rim. Game drives from camp may start as early as 6.15am and guests can be down among Ngorongoro’s abundant wildlife on the floor within 10-15 minutes – crucial for photographers who demand the best light conditions. Escorted walks are also available into the forest and along the crater rim with an armed ranger and Maasai guide. Lemala Ngorongoro Tented Camp has 9 spacious tents that are positioned carefully to provide privacy and with minimal impact on the pristine forest environment. They accommodate two queen-size beds, and as it can get cool on the Ngorongoro Crater rim at night, little luxuries like warm winter-weight duvets, hot water bottles and gas heaters ensure a cosy night’s sleep. The roomy en-suite bathrooms contain a dressing area, flush toilet and a large safari-style shower.
The mess tent is beautifully furnished with grand sofas, lamps, bookshelves and corner cabinets in old wood, chests and rugs. In the evening, guests can gather around the campfire to exchange tales of the day’s safari followed by a sumptuous hearty meal.
Day 7 and Day 8
Sunrise descend to the floor of the crater just 10 mins drive from your accommodation. Spend the morning in Ngorongoro Crater, the largest intact caldera in the world, and travel among hippos taking mud baths, prides of lions lazing in the sun, and one of the highest density of hyenas in all of Africa’s parks. Be on the lookout for the endemic Rufous-Tailed Weaver, congregating around picnic spots to snatch up leftovers.
Drive about 80 miles through to Central Serengeti with picnic lunches and enjoy the afternoon game viewing this game riche area. Late afternoon arrive at Lemala Camp, located in the heart of the Serengeti. There is an abundance of bird species including Bee Eaters, Harriers, Cisticolas, Warblers, 3 different species of Starling, 4 different species of Weaver, and the endemic Usambiro Barbet. The following day enjoy a further full day exploring what is fondly referred to as ‘cat city’ where one can enjoy numerous cat interactions amongst large concentration wildlife. Overnight at Lemala Ewanjan on all inclusive
Lemala Ewanjan is an authentic intimate tented camp set in a secluded part of the game-rich Seronera Valley in Central Serengeti. The Seronera region is an important wildlife transition zone between the southern grasslands and the northern woodlands and is renowned for its year-round game viewing due to its abundance of water in the many rivers, as well as for its large populations of resident big cats. Additionally, between April and June, and again between November and January, this area is crossed by the annual wildebeest migration, which provides always thrilling wildlife drama. We have carefully positioned Lemala Ewanjan right at the end of a blind valley, so other vehicles will not interrupt your view across the plains during the day, and in the evening, you can enjoy uninterrupted sunsets with no electric lights in sight.
The 12 en-suite tents are spacious and comfortable, and have an outside deck offering beautiful views over the area. Each tent is fitted with two queen-size beds with warm duvets, a flush toilet, large safari-style shower, plentiful
running water, wooden storage cabinets and flooring, 24-hour solar lighting and outside loungers from which to enjoy early morning teas and coffees and refreshing afternoon gin and tonics. The mess tent with its separate bar, sitting and dining areas is beautifully decorated with leather sofas, side cabinets, rugs and chests. In the evening, guests can gather inside under the chandeliers or outside around the campfire under starlit skies for sunset cocktails and to share their safari stories.
During your stay with us you will enjoy a private sundowner in a very special place that affords one of the most spectacular sundowner views of the Serengeti.
Sundowners are more than just a happy hour, they are a very cherished African tradition and form an integral part of your safari experience. It is a time to relax, reminisce the day gone by, and enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine with your fellow travellers who become friends as you review the days events.
On your last night on safari, a very special ‘TG Travel Group’ bush dinner
Experience that Out of Africa feeling. No safari is complete without experiencing a traditional bush dinner. Relax under the natural canopy of an acacia tree, while your personal butler serves up a feast. Nothing is quite so essentially safari as this. White linen, fine bone china and crystal glassware create a real Out of Africa experience.
Day 9 and Day 10 and Day 11
After breakfast depart for the world famous Ndutu area the southern area of the Serengeti Plains, translated as “endless plains” from the native Maasai language, and enjoy special sightings possible through off-road driving. Here you will spend today and the next 2 full days exploring this area where special activities include tracking the great cats while they stalk and ambush their prey, watching the live birth of wildebeest and zebras during the Great Migration, and observing different species of vulture scavenge for food and exceptionally beautiful species of birds such as the
Lilac-Breasted Roller, African Wood Hoopoe, and Bateleur Eagle. Arrive at your accommodation for late lunch. Afternoon game drive followed by sundowners and overnight Lemala Ndutu on all inclusive.
Lemala Ndutu is a mobile tented camp offering an authentic bush experience, where the tents are spacious and each is furnished with two queen-size beds and all the little luxuries that make them surprisingly comfortable. After an evening game drive, your tent attendant ensures your safari shower is filled with hot water to wash away the dust of the African savannah. Tasty meals are freshly prepared, and the camp organizes great picnic breakfasts and lunches for those who want to go on extended full-day game drives.
The communal areas have separate lounge and dining areas and are beautifully decorated with leather sofas, chandeliers, side cabinets, rugs, chests and a bar. In the evening, guests can gather around the campfire to enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés and sharing their safari stories.
Day 12
And so the end of this life enriching trip comes to an end and after breakfast you begin your drive back to Arusha. Enjoy a picnic lunch and stop on the way at Olduvai Gorge, one of the most important pale anthropological sites in the world with evidence of the first human species. Visit Shanga, meaning ‘bead’ in Swahili, is a heart warming project dedicated to supporting and empowering community members with disabilities. Abiding by a commitment to environmentally sustainable business practices, Shanga comprises of a bustling workshop that creates works of art often from recycled goods, and a trendy boutique. Shanga has grown exponentially from what started as one beaded necklace and a desire to help those in need.
The Shanga Workshop and Shop are open 7 days a week from 9am to 4.30pm. Visitors can request a free workshop tour on arrival. To find out more about Shanga and the Shanga Foundation, visit the www.shanga.org or email info@shanga.org and then visit some stores selling native jewelry, artwork, and other artifacts (optional). Overnight at Lemala Kilivillas on all inclusive
Day 13
After breakfast, enjoy a lazy day relaxing, sorting your luggage out, some last minute washing perhaps or a meander down to the golf course to see some action. Lunch before a transfer to the airport for your departure flight from Kilimanjaro. E N D O F S E R V I C E S
CALL for DETAILS: 415-331-3791
