Travel to Tanzania: Savannahs & Silverbacks: Luxury Safari in the Heart of Africa

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Savannahs & Silverbacks: Luxury Safari in the Heart of Africa

			DAYS: 14 GRADE: II, Bush walks, luxury camps, bushwacking gorilla trac define PRICE: $10995 per person (Includes Local Air) * +$1000 per person for gorilla permits * HIGHLIGHTS: Tarangire National Park Ngorongoro Highlands Ngorongoro Crater the Serengeti National Park Volcanoes National Park Gorilla Tracking ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges Deluxe Camp MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Venture into the heart of Africa on this active luxury safari that combines Tanzania's premier parks and reserves with tracking gorilla in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Throughout our safari in Northern Tanzania we stay at exclusive camps and lodges that offer walking safaris and game drives in less traveled areas. At Oliver's Camp in Tarangire National Park, we explore on foot--an experience reserved only for guests of the camp. In the highlands of the Ngorongoro Crater, based at Gibb's Farm, we safari inside the massive caldera and hike through lush cloud forest with Maasai guides.  In the vast Serengeti, the remote Suyan Camp awaits us. Within a private concession adjacent to the national park, the camp is repositioned each season to best observe the migration. Our days are filled with bush walks and evenings complete with nocturnal game drives. From the savannahs, an easy direct flight takes us to Kigali, the gateway to Volcanoes National Park. Based from the new Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, we are escorted by expert guides and local trackers, bushwhacking through the jungle in search of mighty silverback mountain gorillas. Our stay includes two days of tracking to optimize photographic conditions and up-close encounters.

DAY 1 :  ARRIVE ARUSHA
Receive a warm welcome on arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, an hour outside the city of Arusha. Transfer to your luxurious guesthouse accommodations to recover from your travels. This peaceful African home is the perfect place to prepare for the adventures ahead. Enjoy delicious meals on the Maasai-styled veranda, soak in the jacuzzi gazing out at Arusha, Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, browse the numerous coffee table books and guidebooks, play pool, or sip a drink in the lounge area. Overnight Onsea House or similar. [D]

DAY 2 :  TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
A short, early-morning flight from Arusha brings you to the Kuro airstrip in the southern and less traveled area of Tarangire National Park. Named after the Tarangire River that runs through it, this park is known for its large herds of elephants and migratory herds of wildebeest, zebra, and buffalo with lion, leopard, and other predators following in the footsteps of the herds. The elusive greater and lesser kudu are frequently spotted, as well as eland and Oryx.

Get your first glimpse of the incredible wildlife viewing you can expect in Tarangire's unspoiled wilderness zone on a game drive traveling from the airstrip to your intimate safari camp. Settle into your spacious, luxury safari tent complete with sitting area and attached, private, open-air bathroom with a flushing eco-toilet and shower. An afternoon game drive allows you to continue to learn the rhythms of the bush under the tutelage of your knowledgeable ranger. The remoteness of this location makes it possible to not only travel in open vehicles, but to gain access to hidden areas and view rare wildlife. Overnight Oliver's Camp. [BLD]

DAY 3 :  TARANGIRE WALKING SAFARI
Rise early to witness the morning wildlife activity on a guided walking safari through the endless acacia woodlands and open plains habitats surrounding camp. With its location in the wilderness zone of Tarangire National Park, Oliver's Camp is privileged to be the only camp in Tarangire to operate walks inside the Park boundaries. Walking with a professional park ranger, you learn to interpret the tracks, spoor, calls and other wildlife signatures and enjoy unique wildlife viewing. Roving the land with your senses heightened you become part of the landscape and feel Africa beneath your feet. Fitness level, interests, animal movement, season and the days temperature will determine the length and route of your walk with the possibility of combining a morning on foot with an afternoon game drive or spending the day on a 6-7 hour walk through the Park. Sip sundowners watching the sun sink below the vast horizon and unwind around the evening fire recounting the days highlights. Overnight Oliver's Camp. [BLD]

DAY 4 :  TARANGIRE TO NGORONGORO
Greet the day with an early morning walking or driving safari exploring more of Tarangire before bidding goodbye to your friendly camp staff. After driving northward through Tarangire National Park we stop at the Eselelai Women's Cultural Boma to learn more about the traditional Maasai lifestyle, culture, and handcrafts. This venture was established in 1999 with support from the African Wildlife Foundation in an effort to provide conservation based tourism opportunities for disadvantaged women. Today the women of the Boma successfully manage everything from making the handcrafts to running the enterprise. Travel on to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Gibb's Farm, your home for the next few days. This historic farmstead brings together the indigenous culture and traditions of the surrounding communities, the beauty of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the history of the Farm itself. The grounds include a 10-acre organic fruit, vegetable, and herb garden, numerous farm animals and extensive coffee fields. Stay in one of the newly constructed cottages with rich wooden floors, classic interiors, wrap around windows, and large soaking tubs. The farm's terraced gardens offer panoramic views toward the Great Rift Escarpment while the back of the property hugs the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On arrival, leisurely wander through the lush flower and herb gardens with the resident horticulturist or visit with Charles Bies, a traditional third generation Makonde carver who has lived and worked on the Farm since 2002. The lodges artist-in-residence program has recently expanded to offer other select artists from Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda the opportunity to live and work on the farm. Enjoy fresh, healthy, and delicious meals featuring many of the ingredients grown on the farm. Overnight Gibb's Farm. [BLD]

DAY 5 :  NGORONGORO CRATER
Arise early to descend the 2000 foot walls of the Ngorongoro Crater for a day of incredible game viewing inside this World Heritage site. The caldera offers stunning scenery, close viewing opportunities, and high concentrations of wildlife with more than 20,000 animals spread throughout a variety of ecosystems.

Under the guidance of your expert ranger look for the rare black rhinoceros, elephant bulls with enormous tusks, black-maned lions, wildebeest, Thomson's gazelles, zebra, reedbucks, monkeys, and baboons. Despite the crater's steepness there is a surprising amount of movement of the animals as they seek out the craters permanent water supply and grazing plains. You may also see local Maasai clad in their traditional red clothing tending to their cattle. Savor the awe and beauty of this memorable scene as you enjoy a picnic lunch on the floor of the Ngorongoro Crater. (Depending on current park rules you may spend 6 hours or the entire day in the Crater.) Overnight Gibb's Farm. [BLD]

DAY 6 :  ELEPHANT CAVES AND LOCAL MARKET
Take the opportunity to sleep a bit later or linger over breakfast before hiking through the forest highlands just inside the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to a majestic 500-foot waterfall. Check out the cave-like structures created by elephants when they dig up the earth to ingest the minerals in the soil. Return to the farm for lunch before going to a nearby market to mingle with the locals and wander along stalls filled with colorful fabrics, unusual fruits, and daily staples such as rice, beans, and flour. Visit a Karatu area school (when in session) and learn about education in a rural Tanzanian village. Consider taking a bit of the afternoon off and indulging in one of the African spa treatments offered at Gibbs Farm (at an additional cost). Drawing on Maasai traditions developed over the centuries, these spa experiences are designed to restore energy and relieve stress. Overnight at Gibb's Farm. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  THE SERENGETI
Restored from your stay at Gibb's Farm, leave the Crater highlands behind as your scheduled flight takes you to one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in the world, the Serengeti National Park. From June to October, we land in a concession bordering the Park and drive to Suyan Camp, located in the Soit Sambu area next to the Serengeti. During the months of the migration these seemingly unending plains contain huge numbers of wildebeest and zebra. The area is also famous for its lions, cheetah, and hyena which are particularly active during the calving season. In addition, you can expect to see Thomson's and Grant's gazelles, elands, impalas, klipspringers, and warthogs.

Upon reaching our intimate safari camp, settle into your spacious tent complete with luxury linens, en suite bathrooms, and a screened verandah. Enjoy sundowners and a night drive before a delicious dinner under the star-studded sky. Overnight at Suyan Camp. [BLD]

Note: During the months of December-March Suyan is located near the southeastern border of the Serengeti in the Piaya concession, where the herds gather to calve. Historically the Piaya concession has been a fantastic area to spot wild dog, which are extremely rare in Tanzania. During this period you will land in the Serengeti National Park and game drive in the park before heading to Suyan.

DAYS 8-9 :  SUYAN CAMP
Relishing the solitude of the camp's location and the ability to let wildlife activity dictate your schedule, explore the bush by open vehicle and on foot while continuing to learn more about the struggle between predator and prey, and the habits of lesser-known wildlife. Drive among kopjes, or massive islands of granite standing in a sea of grass, which provide shelter to a great variety of animals from the elusive leopard to the tiny dik dik. When the camp is located in Soit Sambu, game drive into the Serengeti National Park from Suyan Camp. Unlike a demonstration staged for tourist groups, enjoy personal interaction with the Maasai people as you walk the land with Maasai warriors learning about their way of life, or enjoy a spontaneous spear throwing lesson. For those wishing to become even more attuned to the environment, consider a days walk to a remote area for a night of fly camping. (Must be arranged in advance.) Each evening gather for sundowners overlooking the magnificent Serengeti, and on at least one night, explore the bush in a vehicle armed with a spotlight looking for nocturnal creatures such as bush babies and scrub hares. Overnights at Suyan Camp. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  DEPARTURE TO RWANDA
After a final game drive across the plains of the Serengeti, board your plane for a spectacular flight over the Serengeti and on to Rwanda to begin another chapter in this great adventure. Upon arrival in Kigali, transfer to the Kigali Serena. [B]

DAY 11 :  VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
This morning see Kigali on a short city tour before visiting the Genocide Museum en route to Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda is known as "The Land of a Thousand Hills," and on the scenic 2-hour drive to Kinigi you'll pass through countless lush valleys and witness stunning mountain vistas. Arrive at the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge nestled in the forest at the base of Sabyinyo Mountain. The Lodge affords wonderful views of the 15,000-foot volcanoes and the surrounding countryside. The lodge is just minutes away from the headquarters of the Parc National des Volcans from where you set out on foot to see the magnificent mountain gorilla, one of the most dramatic wildlife experiences in the world.

Accommodation at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge is in one of five double cottages, two suites, or one family suite. The stone buildings feature Rwandese terracotta tile roofs, large sitting areas, fireplaces, en-suite bathrooms, and a sheltered veranda. Heat exchangers in the fireplaces provide a plentiful supply of hot water. The main lodge offers a sitting room with cozy fireplaces, a dining room, library, and a shop. Two patio areas afford wonderful and dramatic views to the Virunga volcanoes and the surrounding farmlands. Overnight Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge or similar. [BLD]

DAY 12 :  VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
The Virunga Mountains in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo are home to the world's population of mountain gorillas. Some of the gorilla families have been habituated to human presence, and it is possible to visit them in their natural habitat within the forest. Take a short drive to Park Headquarters and meet with local guides and trackers who present an orientation about gorilla tracking ethics. It is very important that under no circumstances are the gorillas to be touched by humans or visited by anyone with a cold or illness. This is to protect the animals from communicable diseases to which they are very susceptible. Spend two days in the Volcanoes National Park on full-day treks to view two different families of mountain gorillas. The search, with experienced trackers leading the way, can take up to eight hours although the gorillas are usually found after two to four hours. Some hiking areas lie at altitudes above 7,500 feet with rough and muddy terrain. The hike can be physically demanding, but the forest and surrounding scenery are beautiful. Once the gorillas are spotted the encounter is a most profound natural history experience. Picnic lunches are provided and it is important to take plenty of water. Cameras set for low light conditions and tripods are recommended. It can rain at a few minutes notice, therefore waterproof clothing is necessary along with zip lock bags for camera equipment. Return to the Lodge for the evening to share stories and enjoy dinner. Overnight at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge. [BLD]

DAY 13 :  GORILLA TREKKING AND RETURN TO KIGALI
Today you will once again visit the Virunga Mountains in search of mountain gorillas. This afternoon return by land approximately 2 hours to Kigali for overnight at the Kigali Serena. [BLD]

DAY 14 :  DEPART
Airport transfer for your international departure. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Lyndsay Harshman 1(800)345-4453