Tanzania Wildlife Migration Safari Specially Designed for the Cincinnati Zoo
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TANZANIA WILDLIFE MIGRATION SAFARI SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE CINCINNATI ZOO 13 - DAY WILDLIFE SAFARI DEPARTS JUNE, 19, 2011 ESCORTED BY DOUG FEIST, $4775 PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ALL INCLUSIVE FROM THE KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TANZANIA WILDLIFE MIGRATION SAFARI SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE CINCINNATI ZOO DESTINATION: Tanzania TRIP TO BE OPERATED: June 19 – July 1, 2011 NUMBER OF DAYS: 13 NUMBER OF PASSENGERS: 10 DEPARTURE CITY: Arusha, Tanzania COST: $4775 PER PERSON, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $450 Price includes: full board & accommodations while in Tanzania, park fees, all activities at each location as detailed in the safari itinerary, airport transfers, a maximum of 6 passengers per 4x4 safari vehicle, tips for porters and waiters and mineral water in the vehicles during game drives and temporary Flying Doctor’s membership. The price also includes informational booklets, luggage tags, passport wallets, and the services of World Discovery Safaris. Please see the INCLUDED and NOT INCLUDED statements in the Safari Registration form. WILDLIFE SAFARI TO TANZANIA About this safari: This wildlife safari is specifically designed to take full advantage of the wildlife migration and visit a variety of East Africa’s wildlife habitats, each with its unique community of birds and mammals, scenic attractions, and cultural components. Your means of transportation is in customized 4-wheel drive safari vehicles with a guaranteed window seat and access to the roof hatch for all participants. Physical activities: The pace of this safari is “moderate” and should not be excessively demanding for most. Stays at most locations are of more than one night, which allows time to experience the place, relax and even sit out a game drive or two. On most days there are options for both morning and afternoon game drives. On some mornings it may be advantageous to depart early and return to the safari camp for breakfast. On other days you may chose to take lunch with you and spend the entire day out. Afternoon game drives usually begin about 3:00 PM and may last until dark. Your Tanzania Naturalist – Guides: Each safari is accompanied by one or more professional driver / guides. These men and women are graduates of an extensive and on going training program that includes courses in natural history, tourism and African culture & history. They are carefully selected for their knowledge, temperament and ability to communicate. In addition they have had several years of “on the job” training and have advanced to their current position because they have successfully led numerous wildlife safaris and demonstrated their ability as charismatic, knowledgably and resourceful leaders. Accommodations: Our safari makes use of exclusive, luxury wildlife lodges and tented camps. In addition to enhancing the “feel” of the traditional East Africa safari, the tented camp provides all of the comforts of the lodges but offer far less crowded conditions and more personalized services. We expect you to savor your trip to East Africa for the rest of your life and believe the private tented camp offers the most intimate safari experience. Environmental Sensitivity and Conservation Commitment: Environmentally sensitive travel to East Africa’s parks and cultural centers is an important aspect of the country’s long-range challenge, to manage its wealth of wildlife in a sustainable manner, and to utilize its resources in a way that will create optimum living conditions for all its inhabitants. A portion of the proceeds from this Tanzania wildlife safari program are donated to the Foundation for Wildlife Conservation. Additional donations are designated for other conservation projects underway in Tanzania and the tax revenues generated by our safaris are used to improve schools, roads and hospitals. CINCINNATI ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDEN MIGRATION SAFARI TO TANZANIA Fully escorted by Doug Feist DAY 1 – SUNDAY, JUNE 19- U.S. / AMSTERDAM Due to the ease with which air can be purchased over the internet and the restrictions most airlines now impose on group contracts, international air from the U.S. has not been included in the cost of this safari. This however, allows participants the flexibility of using frequent flyer miles, of booking air from their home towns and of spending time in Europe on the way to or from East Africa. Please call World Discovery Safaris (205-972-8733) if you would like our help while shopping for international air. DAY 2 – MONDAY, JUNE 20 - AMSTERDAM / ARUSHA, TANZANIA In the evening you land at the Kilimanjaro International Airport near Arusha, clear customs and are met by your drivers and guides who transfer you to the Dik-Dik Lodge for the remainder of the night. DAY 3 – TUESDAY, JUNE 21, JUNE - ARUSHA / TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK In the morning you drive to Tarangire National Park. Upon entering the park you begin to see wildlife and also the many Baobab trees which thrive in this area. These large, pulpy trees, scattered in ones and twos throughout the park, may be as old as California Redwoods and can branch out as much as 30 feet in diameter. Tarangire is best known for its herds of Fringe-eared Oryx as well as numerous Elephant — the park is a seasonal home for about 3,000 of these large, gentle creatures. In addition, there are many Impala, African Buffalo, and rarer mammals, such as Wild Dog, Leopard and Lesser Kudu. Goliath Heron, Woodland Kingfisher, Magpie Shrike, both Fischer’s and Yellow-collared Love-birds, Orange-bellied Parrot, Bateleur Eagle, Secretary Bird, Maasai Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Beautiful Sunbird and Paradise Whydah are but a few of the birds you can expect to see in this sanctuary where more than 300 species have been listed. Your days are filled with game viewing, and you spend the next two nights at Maramboi Tented Camp. B/L/D DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22 - TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK You spend the day exploring the 2600 sq km’s of Tarangire National Park – famous for its numerous Baobab trees and large elephant population. The park derives it name from the Tarangire River which, during the dry season, is the only source of water for a vast area. During the dry season months of June, September and October it becomes a “sand river” with almost no surface water. Although most animals are incapable, by themselves, of reaching the water that still flows under the sand, Elephants are expert well diggers and it is on these water holes that Tarangire’s wildlife depends. As in other ecosystems, vegetation type and animal species are closely related and it is the diversity of habitats that makes Tarangire such a superb wildlife conservation area. The principal vegetation zones here include grasslands, floodplains, riparian areas along the Tarangire River, Acacia-Commiphora woodlands and rocky outcroppings, each with its unique component of wildlife. Your meals and overnight accommodations are at Maramboi Camp. B/L/D DAY 5 – THURSDAY, JUNE 23 - TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK / LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK / LOSIRWA CAMP In the morning you drive out of Tarangire National Park and descent into the Great Rift Valley. In its seam are a series of beautiful lakes, where the opening scenes from Out of Africa were filmed. One of these is Lake Manyara, a beautiful wildlife sanctuary famous for its tree-climbing Lions, herds of African Buffalo, and a thriving population of Elephant. You enter the park along a road that passes through a ground water forest frequented by troops of Baboons, Blue Monkeys, and Elephants. Nile Hippo wallow in the channel that directs the water of the Mto-wa-Mbu River into Lake Manyara, and many species of shore and water birds frequent this area. Pink-backed and White Pelicans, Long-tailed Cormorant, Fulvous and White-faced Whistling Ducks, African and Lesser Jacanas, Common Pratincole, Water Thick-knee, and African Fish Eagle are but a few of the many species you may expect to see here. This national park has been designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve and is one of the prettiest parks in northern Tanzania. About mid day you arrive at Safari Legacy’s Losirwa Permanent Tented Camp, from which there is commanding and panoramic view of Lake Manyara and the surrounding area. In the afternoon you depart on a game drive in the national park. Your dinner and overnight accommodations are at Losirwa Camp. B/L/D DAY 6 – FRIDAY, JUNE 24 - LOSIRWA CAMP / NGORONGORO CRATER After breakfast you drive into the village of Mto wa Mbu and spend the morning with a local guide who introduces you to the medical, agricultural and cultural practices of this diverse community. In the afternoon you drive to the Akweso Iraqw Cultural Center in the village of Karatu. Here you meet Daniel and are introduced to the ancient culture of the Cushitic people who moved into this region from the “Horn of Africa’ nearly 1000 years ago. Later in the day you ascend to the world famous Ngorongoro Crater and check into your accommodation at the Ngorongoro Farmhouse. This small wildlife lodge is located near one of the entrances to the Ngorongoro Crater. Each of its colonial style cottages is fully outfitted with large beds, an en-suite toilet & shower and a private veranda. B/L/D DAY 7 – SATURDAY, JUNE 25 - NGORONGORO CRATER Early this morning you depart with a picnic lunch for a full-day game drive on the crater floor. Ngorongoro is a veritable Garden of Eden. The year-round grazing and fresh water available here provides a permanent home for approximately 23,000 large mammals. Herds of Wildebeest, Common Zebra, African Buffalo, and Thomson's Gazelles mingle as they feed in this serene setting. With almost 100 Lions, masses of Spotted Hyena, and numerous Golden, Silver-backed, and Side-striped Jackals, the crater also has the highest concentration of carnivores of any place on earth.