Tanzania - Cradle of Life

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Day 1: Arrive in Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport)

You are met upon arrival and transferred to our hotel near the airport. On a clear day, enjoy views of Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. Overnight in Arusha.

Day 2: To Marangu - Chagga Village Visit

This morning we travel to Marangu where we will have lunch at the hotel. We hike to a local Chagga Village, visit the families, learn about their history, see blacksmiths at work and can also try out the local brew.

Located at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, these villages are set against the backdrop of Africa's highest mountain. Overnight in Marangu.

Day 3: To Tarangire National Park

After breakfast we depart for Tarangire with a picnic lunch en route. Spend the afternoon game viewing in the Tarangire National Park, a park idolized in Hollywood movies, romanticized by early settlers and sought after ever since by the modern traveler.

Open savannah, looming primeval baobab trees and stretched groves of acacia compete with roaming herds of elephants and an impressive array of predators to provide the very definition of the African bush. Overnight just outside of the Tarangire National Park.

Day 4: Tarangire National Park

Leaving camp early in the morning, we can make the most of prime game viewing opportunities before heading back to the lodge for lunch.

We will do a game drive in late afternoon and take time to enjoy the sunset in one of the best locations in Africa. The spectacular backdrop will give you a taste of life as an African explorer. An evening game drive in a convertible vehicle will open up the world of Africa's nocturnal game. Overnight just outside of Tarangire National Park.

Day 5: To Central Serengeti National Park - Safari

After breakfast we depart for Tanzania's most famous game park. Approximately 15,000 square kilometers, the Serengeti is home to literally millions of hooved animals. While the drive is long between the Tarangire National Park and the central Serengeti area, we will have the opportunity to see a lot of wildlife. We will make frequent stops for photo opportunities. Overnight in a Serengeti wilderness camp.

Day 6: Serengeti National Park - Safari

After breakfast, enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive on the world-renowned Serengeti, famous for its abundance of wildlife such as elephants, lions, rhinos, giraffes, buffaloes and millions of wildebeests, zebras and numerous grazing antelopes who remain ever watchful for the park's predators.

The north of this vast park is not normally travelled to, which makes game viewing exceptional, with its dramatic rolling hills and Lobo Kopjes; Kopjes are eroded granite hills that were created millions of years ago when volcanic bubble broached the surface and solidified, eroded by rain, they became beautiful formations. With the warmth of the sun it is not uncommon to see lions sunning themselves right beside our vehicle. Overnight in a Serengeti wilderness camp.

Day 7: Ndutu Serengeti Area

Wake up to the sounds of the animals as we venture to the south end of the Serengeti. As we drive through the park, watch for the wildebeest migrations. Overnight in the Ndutu Serengeti Region.

Day 8: Ngorongoro Crater via Olduvai Gorge

Today, get up with the animals for an optional balloon ride, before we say good bye to the Serengeti and move on to the famed Olduvai Gorge. This is where the Leakeys made their famous early hominid discoveries, dated at 1.8 million years old.

In the afternoon, continue on to the Ngorongoro Crater; famous for the greatest wildlife concentration in Africa.

A day of travelling calls for a good meal with good friends at our lodge set high on the rim of Africa's Eden. Marvel in the views that plunge down over the crater floor, some 7,500 feet above sea level. Make sure you have your binoculars to spot the creatures that you will be seeing the next day. Relax on the balcony as you watch the sun set on the animals captive within the crater. Overnight in Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Day 9: Ngorongoro Crater

Today after breakfast we will depart with our picnic lunches for a full day crater tour. One of the most identifiable sights in Africa, the Ngorongoro Crater is 12 miles wide and has numerous species of animal found in east Africa. The views from the crater rim are spectacular, but once you arrive at the bottom of the crater floor you will understand why it has been compared to Noah's Ark. We will drive into the crater and get up close and personal with many types of wildlife.

In the late afternoon we will drive to Ngorongoro. Overnight in the Ngorongoro area.

Day 10: Lake Eyasi Bushmen

Enjoy your morning at leisure. After lunch we will drive to Lake Eyasi. En route we hope to visit the Meali Primary School located in rural Karatu. Overnight in Kisima Ngeda Camp.

Kisima Ngeda Camp: www.kisimangeda.com
This permanent tented camp is located on a two hundred acre plantation on the shores of Lake Eyasi. The camp is situated in a beautiful natural palm and acacia lakeshore forest with a colossal rock as a backdrop and a natural spring nearby.

The spring, which is similar to the groundwater springs of Lake Manyara, produces over four million liters of water a day which eventually feed into the lake. Across the lake, which stretches away in front of the camp, the Alipi escarpment wall raises two thousand feet up into the Endulen area of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Day 11: Bushmen Experience, Manyara Area

Wake up at Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp on the shore of Lake Eyasi. After breakfast we will enjoy the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers experience.

Related to the San and Kung Bushmen of Kalahari fame, the Hadzabe are a fascinating, traditional people. Experiencing life through the eyes of such ancient peoples will give you a privileged view of the lives of one of the last groups of authentic hunter-gatherer groups left in Africa. After lunch, we will drive to the Rift Valley, the most sought after photographic safari destination. Overnight in the Manyara area.

Day 12: Maasai & Mto Wa Mbu Villages

This morning we will visit the traditional Maasai Boma village. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the history and lifestyle of the Maasai people. We spend our afternoon in the Mto Wa Mbu village. The Mto Wa Mbu village is among the most active villages in Northern Tanzania. Learn about what the people do for a living, learn different modes of production and what exists in their culture. Overnight in the Rift Valley area.

Day 13: Fly to Zanzibar

After breakfast, we drive to Arusha arriving in time for lunch. After lunch, we continue to Arusha Airport for your flight to Zanzibar.

You will be met upon arrival and driven to the north coast in Nungwi to relax as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean. Overnight in Nungwi.

Day 14: Snorkeling, Dhow

Today we will kick back and relax, go swimming, snorkeling, diving or simply do nothing, but enjoy the ocean and relaxed pace of Zanzibar.

In the afternoon, enjoy a "Dhow" Sunset trip as the perfect way to bid farewell to the experience and memories of Tanzania. Overnight in Nungwi.

Day 15: Zanzibar City Sights

After breakfast we will make our journey back to Stone Town. Enroute, enjoy a guided exploration of Zanzibar's history including the slave trade, a visit to the slave market and the Anglican Church, and learning about Livingstone. Visit Kizimbani spice farm where you will be shown a few local spices, fruits and plants and be given an explanation about their uses and special properties.

Experience a local village where the villagers give a performance of daily activities including: a show on how their houses are constructed, a singing performance by the school, cooking methods, farming methods and social activities. This day is really a fantastic excursion that touches on every aspect of Zanzibar. Overnight in Stone Town.