Companion Safari: Extend your stay in Africa by adding Botswana and Zambia, immediately before this safari. Or, by adding Kenya, immediately following this safari.
Cost: $6050, including all meals, except dinner on July 20. Single supplement is $825.
Airfare to Tanzania: On KLM, approximately $2300 from the East Coast USA and $5400 from the West Coast to Kilimanjaro, round trip.
Leaders: Gail and Doug Cheeseman have been leading small group wildlife-intensive safaris to East Africa, Central Africa and Southern Africa since 1978.
Outfitters: Wildersun Safaris in Arusha, Tanzania. Travel in stretch Landcruisers with only four participants in each. Great photography from the covered poptops. Lodging in beautiful surroundings, with wonderful food, private baths and good laundry services.
Size: 18, plus Gail & Doug Cheeseman
Deposit: $500 ($150 non-refundable).
Conditions: A non-smoking safari.
Itinerary updated: 8/2007
July 7 - 8, Tuesday - Wednesday Flights to
Kilimanjaro International Airport, Tanzania
Depart at the latest Tuesday to connect in Amsterdam with KLM’s direct flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha, Tanzania, on Wednesday at 10:30 am. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International, scheduled for 8:15 pm, clear customs, then meet our host from Wildersun Safaris. Drive the short distance to Mountain Village Lodge for overnight the 8th. Located 12 km from the town of Arusha, Mountain Village Lodge sits beside Lake Duluti in a beautiful location. If you fly via Nairobi, depart by July 6 to allow time for an overnight in Nairobi to take an express shuttle bus or to fly from Nairobi to Arusha the morning of July 8. We will arrange any extra nights and transfers for you if you would like to arrive early.
Lodging: Mountain Village Lodge
July 9, Thursday: Lake Manyara National Park
Enjoy a short walk at Mountain Village Lodge, overlooking Lake Duluti, if you are up by 6:30 am at dawn, a beautiful time of day. After breakfast meet our wonderful Tanzanian drivers and head first to Arusha for a stop at the Wildersun Safaris office where you may exchange money for Tanzanian Shillings and store any extra bags not needed on safari in Tanzania. Plan on bringing one soft-sided bag each. There is plenty of space beside you inside the vehicle for your camera equipment and field guides.
We’ll take a picnic lunch and drive west to Lake Manyara, which is 76 miles from Arusha. After lunch enjoy a full afternoon of wildlife viewing at Lake Manyara. It is located at the base of the great East African Rift. Unique habitats include the alkaline lake, the escarpment dotted with Baobabs, the ground water forest, and the meandering river, plus the savanna. The source of water is the Ngorongoro Forest Reserve above the escarpment, where frequent precipitation percolates through the porous volcanic soil. When it hits the granitic basement rock at the bottom of the escarpment, it flows out of springs, providing enough moisture for figs and tamarind trees. Many land birds feed in the "ground water forest.” Permanent water also means abundant wildlife. Manyara Serena Lodge sits atop the escarpment formed by the long rift or fault line that separates East Africa from the rest of the continent. The views from the lodge and the bird activity around the lodge make it a wonderful site to spend the night.
Lodging: Manyara Serena Lodge
July 10, Friday: Ndutu in the Serengeti
After breakfast drive to the Serengeti! Between Lake Manyara and the Crater Rim is an extensive rich agricultural area we ascend before entering the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The main route to the Serengeti (a lovely dirt road) passes alongside Ngorongoro Crater Rim for our first view down to the Crater floor. From a good viewpoint of this ecosystem, the small speck that can be seen 2000 feet below the Rim is perhaps an elephant and the pink hue on the alkaline lake most certainly flamingos. Cross over from the Highlands down to the short grass plains and to the turnoff to Olduvai Gorge, still within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Drive slowly over the Serengeti Plains to Olduvai Gorge on the eastern boundary of the Serengeti Ecological Unit. Here the Leakeys found the hominid remains Australopithecus, Homo habilis and Homo erectus, plus many other fossils exhibited in the excellent, small museum at Olduvai. Descend into the gorge in our vehicles and visit Bed I where Mary Leakey found the Australopithecine "Zinjanthropus". If you search the adjacent wash, you may find some fossil fragments. (Fossils must be left in the Gorge for the benefit of future visitors). Picnic lunch at Olduvai.
On the drive to Ndutu watch for mammals and birds resident on these plains. We may find Spotted Hyenas, Golden and Silver-backed jackals, Kori Bustards, and gazelles. We stay for three nights at wonderful Ndutu, one of our favorite places in East Africa. During this time of year in the dry season, it’s definitely off the beaten track, but Ndutu is fantastic all year round! It’s one place where we have a good chance of seeing rare, small mammals, such as Ratel (Honey Badger), Seval, Wild Cat, Side-striped Jackal and even Caracal! Many Fisher's Lovebirds, doves and other species of birds come in near the camp to roost and in the morning to drink. Sunsets are wonderful at Ndutu, located on the shores of alkaline Lake Legaja, also called Lake Ndutu. The night sounds at Ndutu are intriguing, a true feeling of the "bush" in East Africa. Take a short evening walk after dinner around the lodge grounds if you would like to nightspot for nocturnal mammals and birds.
Lodging: Ndutu Safari Lodge
July 11 - 12, Saturday - Sunday: Ndutu
We’ll head for the plains at dawn taking hot cereal (“Uji” in Swahili), coffee, tea and muffins, for a delicious breakfast later this morning on the Serengeti Plains. We’ll search for Bat-eared Fox and hunting Cheetah, plus possibly Honey Badger (Ratel) still foraging, as the mornings are very cool at this season and nocturnal mammals are sometimes still about, and even African Wild Cat, though the latter two are extremely shy. This is an excellent area for Cheetah, which feed mainly on gazelles and hares. Grant's Gazelles stay year around. Thomson's Gazelle is the last in the "migration" of the three major antelopes to move out of the Ndutu short grass plains. Most of the Burchell's Zebra and Wildebeest have migrated and we will see them in the Lobo Lodge area in the northeast end of the Serengeti at this season. Return to Ndutu for lunch both days. The afternoon game drives will be full of action as well, and we will enjoy the spectacular late afternoon light as we drive along the shores of the alkaline lake, where flamingos are feeding at the edges. Steinbuck (Steinbok), Grey-breasted Spurfowl, and Chestnut-banded Sand Plover are some of the specialties of the Ndutu area.
Lodging: Ndutu Safari Lodge
July 13 - 14, Monday - Tuesday: The Northern Serengeti
Depart after breakfast and search the area around Naabi Hill for elusive species, especially the cats and other predators. The behavior of every species is fascinating, as they go about their daily survival strategies in the different habitats that sustain them. The great ungulate herds will be scattered between the Western Corridor and the Kenya border. Drive over the short grass plains through the kopjes. Kopjes, (meaning big heads, pronounced “copies”) from the Dutch word “kop” for head, are ancient, granitic boulder outcroppings. They harbor predators and are fascinating to explore when abundant herds are present in the vicinity. Stop for a picnic and a walk at the kopje where the Seronera Museum is located, an oasis for many birds, hyrax, and lizards.
Monday afternoon drive to Migration Camp, a permanent luxury camp in the northern Serengeti close to the Grumeti River right in the middle of the main migration route for wildebeest and zebra on their way north to the Masai Mara. Stay two nights at Migration Camp, built on the side of an incredible kopje known as Poacher’s Lookout with Klipspringers living close by. The views of the plains from this location extend into the Masai Mara, which is Kenya’s portion of the Serengeti eco-system. Very few people visit the northern Serengeti and on Tuesday we will see very few other vehicles in this area. Drive to the Mara River on the Tanzania side of the ecosystem, close to the Kenya border, if the migration is congregating in this area. At this time of year we will encounter vast herds in the northern Serengeti. The “migration,” meaning more Wildebeest and Burchell’s Zebra than we can possibly estimate, will be in this area of the Serengeti coming from the west. It is a miracle that the Serengeti ecosystem still exists intact thanks to two or three farsighted people who took measures to save it in its natural state, a true conservation success story. Serengeti Home by Kay Turner conveys how so much was accomplished by so few people. Doug calls the Serengeti the "glory of the Pleistocene" with so many species of mammals still surviving. We’ll see many species of mammals and birds in this very rich wildlife area.
Lodging: Migration Camp
July 15, Wednesday: The Seronera Area in the Serengeti
We’ll have another full day in the Serengeti National Park visiting areas where conditions are right for the best wildlife action, especially for observing Cheetah hunting for Thomson’s Gazelles. Herds are covering distances every day to drink and congregate at the rivers and springs where they can find good water supplies. Stay tonight at the beautiful Serengeti Serena Lodge in the central part of the Serengeti and not far from the amazing Seronera River.
Lodging: Serengeti Serena Lodge
July 16 - 17, Thursday - Friday: Ngorongoro Crater
Thursday morning as we return south to Naabi Hill, we travel through an exciting area of the Serengeti, where the Cheetah population is doing well. Arrive in the late afternoon at the spectacular Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on the Ngorongoro Crater Rim at approximately 7500 feet. This lodge is truly a five-star accommodation with views over the crater from every room. On both Friday and Saturday we’ll descend into the Crater, taking a picnic lunch. This crater is one of the great wonders of the natural world, covering 110 square miles. It is almost a perfect caldera 10 to 11 miles across. Black Rhinos are regularly seen here, especially near the acacia woodlands in the marshy plains. With both fresh and alkaline lakes, the waterbirds and landbirds are very abundant. The lion prides, hyena clans, and jackal families, uninhibited by vehicles, carry on their interactions. Male lions of Ngorongoro, famous for their black manes, are habituated to the presence of vehicles and are frequently found in consort with a lioness in estrous. In the Crater, even in the daytime, we can sometimes hear lions roar and hyenas call. We return to Ngorongoro Serena Lodge on Friday evening. We may stay until the gates close at 6:00 pm in the Crater, although you may make choices with only four people per stretch vehicle (nine seater) and choose to return earlier to have time at our beautiful lodge on the rim of the Crater, 2000 feet above. Birds around the lodge are forest species, including sunbirds, canaries, weavers, and many others.
Lodging: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
July 18 - 19, Saturday - Sunday: Tarangire National Park
On Saturday with our packed bags in the boot of our vehicles, we’ll descend into the Crater again, then continue after lunch to Tarangire National Park, arriving in the late afternoon in time for a game drive there. Return past Lake Manyara and the town of Mto-wa-Mbu on the way to Tarangire. At the main junction drive west to Tarangire National Park for overnight at Tarangire Safari Lodge. This tented camp conveys the feeling of a traditional African safari. Tarangire National Park is home to several species not found in the parks to the north. We can thank the Tsetse Fly for saving this area from cattle and "sloats" (sheep and goats). The flies have been controlled, and the land now is protected as a national park. There is a chance of seeing Fringe-eared Oryx, Lesser Kudu, and Leopard. Yellow Baboons, African Elephants, the endemic (found only in this area) Ashy Starlings, and several species of hornbills, kingfishers, waxbills, and many others are abundant.
At the tented camp the nocturnal sounds are often intriguing. We sometimes hear lions roaring at night from our tented camp and have heard leopard “sawing wood” (the description of its vocalization). A foraging leopard may pass by the tents, lapping up big moths that have fallen from the lights after the generator goes off for the night. Elephants during daylight hours often pass through the lodge grounds on their daily journey down to the river and the birding is excellent on the lodge grounds. This is a beautiful setting and a perfect location to go out game driving in the fascinating habitats of Tarangire National Park.
Lodging: Tarangire Safari Lodge
July 20, Monday: Arusha and Homeward or Join us to Kenya!
We head back to Arusha this morning, where we stop briefly at a craft shop to give you a quick opportunity to shop. (Note: Do not wait until the last day to buy the gifts or crafts that you might like to purchase. Rather it’s better to keep your eye out throughout the safari, as each lodge has a craft shop. If something catches your eye, it may be difficult to find the same item again.) Enjoy a special lunch with our hosts from Wildersun Safaris today. Pervin and Merwyn Nunes, their daughter, Jervin, and son, Ervin, and their spouses and staff are the people who organize our Tanzania safaris. This afternoon transfer to Kea Lodge to have a dayroom to prepare for departure this evening back to Amsterdam from Kilimanjaro International Airport. Kea Lodge is located a half mile from the airport and provides a shuttle to the airport with plenty of time to check in for your evening flight to Amsterdam on KLM.
If you are instead flying from Nairobi or joining us for the Kenya safari beginning tomorrow, we’ll drive together in a Wildersun Safaris transfer bus with one of our Tanzanian drivers to the Kenyan border at Namanga and on to Nairobi up the Athi Plains. The Athi Plains is an area that is “owned” by Masai, but some of their land is now being leased or sold for farming purposes, such as the Ostrich farm we pass by that belongs to former President Moi. The Athi Plains is a peneplain that stretches from Nairobi at 5500 feet south to the coast. It was formed by the massive amounts of volcanic lava, which flowed from the Kenya Highlands to the coast. Most of Kenya and Tanzania’s rich wildlife areas are at altitudes above 4500 feet and have very comfortable climates. Bid “kwaheri” to our Tanzanian driver on arrival at the Mayfair Court in Nairobi (now a Holiday Inn). If flying this evening from Nairobi, transfer to the airport. Dinner on your own this evening.
July 21, Tuesday: Arrival home if departing on July 20
Connect to airports in the USA. Gain back eight hours to East Coast and eleven hours to the West Coast.
Reservations: Please contact us to assure space availability and to let us answer your questions. Then, fill out our reservation form, and mail it to us with your deposit:
Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris
20800 Kittredge Road
Saratoga, CA 95070
Toll Free: (800) 527-5330
Local: (408) 741-5330
Fax: (408) 741-0358
Email: info@cheesemans.com
Payments and Cancellations: Upon receiving your deposit, we will send trip materials, including a travel guide with trip essentials, reading list, species lists, and maps. Deposits are refundable before the final payment date, except for $150. The $150 may go toward another tour if a reservation is made within six months of the departure date of this trip. There are no refunds given after the final payment. Trip cancellation insurance applications are available. Trip options, if any, and singles are extra.
| Cost | |
| Trip cost | $6050 |
| Single supplement | $825 |
| Payment Schedule | |
| Deposit - to reserve your space | $500 |
| October 15, 2008 - second payment | $500 |
| April 1, 2008 - final payment | remaining balance |
Included: All meals, except dinner on July 20.
Not Included: Airfare. Bottled beverages and water. Laundry services and personal expenses. Dinner on July 20. Tips to porters at hotels and airports.
Tips to our drivers are also not included. Our drivers give us many extra hours in the field viewing wildlife. We recommend a gratuity of $12 to $14 per day for them, preferably the higher amount if you are very happy with your experience (especially since the exchange rate of the dollar is is low). We will collect the tip at the end of this safari and divide it among our drivers.
Travel Insurance: Unless you specifically decline travel insurance, Cheesemans’ Ecology Safaris requires, at a minimum, insurance to cover emergency medical care and evacuation for the duration of the tour. We have had good experience with Access America. Visit their website for complete details and we will also send you their brochure with your trip materials. You can purchase a policy via their website, phone or by mail. Whatever insurance you purchase, be sure to review the terms of all available policies carefully in order to buy the policy that you need.
Mailing List: If you would like to be on our mailing list or request information, please use our online request form or send us your name, address, email address and phone number. Please note we will never share your personal information with anybody!
Reading and Field Guides: Some favorites are Craig Packer's Into Africa, describing his lion research in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater and Cynthia Moss' Elephant Memories and Portraits in the Wild. We recommend that you consider buying a book on mammals of East Africa and a field guide to the birds. Jonathan Kingdon’s Field Guide to the Mammals is the most complete and up to date guide, and now is published in a pocket sized edition. Excellent East Africa bird books, one by Terry Stevenson and the other by Zimmerman and Turner, are available. With receipt of your reservation and deposit we will send a reading list, travel guide, and much more info.
Baggage: When packing for your trip, please try to limit your checked bag to 40 pounds total per person. We ask that you keep it to one checked bag per person. The less weight the better, because of space restrictions in the baggage compartment of the vehicles. Also some international flights now limit checked luggage to 20 kilo (44 pounds) to avoid paying any excess baggage fees. As for the carry-on bags, this is standard as in all flights. Your bag will need to fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin above. It is also going to have to fit with you throughout your trip, so packing lighter is recommended. However plan to bring whatever you require, as there is plenty of space in the vehicles for carry-ons and camera equipment. On safari we pay extra to give you more room in the Landcruiser stretch vehicles with a maximum of four people per vehicle, plus our drivers and guides.
Responsibility: Cheesemans' Ecology Safaris, Saratoga, California, act only as agents and shall not be responsible or become liable for any delay incurred by any person in connection with any means of transportation, nor for the loss, damage, or injury to person or property by reason of any event beyond the control of the agency or default of such agency suppliers. We reserve the right to cancel the tour prior to departure in which case full refund will constitute full settlement to the passenger. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour unless arrangements are made at the time of booking. All rates are based on current tariffs, exchange rates and fuel prices and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein. By sending your initial deposit, you agree to accept our payment schedule as a contract. If payments are still outstanding two weeks after the due date, your space may be forfeited. Baggage is at the owner's risk.
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