Tanzania Classic Safari Family Adventure

Conjure up in your mind “safari” in the classic sense—vast stretches of savannah, flat-topped acacia trees silhouetted against orange-purple sunsets, hundreds of animals streaming across the horizon—this trip is that dream made real.  Imagine the thrill your family will experience when viewing lions stalking a herd of impala, giraffe galloping across the plains, a cheetah springing into action, or a baby elephant suckling its mother.  In our nine very full days we explore Tanzania’s premier wildlife parks of Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. We visit a traditional Maasai village where families have the opportunity to interact with children in the local primary school and share about traditions and lives.  Throughout the safari, enjoy unique lodging (some with pools) and wonderful meals (kid-friendly options too). An African dream come true—this is it!

Important Notice: Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance and traveling on an overnight flight.

Tanzania Classic Safari Family Adventure Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today with an evening arrival into Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania.  We provide a group transfer for our evening stay at a lovely garden lodge at the foot of Mt. Meru outside of Arusha.  Check into your room and enjoy a well-earned rest. No meals included.

• Day 2

  This morning you meet the other members of your group and, following breakfast at the lodge, your group heads south to Tarangire Park.  En route we stop at the Meserani Snake Park for an up-close introduction to some of the most interesting snakes in Africa– the Green Mamba, Egyptian Cobra, Puff Adder and more.  Then it’s onto Tarangire – one of the less-visited parks on the northern circuit.  This lovely park is famous for its legendary elephant herds (some of the largest in Africa!) and its unusual palm and baobab groves. After settling into our lodging for the next two evenings we head out into the park for a late afternoon game run … keep a sharp lookout for the famous tree-climbing lions.  Time to cool off in the swimming pool and sit back on the veranda to enjoy your first African gloaming.  All meals included.

• Day 3

  Off for a full day of wildlife viewing in the park.  In the dry season Tarangire is second only to Ngorongoro Crater in concentrations of wildlife.  There’s no doubt we’ll see elephants and many, many other large mammals such as wildebeests, buffalo, zebra, gazelle, impala and baboons. Start your animal “life list” today!  Picnic lunch en-route today.  Return to our lodge for dinner.  All meals included.

• Day 4

  This morning we head west to the Lake Manyara area, arriving in time for lunch at our unique lodging for this evening.  Our circular bungalows overlook Lake Miwaleni and are built with an exquisite Maasai theme.  We visit Lake Manyara Park in the late afternoon to view and photograph the wildlife during their more active period at dusk. This is a small, verdant park located at the base of the Great Rift.  It’s more tropical than other parks we visit and supports a huge birdlife population as well as larger animals such as the giraffe, zebra and antelope. The birdlife at our lodge is amazing as well with over 350 species spotted and recorded. Look for the Kori bustard, the heaviest flying bird.  Enjoy!  All meals included.

• Day 5

  Start the day with a chance to stretch your legs.  Depending on the group’s interest, enjoy a hike or cycle through the surrounding countryside.  There may be time to visit the extensive crafts market in the local village of Mto Wa Mbu. This provides a fun opportunity to barter and to interact with the local artisans while supporting their craft.  Following lunch at the lodge we drive to the outskirts of the Ngorongoro Crater. Our home for the next two nights is an intimate, eco-friendly lodge nestled away on a working farm where organic coffee and produce are grown.  There are several short optional excursions from the farm the kids are sure to enjoy (parents too!) … perhaps a chance to milk a cow, or attend a coffee roasting demonstration, or take a guided walk to a nearby waterfall and the “elephant caves.”  Your guide will discuss with you which options are available from which to choose (given the time of day) and their associated costs. Or, relax with a cup of tea, take in the views of the lush countryside and stroll the lovely grounds of the plantation. Farm style meals (almost everything grown organically at the farm) are guaranteed to satisfy all tastes. All meals included.

• Day 6

  Today is a highlight of everyone’s visit to northern Tanzania – a trip into the huge Ngorongoro Crater. The Maasai refer to the Crater as the “footprint of God.”  Your first glimpse into the crater from its rim is breathtaking – a wildlife sanctuary over three hundred square miles in size spread out some two thousand feet below you.  We spend today exploring the diversity and richness of this gorgeous park.  Over 20,000 mammals call this crater their permanent home including prides of lions, cheetah, giraffe, elephant, hippos and the rare black rhino.  At the heart of the crater's 10-mile wide grassland plain lies a soda lake that attracts vast numbers of flamingo and other water birds. The Maasai have watered their cattle in the crater seemingly forever. This is truly a magical setting teeming with wildlife and with a human history as rich as the crater is beautiful.  This afternoon, after returning from the Crater, we stop at the local village of Elkopussi and visit a primary school where kids have the chance to meet their Tanzanian counterparts and learn something of each others lives.  All meals included.

• Day 7

  Perhaps the most famous of the Tanzanian parks is the Serengeti, our destination for the next two evenings.  On our way to the Serengeti we make a stop at Olduvai Gorge, commonly referred to as “the cradle of mankind.”  This is one of the most important prehistoric sites in the world and has been instrumental in furthering understanding of early human evolution. 
  
  The Maasai call the Serengeti the “Siringitu” meaning “the place where the land moves on forever.”  This is most certainly a reference to the constant movement of the huge numbers of animals that live in the vast savannahs of the Serengeti.  It is one of the largest and last remaining wildlife sanctuaries in the world.  The extensive grasslands are dotted with “kopjes” or rocky outcroppings that, like islands in the plains, form their own wildlife communities.  Have your cameras and binoculars ready, but take time to just to soak up the smells, sounds and sights with all senses unencumbered.  Overnight at a classic, remote, intimate tented-camp complete with a pool and verandas opening to views that extend forever.  All meals included.

• Day 8

  A full day to enjoy the splendor of the Serengeti.  Depending upon the season and your luck, you might have the opportunity to witness the largest migration of mammals on earth.  Regardless, you most certainly will see hundreds of animals including zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest, topi, hyena, eland, warthogs, giraffe and various predators such as hyena, lion, cheetah, and the elusive leopard.  Return once again to our camp, cool off in the pool, sip a glass of wine or fresh mango juice. Sleep soundly one final night under the dark African skies, listening to the myriad sounds that define the ancient wildness of this spectacular place.  All meals included.

• Day 9

  After breakfast we transfer to an airstrip for our flight to Arusha, arriving in time for lunch at a lodge outside of Arusha where you have the use of a day room. The afternoon is free to enjoy on your own. Following dinner we provide an evening transfer to the Kilimanjaro airport for flights home. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.

Note on Itinerary:

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. The above itinerary is based on flights to Arusha, Tanzania.

Single Travelers:

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary.  If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available.  If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the full single supplement.  Please be advised that there are a limited number of single accommodations available.

Price Includes:

All accommodations; meals as noted on the daily itinerary; special activities as listed in the itinerary; services of expert guides; private safari vehicles with guaranteed window seat; airport transfers when arriving and departing with group.

Not Included:

Round-trip international airfare, internal airfare between Serengeti and Arusha (mandatory $295); park fees (mandatory $990 for each person); departure tax; travel insurance, excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; items of a personal nature; optional gratuities to your guides / drivers.

Qualifications:

This safari trip is rated Relaxed [1].  Safaris are not physically demanding but they are in remote locations over rough terrain.  This trip is perfect for active people in good health and with the spirit of adventure.

Weather:

Our departures dates coincide with the dry seasons of East Africa. While on safari, the weather will typically be mild during the day (70s – 80s) and cooling off in the evening.  When visiting the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, we are above 7000’ and it can get very cool and misty.

General Information:

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

 

The key to staying comfortable on safari is layering.  To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation.  This gear list is provided to help you in choosing your equipment and clothing for this trip.  Try to bring only what is necessary, as this helps you and the field staff.

Weather

Weather: In the winter months of June to August the average temperatures are between 50° to 70° with cool mornings and evenings. It will typically be milder in Cape Town than either the Drakensberg or Manyeleti Parks during this time. While these are the wetter months in Cape Town they are the drier months in the interior and are considered prime time for safaris. December falls in the summer with highs pleasantly in the 80s, less chance of rain in Cape Town than in the winter months and a greater chance for rainfall when in the interior.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as your passport, money, eyewear, a change of clothing and medications in your carry-on baggage, in case your luggage is delayed.
• Copies of birth certificates – It's become quite common these days for a family to have more than one surname. Maybe a mother has kept her maiden name, or perhaps the children are from different unions. Whatever the reason, you'll want to be able to prove that, yes, these kids are yours. (Even if you are the nuclear family, copies of birth certificates aren't a bad thing to have along if your passports are lost or stolen.)
• Parental permission – If you’re traveling with your kids without your spouse, you may need proof that the absent parent has given permission for the child to travel with you. It’s simple enough to write up a letter, sign it, have it witnessed and notarized. Or, you may use the Letter of Consent to Travel REI Adventures provides for your convenience.  Be sure to take this with you on your trip and keep it handy.
• Casual attire is acceptable for Africa.  Neutral, light colored clothing is best for the safari, to blend into the landscape and not alarm the wildlife. Khaki or olive are always good colors while on safari.
• Laundry services are available at most lodges for an additional cost.
• Stuff sacks are great for sorting your gear.  Plastic bags are also helpful to separate clean and dirty clothing.
• If you normally wear contacts, bring a pair of glasses in case of irritation from dust in your eyes.
• Many of the roads in Africa are rutted and dusty.  It is a good idea to pack camera equipment and binoculars in plastic bags to protect them from the dust.  This is in addition to their normal cases.  Also bring lens cleaning materials.

 

Feel free to give us a call at 800-622-2236 should you have any questions regarding the gear list.  The staff at our stores and Direct Sales (800-426-4840) will be happy to help you with gear questions.  Or visit REI’s website at www.rei.com. The “Expert Advice” section has great information to help you prepare for your trip.