Classic Safari Family Adventure

Classic Safari Family Adventure Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha, Tanzania. We provide a group transfer to our lovely garden lodge at the foot of Mt. Meru, located about 7km outside of Arusha. Check into your room and enjoy a well-earned rest. All meals on your own.

• Day 2

  We depart Arusha for the Meserani Snake Park, which provides an up-close introduction to some of the most interesting snakes in Africa: the Green Mamba, Egyptian Cobra, Puff Adder and more. We continue our drive to Tarangire Park, one of the less-visited parks on the northern circuit. This lovely park is famous for its legendary elephant herds and its unusual palm and baobab groves. After settling into the lodging we use 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. This evening there is time to cool off in the swimming pool or relax on the veranda to enjoy your first African gloaming. All meals included.

• Day 3

  A full day of wildlife viewing! In the dry season Tarangire is second only to Ngorongoro Crater in concentrations of wildlife. There's no doubt we'll see elephants, wildebeests, buffalo, zebra, gazelle, impala and baboons. Keep your camera and binoculars close at hand! We enjoy a picnic lunch en-route and return to our lodge for dinner. All meals included.

• Day 4

  Departing Tarangire, we head west to the Lake Manyara area, arriving in time for lunch at our lodging. Each comfortable tented camp is set high on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, providing panoramic views eastward over Lake Manyara, the Rift floor and Mt. Losimingori. We visit Lake Manyara Park in the late afternoon to view and photograph the wildlife during their more active period at dusk. A small, verdant park located at the base of the Great Rift, Lake Manyara is more tropical than other parks we visit, and it supports a huge birdlife population as well as 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. 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 activities around the farm which kids are sure to enjoy. Try your hand at milking a cow, 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 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 organically grown food is 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 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

  Today we have 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 and 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

  Departing the Serengeti, we fly to Arusha, arriving in time for lunch at a lodge where we have the use of day rooms. The afternoon is free to enjoy on your own. We provide a group transfer to the Kilimanjaro airport for flights home. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.

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.

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

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.

All accommodations and meals as noted on the daily itinerary; internal airfare between Serengeti and Arusha; park fees; special activities as listed in the itinerary; bi-lingual guides; private safari vehicles with guaranteed window seat; airport transfers when arriving and departing with group.

Airfare to Arusha, Tanzania; optional gratuities to your guides / drivers; departure tax; expenses for any optional tours; insurance of any kind; excess baggage charges; alcoholic beverages; items of a personal nature.

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.

Our departure dates coincide with the dry seasons of East Africa. Temperatures are typically in the 70s - 80s during the day, cooling off to the 50s - 60s in the evening. Departures from December through February can expect daytime temperatures to be about 10 degrees higher on average. The Ngorongoro Crater is over 7,000' high, so you can count on cool mornings and evenings regardless of the season.

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 at the time of your initial reservation, 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

Our departure dates coincide with the dry seasons of East Africa. Temperatures are typically in the 70s - 80s during the day, cooling off to the 50s - 60s in the evening. Departures from December through February can expect daytime temperatures to be about 10 degrees higher on average. The Ngorongoro Crater is over 7,000' high, so you can count on cool mornings and evenings regardless of the season.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• 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 not unusual for a family to have more than one surname (for example, keeping a maiden name or children from different unions). You'll want to be able to prove you are the children's parent(s). Even if you are the nuclear family, birth certificates are helpful your passports are lost or stolen.
• Parental permission – If you're traveling with your child(ren) only and not your spouse, you may need proof that the absent parent has given permission for the child(ren) to travel with you. Consider writing a letter that is witnessed and notarized.
• Casual attire is acceptable for Africa. Neutral, light-colored clothing (khaki is a good choice) is best for the safari, to blend into the landscape and not alarm the wildlife.
• If you wish to hand wash your clothes, bringing quick drying materials are best. Laundry services are available at some lodges for an additional cost.
• If you normally wear contacts, you may want to bring a pair of glasses in case of irritation from dust in your eyes.
• Many of the roads in Africa are deeply 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.