Sherry Steele
"Collectors" Safari 2009
Explore
Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park,
Serengeti National Park, Olduvai Gorge, the Western
Serengeti & the Ngorongora Crater!
Safari Group 2006 |
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The next adventure is on! Coming February 24- March 9, 2009,
I will
again lead a 14-day safari to my favorite parts of Tanzania. |
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Our group of 16
select travelers will fly into Mt. Kilimanjaro Airport in Arusha,
Tanzania, where we will be met by my hand-selected guides. Working
with Safari Legacy (formerly Tanzania Photographic Safaris, one of
the oldest safari companies in Africa, we will be in the very best
of hands. I have used this company
on 4 previous safaris and our guides, ranked among the best in
Africa, have become my friends. You will find it the same for
yourself as they strive to share their knowledge of Nature and love
of their country with you. |
Our expedition will
include Arusha National Park, and the luxury, permanent tented Kikoti Camp in the Tarangire,
which is known for its population of Elephants.
There, Maasai will guard our tents
at night, accompany us on a nature walk to Kikoti Rock, spot game
on a night game drive, and even dance with us at our private boma.
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We will be traveling
in our specially equipped safari vehicles. Built
to accommodate up to 8 passengers, an important part of
our safari cost is based on the extra vehicles & guides
reserved for us. Since we navigate our entire
safari aboard these vehicles, the chance to see the
wonders of Tanzania in comfort can be critical.
Room to surround yourself with your camera gear and have
immediate access to the open rooftop to capture an amazing encounter
becomes one of the most important factors of the expedition, second
only to the importance of our superb guides. |
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Leaving the
Tarangire, we drive to Lake Manyara for an afternoon game drive
through the only montane ecosystem on our safari. An overnight in
lovely rooms high above the Lake prepare us for the next stage of
our adventure. We pass through farmlands and villages, sprinkled
with native women walking along paths, their brilliantly colored
kanga clothes fluttering behind them with every stride. Climbing
the side of the Ngorongora Crater, we pause for tea on the rim while
we are consumed by the sight and the myths of this wonder. Aagh,
but we must zig-zag down the other side, leaving the Crater to
simmer in our minds until we can return.
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Pausing at the
Olduvai Gorge for lunch and an historical lecture, we begin to feel
humbled by the ancient aura permeating this prehistoric region. The
Serengeti (Endless Sea of Grass) awaits us. Our classic
mobile tented camp is our home for the next 3 days as the annual
migration begins to form around us. More than at any other camp,
this is where we will hear and feel the sounds of Africa filling the
night air around us. The newborn young frolic around us as this is
the time of birth for the wildebeest, zebras and antelope. And each
time we return to camp there is a delicious meal to savor,
surprisingly sophisticated in its preparation and presentation.
Without a doubt, this will become your favorite and most memorable
camp. |
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Our
Dining Tent
sitting in front of an
Acacia Tree
at Sunrise.
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Passing through the
mass of creatures filling the savannah for as far as the eye can
see, we next head for the permanent tented camp, Kirawira.
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After
the simplicity of our mobile camp in the Serengeti, the luxury of
our permanent tents outfitted with mahogany and brass is a welcome
sight. Located near the Grumeti River, which is famous for its
one-ton crocodiles featured in TV documentaries, our game drives in
this area provide a different view of the wildlife.
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There is
just one spectacle left for us to immerse ourselves
in….the Ngorongora Crater. As you begin the descent
down the wall of the Crater, you will begin to
understand why it is counted as one of the natural
wonders of the world. Filled with a permanent
population of wildebeest, zebras, and assorted antelope,
and the largest predators in Africa, only the elephants
traverse the ancient paths up the sides of the Caldera.
We are among the fortunate few to have a day and a half
inside the Crater. You will never forget the magic of
seeing the moon rise over the Crater’s rim from the
balcony of your room. |
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Interspersing the drives from camp to camp are some
special surprises. There will be opportunities to shop
for curios and Tanzanite gemstones, and a visit to a
Maasai boma.
For
the artists in the group, time is set aside for plein
aire painting and to pause to sketch an encounter. And
probably the most enriching experience is our
interaction with the people of Tanzania.
We take
bags of notebook paper, pencils, and books to schools
and an orphanage along our route.
We even leave |
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some of our old clothing behind to be reused by
the children who live in such poverty. As one of our
previous travelers said, “They had expected to fall in
love with the animals and land of Tanzania, but they
never expected to fall in love with the people.”
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From start
to finish, Chuck and I work hard to make this one of the
most unforgettable experiences of a lifetime. Building a
bond between each person in our group, time and again you
will find your heart and your mind returning to Africa.
The Itinerary!
Tanzania 14 – Day
February 2009
$4704 per person
$662 single supplement
Day 1: Depart
USA – own air arrangements on NW/KLM
Day 2: Arrive
Arusha (JRO), met and transferred to the Dik Dik Hotel
Day 3: Tarangire
National Park - Kikoti Tented Camp – full day game drives
Day 4: Tarangire
National Park - Kikoti Tented Camp - full day game drives
Day 5:
Lake Manyara National Park
- Manyara Serena Lodge –full day game drives
Day 6: Serengeti
National Park – Private Mobile Camp – full day game drives
Day 7: Serengeti
National Park – Private Mobile Camp – full day game drives
Day 8: Serengeti
National Park – Private Mobile Camp - full day game drives
Day 9: Western
Serengeti - Kirawira Luxury Tented Camp – full day game
drives
Day 10: Western
Serengeti - Kirawira Luxury Tented Camp – full day game
drives
Day 11:
Ngorongoro Crater
/ Olduvai Gorge
- Ngorongoro Serena Lodge
Day 12:
Ngorongoro Crater - Ngorongoro Serena Lodge – full day
game drives
Day 13: Arusha
– return to Arusha for lunch & dayrooms. After an early dinner we
transfer to the airport for our connecting flights.
Day 14: Arrive
Home
WHAT’S
INCLUDED:
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Meet and greet
service by Safari Legacy representatives
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All transfers,
porter age and national park fees
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ALL government
hotel taxes and service charges.
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All
transportation in custom built 4x4 safari vehicles; private roof
hatch and window
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Expert Safari
Legacy naturalist guides
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Morning,
afternoon & evening (where applicable) game drives
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Nature walks;
bird walks
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Maasai village
visits
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Olduvai Gorge
visit
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All meals, tea
and coffee, bottled water and refreshments during game drives
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International
Flight Confirmations
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All activities as
specified in the itinerary
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Membership in the Flying Doctors
Program
WHAT'S NOT
INCLUDED:
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Single
supplements will be charged if required or requested
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Personal Laundry,
beverages and other personal expenses.
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Tips to bar staff
for personal beverages or room service.
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Tips to models
for photographic opportunities.
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Tips to safari
guides
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Passport and Visa
fees – Tanzania visa is now $100 per person and can be obtained upon
arrival
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Airport taxes
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Travel Protection
Plan (www.travelguard.com
and
www.medjetassist.com)
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Optional Hot Air
Balloon Safari $450 (booked in advance)
We
Hope To See You There!
