This is a description of our Thanksgiving African Journey taking us from Mount Kilimanjaro through the northern wildlife ecosystems of Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti Plains.  The trip is planned to take advantage of the end of the dry season and the spectacular migration event of wildebeest moving into the Serengeti from the north. This is also an excellent time to be in Tanzania, as the weather is good; the dry season congregates wildlife at watering holes for easy game viewing; there are few other visitors to the parks at this time; the airfares are low; and the best lodges are available. We have also timed this safari to spend Thanksgiving in the Serengeti – a bit different perhaps, but for some, a welcome break from the hustle and stress of the holiday season!

 

Come join us on a unique safari adventure, that combines classic expedition style safari camping with premier lodge accommodations in the most spectacular wildlife areas in the world – and get your Christmas shopping done early!

 

Safari Style

Our group safaris are designed for active people of any age.  Although our safaris are comfortable and at times “luxurious,” they are planned and designed to emphasize the quality and depth of the experience rather than simply to maximize luxury.

 

Although we have carefully planned this itinerary to share with you as much as we can, all activities described in this itinerary should be considered optional. Anyone who wants to take a break from the group to relax and read a book under a tree while the camp crew makes some popcorn, is welcome.

Costs and Group Size

The cost for this safari is $2,150 for a full seven-day safari, and $2,945 for a full ten days of exploring northern Tanzania. We are constantly looking for ways to bring the best safari for a reasonable price and are working with our providers for the best deal possible. This cost does not include international airfare, visas or driver tips. The cost is based on a maximum group size of 15, and a minimum group size of 8.  Reservations are made with a $500 deposit.  The safari cost includes virtually everything from when you arrive in country until you depart, including meals, accommodations, transport, park fees, guides, and even some tips.

 

Safari Schedule and Description

What follows is a description of the safari including the west Kilimanjaro option beginning on November 16. The seven-day safari begins on November 19.

Nov 16:  Arrive in the morning via London or Amsterdam. Your flight arrangements may be different depending on you travel plans, but the safari begins in the morning in Arusha. If you have arrived earlier, maybe by KLM the previous night, we will meet you in Arusha where we took you to the previous night, and we will all go to the Kilimanjaro Airport to meet the rest of the group arriving. There, we will be taken directly to Ndarakwai Reserve. The camp is a permanent tented lodge on an 11,000-acre private reserve. With view of both Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru, the camp is nestled in a lush forest of towering fig, podo, and yellow-barked acacias that line the seasonal Ngare Nairobi River. Facilities include spacious tents with thatched roofs, en suite bathrooms, and a large separate dining area with two fireplaces that are wonderful to sit around later in the evening.

We’ll have lunch, introductions and go unpack. There are two more full days here, with plenty of time to explore this old colonial ranch, either by vehicle, mountain bike or foot. The afternoon will be free to relax, take naps and recover from the long travel, go on game drives or a walk around the area. We can even go over to the neighbor’s, a Maasai boma (village compound), for a visit in the late afternoon when they bring in the cattle for the night. There is a tree house over a large watering hole that is a wonderful place to spend time laying around, reading a book, and watching the elephant that come by to drink. Last year, we didn’t even make it to the tree house for a day because there was a herd of 83 elephants and we spent the first afternoon wandering around with them.

Come back to camp where we’ll gather around a campfire at dusk for snacks and sundowners. There is a fantastic dinner waiting for us. You will absolutely amazed at the good food produced here and throughout the safari, especially after you tour the kitchen here at Ndarakwai, or later while camping in the Serengeti. It’s been a long time traveling and chances are you’ll want to turn in pretty soon after dinner, but don’t forget to tell the staff what time you want you tea or coffee delivered to your tent in the morning. 

Nov 17: Wake up in a beautiful place, tucked on the lower west slope of Kilimanjaro. Breakfast is at 8:30 AM.  If you so choose, you can get up at dawn and do an early morning game drive with one of the guides, and return for breakfast.  Most people think this is a darn good idea. You might prefer to stay on your porch sipping you tea and watch the morning begin. Sometimes you might see a troop of baboons playing in the meadow outside of your tent. One year, the first person in our group to see an elephant was one who didn’t go on the game drive and was just sitting having a cup of tea while an elephant walked on by. After breakfast there will be plenty of time for more game drives, or a walking safari around the reserve.

There is no real need for everyone to stick together here in the reserve, once we have our bearings.  Just explore and have fun.  There are a few mountain bikes that are available to ride around the reserve on. There is nothing like mountain biking in Africa. Grab your bird book, binos and go for a walk with one of the reserve rangers. They know their birds, where to find them, and they are very handy to have around if you come up to a herd of elephant. Or go up to the tree house over the watering hole and wait for a herd of elephants to come by. Tell the camp crew if you need a picnic lunch or expect to be back for lunch. We’ve had clients who have spent all day up there watching as the game in the area came by for a drink. Always go with a guide or ranger and communicate with the rest of the group.  We will all be in constant radio contact with each other for safety and to communicate if you find something cool.

There is also a 7 year old baby orphaned elephant at the reserve that was found separated from its mother.  Peter Jones, the reserve owner, rescued her and has nursed her back to health with special milk from Nairobi and round-the-clock care.  Like all 7 year olds she is playful and full of herself.  She loves sniffing visitors and getting lots of attention.  She is now with a herd, but she often comes by to visit, and if we are lucky we can see her when she is there.