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Novice
and advanced photo enthusiasts seeking exceptional wildlife
viewing opportunities can explore the best game parks of
Tanzania including the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and
Tarangire. Scheduled to coincide with the migration of giant
herds of wildebeest and zebras in Serengeti National Park,
some great photo opportunities will be available as the
herds remain spread out in the plains before an abundance of
lions and cheetahs are attracted to the area. Based from
lodges, permanent tent camps, and a custom designed mobile
camp (with generator-powered recharging and a photographic
download station) we are ideally situated for seasonal
access to wildlife movement. We will travel in retrofitted 4
x 4 Land Cruisers, fully equipped with window seats and open
hatches, which will assure unencumbered wildlife observation
and optimal photography. A flight from Serengeti back to
Arusha minimizes driving time and rugged overland travel.
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DAY
1 : ARRIVAL IN TANZANIA
Arrive this evening at the Kilimanjaro International Airport
where you'll be met after passing through customs and
transferred to Moivaro Coffee Plantation & Lodge for the
evening. Set amidst a tranquil coffee plantation in the
outskirts of Arusha, Moivaro Lodge is a collection of duplex
bungalows scattered over beautifully landscaped grounds.
Enjoy cozy fireplaces, gauzy mosquito nets, and private
bathrooms with hot and cold running water. Rooms are simply
decorated with local art and the public areas are the
perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine by the fire. Onsite
facilities include a massage room, Internet services and a
pool. Extensive walking trails through the coffee groves and
lush gardens will allow for a stroll in the morning.
Overnight at Moivaro Plantation. [Meals on your own]
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DAYS 2-3 : TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast we will meet for our safari guide
for a quick briefing before heading out on the road
to Tarangire National Park. Tarangire is the third
largest national park in Tanzania. An unusually
large population of elephants inhabits this
sanctuary. Majestic baobab trees create fantastic
landscape photos as they dwarf the animals that feed
beneath them. During the dry season animals
concentrate along Tarangire River, which provides
the only permanent water supply in the area. A great
diversity of wildlife flourishes here, including
the giraffe, buffalo, lesser kudu, eland, and zebra.
Lions, leopards, and cheetah are also present. Up
to 6,000 elephants inhabit Tarangire in the dry
season. Enjoy panoramic views of animals drinking
at the Tarangire River from atop a high bluff in the
lounge and dining room of the Tarangire Safari
Lodge. The open-sided design allows an
uninterrupted view of the landscape and wildlife
below, and captures the cooling breeze while you
dine on the delicious home-cooked safari cuisine.
Take a dip in the pool to wash off the safari dust
after a game drive and enjoy rooms with ensuite
bathrooms, hot and cold water, and electricity. [BLD]
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DAY
4 : LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK AND GREAT RIFT VALLEY
Today we
pass through the Great Rift Valley where we will look for
animals along the shore of Lake Manyara. We will visit a
local school and learn about education in Tanzania. Finally,
we will climb up the wall of the rift valley to the rim of
the Ngorongoro Crater. Overnight tonight on the rim of
Ngorongoro Crater at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. Strung along
the eastern rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, rooms at the
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge have views out to the crater floor
below. Floor to ceiling windows are set next to an inviting
rocking chair, a perfect place to see Cape buffalo dining on
lodge landscaping. Watch the sunset from the pool or the
bar, and enjoy the large central fireplace in the
restaurant. Overnight at the Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.
[BLD]
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DAYS 5-6 : NGORONGORO CRATER
Get
up early to be one of the first vehicles in the
Ngorongoro National Park. Ngorongoro is one of the
most spectacular game parks in Africa and has been
designated a World Heritage site. Here animals are
found throughout the year due to the permanent
availability of grass and water. Nearly 100 square
miles, it contains an impressive variety of wildlife
including black-maned lions, the highly endangered
black rhino, herds of gnu, zebra, elephants, hippo
and hyena, the most important predator within the
crater. Bird life is also prolific, with flocks of
flamingos on the soda lake, plus other species of
water and plains birds. We are allowed a maximum of
6 hours game driving in the crater. We may take
short walks and hikes in this area during free time.
Overnights at Ngorongoro Sopa. [BLD]
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DAYS
7-10 : NGORONGORO AND THE SERENGETI
We will make
one last short game drive through the crater as we depart
Ngorongoro, heading for the Serengeti. En route we will stop
at Olduvai Gorge, the famous archeological site where the
Leakeys discovery of the Australopithecus, Homo
habilis, and Homo erectus remains brought a
crucial understanding to the study of the evolution of the
human species. Continue on to the Serengeti through the
Naabi Gate. Spend the next days photographing at varying
locations in the Serengeti, from the granite Kopjes, to the
long plains. The Serengeti is one of the most productive
habitats and impressive wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
Witness a portion of the 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra
concentrated in vast herds as they migrate through the
Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Overnight for three nights in a
private mobile camp, set up just for our group. Tents
are comfortable with wood-framed beds, attached bathrooms
with flushing toilets, and fire-warmed bucket showers. There
is no electricity in the rooms, but we will have a
charging/downloading station for photographic equipment.
[BLD] Note: Your beverages and laundry are included
at the mobile camp.
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DAY 11 : DEPARTURE OR EXTEND YOUR TRIP
Take
your last looks at the Serengeti today before
transferring to the airstrip for your flight to
Arusha. Our air route takes us over the Serengeti
and the Ngorongoro Crater and reminds us of the
sights weve seen in the last day. Upon arrival into
Arusha well have dayrooms at Moivaro Plantation in
Arusha in preparation for our return flight to the
home this evening. Take a final stroll around the
grounds, a dip in the pool or photography the
beautiful gardens and stunning views of Mt. Meru.
For those travelers who are staying on for an
extension, you will overnight at Moivaro Plantation.
[BLD]
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