Best of Tanzania Very Remote & PrivateOctober 10-20 2012Escorted by: Cindi LaRaia
Here is a very unique way to see the very best of Tanzania. No big lodges, no crowds, our finest luxury seasonal tented camp in the remote area of the far northern Serengeti near the Mara River. This camp enables us to view the finest example of the world’s annual migration of Wildebeest. The endless plains of east Africa are the setting for the world’s greatest wildlife spectacle - the 1.5 million animal ungulate (wildebeest) migration. From the vast Serengeti plains to the champagne colored hills of Kenya’s Masai Mara over 1.4 million wildebeest and 200,000 zebra and gazelle, relentlessly tracked by Africa’s great predators, migrate in a clockwise fashion over 1,800 miles each year in search of rain ripened grass. We are there as they cross the river and cross back, truly an amazing sight to see! Then off to the very remote and little visited southern Selous area of Tanzania! Africa's largest protected area uninhabited by man, where Tanzania's greatest population of elephants wander in an area bigger than Switzerland! The Selous (pronounced “Seloo”) is considered important enough to be World Heritage Site, in which the lucky few can experience a safari in absolutely wild and unspoiled bush. Day 1: Arusha Arusha Coffee Lodge is situated within a working coffee plantation under the shadow of Mount Meru (15,000ft), the second highest mountain in Tanzania and fourth highest in Africa. The setting is of the lodge is outstanding, immediately inviting the guests to take a stroll between the coffee bushes to the spacious chalets with private verandahs. A golf buggy is also at your disposal, should you be overwhelmed by the thoughts of walking to the farthest of the chalets, 300 meters away. Each multi-level chalet features a large, plush double bed surrounded by mosquito nets, a welcoming fireplace and a separate seating area where one can indulge in a glass of sherry or percolate one's own coffee from the farm. The modern bathroom not only has a superb shower but also a great bath and a hairdryer! Dinner is served at the restaurant inside the main building which also incorporates an atmospheric bar manned by staff with the largest of smiles. Weather permitting, breakfast and lunch can indeed be taken outside in the lush gardens or on your private verandah on request. The Redds African Grill House serves an excellent array of both traditional Tanzanian cuisine and other African specialties. An optional tour of the coffee plantation can be taken with an expert guide. The lodge amenities include a pool, a fine restaurant and a coffee shop which serves different blends and roasts of coffee and anything else related to coffee.
Day 2: Serengeti National Park Lemala Mara North Serengeti Being mobile, the camp has the flexibility to set up in some of the most pristine areas of a national park. Lemala Mara camp has perhaps the best setting of all the camps in Northern Serengeti, being only minutes away from the Mara River where the wildebeest migration crossings take place. There are 2 major crossing points near the camp which are often busy with wildebeest between July and October. The camp is located well away from the crowds and your game drives near the camp are virtually traffic free. Lemala Mara is a real gem if you are seeking an authentic safari experience in unspoiled wilderness away from the crowds. You may upgrade to Lemala Kuria Hills which is a luxury permanent camp about 30 minutes from the river. Kuria Hills opens on 15 July 2012. Lemala Kuria tents will feature plunge pool, outdoor/indoor showers, bath.... The main areas will have a swimming pool. Lemala Mara North Serengeti - Photos & Walking Safari [pdf] The Northern Serengeti presents stunning landscapes of kopjes, boulders, valleys and copses dotted with sausage and fig trees. In the distance are views of the escarpment along the Kenya/Tanzania border. The wildlife here is prolific and varied. The area is especially renowned for large herds of every kind of grazer in the Serengeti due to the availability of vast tracts of grassland. During the migration season there is a surge in the predator numbers while crocodiles of the Mara River are driven into frenzy by the approaching wildebeest herds. The Mara River in the Northern Serengeti becomes the ultimate wildlife hub from July to October and provides some of the best game viewing anywhere in the world. Lunch at your camp. Afternoon shared game drive until sunset. All meals and overnight at Lemala Mara North Serengeti Luxury Camp LDBB.
Day 3,4,5: Serengeti National Park Day 6: Dar-Es-Salaam Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro is a modern oasis in the heart of the vibrant city of Dar es Salaam with a superb waterfront location, spectacular views of the harbour and Indian Ocean, and a convenient location near Dar es Salaam International Airport.
Day 7: Selous
At Sand Rivers the open-sided 4x4 vehicles are a great way of seeing things. For covering a bit of distance when that's what's needed. And of course there are times when they give you the best views, access and photographic opportunities. But we like to retain spontaneity wherever we can. Often the best way to see things, to avoid scattering animals from the lakeshore, or spooking a herd of elephant as they feed their way through a stretch of lush grassland, is to hop down and quietly work our way into a good position on foot. And the same goes for the boats. Just being on the river - never mind the game - is a fantastic contrast to time spent in a vehicle. Drifting silently down stream, gently spiraling in the current, watching the river banks unfold is hard to beat. But here again we like to take time to stop. Creep carefully through paths in the thick riverine bush and you'll emerge - unseen - in magical secluded flood plains. More often than not there are treats in store; vast flocks of great white pelicans fishing in dwindling pools, wallowing families of elephant socialising, prides of lion sleeping off a meal. And sometimes the best way to see game is to let it come to you. Breakfast on a sand bank in Stigler's Gorge watching elusive monkey-hunting crowned eagles, and listening to shrill cries of Hyraxes as you dangle a hook in the water. Or lunch in the deep shade of palm trees, watching the comings and goings on at the lakeshore: half watching, half reading a book and perhaps even dozing off. All in all, days at Sand Rivers aren't about box ticking, or endless driving in search of the next animal. It's a sense of gradual absorption in this corner of the natural world that we'd love you to feel. Sand Rivers Selous has just 8 stone and thatched cottages, all are open-fronted and raised on decks overlooking the river. There are 5 Riverside rooms - with en-suite bathrooms, hot and cold running water, flush toilets and powerful showers - and 3 Hillside Suites. The Suites have all the above, but a large living space and a small plunge pool. While Botswana and South Africa have concentrated on luxury accommodation and style, here, as in many areas of East Africa, the emphasis is still more on keeping the accommodation and its decor simple, authentic and in harmony with nature so that you are not distracted too much by style and fashion but instead you can focus on the amazing sensory and visual feast that the Selous has to offer. Sit around the bar at the end of the day, the drinks are cold and there's always good stories to be told. The main mess is spacious, open-fronted and cool. There's a chill-out area near the library and then acres of dining spots - around the main pool, privately tucked away in a quiet corner of the mess or on the social managers table.
All safaris are accompanied by an experienced, armed guide who will be keen to share his knowledge with you. The in-house staff are equally efficient and charming. One of the best ways to enjoy the Selous is to take a walking safari. Slower, quieter and more gentle, it allows a more intimate relationship with the terrain and closer encounters with the wildlife and plants. Sand Rivers brings you closer to nature.
• Swimming pool and changing facilities
Day 8,9,10: Selous Day 11 Departure PRICING: Maximum of 6 pax plus tour leader. Rate varies on amount of people going: 2 pax $9678.00 per person twin sharing The Package Includes:
The Package Excludes:
Included flights:
Added Value:
LUGGAGE: PLEASE be reminded that the luggage allowance on our schedule flights is strictly 15KGS PER PERSON and that SOFT BAGS are highly recommended, if not essential. In light aircraft the baggage area and weight allowance is limited. Hard Samsonite type suitcases do not fit into the cargo compartment easily, if at all. Due to limited space available for storage in safari vehicles, we strongly recommend use soft duffle bags rather than hard suitcases.
Contact Cindi at Africa Discovery to reserve your spot! For more information
Contact: Africa Discovery @ 1-800-886-7321 • phone: (415) 444-5100 • fax: (415) 444-5560 or Request Information
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Lemala Mara is a very comfortable Hemingway style-camp which were prolific
in the early days of the safari but are now sadly disappearing. The camp is
essentially a mobile camp but offers large tents with ensuite bathrooms that
include a flush toilet, a bucket shower, running water in basin. There are
proper beds, 24-hr solar lighting and wooden floorboards for comfort. 
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