Safi Safaris ~ classic wildlife, great lakes & chimps

CLASSIC WILDLIFE, GREAT LAKES & CHIMPANZEES 12 days Accommodations: Luxury Tented Camps, Luxury Mobile Camping, occasional top quality lodges Season: Throughout the year, except during the rainy seasons Fitness Rating: Moderate Cost: High A somewhat truncated trip to Northern Tanzania, followed by two nights at Rubondo Island on Lake Victoria and two nights at Mahale Mountains on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The opportunity to watch and hear chimpanzees in the wild is truly unforgettable. In both national parks there are no roads, no vehicles. You fly in and walk or go by boat, to watch the animals, reptiles and birds. Few other tourists - peace and quiet, and at Mahale, you can do some snorkeling for the beautiful cyclids of that lake. Indeed, this safari is altogether an unforgettable African experience, luxury private camps and mobile camping, with just a few lodge nights, and those the best on the circuit, lots of chances to interact with the wildlife and the pristine African bush on your walks, game drives and boat trips. Obviously we can provide a specialist guide if you wish to help you appreciate this safari in even greater depth.
Day 1	Arrive in Arusha. We'll pick you up and drive you to Dik Dik Hotel. Overnight here.
Day 2	Drive to and through the beautiful rolling countryside of Tarangire National Park. Look out for numerous herds of elephant, as well as many other animals such as lions, zebras, waterbuck, giraffes, etc. In some parts of the park the strange baobab trees predominate. Arrive at Oliver's Camp in time for lunch. Oliver's Camp has recently relocated to the park's eastern section. This beautiful site in one of the most exciting, and little used sectors of the park, is a very exciting place to stay. Enjoy a late afternoon walk, followed by a sundowner. After a hot shower in your private bathroom, drink around the campfire, enjoy a gourmet dinner and spend your first night in the bush under canvas in your room-sized tents.
Day 3	A second day in Tarangire National Park and the Oliver's Camp area. Go for a guided walk, enjoy drives in this little used but very beautiful and prolific part of the park. If conditions are good, you may see a solitary leopard lounging in a tree branch, or a pride of lions eyeing potential prey as they come to drink at Silale Swamp. Return to camp for a delicious lunch, then spend the hot afternoon hours reading from the Camp's extensive wildlife library, relaxing in your tent or more game drives. Dinner, camp fire and overnight at Oliver's Camp.
Day 4	Drive back through Tarangire National Park, up the rift wall and on to Ngorongoro Crater rim. Arrive at your lodge, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in time for lunch, before descending into the crater itself for an afternoon crater tour. Drive up to the crater rim for drinks, wonderful views of the crater, dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Pamper yourself in this luxurious atmosphere.
Day 5	After breakfast, drive into Ngorongoro Crater again for a morning game drive (or take a packed breakfast). Look out for any animals you did not see yesterday, with the dramatic backdrop of the crater walls around you. Look for some exciting wildlife interactions. Perhaps you will even have a chance to see the rare black rhino. At the end of the morning, drive back up to the crater rim and down towards the Serengeti. We will drive you to your camp for a late lunch or you take a picnic lunch. Your luxury mobile camp will be situated in the right place for where the wildlife is, during some times of the year in the far south, perhaps even at Ndutu, in Ngorongoro Conservation Area or Naabi Hill at the border of Ngorongoro and Serengeti. At other times of the year you may be in the centre, the north or west of the Serengeti. Perhaps you will have time for a short game drive in the late afternoon, but maybe you want to just sit and enjoy the sights of the African bush, before your shower and dinner. Retire tonight to your roomy tent, to the sounds of the bush.
Day 6	Spend your day exploring the Serengeti. Return to your camp when you want. In the evening and night listen to the night sounds of this unique wild place. Perhaps you will hear a lion roar in the distance, a zebra bark.
Day 7	There is always another area of the park to visit, more wildlife experiences to enjoy, perhaps even new animals, certainly new birds. Take lunch with you for a full day's drive, or return to your camp when you want. In the evening, when you finally return, you will be sure of excellent food, peace and privacy (except for the wildlife), staff to look after your every need and a comfortable bed.
Day 8	After your last breakfast in the Serengeti, drive at leisure to Grumeti air strip and fly to Rubondo Island on Lake Victoria. This little visited island (indeed the park consists of a series of islands) is beautiful and pristine. There are no roads on the islands, you walk or take a boat to see the wildlife. And Lake Vicoria is the largest lake in Africa. To fly over and to this great stretch of water is amazing. You will stay at Rubondo Island Camp, a permanent camp. Here you will have full board accommodation throughout your stay.
Day 9	Explore Rubondo Island today on foot and/or a little part of Lake Victoria by boat. Look for hippos, crocodiles, giant monitor lizards, otters, in the water. On the island look for the rare sitatunga, bushbuck, you may even see some of the chimps that live here. Perhaps you would like to go fishing in Lake Victoria? And the birdlife is amazing.
Day 10	Today you will fly to Mahale Mountains National Park for your last two days. You fly by chartered plane and arrive at your camp on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. From the largest to the deepest African lake, Lake Tanganyika is part of the chain of rift valley lakes which snakes its way down the continent. If you thought the beaches of Rubondo were amazing, here you may well imagine yourself in paradise. Warm, sparkling waters, with amazing cyclids to watch while snorkelling, the shore and your camp is backed by the rain forest on the hills behind. And in the forest, those wonderful creatures, chimpanzees. You will stay at a semi-permanent camp which closes through the rainy seasons, you will be guided by top class guides, your comfort is assured. A truly memorable time.
Day 11	Perhaps you caught a glimpse or two of a chimpanzee yesterday, but today you have the full day to look for and listen to them. One of the most amazing sounds is the forest echoing with their calls, and to see them on their own or interacting with the other chimps or their environment is unforgettable. But chimps are not the only denizens of the forest. Here you will have the opportunity to see birds and animals that do not live in the savanna where you have spent most of your safari. Mahale Mountain National Park is another park without roads, so walking, swimming, boat trips are you only means of getting around. This gives you the chance to experience the real Africa. At the end of a tiring day, come back to the service and comfort of your camp.
Day 12	Today is your last morning on safari. Take a final swim and stroll into the forest. Your chartered plane will fly you back to Arusha in plenty of time for your flight out. You will return home with life long memories of the perfect safari.
Prices will be quoted based on specific itineraries. The itineraries above are samples only, and some lodges, hotels and camps will change based on your travel times and needs and availability. We also reserve the right to change any itinerary. We want to maximize your enjoyment of your holiday, but we are not always able to predict the climate or the concentrations of game ahead of time. When changes are necessary, we will let you know as soon as possible. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any tour at any time in which event a reasonable refund will be made. Bookings will be accepted by our Arusha office or by designated travel agents, and will be confirmed upon receipt of a 30% deposit paid 60 days prior to booking date. Final balance payment will be due to our office or bank account 30 days prior to departure. For cancellations prior to 60 days, deposits will be returned, less any handling fees incurred. Cancellations with notice of between 60 and 14 days, the deposit of 30% is charged, and between 14 and the day of departure, the deposit, plus 20% of the full price is charged. The company and its agents act only as agents of the passenger in all matters relating to tours. The appropriate law of the country in which the tour takes place dictates the company's liability to passengers. However, the company accepts no responsibility for any personal illness, injury, delays, loss or damage from any causes whatsoever. Communications are sometimes difficult within Tanzania. We find e-mail to be the most reliable and easy means of communications. Return to Private Tours Main Page Home ©1999-2010, Safi Safaris Ltd. P.O. Box 10132, Arusha, Tanzania Contact us at tanzania@safisafaris.com or fill in our Tour Inquiry/Application form

CLASSIC WILDLIFE, GREAT LAKES & CHIMPANZEES
12 days

Accommodations: Luxury Tented Camps, Luxury Mobile Camping, occasional top quality lodges
Season: Throughout the year, except during the rainy seasons
Fitness Rating: Moderate
Cost: High

A somewhat truncated trip to Northern Tanzania, followed by two nights at Rubondo Island on Lake Victoria and two nights at Mahale Mountains on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. The opportunity to watch and hear chimpanzees in the wild is truly unforgettable. In both national parks there are no roads, no vehicles. You fly in and walk or go by boat, to watch the animals, reptiles and birds. Few other tourists - peace and quiet, and at Mahale, you can do some snorkeling for the beautiful cyclids of that lake. Indeed, this safari is altogether an unforgettable African experience, luxury private camps and mobile camping, with just a few lodge nights, and those the best on the circuit, lots of chances to interact with the wildlife and the pristine African bush on your walks, game drives and boat trips. Obviously we can provide a specialist guide if you wish to help you appreciate this safari in even greater depth.

Day 1

Arrive in Arusha. We'll pick you up and drive you to Dik Dik Hotel. Overnight here.

Day 2

Drive to and through the beautiful rolling countryside of Tarangire National Park. Look out for numerous herds of elephant, as well as many other animals such as lions, zebras, waterbuck, giraffes, etc. In some parts of the park the strange baobab trees predominate. Arrive at Oliver's Camp in time for lunch. Oliver's Camp has recently relocated to the park's eastern section. This beautiful site in one of the most exciting, and little used sectors of the park, is a very exciting place to stay. Enjoy a late afternoon walk, followed by a sundowner. After a hot shower in your private bathroom, drink around the campfire, enjoy a gourmet dinner and spend your first night in the bush under canvas in your room-sized tents.

Day 3

A second day in Tarangire National Park and the Oliver's Camp area. Go for a guided walk, enjoy drives in this little used but very beautiful and prolific part of the park. If conditions are good, you may see a solitary leopard lounging in a tree branch, or a pride of lions eyeing potential prey as they come to drink at Silale Swamp. Return to camp for a delicious lunch, then spend the hot afternoon hours reading from the Camp's extensive wildlife library, relaxing in your tent or more game drives. Dinner, camp fire and overnight at Oliver's Camp.

Day 4

Drive back through Tarangire National Park, up the rift wall and on to Ngorongoro Crater rim. Arrive at your lodge, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in time for lunch, before descending into the crater itself for an afternoon crater tour. Drive up to the crater rim for drinks, wonderful views of the crater, dinner and overnight at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Pamper yourself in this luxurious atmosphere.

Day 5

After breakfast, drive into Ngorongoro Crater again for a morning game drive (or take a packed breakfast). Look out for any animals you did not see yesterday, with the dramatic backdrop of the crater walls around you. Look for some exciting wildlife interactions. Perhaps you will even have a chance to see the rare black rhino. At the end of the morning, drive back up to the crater rim and down towards the Serengeti. We will drive you to your camp for a late lunch or you take a picnic lunch. Your luxury mobile camp will be situated in the right place for where the wildlife is, during some times of the year in the far south, perhaps even at Ndutu, in Ngorongoro Conservation Area or Naabi Hill at the border of Ngorongoro and Serengeti. At other times of the year you may be in the centre, the north or west of the Serengeti. Perhaps you will have time for a short game drive in the late afternoon, but maybe you want to just sit and enjoy the sights of the African bush, before your shower and dinner. Retire tonight to your roomy tent, to the sounds of the bush.

Day 6

Spend your day exploring the Serengeti. Return to your camp when you want. In the evening and night listen to the night sounds of this unique wild place. Perhaps you will hear a lion roar in the distance, a zebra bark.

Day 7

There is always another area of the park to visit, more wildlife experiences to enjoy, perhaps even new animals, certainly new birds. Take lunch with you for a full day's drive, or return to your camp when you want. In the evening, when you finally return, you will be sure of excellent food, peace and privacy (except for the wildlife), staff to look after your every need and a comfortable bed.

Day 8

After your last breakfast in the Serengeti, drive at leisure to Grumeti air strip and fly to Rubondo Island on Lake Victoria. This little visited island (indeed the park consists of a series of islands) is beautiful and pristine. There are no roads on the islands, you walk or take a boat to see the wildlife. And Lake Vicoria is the largest lake in Africa. To fly over and to this great stretch of water is amazing. You will stay at Rubondo Island Camp, a permanent camp. Here you will have full board accommodation throughout your stay.

Day 9

Explore Rubondo Island today on foot and/or a little part of Lake Victoria by boat. Look for hippos, crocodiles, giant monitor lizards, otters, in the water. On the island look for the rare sitatunga, bushbuck, you may even see some of the chimps that live here. Perhaps you would like to go fishing in Lake Victoria? And the birdlife is amazing.

Day 10

Today you will fly to Mahale Mountains National Park for your last two days. You fly by chartered plane and arrive at your camp on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. From the largest to the deepest African lake, Lake Tanganyika is part of the chain of rift valley lakes which snakes its way down the continent. If you thought the beaches of Rubondo were amazing, here you may well imagine yourself in paradise. Warm, sparkling waters, with amazing cyclids to watch while snorkelling, the shore and your camp is backed by the rain forest on the hills behind. And in the forest, those wonderful creatures, chimpanzees. You will stay at a semi-permanent camp which closes through the rainy seasons, you will be guided by top class guides, your comfort is assured. A truly memorable time.

Day 11

Perhaps you caught a glimpse or two of a chimpanzee yesterday, but today you have the full day to look for and listen to them. One of the most amazing sounds is the forest echoing with their calls, and to see them on their own or interacting with the other chimps or their environment is unforgettable. But chimps are not the only denizens of the forest. Here you will have the opportunity to see birds and animals that do not live in the savanna where you have spent most of your safari. Mahale Mountain National Park is another park without roads, so walking, swimming, boat trips are you only means of getting around. This gives you the chance to experience the real Africa. At the end of a tiring day, come back to the service and comfort of your camp.

Day 12

Today is your last morning on safari. Take a final swim and stroll into the forest. Your chartered plane will fly you back to Arusha in plenty of time for your flight out. You will return home with life long memories of the perfect safari.

Prices will be quoted based on specific itineraries. The itineraries above are samples only, and some lodges, hotels and camps will change based on your travel times and needs and availability. We also reserve the right to change any itinerary. We want to maximize your enjoyment of your holiday, but we are not always able to predict the climate or the concentrations of game ahead of time. When changes are necessary, we will let you know as soon as possible. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of any tour at any time in which event a reasonable refund will be made.

Bookings will be accepted by our Arusha office or by designated travel agents, and will be confirmed upon receipt of a 30% deposit paid 60 days prior to booking date. Final balance payment will be due to our office or bank account 30 days prior to departure.

For cancellations prior to 60 days, deposits will be returned, less any handling fees incurred. Cancellations with notice of between 60 and 14 days, the deposit of 30% is charged, and between 14 and the day of departure, the deposit, plus 20% of the full price is charged.

The company and its agents act only as agents of the passenger in all matters relating to tours. The appropriate law of the country in which the tour takes place dictates the company's liability to passengers. However, the company accepts no responsibility for any personal illness, injury, delays, loss or damage from any causes whatsoever.

Communications are sometimes difficult within Tanzania. We find e-mail to be the most reliable and easy means of communications.

Return to Private Tours Main Page

CLASSIC WILDLIFE, GREAT LAKES & CHIMPANZEES 12 days

CLASSIC WILDLIFE, GREAT LAKES & CHIMPANZEES
12 days