East Africa

For a year now I have been planning a trip to Tanzania, center of some of the best wildlife viewing and photography in the world. I visited here many years ago and fell in love with the region. This trip will take place in early July 2011, and now I’m told by the tour operator I’m working with that I need to provide a head count by the end of June so as to reserve much-sought-after hotel/lodge space. Although you can travel there independently at fairly reasonable prices, to do so safely in an organized way and to easily find the greatest photographic opportunities does cost quite a bit of money, maybe $7000 for 16 days, although I have to fine tune this figure, based on insurance, actual length of time and other factors. I have been diligently trying to find the best photography and experiences for the buck. International airfare is additional. I also would like to find a way to photograph the wildebeest migration when crossing the Mara River and have inquiries in on that right now.

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Programme in Brief

Day 1 - Estimate start at 4th July??
Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport and transferred to Mountain Village Serena Lodge for overnight on a bed and breakfast basis. (www.serenahotels.com)

Day 2 - 5th July
After breakfast a short safari briefing and then proceed to Manyara National Park (Arusha-Manyara a 2 hrs drive) for a full day game drive with picnic lunches. Dinner and overnight at Manyara Serena Lodge (www.serenahotels.com)

Day 3 - 6th July
After breakfast proceed to Ndutu Safari Lodge arriving for a late lunch. Late afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at Ndutu Safari Lodge.

Day 4 - 7th July
Full day game drive in the Ndutu area. Lunch, Dinner and overnight at Ndutu Lodge. (www.ndutu.com)

Day 5 - 8th July
Extra full day Ndutu. On the advice of some people in the know, I am booking extra time here because at Ndutu we can get off the roads, something not always possible in the other reserves.

Day 6 - 9th July
After breakfast drive to Serengeti Sopa Lodge arriving for lunch. Afternoon game drive. Dinner and overnight at Serengeti Sopa Lodge. (Option for Mbalageti Tented Camp on this night)

Day 7 - 10th July
Full day game drive in the Serengeti. (Option for Mbalageti Tented Camp for this night)

Day 8 - 11th July
Full day game drive in the Serengeti. Lunch, Dinner and overnight Serengeti Sopa

Day 9 - 12th July
Full day game drive in the Serengeti. Lunch, Dinner and overnight Serengeti Sopa.

Day 10 - 13th July
After breakfast with picnic lunches, a game drive en route proceed via Olduvai Gorge and proceed to Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 11 - 14th July
A six hour Crater Tour with picnic lunches. Dinner and overnight Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge.

Day 12 - 15th July
After breakfast proceed with picnic lunches to Tarangire. Game drive. Dinner and overnight Tarangire Sopa Lodge.

Day 13 - 16th July
After breakfast drive to Arusha (2.5 hrs drive) for lunch. Afternoon Transfer/Flight to Nairobi.

For more info, contact Betty.