Tanzania Private Photo Safari

It is necessary to connect with a Delta/KLM flight from Amsterdam to Arusha, Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), landing the evening of October 24. On arrival, you will be met at the airport, assisted through customs, and the group will then be taken to the hotel. OVERNIGHT ARUSHA

You will need to obtain a travel visa to Tanzania, instructions for ordering online will be sent in your packet of pre-departure materials.

You have an extra evening today at your Arusha accommodations to get over jet lag before beginning your wildlife safari. Relax at the hotel this morning, after lunch your driver guides will take you to a lovely farming village on the outskirts of Arusha. There will be time to visit the primary school, learn about their conservation projects on the farm, and have unique photography opportunities (if anyone need the entire day at rest, you can rejoin the group for dinner at the hotel). (all meals)

Today drive to Tarangire National Park, with game drives along the way. The next day we will have a full day of game driving and bird sighting in Tarangire National Park. The park remains excellent for elephants, giraffe, and birds. Three thousand migratory elephants join the existing resident herds, attracted initially by the tall grasses growing after the short rain season. The park is one of the most scenic in Tanzania with huge baobab trees. OVERNIGHT TARANGIRE (all meals)

After breakfast depart for Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most famous wildlife viewing areas in the world. Drive directly to your accommodations, check in and have lunch. The lodge constructed of local materials is hidden within the forests of the rim of the crater. It offers a stunning view of the crater, with close proximity to the access road for the descent. You will then descend to the crater floor enjoying the rest of the day there. Flamingos inhabit an alkaline lake, the edge of the lake attracts an array of birds including kori bustard, yellow-billed stork, ostrich, and sacred ibis to name just a few.

The next day spend the entire day exploring the crater, leaving early in the morning, well before most tour vehicles depart. Descend from the rim, at about 7,600 feet in elevation, to the floor of the crater some 2,000 feet below. This 102-square-mile crater is the largest unflooded, unbroken caldera in the world. Within its perimeter are thousands of wildebeest, black rhino, cheetah, gazelle, giraffe, and a high density of lions, hyenas, and other predators. (Recommended reading: The Innocent Killers by Jane and Hugo Van Lawick-Goodall).

Enjoy a picnic lunch to maximize your time in the field and returning as late as possible in order to get the last golden rays of light. OVERNIGHT CRATER (all meals)

Depart after an early breakfast, driving to the Serengeti. Spend the rest of the day exploring the southern Serengeti Plains on both sides of the NCA/Serengeti border. Off road game drives are allowed by the government in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which your driver guides will take advantage of. Cats remain in the territory and this is a good area especially for cheetah. Bird life around Lake Ndutu and the Ndutu woodlands and marshes should have a high yield. OVERNIGHT LAKE NDUTU (all meals)

After an early breakfast drive through the Gol Kopjes to Sametu Camp in the central Serengeti. Our focus for these three days will be on savannah bird species, the large wildebeest herds and the big cats.

The Serengeti is one of the most famous wildlife areas in the world. Animal herds follow the rains and feed on the new grass so what we will actually see depends upon the weather pattern. If past years are any indication, we have positioned ourselves to be in the right location at the right time. OVERNIGHT SERENGETI (all meals)

A leisurely drive out of the Serengeti take you through the Crater Highlands to your lovely lodge on the escarpment of Lake Manyara. This property has been designed to encompass the beautiful views of the surrounding area and lake. Arrive in the late afternoon with time to enjoy the forest setting and opportunities to photograph on the property. The next day the group has the option to game drive to nearby Lake Manyara National Park or to remain at your lodge. OVERNIGHT LAKE MANYARA (all meals)

Enjoy your last morning on the beautiful grounds of your lodge. After having lunch, return to Arusha for shopping at the African Gallery. Continue directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport to check in for your flight home. (breakfast, lunch)

We arrive in Amsterdam this morning and have a short layover before connecting with the flight back home. (meals on plane)