(The 12-day Safari begins Jan. 4^th and the 9-day Safari begins Jan. 7^th)

January 4   Safari starts in Arusha from town or pickup at the airport. Drive to Ndarakwai, a private game reserve on the western slopes of Kilimanjaro. Lodging at luxurious permanent tented camp. After lunch, enjoy game drives, hop on a mountain bike and explore, go for a walk with our knowledgeable guides, or relax on the veranda of your tent and let your previous travels melt away as you watch baboons in the meadow. Evening game drives or a visit to the tree house for game viewing.

January 5   The whole day for game walks, game drives, biking through the reserve, an afternoon in the tree house, and an evening visit to the neighboring Maasai village while the cows come in for the night. Last time we were there, we spent the afternoon watching a herd of over 83 elephants.

January 6   Optional drive to Mt. Kilimanjaro to the Shira Plateau at 10,000 ft. Spend the day walking around on the plateau. Or, stay at camp and go on a safari by horseback, a great way to see game close up. Stay at Ndarakwai for the night.

January 7   The 9-day safari begins today.  For those joining today, we will pick you up to join the group for lunch and continue on to Tarangire National Park. En route to Tarangire, we will visit the Cultural Heritage Center or local craft markets. Arrive at Tarangire National Park for afternoon game drives, swimming and lodging at the lovely Tarangire Safari Lodge.

January 8   Enjoy game drives and exploration of Tarangire National Park. Return to lodge for lunch and relaxing at the pool, or a picnic lunch in the bush. Late afternoon game drives. Dinner and lodging at the Tarangire Safari Lodge.

January 9  After breakfast, depart Tarangire and journey through the Great Rift Valley to visit Mto wa Mbu on the shores of Lake Manyara for a culture walk through the village. After a traditional Tanzanian lunch, relax, visit the Maasai market and head up to the Ngorongoro Crater rim to stay at the Wildlife Lodge overlooking the Crater.

January 10 An early breakfast and game drive in Ngorongoro Crater. A picnic lunch and in the late afternoon, head out of the Crater and descend to the short grass plains of the Serengeti, through the vast herds calving wildebeest and on to the special camp at Ndutu Lake.

January 11 All day game drives throughout the southern Serengeti and the wildebeest herds. Return to Ndutu special camp.

January 12 More exploration through the short grass plains of the Serengeti. No telling what we will see, but guaranteed, you will remember it for the rest of your life. Possible side trips to Olduvai Gorge, famed archeological site, or Shifting Sands area. Return to the Ndutu camp.

January 13 More exploration and game drives. Return to the Ndutu camp for our final night of camping.

January 14 After breakfast, depart camp and begin transit back toward Ngorongoro Crater and the Great Rift Valley. Enjoy hiking in the highlands above the crater, or make a stop at Oduvai Gorge and its fascinating museum. Arrive at Kirurumu Lodge atop the Great Rift Valley escarpment for dinner and a lovely and quiet final night in well-appointed tented lodge.

January 15 Depart for Arusha, with arrival mid-day. Connect with flights home or continue on to Zanzibar for five fantastic days there.