Tour
Wildlife of Tanzania
| Starts | Feb 4th 2022 |
|---|---|
| Ends | Feb 15th 2022 |
| Leader | Steve Gettle & Nicole Sudduth |
| Price | $8,995 |
| Deposit | $1,195 |
| Participants | 7 (1 Photographer Spot Left (2 Non-photographer Spots left)) |
“No one can return from the Serengeti unchanged, for tawny lions will forever prowl our memories and great herds throng our imaginations.” — George Schaller
Tanzania is one of the premier wildlife viewing destinations in the world and this photographic safari will take you into the very heart of it! We will be amongst the animals, completely accepted as just another part of the landscape. Imagine experiencing lions lounging in the shade of our vehicle, giraffes grazing on acacia above us, elephants strolling calmly just a few yards from our vehicles. Warthogs, zebras, Cape Buffalo, Hyenas, Jackels – they are all here. This is the trip where wild Africa is within your reach. Each day as we begin our game drive you will be filled with excitement and anticipation as you imagine the wonders that await us!
Logistics
Going to Africa and experiencing the epic wildlife that live there is a once in a lifetime experience and you definitely want to do it right! We will meet you at Kilimanjaro airport and take care of everything from there!
We have been leading this trip to Tanzania for years and have the best locations, timing, guides, and accommodations nailed down to give you that trip of a lifetime experience that you are looking for. We have structured the itinerary to maximize your time in the field, enabling you to experience life with the majestic animals that call this place home and create images under the best circumstances possible. Wild experiences and amazing memories await!
The Lodges
After visiting many different lodges and locations, we have hand-picked these particular lodges based on their proximity to our shooting locations, comfort level, security, services offered, cleanliness, as well as the various types and frequency of wildlife and nature photographic opportunities they offer. Our lodges are in the wild habitat. It is not unusual to hear lions at night or see elephants stroll through the grounds.
The Guides
All of our guides are hand-picked. Each has a great deal of knowledge and a deep connection and understanding of these animals, their locations, and their habits and behaviors on an intimate level. They also understand and respect the special needs of photographers, getting us into position for the best light and behaviors possible.
Safari Seating
We will be travelling in “photographer friendly” safari vehicles. Unlike many overcrowded safari vehicles, we will only have three photographers per vehicle. Limiting the number of people we have in each vehicle is a critical difference from most tours and is the make or break between having a great experience and one where you are climbing over other people.
In our vehicles, you will have a full row all to yourself. You will be free to make yourself at home and spread out your photography gear and most importantly, you will be able to photograph from both sides of the vehicle! You don’t ever have to worry about missing photographic opportunities because you are on the wrong side!
***Note non-photographer spouses or partners have the option (for an $895.00 discount) of sharing your row or riding up front with the driver on game drives. When in the front seat they will certainly see everything and be able to photograph most things out the roof. This is a wonderful trip to share with your partner and a great way to do it!
Itinerary
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Travel Day
Thursday, February 3 – Depart from home and head to Africa!!
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Day 1
Friday, February 4 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Private transfer to Arusha for overnight.
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Day 2
Saturday, February 5: Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, we depart with picnic lunches and proceed to Tarangire National Park, home to herds of as many as 500 elephants and a variety of plains animals. We will enjoy a full day game drive. Dinner and overnight at our lodge in Tarangire.
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Day 3
Sunday, February 6: Tarangire National Park
Full day game drive in Tarangire National Park as we look for eland, wildebeests, and zebras as well as numerous elephants. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the field. Dinner and overnight at our Tarangire lodge.
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Day 4
Monday, February 7: Tarangire national Park/Ngorongoro Crater
We’ll enjoy a morning game drive in Tarangire National Park and then depart for the wonderland of the Ngorongoro Crater. Dinner and overnight at lodge on the eastern edge of the crater.
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Day 5 and 6
Tuesday, February 8 and Wednesday, February 9
Following breakfast, we will descend 2,000 feet for an all day crater tour. This ancient collapsed volcano has a variety of environments that includes grasslands, swamps, forests and lakes, giving us a wild variety of wildlife to encounter: lions, zebras, cape buffaloes, rhinos, elephants, gazelles, wildebeests, warthogs, and more. Because the grass is short, it is easy to spot wildlife here. Dinner and overnight at our lodge along the crater.
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Day 7
Thursday, February 10
Following breakfast, we will depart for the Serengeti and enjoy a game drive en-route as we photograph our way to Ndutu!
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Day 8, 9 and 10
Friday, February 11 through Sunday, February 13
Each day will be filled with adventure as we head into the wild areas that Ndutu has to offer! Departing before sunrise, we will look for lions, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, incredible african birds, herds of wildebeests, impala and more. Each morning we will enjoy a bush breakfast, return to lodge for lunch (and maybe a nap) and then head back out in the afternoon for an evening game drive.
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Day 11
Monday, February 14
After breakfast, we will enjoy our last game drive through the Serengeti.
Non-extension travelers transfer to our last lodge located near Ngorongoro. Spend the afternoon at your leisure photographing the interesting birds that are all around the property. Optional activities offered on the Farm – coffee plantation tour, organic farm tour.
Those joining us for the extension will transfer to the Central Serengeti and we will head into the Kopjes for more wild adventures!
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Day 12
Tuesday, February 15
After breakfast, non-extension travelers will transfer to Arusha for lunch and a leisurely afternoon of souvenir shopping and museum exploration before heading on to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home. Due to the flight time, you will arrive home on February 16.
Booking
Deposit of $1,195 with your reservation
Second payment of $3,900 due September 15, 2021
Final payment of $3,900 due on November 1, 2021
Non-photographer spouse/partner (sharing a seat or riding up front with the driver) $8,100.00
*** Single supplement add $1,050.00
– Air travel to and from Kilamanjaro
– Gratuities
– Travel Insurance
– Any alcoholic beverages
Optional Extension
Serengeti Kopjes – Tanzania Extension
| Starts | Feb 14th 2022 |
|---|---|
| End | Feb 18th 2022 |
| Price | $3,100 |
| Deposit | $750 |
| Participants | 7 (Registration Just Opened!) |
| Register |
For those who can’t get enough of Tanzania, we are excited to offer and extension into the Central Serengeti Kopjes. This habitat and terrain provides unique opportunities to see and photograph wildlife in a completely different setting. Spectacular granite outcroppings weathered smooth over eons punctuate the plains, creating a special ecosystem that wildlife ranging from lions, leopards and cheetahs, and more call home.
What makes this area so attractive to wildlife is the rainwater that puddles in the rocky formations, providing a constant source of refreshment for the wide variety of animals. The Kopjes are loved by big cats, such as lions, leopards and cheetahs, but they are especially enjoyed by lions which lie in wait, ready to ambush unsuspecting prey, or lounge in the shade of the cliffs.
In addition to this, the cats, we may see elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, and quite possibly the Black Rhino as this is the last remaining place in Serengeti National Park where this species still lives.
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Logistics
Just as with the main part of our trip, we do this right!
Our adventure continues with the same guides, vehicles and vehicle seating that we enjoyed during the main part of the trip. As with the main part of the trip, we place a priority on the seating so we will only have three photographers per vehicle so you have a full row all to yourself.
We will stay at one lodge during this extension.
***Note non-photographer spouses or partners have the option (for an $300.00 discount) of sharing your row or riding up front with the driver on game drives as they did during the main part of the trip.
Itinerary
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1
Monday, February 14 – Off to the Kopjes!
Today we drive directly into the Central Serengeti and enjoy a game drive as we head into the land of Kopjes.
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2 and 3
Tuesday, February 15 and Wednesday, February 16 – Game Drives through the Kopjes
Each morning we will head out for an early game drive, looking for wildlife in this unique habitat. We will return to our lodge for lunch and a short break and then head back out into the wild for our afternoon and evening game drives.
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4
Thursday, February 17 – Return to Ngorongoro
Today we will enjoy our final morning game drive and then head back to Ngorongoro. Spend the afternoon at your leisure photographing the interesting birds that are all around the property. Optional activities offered on the Farm – coffee plantation tour, organic farm tour.
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5
Friday, February 18
After breakfast, we will transfer to Arusha for lunch and a leisurely afternoon of souvenir shopping and museum exploration before heading on to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home. Due to the flight time, you will arrive home on February 19th.
Deposit of $750 due with your reservation
Balance of $2,350 due September 15, 2021
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Included
- – All lodging
- – All meals
- – All ground transportation
- – *Pricing based on double occupancy
- – *Single Supplement (if still available) $500/person