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The Hidden Trail

A 19 day safari with a difference aimed at the active explorer who is interested in more then just the most famous national parks. A slow pace, alternating exiting game-drives from your private 4×4 with walking, canoeing and (optional) balloon safaris.

End each day reflecting on the new experiences in the comfort of quality Tented Camps and lodges at the most amazing – hidden away locations.

I’d been longing to see something a bit different, and Chris Pilley and Ingrid Vaes of Bush2Beach Safaris had met the challenge by arranging an itinerary that included some lesser-known destinations. Joining me would be John, my Tanzanian guide and driver. With 15 years wildlife-spotting experience under his belt, I knew I was in good hands.
- Scott Bennet of Travel Africa Magazine (read the entire story…)

 

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CODE
LENGTH
TYPE
ACCPRICE

B2B-THT-00009
19 DAYS
BUSH/CULTURE
LODGE/TENTED CAMPS
from $4,860 p.p.

Explore the ancient Usambara mountain forest, experience West-Kilimanjaro Private Ranch and the little known Mkomazi National park, more then once you will feel alone with nature. Join the Maasai of Esilalei in traditional song &  dance, come eye to eye with water buffalo, hippo and many types of water birds, including lesser east African flamingo canoeing in Arusha National Park…

  • A walking safari with an armed ranger on the slopes of Mt. Meru, followed by a canoeing wild-life experience on the Momella lakes.
  • Exploring West-Kilimanjaro at Ndarakwai Ranch by private 4×4, on foot and during the unique experience of a night-game drive.
  • Enjoy grass-roots cultural experiences with the Maasai community of Esilalei.
  • Exiting gamedrives and nights under canvas at the Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and the world famous Serengeti National Parks.
  • The little known Mkomazi National Park, a true paradise for birding-enthousiasts.
  • And finally, wind down from it all in style on the quiet Swahili Coast with a few days of pure relaxation…

Interested?

If you like this safari and would like to know more, simply fill in the inquiry form on the right side of this page and we’ll get back to you promptly with our offer!

The Adventure day to day…

Below, we go through the adventure day-by-day, giving you a better feel of the adventure.

Click on any day for a detailed description, or click here to expand the entire itinerary.

Day 1. Arrival in Tanzania - Arusha
Arrival at JRO – Kilimanjaro International Airport. Meet and greet by your B2B driver guide and transfer through to Karama lodge located just outside Arusha town.
O/N Karama Lodge (D)

Day 2. Arusha National Park
After breakfast begin the short drive to Arusha National Park. Head out on an easy walking safari with an Armed ranger – walk through the open plains across the lower slopes of Mount Meru to the waterfalls. Get a different perspective viewing wildlife from ground level. Picnic lunch at the view point of the lake. Continue down to Momela lakes for a canoeing safari – enjoy the relaxed paddle around little Momela lake; the canoeing safaris allow you to get close to wildlife and water birds without disturbing them. Mid-afternoon leave the park and continue out to West Kilimanjaro into Ndarakwai Private Ranch. Game drives en route to your camp for relaxation. Early evening head out on a night game drive of Ndarakwai Ranch… experience the African milky way like never before!
O/N Ndarakwai Tented Camp (B,L,D)

Day 3. Ndarakwai Private ranch - West Kilimanjaro
Morning walking safari in the ranch accompanied by an armed ranger – return to the camp for lunch and relaxation and plan the rest of your day together with your driver guide. Head out for game drives or relax at the natural surroundings of the Camp.
O/N Ndarakwai Tented Camp  (B,L,D)

Day 4. Esilalei Maasai Experience
After breakfast – leave Arusha passing through the hustle and bustle of Arusha town continuing out to Esilalei Maasai community. Meet with your local maasai guide who will introduce you to his village.Get a better understanding of the natural medicines still used on a daily basis with Maasai medicine walk of the surrounding area – continue down to a Boma (Mud dwelling) for an introduction into the Maasai way of life and beliefs and rituals. Return to the camp by foot. Enjoy a real cultural experience around the fire place. Traditional dance and song followed by a goat BBQ (catering for vegetarians as well).
O/N Isoitok Maasai Community Camp (B,L,D)

Day 5. Lake Manyara National Park
Leisurely breakfast at the camp then drive towards Lake Manyara NP – there is a wide variety of resident wildlife in the park, if you are lucky you may see the tree climbing lions, along with resident elephant population and an abundance of aquatic birdlife. Manyara also boast a very active and large population of primates. Picnic lunch in the bush followed by game drives till mid afternoon. Slowly make your way out of the park and begin the drive up to Karatu and continue to your camp location.
O/N Karatu Korongo Camp (B,L,D)

Day 6. The Serengeti National Park
Early breakfast, continue your journey via the Ngorongoro Conservation Area to the endless plains of Serengeti. Game drive en route to central Serengeti – explore the many different areas of the park, your driver guide will advice the best places to visit. Time allowing, sunset game drive or relaxation at the lodge.
O/N Kati Kati Tented Camp (B,L,D)

Day 7. The Serengeti National Park
Full day game drive with lunch box of the different areas of the park, head over to the Rock Kopjes, where you have good chances of seeing anyone of the cat families. Cheetah and lion use this giant rock out crops as observation post and to get some protection from the sun. Afternoon return to the Lodge – relax in the comforts of the lodge.
O/N Kati Kati Tented Camp (B,L,D)

Day 8. The Serengeti National Park
Full day game drives of the Serengeti to your own design. Plan your day together with your driver guide using the lodge as a base to head out from. Return for lunch or head out with picnic lunch for full day game drives.
O/N Kati Kati Tented Camp (B,L,D)

Option: Early morning, you head out for a Balloon Safari – view the Serengeti plains from a hot air balloon. Champagne breakfast on the landing site.


Day 9. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Morning game drives en route out of the Serengeti and head back through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area towards the Ngorongoro Crater. Stop at Olduvai gorge to visit the cradle of mankind where the Leakey’s discovered findings of early Hominids along with many fossils and stone artifacts. Continue up to the Ngorongoro Crater rim and stop at the viewpoint before continuing to Rhino Lodge for relaxation.
O/N Rhino Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 10. Ngorongoro Crater
Early morning descend in the crater for game drives. There are 25,000 large mammals residing in the park, elephants are mainly bulls, females stay out of the park due to the largest predator population in Africa. Black Rhino also make there home on the grassy plains, there numbers make up for almost half which can be found in East Africa about 20 in total. Mid afternoon begin the climb out of the crater and begin the drive back through a rolling landscape to Arusha.
O/N Karama Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 11. Mkomazi National Park
Morning departure towards Mkomazi National Park. Enter the park via Same town – game drive en route to Babu’s Camp for relaxation and overnight.
O/N Babu’s Camp (B,L,D)

Day 12. Mkomazi National Park
Dawn wake up call with hot drinks outside your tent, enjoy the morning chorus. Picnic lunch – full day game drives – returning back to Babu’s camp for relaxation as another day draws to a close.
O/N Babu Camp (B,L,D)

Day 13. Usambara Mountains
After breakfast leave Mkomazi in a game drive en-route and start driving towards the Usambara mountains and up to Mambo Viewpoint Eco-lodge.
O/N Mambo Vieuwpoint Eco-lodge (B,L,D)

Day 14. Usambara Mountains
Spend the day around the lodge; there’s a wide variety of walks around Mambo from 2-3 hours up to full day and even multiple day walks. Discuss your interests with Herman and plan your day activities accordingly.
O/N Mambo Vieuwpoint Eco-lodge (B,L,D)

Day 15. Pangani Beach Relaxation
Continue with your safari dropping down through the amazing scenery of the Usambara and Pare mountains towards Pangani. Cross the ferry and head onto The Tides lodge for pure beach relaxation.

O/N The Tides Lodge (B,D)


Day 16. Pangani Beach Relaxation
Pure beach relaxation.
O/N The Tides Lodge (B,D)

Day 17. Pangani Beach Relaxation
Pure beach relaxation.
O/N The Tides Lodge (B,D)

Day 18. Pangani Beach Relaxation
Pure beach relaxation.
O/N The Tides Lodge (B,D)

Day 19. Tanga - Dar es Salaam
After a leisurely breakfast at the lodge transfer to Mashado (Pangani) airport where you connect with your internal flight to Dar es Salaam via Zanzibar. From Dar es Salaam you can connect with your international flight.

 

Price Guide 2012

Indicative price in U.S. dollars, per person, for itinerary B2B_THT_00009
2 people sharing: $5,830 p.p.
4 people sharing: $5,005 p.p.
6 people sharing: $4,860 p.p.
Single supplement: $850 p.p.
Available options for this itinerary
Serengeti Balloon Safari incl. champagne breakfast $499 p.p.
Horseback Safari West Kilimanjaro On Request

 

We write indicative price since the actual amount depends on numerous factors such as season, number of people sharing and their ages, chosen options and further customization of the itinerary above.

Included in your package

  1. All park fees and camp fees
  2. Semi Lux Camping & Permanent Tented Camp / Lodge accommodation
  3. 3 meals a day on F/B as stipulated
  4. bottled drinking water; x1.5 liters a day per person
  5. 4×4 vehicle plus driver guide, safari chef and camp assistant
  6. FAR Emergency Evacuation Cover x 14 days
  7. All transfers and activities as stipulated.

Exclusive

  1. Tips (suggested amounts, see Guidelines for tipping)
    • Driver guide $10 per person sharing the vehicle per day

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Last update: 5 October 2011 No Comment