Across Tanzania
Duffle & Compass Exclusive 2012 Safari
A 13-day private safari escorted by founder Carol Oken
August 22 - September 3, 2012
This safari is currently sold out. Please contact us to be wait listed in case of a cancellation; or to have us arrange an itinerary for you based on this trip.
Limited to 8 persons
The adventure begins in the famed Serengeti, where this time of year we have a good chance of seeing the "Great Wildebeest Migration" moving towards the Masai Mara. We wing our way across Tanzania to 
Katavi National Park to see the last great herds of buffalo on the plains, sometimes 1,000 strong. The final stop is Mahale National Park, home to the largest population of chimpanzees on the planet. This Robinson Crusoe inspired camp sits on the shores of Lake Tanganyika with the mountains soaring up behind. Mornings we'll climb into the forest to visit our nearest relatives; afternoons are for cooling off in the crystal clear Lake Tanganyika. Days finish with a sunset cruises, dinners on the beach and a star show like you've never seen before. Africa is sure to grab hold of you now!
Wednesday, August 22 Kilimanjaro
You will be met upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to Arusha, where a welcoming staff awaits. Settle in for your first night in Africa.
1 Night at Arusha Coffee Lodge
Arusha Coffee Lodge is situated on the Burka Coffee estate, a working coffee plantation spanning some 2,100 acres. The Lodge has 21 private chalets, each with en-suite facilities, including shower, bath, and separate toilets. The chalets are built on raised wooden platforms, and have log fireplaces, private lounges and large balconies overlooking Mount Meru, and the plantation. The chalets are equipped with a mini bar, mosquito net, overhead fan, and room service is available.
Thursday, August 23 Serengeti
After an early breakfast, we'll be transferred to the nearby Arusha airport to catch our flight to the Serengeti. If the weather cooperates, you'll see the snows of Kilimanjaro on the way! We'll be met at the airstrip and transferred to camp.
4 Nights at Lemai Serengeti Camp
This is the land of endless plains punctuated with iconic kopjes -- think of Pride Rock from The Lion King! The camp is situated high above the savanna giving you a commanding view of the Mara River valley. We will have a front row seat for the Great Wildebeest Migration at the Mara River, where the crossings can mean life and death.
The en-suite tents are scattered within the rocks and feature 24 hour power, hot and cold running water, bathrooms with flush toilets, inside bath and outdoor shower. There is a natural rock swimming pool if you feel like taking a dip. Game drives, guided bush walks and optional fly camping are on offer here.
Tanzania's oldest and most popular national park, the Serengeti is famed for its annual migration, when some six million hooves pound the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson's gazelle join the wildebeest’s trek for fresh grazing. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers arguably the most scintillating game-viewing in Africa: great herds of buffalo, smaller groups of elephant and giraffe, and thousands upon thousands of eland, topi, kongoni, impala and Grant’s gazelle.
But there is more to Serengeti than large mammals. Gaudy agama lizards and rock hyraxes scuffle around the surfaces of the park’s isolated granite kopjes. A full 100 varieties of dung beetle have been recorded, as have 500-plus bird species, ranging from the outsized ostrich and bizarre secretary bird of the open grassland, to the black eagles that soar effortlessly above the Lobo Hills.
Monday, August 27 Katavi
We'll head to the airstrip this morning for our flight to Katavi National Park. You'll have an eagle eye view as we fly southwest across Tanzania. We'll be met at the airstrip and transferred to camp.
3 Nights at Chada Katavi Camp
Katavi is for the wildlife connoisseur, a wild and remote place with a high density of wildlife. Rivers groan with hippopotamus and crocodile, and the plains are covered with massive herds of buffalo. Almost everywhere you look there’s something grazing, bellowing, fighting, mating or hunting.
Hidden in the trees that flank it are six guest tents, with fine wooden furniture, and large comfortable beds spread with crisp white Egyptian cottons, and floors covered with thick woven rugs. The tents are large, romantic and airy with many shade netting windows to allow the cool breezes through. The bathrooms are bush deluxe, and set just behind each bed tent. And to cap it all, the thoroughly good white wine sitting on your porch table is perfectly chilled. Activities include game drives in open 4 WD vehicles, bush walks, birding and fly camping under the stars.
Thursday, August 30 Mahale
The flight from Katavi to Mahale is only 20 minutes and the landscape changes dramatically. When the plane lands at the edge of Lake Tanganyika, we'll wade out to the waiting dhow for a one hour ride to camp. The Mahale Mountains are spectacularly beautiful with the forested slopes plunging from 8,000 feet down to the shoreline.
4 Nights at Greystoke Mahale Camp
The exotic bandas at Greystoke are open fronted, looking out across the sandy beach and the blue water. The interiors are fashioned from dhow timber and feature dressing rooms, a loft for morning yoga or afternoon naps, adjoining bathrooms with flush toilets and showers. There's never enough time to explore the forests which are filled with primates, forest mammals, birds, giant vines and waterfalls. Beyond 'chimping' you can hike, fish, snorkel, swim and kayak.
Monday, September 3 Kilimanjaro
Today we will take the dhow ride back up the lake to the airstrip to catch our flight back to Arusha. If time permits, we'll do a bit of shopping before heading to Kilimanjaro to connect with our onward flights.
Optional Extension
To complete your "Across Tanzania" safari we recommend adding a few nights in Zanzibar or Pemba Island for a shore to shore experience!
Price
Estimated price is $11,822 per person/sharing (13 days/12 nights)
Estimated single supplement is $2,000
The estimated price is subject to some slight fluctuation based on the number of confirmed travelers, confirmation of 2012 chimp tracking permit fees, and any unforeseen fuel surcharges or increase in park fees.
INCLUDED in price:
* Arusha Coffee Lodge on a bed & breakfast basis
* All safari camps are on an all-inclusive basis including all meals, bottled water, soft drinks, house wine, local brand spirits & beer, coffee & tea, refreshments on game drives, and laundry service.
* All professional guide fees, conservation & community fees & activities as specified
* All land and air transfers as specified
* Flying Doctors Medical evacuation insurance
NOT INCLUDED in price:
* International air
* Gratuities for your safari guides & camp staff
* Optional fly camping fee in the Serengeti and Katavi, fishing fee in Mahale
* Any items for personal use
* Passport and visa fees
* Travel insurance
* Any pre- or post-safari plans
Reservations
This safari is limited to 8 persons and reservations are taken on a first-come-first-reserved basis.
Contact Duffle & Compass for current availability and further information.
