March 1, Depart U.S. for optional early arrival day!

March 2, Early Arrival day: Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport this evening.  VIP meet and greet by Unique Safaris and transfer to Arusha (45 min.) for overnight in Mount Meru Hotel.

VIP arrival services include the cost of the Tanzanian visa, and private officer to assist you.  We have rooms on hold so you may arrive a day early to relax and adjust to the time difference, and to allow an extra travel day in the unlikely event your arrival is delayed.  The hotel has great guest amenities and relaxing atmosphere.  This extra overnight is not included.  We can arrange to have you picked up at an extra fee:  Rooms are on hold for your convenience, since many of our guests prefer to arrive a day early.  Please let us know your arrival date as soon as possible.

March 2, Depart U.S. for Kilimanjaro International Airport

March 3, Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport this evening.  VIP meet and greet by Unique Safaris and transfer to Arusha (45 min.) for overnight in Mount Meru Hotel.

VIP arrival services include the cost of the Tanzanian visa, and private officer to assist you.

March 4, Lions Paw Camp, Ngorongoro Crater:  Depart Arusha early morning, traveling through the Great Rift Valley and along western escarpment overlooking Lake Manyara National Park.  Coffee and flower plantations dot the landscape.  Continue to the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater to Lions Paw for lunch, then descend to the crater floor for afternoon game driving.  The benefit of being accommodated on the eastern rim is having quick access to the Crater floor, to enjoy more time with the wildlife and a bit less time with too many vehicles.

March 5, Lions Paw Camp, Ngorongoro Crater:  Enjoy a full day in the Crater, the lodge is only 15 minutes from the Crater floor.  Early morning game drive, with many big cats being more active in their hunting and fewer tourist vehicles.

March 6, Woodlands Camp, Southern Serengeti:  Leave the lodge after an early breakfast and drive around the rim road to the Serengeti. The safari is planned to either coincide with the wildebeest calving season. During these next 3 days you will have a chance to visit a number of key areas in the southern plains, including Lake Ndutu, Lake Masek, the Kusini Plains, the Moru Kopjes, and possibly Hidden Valley. Arrive at Woodlands Camp for dinner and overnight with afternoon game drives. Wood-lands is a seasonal camp that operates only in January, February and March when the calving season should be in full swing. It is located just west of Lake Ndutu in a lush corridor by the marshland which attracts a great deal of cats and herd animals.

March 7,8, 9 Woodlands Camp, Southern Serengeti  Over the next three days, continue exploring the vast areas of the southern plains with an with an opportunity of visiting the Gol Kopjes on one of the days. This is cheetah territory and we hope to be able to find active cheetah who are constantly searching for Thomson gazelle. This area is prime location for massive herds of wildebeest and zebra and other grazing animals.  Last safari we filmed 5 different cheetahs on one morning at the Gol Kopjes, and two leopards, one with a cub.

March 10, Sametu Camp, Central Serengeti:  Leave the southern plains and game drive through the Gol Kopjes to reach Sametu Camp. Sametu is located in the eastern central Serengeti and at this time of the year, there may be portions of the herd remaining for good grazing and there are excellent cats in the Sametu Kopjes as well. Arrive at Sametu in time to enjoy a Sun-downer and campfire before dinner. Sametu Camp has 10 permanent tents with flush toilets, running water with vanity sink and 24- hour electricity. A large dining and lounge tent completes the sense of relaxation and intimacy with nature. In contrast with Woodlands Camp, Sametu is a semi-permanent camp that is open year round because of the excellent location regardless of the season. The tents at Sametu Camp are larger than at Woodlands or Lions Paw on purpose so the heat of the savannah can rise to the top of the tent making your sleeping area significantly more comfortable.

March 11,12 Sametu Camp, Central Serengeti:  Explore the vast areas of the central Serengeti including the Sametu Kopjes, the Maasai, Simba and Moru Kopjes as well as the Seronera River Valley. The central Serengeti covers a tremendous amount of land so having these days will greatly benefit your photographic opportunities.

March 13, Mount Meru Hotel, Central Serengeti & Arusha:  Enjoy a full day of game drives in the central Serengeti for a fourth day and take the late afternoon flight from Seronera airstrip back to Arusha. The flight leaves at 17:20 and arrives in Arusha no later than 18:30. Meet and greet by our customer service team and transfer to Mount Meru Hotel for dinner and overnight.

March 14, Mount Meru day room and dinner:  Have the full day to rest, shower and pack at the hotel. We have also included a hot lunch at the Arusha Coffee Lodge and an opportunity to shop with more leisure time on this last day. In addition to shopping for carvings or any other souvenirs, we will arrange to visit one of the most respected Tanzanite shops which has been in the gemstone business for 40 years. You may also walk over to the Shanga House workshop (www.shanga.org) which is located at the Arusha Coffee Lodge. Shanga House provides vocational and craft training to the mentally and physically disabled in Arusha allowing them to earn an income and remain as respected members of their families. Return to Mount Meru Hotel for shower, packing and a farewell dinner. Early evening transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return flights.

For more information, or to register by mail, please email me: adam@adamjonesphoto.com