2009 Itinerary

Day 1: Touch down in Tanzania – and your African safari begins
Tauck’s African safari begins at Serena Mountain Village, Arusha. A transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Serena Mountain Village, Arusha, is included. Welcome to Tanzania and the start of your African safari; your hotel overlooks Lake Duluti.
Lodging: Serena Mountain Village, Arusha, Tanzania

Day 2: Wild about wildebeest
Ride in specially designed, open-top safari vehicles to Tarangire National Park, which boasts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. You may see large herds of wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, and buffalo. Relax at your safari lodge before the late afternoon game drive, and swap sightings at the welcome cocktail reception and dinner at the lodge this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Tarangire Sopa Lodge, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Day 3: Tarangire game drives
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in Tarangire National Park. It’s one of the best parks for elephant watching, and is home to hundreds of bird species (one of the highest number of bird species in any world habitat) and thousands of game animals. You'll get an up-close view during game drives in Tauck's open-top African safari vehicles.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Tarangire Sopa Lodge, Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

Day 4: Flamingos at Lake Manyara National Park
Look for gazelles, waterbucks, impalas, and leopards on a morning game drive. Then travel to Lake Manyara National Park, famed for flamingos and birds of prey. Enjoy free time at your lodge, set on the Rift Valley escarpment overlooking the park and valley 1,000 feet below. Keep a sharp eye out for tree-climbing lions lazing among the limbs of acacia trees on an afternoon game drive.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge, Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania

Day 5: Circle of life in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Take a morning nature walk through tranquil lodge grounds. Travel to the village of Mto wa Mbu for an in-depth view of tribal life in the African bush; take a look inside a typical home and school, and see villagers at work in their daily life. Then journey on to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home to Ngorongoro Crater and one of Africa’s largest concentrations of permanent wildlife. Your lodge on the dormant volcano’s rim provides private terraces overlooking the lost world of the caldera below.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Day 6: Wildlife in Ngorongoro Crater
Head to the heart of Ngorongoro Crater, one of the largest calderas in the world, which contains a variety of ecosystems and an astounding concentration of birds and animals. Encounter massive herds of zebra, wildebeest, and gazelles. This area affords an opportunity to spot the Big Five, which includes African elephant, leopard, the black maned lion, buffalo, and the rare black rhinoceros. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the crater.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Day 7: Olduvai Gorge & a Masai Village
Visit Olduvai Gorge, where archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the fossilized remains of the earliest known man, an estimated 1.8 million years old. Visit a local Masai village, then continue wildlife viewing while driving the rough dirt roads across the plains and grasslands of the Serengeti. Arrive at your safari lodge in the Western Serengeti, which was inspired by Masai tribal dwellings.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 8: Balloon over the Serengeti
Lift off on an exciting hot air balloon flight as dawn breaks over the vast Serengeti grasslands; from aloft, observe wildlife in the first light of day, an African safari thrill – and enjoy another thrill upon your return where a champagne breakfast in the bush waits for you. An afternoon game drive on the Serengeti plains may yield sightings of wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, hyenas, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, rhinoceros, hippos, buffalos, jackals, and gazelles. This is one of the best places on the continent to see prides of lions.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 9: A luxury tented camp in the west
Travel to the Serengeti’s remote western corridor, known for huge masses of game migrating animals across the terrain. Arrive at your luxurious tented camp for another unique African safari experience; animals you might see on game drives include wildebeest, lion, buffalo, cheetah, warthogs, giraffes and zebra.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Kirawira Tented Camp, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 10: Species survival in the bush
Your safari guide shares fascinating insights about the African bush on your dawn game drive. Toast your final afternoon wildlife-viewing experience with traditional sundowner cocktails as the setting sun streaks the Tanzanian sky.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Kirawira Tented Camp, Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Day 11: Tauck's African safari in Tanzania concludes
A short flight brings you back to Arusha where a day room is reserved for you at a hotel set in a tree-shaded coffee plantation overlooking Lake Duluti. Recount the week’s many adventures at dinner before transferring to the airport. Your African safari ends in Arusha. A transfer is included from Serena Mountain village, Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day Lodging: Serena Mountain Village, Arusha, Tanzania

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All safari expenses and adventures, local guides, entertainment, land transportation, luggage handling, admission fees, the services of the Tauck Director, as well as the hot air balloon ride and one on-tour air excursion are included.

Safari Lodge and Hotel Accommodations – Tauck’s price includes all hotels, safari lodges and tented safari camps with en suite facilities including showers, flush toilets and hot and cold running water. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality of accommodations may differ from place to place, Tauck's commitment to your comfort is unwavering.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

Tauck Director – Each tour is conducted by a Tauck Director who remains with the group throughout the duration of the tour. Your Tauck Director is a professional, fully trained employee of Tauck.

Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for camp staff and guides are included in the cost of the program.

No Options Sold - Tauck Directors sometimes assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Safari Lodge or Hotel Accommodations Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, many quests prefer to secure lodge or hotel accommodations for the nights preceding or following their tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Safari lodge and hotel accommodations will be added to the tour cost. Airport transfers are included for these bookings. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle guests’ luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.

Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, mineral waters, soft drinks, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, visa fees (if applicable), vaccinations, and optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Tauck Director Gratuities – The customary gratuity to the Tauck Director is not included. Gratuities should be extended on a voluntary, individual basis and not as a group.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures – Travelers must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate all tours as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to passengers. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecasted at the time of printing.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking and are subject to change due to airline schedule changes. All booking agents and guests will be advised of such changes. When making flight arrangements, allow sufficient time to claim luggage and clear customs.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any persons who are abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

Preparing To Go

Air Conditioning – The following hotels and lodges provide air conditioning: the Lake Manyara Serena and the Kirawira Luxury Tented Camp. The following hotels and lodges do not provide air conditioning: the Mountain Village Lodge, the Tarangire Sopa Lodge, the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge and the Serengeti Serena Lodge. The safari vehicles are not air conditioned.

Clothing and Packing - This African safari is a very casual tour. Comfortable and casual clothing is recommended for both day and night. Formal and resort attire is not required.

Generally, lightweight, cotton, short- and long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and shorts are sufficient. A light jacket, fleece, or windbreaker, as well as layers of clothing, are suggested for cooler temperatures during early morning game drives and evenings. A bandana or cotton scarf will always comes in handy.

While on safari it is recommended you wear natural earth-colored clothing, such as khakis, tans, browns, and greens, as well as comfortable walking shoes. Bright colors and whites are not advised, and army camouflage uniforms or army hats are forbidden. Blue and black are not suggested, as these colors attract both the sun and Tsetse flies. It is also a good idea to bring a swimsuit, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and lip protection.

Game drives can be dusty, so wear something that can be washed while on safari. Clothes may be laundered at all camps for a nominal fee.

A personal kit with medication for possible upset stomach, aspirin, and allergy medicine may also be useful. If you are taking prescription drugs, bring a prescription signed by your doctor in case you need an emergency refill while traveling. Insect repellent with DEET is a very important item to include in your kit. Pre-moistened towelettes, antibacterial lotion, and a flashlight will also be useful on your safari.

Pack your medical kit in your carry-on bag along with an extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses and a change of clothes in case of luggage delay.

For viewing wildlife, we recommend you bring a good pair of binoculars and your own photography supplies, such as plenty of film, batteries, a 200mm telephoto lens, lens cap, lens papers, UV filter and, for video-recording, an adequate supply of video cassettes.

Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is 8,000 ft (2,438 m).

Health - All travelers to Africa should be in reasonably good health. There is a not a significant amount of walking on this tour; however, the walking that is done is challenging as it is often over uneven terrain, occurs frequently in warm weather, and includes climbing in and out of safari vehicles. On Day 11, you will board a single or twin engine aircraft accommodating 13-18 guests for the flight to Arusha. Tauck strongly advises that guests who require assistance walking or who travel with oxygen tanks may not fully enjoy this very active journey.

Roads in rural and wildlife areas are bumpy and dusty. While we provide reliable and reasonably comfortable vehicles, land travel is not air conditioned and often slow, especially in wilderness areas.

We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to guests for walking, dining or other personal needs. Persons needing such assistance must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist them.

As of January 14th, 2008, the Ministry of Health in has reopened Health Surveillance Desks at all borders and international airports. These Health Surveillance Desks require people entering from any country where yellow fever is endemic to provide proof of vaccination against yellow fever. The goal of this prudent effort is to prevent anyone possibly infected with yellow fever from entering the country, and it should thus make a safer place for our guests to visit.

As noted above, not everyone needs to provide proof of vaccination upon arrival in . For example, if you are arriving directly into Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha from Amsterdam aboard a KLM flight, you will not require proof of vaccination. Please note that this is how the majority of our guests arrive in , so the proof of vaccination requirement will not affect most of our guests.

If you will be transiting through any country where yellow fever is endemic, including making a connection through Nairobi, you will need to provide proof of vaccination. To obtain a list of those countries and for more vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.

Malaria pills are generally recommended for travel in East Africa.

Luggage Restrictions:

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour:
To help in your packing, Tauck will provide each guest with a duffel bag. The duffel bag has been specially designed to provide more than adequate space for essential items needed while on safari on days 7-11. Please pack light and bring ONLY the Tauck-issued duffel bag with you on safari.

Strict limitations on our on-tour flights require that each guest take only one piece of soft-sided luggage (the duffel bag) weighing no more than 33 lbs (14.97 kg). This weight limit includes all camera equipment. Soft-sided luggage is required to ensure your piece fits into irregularly shaped luggage compartments.

In addition, guests are limited to one soft-sided, carry-on bag per person not to exceed 15 lbs.(6.8 kg), and no larger than an average knapsack.

While you are on safari, your other luggage will be transferred from the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge to the Serena Mountain Village Lodge. Your luggage will be delivered to your day room in Arusha upon arrival on day 11.

If you reside in the United States, the duffel bag will be sent to your home and should arrive approximately two weeks prior to your departure for Africa. Guests residing outside of the U.S. will receive their duffel bags upon arrival in Arusha due to customs regulations that prohibit the easy delivery of the duffel bags in advance.

Checked Luggage - General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

Many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.

Carry-on Luggage- General
Oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, however, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to one small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not allow for access during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirements - U.S. citizens will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the completion of the tour and a current visa to enter Tanzania.

For U.S. Citizens:

Citizens of other countries should contact an embassy or consulate of Tanzania to determine the required travel documentation.

Travel with Children – Many countries have specific entry requirements for children less than 21 years of age who are traveling without one or both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standards for these letters, Tauck does offer for download guidance for writing this letter.

Destination Information

While in Africa…

Tauck World Discovery asks all guests to follow common sense guidelines to protect the wildlife and natural resources. Game parks and reserves provide protected natural environments for wildlife and visitors. Game viewing is an important part of the African experience – it is important to avoid any interference or harmful contact with animals in their natural habitat.

Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that guests refrain from cell phone usage during motor coach travel, group functions, sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact others, or the wildlife in the game reserves.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine limitations and services that exist for the areas you will be visiting.

Currency and Exchange Rates – We recommend that you rely mostly on travelers’ checks while on tour in Tanzania. Although the major credit cards are widely recognized and are accepted at most hotels, shops, and restaurants, the exchange rate on such purchases is unfavorable and may result in an additional 10% being added to the total sale.

As in most countries, we suggest you do not carry large amounts of cash. However, U.S. Dollars are widely accepted as valid currency in Tanzania. The amount of cash you bring with you for incidental purchases should be in small denominations. Exchanging large denominations has been made difficult – even at banks – due to counterfeiting.

ATM machines are becoming increasingly popular; contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your card while visiting Tanzania.

To obtain the up-to-date currency exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – For U.S residents returning to the United States, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at. www.cbp.gov

Citizens of other countries should refer to their own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance.

Electrical Current – The electrical current in the lodges is 220-240v, 50Hz. Guests whose appliances do not meet this standard will need to bring an electrical converter, with adapter plug set, as few overnight properties have this equipment. The socket configurations vary between the two- and three-pronged varieties so please bring the entire set of adapters with you.

All Serena Properties in Tanzania have power 24 hours a day. All camcorders and digital cameras can be re-charged at the guest’s convenience.

Time Zones – Tanzania is 3 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time).. In June, Tanzania is 7 hours ahead of New York City. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website www.timeanddate.com.

Weather - East Africa is truly a year-round destination, as most frequently the climate features warm, bright days and cool, crisp nights. Daytime temperatures throughout the year typically range from 60 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, or 15.5 to 35 degrees Celsius. Evening temperatures can be cooler, ranging from 50 to 60 F, or 10 to 15.5 C.

Late afternoon rains are customary in East Africa. The rainy seasons are March to May (the "long rains") and October to December (the "short rains"). During these times downpours occur mostly in the late afternoons, and are generally brief. October to December is preferred by some for smaller crowds, verdant scenery, and delightful temperatures.

Climate Chart

	Average Temperature
	Serengeti, Tanzania
Month	Farenheit	Celsius
January	82	28
February	82	28
March	81	27
April	77	25
May	75	24
June	70	21
July	70	21
August	73	23
September	77	25
October	79	26
November	81	27
December	81	27

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, Tauck will charge guests who cancel confirmed bookings a cancellation fee according to the when the cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit guests’ liability, Tauck offers its guests Tauck Travel Protection.

Guests choosing to purchase the non-refundable Tauck Travel Protection will have cancellation penalties waived.

Guests choosing not to purchase Tauck Travel Protection will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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