Kenya & Tanzania

For Ellen's Family

November 2016.

Escape to the Wilderness

Dear Ellen,

Your quest for wilderness, beauty and adventure is about to begin! Tanzania has the largest concentration of wild animals per square kilometer in the world. You will visit three reserves, with ample opportunity to soak in the sights and sounds of this beautiful East African country. I have arranged personal guides for you at each reserve, all of whom speak fluent English. Your accommodation has, of course, been carefully chosen to ensure your total comfort, while meeting your concerns for sustainability and desire for cultural and historic character.

It is said that the moon can shine so brightly in Tanzania, that a flashlight at night is unnecessary! This beautiful country is surrounded by three of the world’s most magnificent lakes—Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa and Lake Tanganyika. You will spend two nights on the shore of the latter, with its white sandy beach and turquoise water. Tanzania is using the profits from its tourism industry to help fight poaching and to prevent the extinction of the African elephant and the black rhinoceros. Your decision to visit this enthralling country not only meets your quest for adventure, but also will help preserve the ecology of our planet.

A safari visit to Africa would be incomplete without experiencing the Maasai Mara in Kenya, and this is where you will spend the last three days of your adventure. The Maasai Mara is unique in that there are no artificial barriers containing the animals, only the villages that surround the reserve—which the animals naturally choose to avoid. You will therefore see the animals in their most natural state, behaving as they have done for thousands of years.

Be sure to remember your cameras and let the adventure begin!

Day 1: Arrival at Arusha

Your escape begins at Legendary Lodge, nestled within the foothills of Mount Meru, in one of Tanzania’s largest coffee plantations. Your guide, Kika, will meet you at the airport and take you to the lodge. The lodge’s beautiful garden terrace, acres of lush plantations, personal service and ambient décor provide nourishment for the body and soul, preparing you and your family for the adventures ahead.

Days 2-4: Exploring the Mahale Mountains National Park

Today, you will get the first glimpse of the mountains. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, the Mahale Mountains provide you and your family the unique opportunity of observing wild chimpanzees. This will be a treat for your son, who you’ve told me has a special interest in primates. The chimpanzees have been under observation by researchers from Kyoto University, Japan since 1965. You will learn of the intriguing behaviors exhibited by the chimpanzees, including their use of “tools” and their search for and use of medicinal plants—behaviors previously thought to be attributable only to humans.

You will overnight at Greystoke Mahale, at the foot of the Mahale Mountains, overlooking the turquoise waters of Lake Tanganyika, built into the forest line, allowing uninterrupted views of the beach and the lake beyond. As you expressed an interest in sustainable tourism, you will be delighted to learn that the camp has been constructed using almost entirely sustainable materials, sourced locally on Lake Tanganyika. The bandas (huts) reserved for you and your husband and for your son and his wife are located next to each other.

Greystoke Mahale provides the perfect rest spot from which to plan your three days in the National Park. With your personal guide, Kika, there will be opportunities to spot any of the variety of wildlife which make the forest their home. Given the varied ecosystems within the park, visible wildlife can range from tropical rain forest animals (monkeys, porcupine, giant forest squirrels) to savannah animals (lions, zebras, giraffes) to woodland antelopes. Please speak with Hassan to arrange how you wish to divide the sightseeing opportunities over the three days.

The crystal clear waters of Lake Tanganyika provide ideal snorkeling conditions, and of course a cool refreshing dip after a day spent in the forest. I have made reservations for a fishing trip on the evening of Day 3, so you can kick back with some cocktails while enjoying spectacular views of the sunset.

Days 5-7: The rich fauna and culture of Ruaha National Park

Ellen, Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park. Wildlife is bountiful here, with animals visible from the moment your plane touches down. The runway is bordered by grazing herds of giraffe and zebra, and you will delight in seeing them startled by the plane’s engines and running to escape. Your husband will enjoy the birdwatching opportunities, with the park’s more than 500 species of birds, many of them migrating from Europe, Asia, Australia and Madagascar. Guided tours will allow you to view crocodiles, elephants, antelopes, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, leopards, and impala. The park is the transitional point of two vegetation zones, Zambezian (miombo woodland) and Sudanian (acacia trees). In addition to its interesting fauna and flora, Ruaha is home to several historical and cultural sites – meeting your request for some historical knowledge on this trip. The Painting Rock at Nyanywa, ‘Ganga la Mafunyo’, the Isimila Pillars, God’s Bridge, Mlambalasi and Kalenga are some historical landmarks you may wish to visit.

Days 8-10: Protecting the Selous Game Reserve

Selous is a World Heritage Site and one of the largest protected areas in Africa which remains relatively undisturbed by human impact. Here you will see significant concentrations of elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus and crocodile. You will also have the opportunity to see rhinos and the cats. A small portion (roughly 8%) of the northern region is open to tourism. The rest is managed as a hunting reserve with quotas established to maintain wildlife populations, whilst generating substantial income for the sustainability of the reserve.

Groves of tall borassus and doum palms border the many small lakes and channels that flow from the confluence of the Rufiji and Great Ruaha rivers. During the dry season plains game concentrates in the northern Selous, where permanent water is available. Hot volcanic springs and more than 350 birds and 2,000 plant species add to this sanctuary’s varied attractions.

Your accommodation is at the Selous Serena Camp, which considers itself the ultimate wilderness retreat. Your safari-style tent provides 360-degree views of the surrounding bush, with a private viewing deck. Your tent and that of your son and his wife are situated next to each other—although the tents are widely spaced to allow uninterrupted views.

Days 11-14: Arrival in Kenya

This morning, you will fly to Dar-es-Salaam where you will connect with your flight to Nairobi. You will then journey to the famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve, where you will spend four nights at Mara Plains. Here you will enjoy one the richest wild ecosystems in the world, with access to more than 100,000 acres of exclusive, low vehicle density tourism land.

The Maasai Mara is the northern section of the Serengeti and it is here that the vast herds of wildebeest and zebra make the most northerly arc of their annual migration in July and August. An amazing spectacle, it is certainly not the only attraction of the Mara which is, from a wildlife standpoint, Kenya’s jewel in the crown.

There is a peculiar quality of light here: observe the shadows of the clouds on the plains and the strange optical illusions of distant herds in silhouette illuminated along the unending horizon. Light and shadow, granite and grassland, predators and prey—these images will remain in your mind’s eye forever.

Your personal guide at Mara Plains is Nabaala. You will enjoy morning and/or evening game drives in a 4×4 vehicle, together with visits to local villages. I have reserved a balloon flight across the Maasai Mara for the whole family on your second day. Aside from these plans, per your wishes, your time will be yours to shape—though there is certainly plenty to do, and Nabaala will be glad to make recommendations.

Day 15: The adventure ends!

You will fly to Nairobi and connect with your international flight home.

Ellen, I know that you and your family will thoroughly enjoy your African safari adventure. It has been a pleasure putting together this itinerary for you. If I can assist with anything else, please do not hesitate to call.