Events & Reunions

When: Sunday, February 07, 2010 - Wednesday, February 17, 2010 (iCal)

Description

Travel with us into the wilds of Tanzania, Africa’s premier safari destination where, in one of Earth’s greatest spectacles, vast herds of elephant, wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and Cape buffalo roam the savannas, followed by the magnificent carnivores that prey on them—lion, cheetah and leopard. Rivaling the grandeur of Tanzania’s wildlife is the panoramic sweep of its scenery. In the north, the snow-crowned summit of Kilimanjaro, towers above the plains while the expansive grasslands of the Serengeti offer unrestricted vistas. And, in the Ngorongoro Crater, home to one of the densest and most diverse wildlife populations, savannas, forests and wetlands are enclosed by the 2,000-foot-high walls of an ancient caldera. Throughout our safari, we’ll stay in some of the region’s finest lodges; mingle with Masai men and women and local schoolchildren, and learn about Tanzania’s wildlife and environment from our highly qualified naturalist-guide who will accompany us on game drives and excursions.

Cost

From $4,995 per person, includes Early Booking Savings of $500

Contact

For more information, contact Usha Nand Sellers, Program Director, in the Office of Alumni Relations at usha.sellers@tufts.edu or 1-800-THE-ALUM (1-800-843-2586) or 617-627-5323.

Itinerary

Day 1 - U.S.

Depart for Arusha, Tanzania.

Day 2 - Arusha, Tanzania

Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania, an attractive town nestled at the foot of Mount Meru. We’ll meet our Travel Director and transfer to our accommodations at the Serena Mountain Village, a lodge and series of thatched rondavels located near the shore of Lake Duluti

Day 3 – Arusha

Late this morning, attend a safari briefing. Note: For our safaris, we will be in four-wheel-drive vehicles. After lunch, we’ll depart on our first game drive in Arusha National Park. One of East Africa’s smaller sanctuaries, this scenic gem is noted for its plethora of birdlife and wildlife, diverse terrain and lush vegetation..

Day 4 - Arusha/Lake Manyara

Following an early lunch in the lodge, we’ll set out across the sweeping African plains for Lake Manyara National Park, where we’ll check into the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge and join fellow participants this evening for a welcome cocktail reception, held poolside atop an escarpment overlooking the majestic Great Rift Valley.

Day 5 - Lake Manyara/Olduvai Gorge/Serengeti

At dawn, drive through Lake Manyara National Park in search of the great populations of brilliantly hued flamingo and hippo found in pools along the lake’s shoreline. Watch for the troupes of baboon and blue monkey scampering along tree branches of the ground-water forest. We are likely to see wildebeest and giraffe, but Lake Manyara’s most famous inhabitant is the lion, which climbs tree branches in search of a resting place.

Midmorning depart for Serengeti National Park, Africa’s most celebrated nature preserve, stopping en route at the Olduvai Gorge, famously known as the “cradle of mankind.” Here in 1963, Dr. Louis Leakey made his important discovery of the 1.8-million-year-old Homo habilis. On a walk through the gorge, see the site where, in 1959, Mary Leakey discovered the skull of Zinjanthropus, an early hominid that proved invaluable to the study of human ancestry. Attend a lecture on human prehistory by a local expert on Olduvai Gorge, and then gather for a picnic lunch. On arrival at the Serengeti National Park, we’ll check into the Serengeti Serena Lodge, selected for its proximity to the park’s largest year-round concentration of wildlife. On our afternoon game drive, watch for the diverse and abundant fauna of this vast ecosystem.

Days 6 & 7 - Serengeti

During morning and afternoon game drives in the legendary Serengeti National Park, observe more than two million large animals on 5,400-plus square miles of savannas and woodlands. Trackless grasslands support an abundance of grazing animals: wildebeest, gazelle, topi, zebra and Cape buffalo. The granite outcrops (kopjes) dotting the plains are favored by large cats, especially the lion and the sleek leopard. Expansive, flat swampland attracts thousands of waterbirds, and some of the world’s best bird-watching is available here, with more than 500 species identified so far. If weather conditions permit, we may gain an aerial perspective of the Serengeti’s herds on an optional hot-air balloon flight.

Day 8 - Serengeti/Ngorongoro Crater

Following a morning game drive, leisure time, and an early lunch, depart the Serengeti and travel to Ngorongoro Crater, a remarkable sanctuary for 115 mammals and over 500 bird species. Accommodations are in the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge, located on the rim of the crater, where each room offers stunning views of the surroundings.

Day 9 - Ngorongoro Crater

Born from the collapse of a massive volcano over two million years ago, Ngorongoro Crater shelters an immense year-round concentration of incredible wildlife. The profusion of its game reflects the diversity of the habitats found on the crater floor: savannas, forests, swamps, salt pans and a freshwater lake. With abundant grass and a permanent water supply, it supports herds of grazing animals, which in turn attracts lion, leopard and cheetah.

Early this morning’s safari, we’ll proceed 2,000 feet down the forested wall of the crater for a full day of game tracking. Ngorongoro is excellent for viewing zebra, wildebeest, Cape buffalo, gazelle, lion, cheetah, leopard and bull elephant, and for spotting the rare but spectacular black rhinoceros. In the Ngoitokitok Swamps, herds of hippopotamuses seek refuge from the midday sun. Observe some of the numerous species of birds that find a home in the crater, such as ostrich, crowned crane, flamingo and other waders. We’ll gain a unique perspective on the diverse wildlife over a picnic breakfast in the crater.

We have the afternoon at leisure to relax in the comfort of the lodge.

Day 10 - Ngorongoro Crater/ Arusha

After breakfast, we’ll depart the crater and drive to Arusha. En route, visit the Kibaoni Primary School on the edge of the Great Rift Valley where we’ll talk to schoolchildren and see the school’s library - the only primary school library in Tanzania. Most of its books were donated by visitors to the Great Rift Valley, and we are encouraged to make a contribution. In Arusha, we’ll lunch in the Arusha Coffee Plantation Lodge. Continue to the Kilimanjaro International Airport Lodge, where day rooms have been reserved. After dinner on our own, we’ll transfer to the airport and board our return flights.

Day 11 - U.S.

Our return flights to the U.S. arrive later today.

Zanzibar Post-Program Option

Complement the Tanzania experience with a special four-night extension to the fabled isle of Zanzibar, ancient gateway to the Indian Ocean and historical center of the East African spice and slave trades. Renowned for its lush, tropical landscapes and stunning beaches, this legendary island has been a magnet for merchants and explorers since the height of the Roman Empire. Today, its culture remains an alluring mélange reflecting the influences of the Omanis, Persians, Arabs, Indians, English, Portuguese and Africans.