I’m going back to Africa, with another trip to Tanzania scheduled to begin on February 24, 2009.  At least three of the amazing guides from our 2008 trip have been confirmed for this trip; Augustine Minja as lead guide and Fahad Hariri and Jabshir as drivers.  We have tinkered with our very successful 2008 trip in two significant ways: our group will be smaller, as we are limiting ourselves to 3 vehicles (instead of 4), and we will spend more time in fewer places.  Five nights are scheduled for the Serengeti and three at Ngorongoro Crater, two of the world’s most celebrated sites for wildlife observation.  We will also visit Arusha National Park, an amazing smaller park near the gateway city of Arusha, a perfect place to begin the trip.  We’re sure to see plenty of wildlife -- gazelles, waterbucks, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, lions, hippos, and much more.  Tanzania is loaded with charismatic and colorful birds, too, from the omnipresent Lilac-breasted Rollers and Superb Starlings to majestic Tawny Eagles and ornate Wydahs and Widowbirds.

Augustine Minja (above), Fahad Hariri (below left), Jabshir (below right)

An optional extension visits two more national parks in northern Tanzania, Lake Manyara and Tarangire.  These parks take us through forests of towering baobob trees and past rivers and lakes where a great variety of wildlife awaits.  Some will be reruns -- just a few more elephants, giraffes, etc. -- but we’re likely to see a number of new species, too.  Certainly the landscapes of these two parks are dramatically different from those of Ngorongoro and Serengeti.

It’s a long way from the US to Tanzania, and travel on the safari circuit is expensive, but for most people this is a “trip of a lifetime” and we’ve tried to make this the best possible trip.  Great guides.  Great lodges.  The best safari vehicles.  A maximum of 17 passengers with 5 different guides (including yours truly).  Arrangements made by the best-known US-based African tour operator, Classic Escapes -- expert problem-solvers who switched our trip from Kenya to Tanzania with just 6 weeks notice last year (when civil unrest erupted in Kenya).  I can’t imagine a better trip for experiencing the wonders of east Africa and its magical wildlife.  Get the full scoop by contacting the Audubon Naturalist Society and requesting the itinerary and registration packet.  Act quickly -- our trip last year filled within 6 weeks of its initial announcement.  Call (301) 652-9188 x11, or send an e-mail message requesting the itinerary to bcranmer@audubonnaturalist.org. Questions? Hit the “Email me” box below.

Baobob tree and giraffe (above)

Secretary Bird (below), elephant (right)

Saddle-billed Storks (above)

Warthog (below)

Our trip has filled, but call to add your name to the wait list.