The world’s most spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities occur in East Africa, many would argue.  What nature enthusiast doesn’t dream of a visit to the Serengeti Plains, where lions, leopards, and cheetahs stalk Cape buffalo and a dizzying variety of antelopes.  If it’s time for you to quit dreaming and make this trip a reality, consider joining me on the Audubon Naturalist Society’s 2011 trip to Tanzania.

  While Kenya is perhaps better known as an East African destination, Tanzania is far more stable politically and economically, and some of the world’s most famous wildlife destinations are in this country.  World Heritage Sites including Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti National Park, and Olduvai Gorge are all in close proximity in northern Tanzania.  Excellent guides and wonderful accommodations make a wildlife tour of northern Tanzania a naturalist’s dream come true.

    February 28 is departure day from the US.  Fly on our optional air package or make your own arrangements.  Arrive at Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro International Airport before the end of the day on March 1.

    The basic tour begins with a visit to Arusha National Park, where giraffes, zebras, and other African wildlife provide a hearty welcome.  One highlight of the park is the shallow Momella Lake, home to great flocks of flamingos and other water birds.  We next head west to the vast Serengeti Plains, spending five nights in this great World Heritage site, three in the Seronera River area and two near Lake Ndutu.  This is the African savannah of your dreams, a scenic splendor and perhaps the world’s best wildlife viewing area.  We’ll search for lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhinos, hippos, and lots of other wildlife.  We’re also sure to see a dazzling variety of birds.

    Next we visit Ngorongoro Crater, another World Heritage Site and another justifiably celebrated wildlife sanctuary.  Wildebeest and Cape buffalo wander through the plains at the bottom of the crater, while predators lay in wait.  Our lodge sits on the eastern rim of the crater, providing spectacular sunset views across the crater.  En route to Ngorongoro we’ll stop briefly at the rim of Olduvai Gorge, site of many archaeological discoveries of early hominids.   We’ll give a nod to our early ancestors as we visit the fine little museum here.

    The optional extension visits two other National Parks, Lake Manyara and Tarangire.  Manyara features extensive wetlands and a luxuriant forest at the base of the rift valley escarpment.  Tarangire’s landscape includes hundreds of massive baobob trees, a vast marsh where elephants come to bathe, and the narrow Tarangire River, a mecca for wildlife during dry periods.  Both parks are exceptional birding locales, though each also provides great opportunities for seeing East Africa’s great mammals.

    Wildlife safaris to East Africa are necessarily expensive.  Park fees are very expensive, yet these fees are crucial to protect the wildlife and the habitats here, and it’s costly to move supplies into the remote lodge locations.  We’re confident, however, that our tour provides exceptional value.  We’ll visit prime destinations, with top safari vehicles and exceptional guides.  Our lodges are simply spectacular, and the meals are wonderful.  For the full itinerary and registration information contact the Audubon Naturalist Society’s travel desk at (301) 652-9188 x11, or hit the “e-mail me” button below, send me your mailing address, and I’ll be sure that you receive the full packet.