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Authentic Camping Safari & Run
with Kathy Loper and Kurt Bodmer
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Kathy Loper
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The crater floor itself is 260 sq km's and from the viewing points at the rim the vast herds of wildebeest, buffalo and zebra look like mere ant formations winding their way across the grasslands below! The crater is also home to a great diversity of environments and you may encounter all of the large herbivores mentioned above, as well as lions, hyenas, jackals, male elephant (females and family groups tend to stay up on the higher slopes) and, in the forest around the rim, occasional leopard and bushbuck. There is an active black rhino breeding project inside the crater and you may be lucky enough to spot some of these magnificent, shy beasts during your tour, but sightings are limited as breeding areas are strictly protected and usually closed to public access.
The crater rim can be very cold at night and cloaked in mist in the early mornings. It can also be quite bleak and windy (July and August).
All meals included. Overnight...
Private Campsite inside Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Tue 23Feb ~ Ngorongoro Crater - Serengeti National Park.
This morning we break camp and embark on a game drive into the great Serengeti plains. Before crossing from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area into the Serengeti National Park we should take the opportunity to visit the Olduvai Gorge where we may attend a short talk on the archaeological importance of Olduvai and the work of Mary and Louis Leakey in excavating the area and discovering some of Africa's most important hominid fossils. You may like to consider an optional extra of a visit to a Masai village boma where you can spend some time learning about the culture, traditions and beliefs of this ancient, noble warrior tribe. |
The Serengeti is unequalled for its beauty and contains more than three million large mammals spread over the vast endless plains. It is here, at certain times of the year, that we may encounter the breathtaking spectacle of the annual wildebeest migration, where one and a quarter million wildebeest trek in columns of up to forty kilometres long in search of grazing, drawing with them their predators and numerous other species of game. From January to March the herds can largely be found in the southern area, proceeding north through the centre and Western Corridor during June and July before entering Kenya's Masai Mara. They return south in November to repeat this amazing instinctive procession all over again. Please note, we plan to use our seasonal Serengeti Wilderness Tented Camp for the nights spent in the Serengeti on this itinerary. This is NOT however, guaranteed, but is offered as a free upgrade on the scheduled departures only, subject to availability. Your consultant will confirm with you close to date of travel where you will be staying. Should the camp not be available, we will pre-book our campsite in the area where the migration is anticipated but please note that the movement of game in recent years has proved to be highly unpredictable due to abnormal weather patterns disrupting the growth of vegetation and thus the food sources followed by the herds.
All meals included. Overnight Serengeti National Park.
Wed 24Feb & Thu 25Feb ~ Serengeti
Morning and afternoon game drives in Serengeti National Park. |
Africa's most famous game reserve covers an area of almost 15 000 sq km and is world-renowned for its dense predator population and the annual wildebeest migration. The park is part of the much large Serengeti eco-system, which includes Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve, and encompasses more than double this area. The greater park of the park is open grassland, patches of acacia woodland and isolated areas of granite rock outcrops called koppies. Animal migration is linked to the annual rainfall patterns and its effect on their feeding habitats. Formerly the home of the Masai tribe who displaced the Datoga pastoralists in the 17th century, the name Serengeti is derived from the Masai word serengit, meaning "endless plain". The national park was created by the Tanzania Government in 1951 and became famous through the work of Professor Bernard Grzimek (in particular his book 'Serengeti Shall Not Die').
Huge herds of wildebeest and zebra can be found here along with smaller concentrations of Thomson's gazelle, Grant's gazelle, impala, kongoni, Kirk's did dik, klipspringer and small numbers of roan, oryx, oribi, eland and waterbuck. There are also significant numbers of buffalo, giraffe and warthog. Elephants are relatively scarce on the open plains, more common in the northern areas and the western corridor. The few remaining black rhinos are restricted to an inaccessible part of the park. But the most popular animals to be found here in greater abundance than elsewhere on the northern circuit are the cats.
Lions, cheetahs and leopard may all be seen here along with other predators, such as the spotted hyena, golden and black-backed jackals, wild cats and servals.
All meals included. Overnight Serengeti National Park.
Or...
For those who have pre-booked this "optional" adventure, enjoy an early morning spectacular Balloon Safari (1 hour flight) during sunrise, viewing countless game from above, followed by champagne breakfast after landing.
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Optional Balloon Safari at SerengetiThu 25Feb ~ Serengeti
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Camp.Fri 26Feb ~ Serengeti - Arusha - Moshi
Depart camp after breakfast to be driven to the local airstrip (viewing game en route) to catch the scheduled Regional Air flight at 11:05 back to Arusha. Met upon arrival at 12:15 by a Wild Frontiers representative, to be transferred to Arusha town to enjoy lunch at Stiggy's Bar & Grill (lunch is included).Please note that drinks are excluded and will be for your own account. In the afternoon continue driving to MOSHI to arrive late afternoon at your designated hotel (Keys Hotel or AMEG Lodge).
KEYS HOTEL
A basic trekker's hotel. Small, it has a swimming pool, bar, garden area and restaurant. The rooms are a little old fashioned, but comfortable. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. This will be your base hotel for the run and the trek as it is also Race Central and Kili Trek Central.
AMEG LODGE
The lodge has been constructed with local Tanzanian materials and designed to combine antique African, and modern contemporary styles. It is set in beautiful gardens and has a quiet, relaxing feeling.
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Sat 27Feb ~ In Moshi
Breakfast and lunch at your hotel.Day at leisure to relax from your safari and prepare for the race!
Morning visit to the Amani Children's Home. You may also like to walk into town, or just relax at your hotel in the afternoon.
1500 We will collect guests from AMEG, and transfer them to Keys Hotel for the race briefing.
1600 Race Bib packet distribution and briefing/description at the Keys Hotel, to get acquainted with the route of your marathon, half marathon or 5k run.
Special carbo-loading Pasta Dinner at Keys Hotel, includes Ameg guests.
Sun 28Feb ~ In Moshi - RACE DAY!!!
Guests staying at AMEG will be collected early this morning and transferred to the start of the race. We will be running a shuttle bus service today both to and from the event at regular intervals. Guests at Keys will walk half a mile to the run start. More information will be available at your hotel.The marathon route leaves Moshi Stadium and heads down towards the town, and then along the main road in the direction of Dar-Es-Salaam for approximately 8-9k. This section of the route is relatively flat, and there are plenty of well-wishers along the road. We turn around and head back through the town of Moshi before turning towards Mount Kilimanjaro and heading up a long, steady ascent towards Mweka at the foot of the mountain. The uphill climb is gradual, leads through villages and coffee plantations, with the Kilimanjaro towering above and all the local villagers out to cheer you on this early Sunday morning - the time passes quickly. The turnaround point marks approximately 32km and the last section is a fast downhill run back toward the stadium. Regular water tables as well as "sponging points" and the odd "shower" keep the runners refreshed and cool along the entire route.
For those running the half marathon, the route also starts at the Moshi Stadium and after a short section on the flat, it follows the gradual uphill route to Mweka as per the full marathon - before turning around at approx 10k to return to the stadium. The atmosphere in the stadium is electric with local bands playing, entertainment, crowds of local enthusiasts to cheer the runners, and lots of food and drink for sale.
Goody bag/finisher medal for Full and Half. Enjoy a cool-down at our own Wild Frontiers Hospitality Tent with free water and beer.
The 5k fun run heads off from the stadium and does a short loop around town, where the crowds will cheer you on, before returning to the stadium.
After the run, awards presentation with a fun time at the stadium.
For more details on the 2010 Kilimanjaro running event, go to www.kilimanjaromarathon.com
Lunch at your hotel.
1700 "Happy Hour" and Trek briefing by the Pool at the Keys Hotel. Ameg guests will be transferred to/from.
1900 BBQ Dinner at Keys Hotel. AMEG Lodge guest will join the rest of the group.
Mon 01Mar ~ Moshi - USA
Breakfast at the hotel.Day at leisure in Moshi, relax from your run. Time for shopping.
Lunch provided at your hotel.
For those continuing on to the trek tomorrow, please collect your pre-ordered trekking gear from the Keys Hotel rental department during your stay in Moshi, but no later than today. Your actual trekking permit will be secured today by Wild Frontiers/Keys.
Dinner provided at your hotel for those on the trek.
For those returning home, you will be transferred to the airport for your evening flight from Kilimanjaro to Amsterdam. Only breakfast and lunch will be provided to guests flying out tonight. Our rooms will be held for 6:00 PM check-out.
1830 Transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.
Mon 01 Mar 2150 ~ Leave KILIMANJARO
Breakfast at the hotel.Day at leisure in Moshi, relax from your run.
Lunch and dinner provided at your hotel.
2010 on KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL/569, MD-11, late evening snack and breakfast served, non-stop.
For those on to the trek tomorrow, please review your trekking gear to ensure you have all your equipment.
Tue 02Mar ~ AMSTERDAM - MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL
0720 Arrive AMSTERDAM Schipol Airport (change planes).1020 Leave Amsterdam Schipol on NORTHWEST AIRLINES, NW/41, Airbus A-330, non-stop, lunch and snack served.