Northern Tanzania Safari (October 1-15)

Andy, Marcia and we started planning an "African safari" in the fall of 2012. After online research and a strong recommendation from some friends, we chose Access 2 Tanzania for a two week exploration of Tanzania's northern parks. Our guide, Maningo, was a fantastic driver, animal spotter, and all-around great guy.

Maningo & "The Gang"

It was not a photography oriented trip as most of our activities occurred in the middle of the day, under bright sun. Nonetheless, I did take a full photography "kit" and managed to come back with 13,000 photos!

Here is a brief summary of this safari portion of our overall trip:

• One acclimatization day in the Arumeru River area near our arrival airport, Arusha. We hiked through the neighboring Meru Rain Forest Preserve primarily to see its Blue and White Colobus monkeys. (stayed at Arumeru River Lodge)

• A late afternoon game drive in West Kilimanjaro's conservation area and a day hike on the Shira Plateau high on the flanks of Mt. Kilimanjaro. (stayed at Kambi ya Tembo Tent Camp)

• 2+ days exploring Tarangire National Park. On the way we shopped in Arusha and later explored a local village's market day. (stayed at Maramboi Tented Camp)

• A day in the Rhotia Valley where we hiked down from the Ngorongoro Crater rim and also visited the Rhotia Valley Children's Home. On the way we visited a Maasai village. (stayed at Rhotia Valley Tented Lodge)

• Two days on game drives in the Ngorongoro Crater and a stop at the famous Olduvai Gorge archaeological site. (stayed at Sopa Ngorongoro Lodge)

• Three+ days on game drives in the central Seronera & northern portions of the Serengeti National Park. We also went on an early morning hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. (stayed at Serengeti Wilderness & Serengeti Migration Camps)

Further details and pictures can be found in each of these galleries: