Wildlife Safari in Tanzania: A Treasure Trove of Wildlife and Culture October 31-November 11, 2018

Your Professional Naturalist-Guide: Robert Marks Moshi

Robert Marks Moshi is a native Tanzanian with the distinction of being adopted at a very early age and raised by a Scottish missionary doctor. Robert's love for conservation and wildlife started early and he earned his master's degree by focusing on the study of elephants and their behavior. His mentor is Cynthia Moss and he spent time studying in her Amboseli headquarters, as well as the Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi. Now a naturalist guide back in his beloved native land, Robert lives in bustling Arusha when he is not showing guests around Tanzania, but he is most at home in the wild where his keen eye can spot a lion or a cheetah in the distance and his passion for his fellow people is evident as he shares insights and lore. Robert has a generous heart and a gentle smile and is excited to share the glories of Tanzania with you.

Your Itinerary

DAY 1~WEDNESDAY~OCTOBER 31

WASHINGTON, DC/ EN ROUTE

Your journey begins as you board your flight to Amsterdam via KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. (Meals Aloft)

DAY 2~THURSDAY~NOVEMBER 1

AMSTERDAM/ARUSHA

This morning you land in Amsterdam where you change planes for your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by your Classic Escapes representative and transferred to your hotel, where you will enjoy the balance of your day at leisure.

Located on a coffee plantation on the shores of the lake from which it gets its name, the Lake Duluti Serena Hotel is the perfect place to relax before embarking on your safari experience. Designed in the style of an African village, guests are housed in cottages thatched with banana fronds, surrounded by tropical shade trees and bougainvillea. All guest rooms have en suite bathrooms and many amenities. The lodge boasts magnificent views of the mighty snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro on one side and Lake Duluti and the rugged peaks of Mount Meru on the other.

Overnight at the LAKE DULUTI SERENA HOTEL. (Meals Aloft)

http://www.serenahotels.com/serenaarusha/en/default.html

DAY 3~FRIDAY~NOVEMBER 2

ARUSHA/MTO WA MBU VILLAGE/ LAKE MANYARA

Wake up excited to begin your safari adventure and drive to Mto Wa Mbu, a modern village made up of people from several tribal areas, at the foot of the Great Rift Valley and next to Lake Manyara National Park. A true ecotourism project, a portion of your fee for the visit goes towards supporting projects for the village. Following a lunch of traditional Tanzanian dishes served under banana trees in the heart of the village, explore the area with your village guides.

Check into your lodge in the afternoon, and enjoy a forest hike from your lodge. This 2.5 to 3-hours hike is medium to high in strenuousness, but it's a rewarding way to experience nature on foot. Your hike will be down the Great Rift Valley, through dense ground water forest. You'll view birds, monkeys, bushbuck and other forest animals. Immerse yourself in the sounds of the forest while the fresh steams and waterfalls surround you.

Your accommodation is the Lake Manyara Serena Lodge, on the edge of the Mto Wa Mbu escarpment, overlooking the Great Rift Valley and the stunning Manyara soda lake. The great birds of prey that glide on thermals below your balcony inspired the design of Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge - swooping curves are complemented by soft, geometric patterns; stylish murals depict bird migration patterns. The circular shape of the buildings is a tribute to indigenous architectural traditions. All rooms have en suite facilities and private balconies overlooking the escarpment and the lake beyond. There is a curio shop, a swimming pool with vanishing horizon to Lake Manyara and a pool bar.

Overnight at MANYARA SERENA SAFARI LODGE. (B,L,D)

www.serenahotels.com/tanzania/lakemanyara/home.asp

Driving time from Mountain Village to Lake Manyara: 2-3 hours on good tarmac roads

DAY 4~SATURDAY~NOVEMBER 3

LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast at your lodge you will enjoy a full day of activities including game drives and a walk among the treetops to experience untouched nature and wildlife from a unique perspective. Your morning starts with a walk through the treetops on the Treetop Walkway for a sky-high adventure through the beautiful forest of Lake Manyara. Walk among the treetops and experience untouched nature and wildlife from a unique perspective. This 1,213 feet airwalk starts with a short board-walk that gradually rises from ground level up through the canopy of the forest. You walk over a series of suspension bridges with thick netting on the sides, and reach a height of 59 feet off the ground. Each of the bridges end on a viewing deck situated around tree trunks. These treetop platforms are perfect places to stop and enjoy life in the canopy amongst butterflies, monkeys and birds.

Continue on a game drive at Lake Manyara National Park, an ornithological paradise with over 350 species of birds. You may see Verreaux's Eagle, a variety of vultures, storks, swifts and swallows winging their way atop the spectacular cliffs overlooking the lake which often has a pinkish hue due to the flamingos, pelicans and storks shimmering in the distance.

Lake Manyara, at 3,150 feet in altitude, varies in salinity levels with wetter and drier climate cycles, and at times it is replete with flamingos, pelicans, storks and cormorants. Springs in the park's northern end support a dense groundwater forest of magnificent giant fig and mahogany trees which shelter blue and vervet monkeys and an abundance of baboons, bushbuck, waterbuck, and elephant. South of the groundwater forest, acacia woodland and open grassland are frequented by buffalo, wildebeest, impala, giraffe, zebra, and the elusive tree-climbing lions - the signature of this park. Perhaps the most recognizable tree found here is the baobab tree, which folklore says was uprooted and planted upside down. The hippo pool, where visitors may get out of their vehicles, is located on a freshwater stream that enters the lake at its northern tip.

Overnight at MANYARA SERENA SAFARI LODGE. (B, Picnic L,D)

DAYS 5/6~SUNDAY/MONDAY~NOVEMBER 4/5

NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA

Leave Lake Manyara behind as you drive to Gibb's Farm for lunch. Gibb's Farm is an oasis of green, calm and beauty, in a landscape that can often be parched, dry and dusty. This privately owned farm is notorious for its cuisine. The food is delicious, with fresh vegetables from the gardens cooked with care. Lunch includes a wide selection of savory pies and salads, served buffet style.

You will also visit a traditional Iraqw home. The Iraqw are the local tribe that has inhabited the immediate Ngorongoro highlands in the area for over 200 years. The home is built entirely using traditional materials and methods of construction, just as it would have been 200 years ago. You will see many of the tools and weapons used by the Iraqw. Try your hand at grinding maize the traditional way using grinding stones and listen to a presentation and demonstration of Iraqw skirt making.

Continue to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and your home for the next two nights. On your second day here, board your landrover for an amazing journey as you descend onto the floor of the crater, a World Heritage site, which is an extinct volcano and the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The cone is believed to have collapsed nearly two million years ago, and while the cone was standing, it could have been as tall, if not taller, than Mount Kilimanjaro. The crater (1,800 feet deep and 102 square miles) is a microcosm of East African scenery with abundant wildlife including more than 25,000 larger animals, mostly zebra and wildebeest. This is also the best place in Tanzania to see magnificent black-maned lions. This area offers an outstanding opportunity to see black rhinos, as they are protected around the clock. Over the years, the floor of this crater has become mostly savannah (grassland), with a soda lake whose size changes depending on the rains that are the lifeline of this amazing land. On this lake, marvel at the colorful flamingos and a variety of other water birds - more than 100 species of birds found here that are not found in the Serengeti. Resident Ostriches, Crowned Cranes, and Kori Bustards are joined seasonally by migrant flocks of White and Abdim's Storks. Patience may also reward you with glimpses of leopard, cheetah, hyena, jackal, elephant, warthog, buffalo, impala, buffalo, hartebeest, eland and many other antelopes. As you descend, you might be able to see the local Maasai as they take their cattle down the steep walls of the crater. It is their right, negotiated with the government and parks authority, to graze their cattle in about 75% of the crater floor. The mix of cattle with the wild animals makes for some terrific photographs, and the interaction between domestic and wild animals is almost non-existent. Your wildlife-viewing will be dramatic, and the experience memorable. Return to the rim of the crater six hours later (regulations now specify that no one can stay longer than six hours daily on the crater floor) and drive to your lodge in time for a late lunch.

In the afternoon, visit a Maasai village and learn about this fascinating culture that has existed through the millennia in perfect harmony with nature.

As if in a land before time, the Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge is built at the rim of the crater. The plant and ivy-covered native stone blends masterfully with its surroundings and the flowering plants attract a plethora of colorful birds. Most of the 75 rooms have private terraces with views of the crater floor where countless animals make their home. Here, visitors exist in perfect harmony with the natural environment and the wildlife that inhabits it.

Overnights at the NGORONGORO SERENA SAFARI LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)

www.serenahotels.com/tanzania/ngorongoro/home.asp

Driving Times:
From Lake Manyara to Gibbs Farm: 30 minutes/1 hour on tarmac and dirt road
From Gibbs Farm to Ngorongoro Serena: about 2 hours mostly on dirt road
From Ngorongoro Serena to Crater Floor: 30-45 minutes on dirt road

DAYS 7/8~TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY~NOVEMBER 6/7

OLDUPAI GORGE/SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

You now drive to the legendary Oldupai Gorge. The drive to the gorge is breathtaking - passing through a spectacular mix of savannah grassland and volcanic hills, where red-robed Maasai graze their cattle, before it drops steeply down into the gorge itself. The name originated from the Maasai word "ole" meaning "the place of" and "dupai" meaning "wild sisal," a local plant resembling aloe which grows abundantly in the area. This plant has yellow-green, succulent, spear-like leaves which form dense clumps, binding the loose soil of the gorge and sheltering many other plants and animals. Domesticated sisal is used to produce rope, rugs and baskets which are sold at the local markets and is one of the biggest exports of Tanzania.

Oldupai is one of the world's most important paleoanthropological locations. This is where, in 1959, Mary and Louis Leakey found fossil evidence of the 1.7-million-year-old Australopithecus Boisei (Zinjanthropus) and Homo Habilis (Handyman). Thousands of stone tools, some of which have been used by Homo Habilis, have been found at Oldupai; the oldest style is easiest to remember, because it is called Oldowon. In addition to the remarkable human fossils, prehistoric elephant, giant horned sheep and enormous Ostrich fossils have been found here and extinct species unearthed include three-toed horses and giant antelope. Since the Leakeys first began searching the area for clues to our distant past, more than sixty hominid remains have been excavated, belonging to four different hominids, showing the gradual increase in brain size and in the complexity of their stone tools. The gorge itself is a very steep-sided ravine roughly 30 miles long and 295 feet deep. It resembles a small Grand Canyon with exposed strata of different layers where the deposits of rich fossil fauna, hominid remains and stone tools were found. The gray lines are volcanic tuffs and eruptions are used to estimate the age of the fossils. You will want to visit the museum which contains a cast of the 3.7 million year old footsteps of Australopithecus Afarensis preserved in solidified volcanic ash, found at nearby Laetoli by Mary Leakey in 1979. Outside the museum a Tanzanian guide will explain the geological features of the gorge and the work of the Leakey's.

Resume your drive to Serengeti National Park (3,646,500 acres), the jewel in the crown of Tanzania's protected areas with over 3 million large mammals roaming its plains. It lies between Ngorongoro and Lake Victoria and adjoins Kenya's Maasai Mara. The Serengeti has come to symbolize paradise to all, including the local Maasai, who have grazed their cattle on the vast grassy plains for generations. To the Maasai, it is Siringitu - "the place where the land moves on forever." Today, the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the Maasai Mara Reserve across the border in Kenya, protect the greatest and most varied collection of terrestrial wildlife on earth, and one of the last great migratory systems still intact.

More than a million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and other herbivores, descend upon the short-grass plains of the southeastern Serengeti at the start of the rainy season around December. After calving in January and February, they scatter over the southern and central plains. By May the rains end, the grass has been reduced to stubble, and the animals begin their long November to dry-season grazing grounds near the permanent waters of the Serengeti's northern woodlands and Kenya's Maasai Mara. Reaching these destinations by July or so, they remain until October, when they head back to the southeastern Serengeti. This struggle for survival continues unaided and unaltered through the millennia!

The Serengeti is incredible to visit any time of the year. In the Seronera Valley towering yellow fever trees and palm thickets line the Seronera River and its hippo pools. This is a superb area for seeing predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah, and their prey - giraffe, topi, Bohor reedbuck, Defassa waterbuck, buffalo and impala. The kopjes (prehistoric rock outcroppings) host the hyrax, dwarf mongoose, and red-headed agama, while patience might reward you with a sleepy black-maned male lion or leopard. The open grassland is home to large groups of Thomson's and Grant's gazelles, spotted hyena, jackal, and such birds as the Double-banded Courser, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Red-capped Lark, Fischer's Sparrow-lark, and Capped Wheatear. Your twice-daily wildlife drives will allow ample viewing.

As an optional excursion, you can take a balloon safari for an exhilarating experience over the Savannah as the early sun rises and the animals are more active.

Your accommodation, the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, is set high on a hill with breathtaking vistas of sweeping grasslands and the unspoiled wild landscape of the Serengeti plains. The lodge design is simple but stunning. Inspired by a traditional African village, separate rondavel "huts" house the luxury guest rooms that have their own view of the vast Serengeti plains. From the overall impression to the smallest detail, the lodge is rich in local atmosphere created by indigenous handicrafts and art. A delightful water feature runs through the main public areas, creating a natural source of waterborne plants and provides a home to many native species of reptiles, amphibians and birds.

Overnights at the SERENGETI SERENA SAFARI LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)

www.serenahotels.com/tanzania/serengeti/home.asp

Driving Times:
From Ngorongoro Serena to Oldupai Gorge: 20-30 minutes on dirt road
From Oldupai Gorge to Serengeti Serena: 3-4 hours (not including wildlife viewing en route) on dirt track

DAYS 9/10~THURSDAY/FRIDAY~NOVEMBER 8/9

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK/GRUMETI RIVER

Continue your visit of Serengeti National Park today as you travel to your next accommodation. You will enjoy a wildlife drive en route. You will be in the famed Grumeti River area in the Western Corridor, a picturesque part of the Serengeti, where the drama of the migration unfolds May through June and even into July. This is a truly beautiful area to spend two nights and you're sure to find some kopjes (rocky outcroppings) to enjoy the panorama that unfolds before your eyes. Grumeti is famous for the huge crocodiles and hippo pools, and you'll get an opportunity to see both.

Your accommodation for the next two nights will be at Kirawira, a reincarnation of an elegant Victorian era outpost, set against the imposing backdrop of the Western Serengeti. Here, guests experience Africa's majesty as if they are among the first to travel these extraordinary lands. Set upon a hill with commanding views of endless savannah, the luxury tented camp beckons you to experience the soul of the African wilderness. The camp is built in the remote regions of the Grumeti River and is home to a wide variety of big wildlife - lion, buffalo, cheetah, wildebeest, giraffe, baboon and gazelle. From almost anywhere, there are spectacular vistas of the Serengeti stretching to the horizon. Kirawira's carefully landscaped grounds are in complete harmony with their natural surroundings. Guests enjoy the highest standards of personalized attention, accommodation, meals and service.

Overnights at KIRAWIRA CAMP. (B,L,D Daily)

www.serenahotels.com/tanzania/serengeti/home.asp

Driving times from Serengeti Serena to Kirawira Camp: 2 hours (not including wildlfie viewing en route) on dirt track

DAY 11~SATURDAY~NOVEMBER 10

ARUSHA/AMSTERDAM/EN ROUTE

Last chance to photograph that awesome sunrise before flying back to Arusha. Lunch will be provided and a dayroom at the LAKE DULUTI SERENA LODGE. Later in the early evening, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport to catch your overnight flight back homevia Amsterdam. (B,L, Meals Aloft)

DAY 12~SUNDAY~NOVEMBER 11

WASHINGTON D.C.

Today you land in Washington D.C., bringing with you the memories of all the wonderful sights of East Africa. (Meals Aloft)

Optional Post-Extension to Zanzibar

DAY 11~SATURDAY~NOVEMBER 10

ARUSHA/ZANZIBAR

Last chance to photograph that awesome sunrise before flying back to Arusha, where you bid farewell to your fellow tour members who are returning to the USA and embark on your adventure. Connect with your flight to Zanzibar, the best kept secret in the Indian Ocean, with its fascinating history and magnificent beaches. The Assyrians, Sumerians, Egyptians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, Persians, Portuguese, Omani Arabs, Dutch and English have all been here at one time or another. Some, particularly the Shirazi Persians and Omani Arabs, stayed to settle and rule. With this influence, Zanzibar has become predominantly Islamic, with the remaining population made up of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs. The earliest visitors to Zanzibar were Arab traders who are said to have arrived in the 8th century. For centuries they sailed with the Monsoon winds from Oman to trade primarily in ivory, slaves and spices. The earliest building that remains on Zanzibar is the mosque at Kizimkazi which dates from 1107, and is a present-day tourist attraction. Zanzibar has two main islands, Unguja (normally known as Zanzibar Island) and Pemba. Stone Town, located on Zanzibar Island, is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, where little has changed in the last 200 years. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This one-upmanship is particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors - there are more than 500 different examples of this handiwork. Stone Town was recently and deservedly declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Begin to experience Zanzibar's fascinating history and vibrant culture with a tour of fabled Stone Town. Visit the House of Wonders, the Palace Museum (People's Palace), Dr. Livingstone's House, the Arab Fort, and the National Museum of Zanzibar, which houses relics from the times of the Sultans and early explorers. See Zanzibar's bustling market, winding alleyways, ornately carved and studded doors, two cathedrals and countless mosques. Visit the Anglican Church, built in 1874 on the site of the old slave market, and see the chambers beneath it where slaves were held before they were sold. You will see the site of Sultan Barghash's harem at Marahubi, with its colorful history. Stone Town also has many excellent gift shops with plenty of souvenirs and handicrafts to choose from.

Your home for the next two nights Zanzibar Serena Inn, has joined the ranks of the world's finest resorts as a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. This stunning property is set in two historic seafront buildings that have been masterfully restored to their previous grandeur, when Zanzibar was a crossroads visited by travelers and merchants from all corners of the globe. Interiors echo Zanzibar's rich Arabic influence - or ustaarabu - as well as the island's indigenous East African roots. The rooms are elegant and romantic, each overlooking the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. There is a restaurant and bar as well as an outdoor swimming pool with poolside cafe bar and shop. An extensive selection of recreation and water sport activities are available to guests.

Overnight at the ZANZIBAR SERENA INN (in standard rooms). (B, Packed L)

www.serenahotels.com/zanzibar/inn/home.asp

DAY 12~SUNDAY~NOVEMBER 11

ZANZIBAR~SPICE TOUR & JOZANI FOREST

The history of Zanzibar would be incomplete without the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices which brought the Sultans of Oman and the beginnings of the infamous slave trade. This morning, you will visit a plantation and have your senses dazzled with fresh spices. A detailed description will be given about these spices and their uses in cooking and cosmetics. You will be fascinated by the sheer number of spices produced and their incredible value for many ailments. This is an excellent opportunity to purchase spices and spice oils at the best prices.

Drive to the Jozani Natural Forest Reserve, located in the central east region of Zanzibar Island and home to the rare red colobus monkey, endemic to Zanzibar (so named for a red spot on its head). These habituated monkeys are full of character and, although completely free, tend to feed just outside the reserve's perimeter. They are extraordinarily photogenic as they leap from tree to tree just above you. Jozani is home to other species including Syke's monkeys, small buck and bushpigs. The elusive Zanzibar leopard, last sited several years ago, is said to feed here at night. (Perhaps this is why the reserve is only open during the day?) Jozani has an excellent nature trail and the guides are well-trained and informative.

Overnight at the ZANZIBAR SERENA INN. (B)

DAYS 13/14~MONDAY/TUESDAY~NOVEMBER 12/13

ZANZIBAR~ MATEMWE BUNGALOWS

Today you drive to your resort by the sea and your home for the next two nights, where the remainder of the day is at leisure. Enjoy two days of decadent leisure as you relax at your own pace. One afternoon, you may visit Kizimkazi (optional), an interesting fishing village at the southern point of the island that is the site of a 12th Century mosque, and the earliest evidence of Islam in East Africa. Here you will board a small boat to search for the spinner and bottle-nosed dolphins that are commonly seen here. Once found, you will be invited to enter the water to swim with the dolphins that seem to be as curious about you as you are of them.

Matemwe Bungalows is a small, intimate guest lodge situated on a rocky outcrop above a magnificent stretch of beach in north-east Zanzibar. It's by far one of the best, and most popular, guest lodges in Zanzibar, offering wonderful personal service and great views over Mnemba. The rooms of the main lodge are strung out along the rocky coastline. There is a beautiful sweep of white beach situated at the far end beyond the lodge. The thatched bungalows nestled in gardens along the sea cliff, all with views of the sea. The lodge offers kayaking and snorkeling within the protective fringing reef as well as sailing on their dhow or with a local fisherman in their wooden outrigger canoe. You can also walk to the village or explore the beach on hired bicycles. The open-walled restaurant is gloriously positioned with views of the ocean. It's decorated attractively with light wooden tables and dark-blue canvas chairs. Meals combine African and European flavors. Breakfast is a variety of fruit, yoghurt, eggs and bread. Ask for the spicy tea. Lunch is a generous buffet and dinner usually is a three-course, set meal with a choice of meat, fish or vegetarian. The desserts choccie pud and crème caramel - are always delicious.

Overnights at the MATEMWE BUNGALOWS. (B,L,D Daily)

www.matemwe.com

DAY 15~WEDNESDAY~NOVEMBER 14

ZANZIBAR/DAR ES SALAAM/EN ROUTE

Your final morning is at leisure to relax and enjoy this paradise. This afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Dar es Salaam, where you connect with your flights toAmsterdam and home. (B, Meals Aloft)

DAY 16~THURSDAY~NOVEMBER 15

AMSTERDAM//WASHINGTON D.C.

Arrive Washington D.C., bringing with you the memories of all the wonderful sights of East Africa. (Meals Aloft)

Optional Balloon Safari Options in Tanzania

Experience an exhilarating balloon safari for the most incredible way of viewing wildlife. It begins in the early morning and you have an hour of uninterrupted views of wildlife from the air - the best way to see the incessant movement of animals and the fabulous vistas of Tanzania. During the flight, you will ascend to a high altitude to take in an amazing panoramic view and then descend to treetop level and silently glide above the wildlife below. Upon landing, enjoy a "bubbly" brunch, set especially for you in the middle of the plains. Zebra and wildebeest may be your dining guests, and Africa's colorful birds may vie for a crumb of your bread. You then meet with your driver/guide and continue your safari. Many consider this one of the most memorable experiences of their safari. We suggest booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

At present, the costs are as follows:

• Serengeti with collection from your lodge - Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge: $539 per person (currently, subject to change)

Reservations for this excursion are necessary before departure from the USA, if you wish to be guaranteed a seat. Full payment must be forwarded to Classic Escapes, 58-25 Queens Blvd., Woodside, NY 11377 to be received at least three weeks prior to departure. If your trip does not materialize due to weather or other reasons, your payment will be refunded upon returning to the U.S.A. However, if you should cancel for any reason, payment is non-refundable.

Inclusions

• Flights within Africa as specified. On the main safari in Tanzania: Serengeti to Arusha. On the post-extension: Grumeti to Zanzibar and Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam.
• Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
• All meals on safari in Tanzania; all other meals as specified.
• All wildlife viewing by private 4X4 vehicle with photo roof, driven by a naturalist guide. A window seat is guaranteed.
• Visit to a Maasai village.
• Complimentary bottled water in vehicles and during meals.
• Professional naturalist will accompany the group with 10 travelers.
• Enrichment lecturer with a minimum of 15 travelers on the main program and 10 on the extension.
• All applicable hotel and lodge taxes and gratuities.
• All park entry fees.
• Complimentary luggage tags and passport wallet.
• Complimentary Emergency Evacuation Insurance.

Exclusions

• Round trip air transportation between Washington D.C and Arusha including taxes and fuel surcharges (quoted separately).
• Gratuities to driver/guides and other conveyance attendants.
• Passport and visa fees and service charges for obtaining visas.
• Excess baggage charges levied by airlines.
• Meals and beverages, other than specified.
• Laundry and other items of a personal nature.
• Personal and baggage insurance.
• Cost for anything not specifically mentioned in the listing above.

Please Note That The Itinerary Sequence Is Correct At The Time Of Writing, But Is Subject To Change.

Bring-a-Book Foundation

Your safari will include a visit to a local school. We encourage you to bring colorful books and magazines, as well as schools supplies such as pens, paper, crayons, soccer balls, etc., which you can present to the children during your visit. Many of these children have never owned a book in their life and the connection you'll make with them is invaluable. You'll find that children in the schools are eager to meet with visitors, practice their English, learn about your culture and proudly share their own. You are often welcomed with a local song or dance.

After seeing schools first hand, meeting the dedicated teachers working under the most difficult conditions and children hungry for knowledge, many travelers have wanted to help the schools they visited or continue to support a child's learning opportunities after they return to their homes. Bring-A-Book is an innovative effort adopted by Classic Escapes to expand education opportunities for school children. The Bring-A-Book Foundation is a registered Kenyan Charitable Trust that was created as a way to facilitate travelers' wishes to help the schools and is used to get books into the hands of children as quickly and economically as possible. With compassionate ground operators such as Rangers Safaris, Wilderness Safaris and &Beyond, Classic Escapes has expanded the reach of BAB to Tanzania, South Africa and Zambia, and to other countries our travelers visit around the world. Information will be given to you with your final documents, but if you wish to help further, feel free to call Classic Escapes at 800-627-1244 for details.

Classic Escapes Conservation Fund

In keeping with our mission to provide exciting, educational, and fun-filled experiences that nurture and directly support the diverse wildlife and cultures we visit around the world, Classic Escapes has established the Classic Escapes Conservation Fund to ensure that a percentage of all profits go to support conservation and wildlife researchers performing their critical work in the field. Project support has included environmental education efforts in India, wild dog and cheetah conservation in Botswana, Kenya and Namibia, and global Earth Day education via school internet programs. By traveling with Classic Escapes, you are supporting travel as a tool for building the mutual respect, awareness and understanding that are vital to preserving this planet for future generations.

Things You Need to Know About Tanzania

Participants:

• Must be able to climb in and out of, as well as move around in confined quarters within safari 4 x 4 vehicles, minibuses, and small aircrafts unassisted. People need to be willing to rotate seats.
• Must be able to tolerate riding on uncomfortably uneven, bumpy roads (some with many potholes) for long periods of time (6-9 hours maximum), as well as some off-road experiences when opportunities allow.
• Must be able to stand and/or walk moderate distances when visiting villages, towns, or other sites. This walking will be on uneven ground or uphill, often at altitudes many people are not used to.
• Should generally be in good health and prepared to travel in locations without medical facilities.

In general, this trip requires:

• Flexibility and good humor - unexpected changes and/or glitches will occur
• A spirit of adventure and curiosity
• Interest in and willingness to appreciate a destination with a modest infrastructure and a bending definition of comfort. That being said, some locations are nestled in absolute luxury where pampering is the norm.

Choosing the best possible air arrangements for our travelers is always a challenge. We work with many airlines that offer the best level of service, routings and value for our programs. While there may indeed be more direct routings available with another airline, the cost of these flights may not be within the budget that allows us to give you the best value possible. If you prefer to purchase your own international air, please feel free to choose the "land only" rate for this program. The start and end city for this program is Arusha, Tanzania. Extension comes back from Dar es Salaam.

Upon registration, you must provide your full legal name as it appears on your passport. In the event an airline ticket is issued with incorrect information you have provided, you will be responsible for charges associated with reissuing the ticket.

Your Journey at a Glance

• INCLUDING: ARUSHA, LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK, NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA, OLDUPAI GORGE, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK & GRUMETI RIVER
• POST EXTENSION: ZANZIBAR
• SPONSORING ORGANIZATION: WASHINGTON & LEE TRAVELLER
• ESCORTED BY: A HOST FROM WASHINGTON & LEE UNIVERSITY
• DATES: OCTOBER 31 TO NOVEMBER 11, 2018
DEPARTURE CITY: WASHINGTON, D.C. (OTHER DEPARTURE CITIES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)

Cost

Prices per person, based on double occupancy	Main Program: based on 15 travelers	Zanzibar Post-Extension: based on 10 travelers
Land Only Cost	$5,995	$2,595
Estimated Air From DC	$995	N/A
Single Room Supplement	$1,890	$295

SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS ARE VALID FOR FIRST TWO SINGLE ROOMS BOOKED. IF MORE THAN TWO SINGLE ROOMS, ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENT MAY APPLY. SINGLES ARE ASSIGNED ON A FIRST COME/FIRST SERVE BASIS.

ALL INTERNATIONAL AIRFARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND BASED ON MINIMUM OF 10 TRAVELERS. TAXES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE UNTIL TICKETED. IF LESS THAN 10 TRAVELERS, THE FARE WILL INCREASE & SUPPLEMENTAL COSTS WILL BE GIVEN TO THE TRAVELERS PRIOR TO ISSUING THE TICKETS, APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. NOTE THAT THE SPECIAL RATES NEGOTIATED BY CLASSIC ESCAPES ARE NOT UPGRADABLE.

Conditions of Travel

Registration

How to Book

Fill out the reservation form below and send it to Office of Special Programs, Washington and Lee University, 204 W. Washington St., Lexington, VA 24450 together with a deposit of $750 per person, plus $250 for the extension. Upon receipt of your signed reservation form and deposit, we will, subject to availability, reserve your spot on the tour. You may consider your booking confirmed when you receive a confirmation notice and invoice from us.

Payments

Deposit

A deposit of $1,000 per person for the main trip and $250 for the extension must be submitted at the time of booking. Deposits may be paid by check or charged to American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover.

Final Payment

Final payment is due 95 days before departure (July 25, 2018) - you will receive a final invoice. Final payment is payable by check or money order ONLY.

Rates

Rates are based on the minimum number of guests outlined in this document, plus airfare costs, currency exchange rates and other factors and are subject to change. Though it is rare for Classic Escapes to make a price adjustment after promotion of an itinerary, we do reserve the right to assess a surcharge if the minimum is not met, or if increases are forced upon us by airlines or other partners or because of changes in currency exchange rates.

Not Included

Cost of passport and visa fees, and service charges for obtaining visa fees; excess baggage charges levied by airlines; laundry and other items of a personal nature; optional travel insurance policy; cost for anything not specifically included in listing above.

Single Supplement

The quoted rate is valid for the first two single rooms booked and on a first-come, first-served basis. If more than two single rooms are needed, an additional supplement will apply. Single accommodations are not guaranteed, but will be provided at additional cost if available (see reservation form for cost.) The single room supplement pays for privacy, not better accommodations. For passengers who are traveling alone and wish to share a room with another tour member, we will do our best to provide a roommate. However, if this is not possible, you will be required to pay the single room supplement prior to your departure from the USA.

Gratuities and Taxes

Gratuities for baggage handling, service charges and taxes imposed by hotels, and entrance fees to all points of interest as outlined in the itinerary are included. U.S. and foreign airport taxes are included in air costs. Tips to drivers and naturalist are NOT included.

Cancellations, Deviations & Changes

Travel Insurance

We recommend travel insurance. Travel insurance can provide financial reimbursement should the unexpected occur. Please find more information on purchasing travel insurance at the end of this section.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations are only effective on receipt of written notification. The following per person fees are applicable on this tour:

• Up to July 25, 2018, $300 per person handling fee, plus $300 non-refundable deposits given to overseas suppliers.
• July 26 to August 14, 2018, deposit is forfeited.
• August 15 to August 24, 2018 days prior to departure, less 50% of tour cost.
• After August 24, 2018, 100% of tour cost.

These cancellation fees are also in addition to any fees imposed by airlines.

Change Fees

Once you reserve your tour, changes are possible subject to availability of air or land space at the time of request. Should there be any change fees imposed by airlines or ground operators, or additional costs incurred due to availability of any space, this cost will be invoiced to you.

Special Arrangements

We would be happy to make additional travel plans for you, including specially arranged pre- or post-tour extensions different than those that may be offered in conjunction with this tour. A service charge of $150 per person (over and above the cost of the services required) will be assessed.

Documents

Passport & Visas

The onus is upon the guest to ensure that passports and visas are valid for the countries visited and for the applicable time period, as outlined by the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov) or by the passport holder's country. Classic Escapes, their staff and their agents cannot be held liable for any visas, etc. not held by the guests, nor for the cost of obtaining visas.

Pre-Departure Information

Upon receipt of your registration and deposit, we will send a pre-departure packet to you. This packet contains all the information you need to prepare for your tour, including the complete itinerary, packing checklist, required documents, etc.

Final Documents

Final documents and tickets will be sent to you approximately two weeks prior to departure, provided all monies have been paid in full.

Transportation

Optional Air Transportation

Roundtrip, economy-class flights via KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES and/or other IATAN carriers are between WASHINGTON D.C., and the destination city noted in the itinerary. Rates are based on special promotional fares; cancellation fees apply once tickets are issued. Departures from other cities in the USA are possible at additional cost; inquire at the time of reservation. Please note that these promotional fares are subject to 10 passengers traveling together on the same airline routing and itinerary. If this minimum is not met, the special group rates are not applicable and it might become necessary to issue instant purchase tickets earlier than when final payment is due in order to take advantage of airfares that are similar to the group rates. Should this occur, you will be contacted with the details.

Airline Seating

For KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES, we request seats together for the group. All planes are non-smoking. We can request a seating preference on your behalf, however requested seats cannot be guaranteed. Requests should be made in writing no later than 60 days prior to departure. Bulkhead and/or emergency row seats can only be requested at airport check-in on the day of departure. Boarding passes will only be issued at the airport on the day of departure. You may inquire about seat changes during check in, based on availability and is at the sole discretion of airport staff.

Frequent Flyer Mileage

As mentioned, we work primarily with KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES. For a list of the airline's partners, visit http://www.klm.com/travel/gb_en/about/company/skyteam_partners/index.htm ght check-ins and keep the boarding passes until you receive a statement with the mileage credit.

Transfers

Roundtrip airport transfers are included in the tour for guests arriving on group flights. If travelers make their own air arrangements, they will be subject to extra transfer fees.

Trip Details

Accommodations

You will marvel at the wonderful accommodations provided throughout your tour. All rooms have private bathroom facilities and air conditioning and/or fans. All rates are based on double occupancy. Most rooms are twin-bedded, but king-size beds are occasionally available and should be requested in advance. Accommodations listed in this itinerary are correct at time of writing, but on rare occasions may be substituted for a different property of comparable quality.

Meals

All meals as specified in the itinerary. Please notify us if you have special dietary needs or requests, and we will do our best to accommodate.

Inoculations

When it comes to vaccination and disease prevention, we suggest that travelers first review information provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and then review those details with their personal physicians.

Water

It is always advisable to drink bottled and/or filtered water when traveling overseas. Safe drinking water will be provided to travelers free of charge in the vehicles and during meals.

Baggage

On average, international flights from the USA allow two pieces of checked luggage, each not exceeding 50 pounds; however we always recommend that you check your airline's policy just before departure, as luggage limitations are always subject to change. Despite this weight allowance, we always suggest guests travel light. Also soft-sided duffel bags are ideal for this tour, as they stow best in vehicles and airplanes with limited space.

Terms & Conditions

Responsibilities

Neither Classic Escapes (the Company) nor any person or agent acting for, through or on behalf of the Company, nor Washington & Lee University, shall be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from any cause whatsoever and without restricting the generality of the aforegoing shall particularly not be responsible for loss or damage arising from any errors or omissions contained in its brochure or other literature, loss or damage caused by delays, sickness, theft, injury or death. In addition the Company shall have the right at any time at its discretion to cancel any trip or the remainder thereof or make any alteration in route, accommodation, price or other details and, in the event of any trip being rendered impossible, illegal or inadvisable by weather, strike, war, government or interference or any other cause whatsoever, the extra expenses incurred as a result thereof shall be the responsibility of the passenger. The Company may at its discretion and without liability or cost to itself at any time cancel or terminate the guest's booking and in particular without limiting the generality of the aforegoing it shall be entitled to do so in the event of the illness or the illegal or incompatible behavior of the guest, who shall in such circumstances not be entitled to any refund.

Photography

The Company reserves the right without further notice to make use of any photograph or film taken on the tour by our photographers without payment or permission. We guarantee that no photographs of a compromising nature will be used.

Changes to Schedules

Although every effort is made to adhere to schedules it should be borne in mind that the Company reserves the right and in fact is obliged to occasionally change routes and hotels as dictated by changing conditions.

Refunds

While the Company uses its best endeavors to ensure that all anticipated accommodation is available as planned, there shall be no claim of any nature whatsoever against the Company for a refund either in the whole or part, if any accommodation or excursion is unavailable and a reasonable alternative is not found. If the guest is unable to use any service provided in the itinerary, then there are no refunds due.

Airline Clause

The airlines concerned are not to be held liable for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not on board their planes or conveyance. The passengers' tickets in use by the airline or by other carriers concerned when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and the purchaser of these tickets and/or passengers.

Delays

We cannot be held liable for any delays or additional costs incurred as a result of airlines not running to schedule. If one of our guides is unable to take a trip due to illness, etc. we reserve the right to substitute with another guide. This agreement is made subject to and shall be governed by and construed according to the laws of the country in which the trip takes place. Classic Escapes act merely as an agent for the operating companies. To the best of our knowledge the itinerary is correct at the time of printing. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or changes that may occur after printing.

Consent

The payment of the deposit OR any other partial payment for a reservation on a trip constitutes consent by all guests covered by that payment to all provisions of the conditions and general information contained in this brochure whether the guest has signed the booking form or not. The terms, under which you agree to take this trip, cannot be changed or amended except in writing signed by an authorized director of the Company.

Insurance

It is a condition of booking that the sole responsibility lies with the guest to ensure that they carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover themselves, as well as any dependents/traveling companions for the duration of their trip. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities: cancellation or curtailment of the program, emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, damage/theft/loss of personal baggage, money and goods. Classic Escapes, including their representatives, employees and agents will take no responsibility for any costs, losses incurred or suffered by the guest, or guest's dependents or traveling companions, with regards to, but not limited to, any of the above mentioned eventualities. Guests will be charged directly by the relevant service providers for any emergency services they may require, and may find themselves in a position unable to access such services should they not be carrying the relevant insurance cover. PLEASE NOTE INSURANCE PREMIUMS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE SHOULD TOUR BE CANCELED BY PARTICIPANT.