Karibu! Join us for an exciting safari with experiences few witness. From viewing wildlife of the Serengeti and learning from expert guides to participating in the cultural activities of the rainmaking Barabaig tribe in the Rift Valley, you will walk away with stories to tell for a lifetime. Your journey begins with a luxury wildlife safari through the famed Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Parks. October is an ideal month for travel in Tanzania as the short rains bring in mass herd migrations of millions of wildebeests and zebras. Travelers will learn extensively about the surroundings through presentations and guided walks by park naturalists.
After safari, you will visit the remote region of the Barabaig tribe, a secretive pastoral tribe that has retained almost all of their ancestral traditions. Upon returning home, you will regale your friends with stories of collecting honey under the night sky, brewing honeybeer, holding the rainmaker’s sacred vessel and collecting traditional medicines with the Barabaig.
From $4,625 per person all inclusive land program.
Airfare from the U.S. available.
This trip is offered in cooperation with Another Land.
Detailed Itinerary
Day One—In Transit/Arusha, Tanzania
Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania in the late evening. We will be met by our driver guide and taken to the Moivaro Coffee Plantation for overnight.
Day
Two—Lake Manyara
After breakfast, we’ll begin our lodge safari in Lake Manyara National Park. During dry seasons, non-migratory animals take refuge in the permanent waters of the lake. Home to large baboon troops, blue monkeys (who may sit feet away while travelers munch on their lunches), tree climbing lions (possibly a learned behavior), elephants and much more. Overnight at Lake Manyara Serena Lodge.
Day
Three—Serengeti
After breakfast, onward to the amazing Serengeti National Park with game drives en route. Here is where we’ll find the prides of lions, such as the Maasai pride and the Cub Valley pride. This area of Tanzania has the highest concentration of animals on the continent. Overnight at Serengeti Serena Lodge.
Day
Four—Serengeti
After breakfast, enjoy a full days game drive. You may want to take advantage of the optional sunrise game drives when the cats are most likely to hunt. There is also an optional hot air balloon ride which gives travelers absolutely astonishing views of the terrain and herds. Serengeti Serena Lodge.
Day
Five—Serengeti/Olduvai/Ngorongoro
After breakfast, enjoy game drives en route to the Migration Museum (excellent displays!) and Olduvai Gorge. Picnic lunch at the Gorge with brief presentation on the discoveries made by the Leakey family. Overnight at the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.
Day
Six—Ngorongoro Crater
The Ngorongoro conservation area preserves both the wildlife in the area and the culture of Maasai. Ngorongoro is Maasai for the sound of the cowbells produced by one ancient chief’s massive herd. Full day’s game drive in the crater, which is the largest intact crater on the planet—a full 11 km in diameter. Overnight at the Ngorongoro Serena Lodge.
Day
Seven—Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, we’ll travel southeast to the Tarangire National Park. Here animals take refuge in the permanent waters of the Tarangire River. The park covers an area of 2,600 sq. kms. Spread across a region of great natural beauty, Tarangire is home to a rich kaleidoscope of creatures. Of special interest is the presence of both greater and lesser kudu, lions, eland, oryx and gerenuk. The park is also noted for its abundance of giraffes. Overnight at the Tarangire Sopa Lodge.
Day
Eight—Barabaig Village
After breakfast, we’ll journey southwest to the town of Katesh. This is a beautiful drive along the Great Rift Valley and passing Mt. Hanang. Upon arrival, we will be given a brief orientation on Barabaig culture and expected code of conduct. We will then be driven to the Barabaig village. Upon arrival we will be met by many Barabaig, such as the elders, village chairman and district counselor. Our friends will warmly introduce us to the village and its people. Barabaig warriors will guard us while we camp overnight. (There is not a threat of theft, it is just their way of taking care of us.) Camps consist of full standup tents with proper beds, showers and toilet facilities, tables, chairs, camp hands, waiters, mess tent, cooks, etc., and will be set up prior to our arrival.
Day Nine and Ten—Barabaig Village
Over the next few days, our group will learn about Barabaig culture from the Barabaig. The women of the village will teach us how to make their beaded, goatskin outfits. We’ll join the medicine man to collect various roots, leaves and fruit that are used to treat the villagers and their livestock as well as ward off curses and evil spirits. We may even discuss a particular personal ailment with the medicine man. We’ll also meet the rainmakers and discuss their lives as rainmakers and the rainmaking tradition. (This is very secretive and the rainmakers must feel quite comfortable with the group before discussing or showing anything in depth). Overnight in the camp.
Day Eleven—Farewell
This morning, we’ll say farewell to our hosts and new friends in the village. After breakfast, we’ll journey back to Arusha for our farewell dinner.
The organizers of the tour reserve the right to make changes to this itinerary as may be necessary for the integrity of the program and for the comfort and safety of the passengers.
Accommodations
While on safari, you will stay in the very best eco-lodges with excellent dining facilities and food, comfortable rooms, and an extremely warm, inviting African ambience. The design of Serena safari lodge was inspired by the natural landscape and cultures of the region. While in Arusha, you’ll begin and end your safari in a bungalow nestled at the base of Mt. Meru at the Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodge. During your stay in the village, high-end mobile camps consist of full walk-in tents with proper beds, showers and toilet facilities, tables, chairs and full service from traditional chefs.
Benefits for Our Village Hosts: At the heart of this trip is a mission to provide meaningful experiences that will also benefit African communities in a sustainable and responsible manner. Significant proceeds of trip funds will be used by the Barabaig to help construct a water retention reservoir. During the dry seasons, many Barabaig walk an entire day to collect water. You can rest assured that your experience will help empower the local community to fulfill their dream of abundant water.
Your Expert Adventure Guide
Nichole Smaglick is a pioneer in East African cultural travel. She has led National Geographic film and photographic expeditions throughout the remote corners of Tanzania. She is accepted as family among many groups in East Africa, such as the Barabaig, and makes this rare cultural opportunity possible.
Included Features
- All meals
- All park fees
- Transportation in 4WD safari vehicles with guaranteed window seat and open-roofs for prime viewing
- Naturalist presentations while on safari
- Excellent local interpreters, drivers, camp staff and safari specialists
- Overseas adventure guide and escort
- Valuable pre-departure kit and materials
- Private pre-trip consultation with the safari escort
- Membership in the Flying Doctors Society
- Village development contributions
- High-end mobile camp in the Barabaig village
- Authentic, interactive and exclusive exploration of Barabaig culture
Not Included in the Cost of the Tour
- International airfare and associated taxes
- Gratuities
- Passport and visa fees
- Insurance
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls and alcoholic beverages
- Personal private hire services
Optional Features
- Hot Air Balloon Safari at $500 per person
- Post-trip extension: 4-day Livingstone and the Swahili Coast at $XXX per person
Tour Cost
- $4,625 per person, double occupancy, land-only
- $595 additional for single occupancy
Deposit/Final Payment: A $600 per person deposit is required to confirm your reservation; final payment is due to Another Land by July 5, 2005. Deposit checks should be payable to Another Land and sent to aggieAdventures Travel Program, Cal Aggie Alumni Association, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616-8517. Deposits are payable by check only. Final payments may be made by check, wire transfer or credit card.
Cancellations and Refunds: Cancellations for all or any part of the trip will not be effective until they are received in writing in the offices of Another Land. Another Land strongly recommends that all travelers purchase Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance for their expedition. In the event that a traveler must cancel his or her participation on a particular expedition, they may either choose another Another Land tour that suits their tastes and timelines or be subject to the cancellation policy below. Deposits are fully refundable (less a $100 cancellation charge) up to 60 days prior to the trip’s scheduled departure. Cancellations are liable to the following charges calculated from the date of receipt of the notification and based on the total land costs of the tour:
- 60+ Days ($100 Cancellation Charge)
- 45-60 Days (50% of land costs)
- 25-44 Days (75% of land costs)
- less than 24 Days (100% of land costs)
- Cancellation of airfare is subject to the cancellation policy of the airline.
Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended!
Please consult the printed trip brochure for a detailed listing of features, terms and conditions for this study tour.
For further information, contact Jennifer Barber, director of the aggieAdventures travel program, Cal Aggie Alumni Association, UC Davis at (530) 754-9903 or e-mail jabarber@ucdavis.edu.
Travel plans for this tour will be arranged by Another Land in Minneapolis, Minnesota, (888) 334-7559.
