2026 African Safari Adventure in Tanzania

Want a life-changing experience? This will be my fourth, and Steven's second, time leading a group of people on a ten day safari and cultural adventure in Tanzania. Our goal is to have a group of at least 18 people for this trip, though we could expand that, if needed (more details below). 

Quick Overview (much more detailed itinerary provided below):

Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport/JRO near Arusha, Tanzania. Meet & greet outfitter with expedited customs process. Transfer to lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Arusha National Park game drive and canoe outing.

Day 3: Visit to local orphanage in Arusha, and rest day.

Day 4: Ngorongoro Crater game driving, passing through Lake Manyara area on the way.

Day 5: Lake Eyasi cultural visits with Hadzabe Bushmen, Datoga and Blacksmith tribes.

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater with guided hike on the crater wall in the morning and game driving.

Day 7: Travel to Ndutu Woodlands, visiting the historic Olduvai Gorge and a Maasai Village on the way.

Day 8: Ndutu Woodlands game driving, and guided walking safari in the afternoon.

Day 9: Travel to the Central Serengeti for game driving and overnight.

Day 10: Early morning game drive and visit to Hippo pool. Optional game driving in the afternoon.

Day 11: Fly back to Arusha from the Serengeti, and enjoy day rooms at a local lodge until evening flights. Optional excursions for shopping/souvenirs.  

FYI, all the pics here are ours from past trips (except the ones of Kilimanjaro Airport, Mosquito Village and lodge rooms).

Pricing:

Yes, this trip is expensive. That being said, this pricing is very competitive for the number of days and what we get, which includes, but is not limited to, all of the below:

-       All lodging, meals and drinks (excluding alcohol)

-       All in country transportation and transfers, including unlimited game driving mileage

-       All park fees and entrance costs

-       All activities (guided hikes, canoeing, etc.)

For comparison, on June 9^th we received information from TravelZoo about a discounted Tanzanian safari. On the surface, their pricing looked lower, at $7,999 for two (reduced from $13,592 normally) but it was only for six days, and only four of those included game drives. It also only visited the Serengeti area and a lodge near Kilimanjaro, and did not visit any local tribes, the Olduvai gorge, the crater, etc.

So, feel free to price check other safari options online, especially private, custom safaris. They tend to run as high, or higher, than what we are paying and do not always include unlimited game driving mileage, or provide water/snacks while driving.

The Outfitter:

We're working again with our primary outfitter, Adam Stephen Meshallu. He has his own company now, Top Nature Tanzania Safaris, and has been working as a guide for decades. In fact, there's even a book about him, and how he formed his first company, called "Drive." Adam is local Maasai, and an incredibly knowledgeable naturalist, who goes out of his way to make sure his clients have a great experience. He's also worked with many professional and amateur photographers, so he knows how to assist in getting the best shots, lighting, etc.

They also provide a set of high-power binoculars to every guest, so that we do not have to buy/bring them unless we want to do so, as well as charging outlets for our mobile devices in their vehicles and unlimited water, soda and snacks every day during our drives. 

Here is how his company describes themselves and their safaris:

-  The itinerary has been strategically designed to maximize game-viewing.

- We subscribe to the “road-less-travelled” philosophy. We will aim to take you where there are fewer crowds and where there are more exclusive game-driving opportunities. Our guides don’t rely on CB radios to find out where everyone else is “flocking” to go see animals. We rely on our years of experience and individual skill sets, and we get it right. 

- We are committed to providing a superior level of personalized service. Once our clients book with us they become a part of our family. No request is too big or too small and we will do our best to meet and exceed their expectations, whether it is in the planning phases or while on safari. Details matter. 

-  We offer unlimited game-drives to view unrivalled concentrations of safari animals.You will have total flexibility to game-drive until your heart’s content. That’s what you came for, and are paying for, after all. We don’t limit our clients to a few hours of game-driving in the morning and a few hours in the afternoon. We aren’t trying to save on fuel or vehicle wear-and-tear. You will have maximized opportunities for wildlife-viewing. 

-  All of our guides are top-rated Naturalists and have a minimum 18+ years’ experience. They have been hand-selected by our company’s founder for their personalities and skillset. Many have formerly served in roles as park rangers, conservationists, and biologists within the TANAPA park system. There is a big difference between “drivers” and “professional guides,” and that difference can make or break your safari experience.

- We are a Tanzanian owned-and-operated company; experts in Tanzanian culture, wildlife, and its various regions. We strategically design our itineraries to take advantage of Tanzania’s seasonal wildlife concentrations in order to maximize wildlife viewing, such as following the annual path of The Great Migration. 

- This package is essentially all-inclusive (i.e., accommodations, all meals, park fees, guide fees, fuel, bush flights, etc.).

-  Tours are 100% escorted.

-  We are members of the Flying Doctors of Africa.

-  Again, here is a link to their website: https://www.topnaturetanzaniasafaris.com/

What We'll be Seeing/Doing: 

The safari will cover lots of ground including national parks and two areas of the Serengeti (Arusha National Park shown in the photo below). We’ve included a full, detailed itinerary below for your review and tried to incorporate a good mix of game driving, outdoor activities, cultural interactions and educational opportunities.

NOTE: We strongly recommend reading the detailed itinerary in full before signing up. If you have any specific questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us. Please note that all hikes, and the canoeing, are optional, but choosing not to participate will not reduce your individual trip costs.

Orphanage: We will be visiting and spending time with kids at a local orphanage on the second day of our trip. All our previous groups organized putting together some clothing donations and bringing them with us on our trip, and it has been one of our favorite experiences. No one will be forced to contribute, but any participation would be greatly appreciated. Previously, everyone budgeted about $50 to purchase new or used clothing items and then we packed them in two suitcases.  This time we may also want to include some toys or other items. We can provide additional guidance on the kids names, sexes, ages, and appropriate types of clothing to those interested. 

Specialized: This will be a private tour, meaning that we will not be lumped in with other people/tour groups and will have our own guides and drivers taking care of us throughout the trip.  All of the lodges and (permanently) tented campsites are double-occupancy (everyone gets their own bed, with two people per room) and have en-suite bathrooms/showers and porches/verandas for looking out over the landscapes.  We will have at least three large game driving vehicles that each seat up to six passengers (see photo above for example) so there will be plenty of room and the tops of the trucks roll back to allow for optimal game-viewing.

Timing: May is a great time of year since it is just after the rainy season so flowers are blooming, everything is green, it is much less dusty and slightly cooler. Many of the animals will have had their babies and the hordes of tourists tend to stay away until June. We will depart Atlanta on Tuesday, May 5th, connect through Amsterdam and arrive in Arusha on Wednesday, May 6th. That will be the "Arrival Day" in the itinerary below.  We will depart Arusha on Saturday the 16th, and arrive back in Atlanta on the 17th, a Sunday.


Activities: Our days will be a mix of time spent game-driving to view the flora and fauna, with evenings back at our lodges/campsites to compare stories around a campfire and meet other travelers.  However, we will also be interacting with at least 4 local tribes, spending time at a local orphanage, visiting the Olduvai Gorge (the "Cradle of Mankind"), going canoeing and doing at least two guided hikes. We may also get to tour a local coffee and banana plantation as part of our experience and you’ll have at least a couple of afternoons where you can choose whether to rest and relax, go game driving, get a massage, etc.

Preparation: We plan to organize two or three group get togethers in the months leading up to our trip so that we can all meet each other beforehand. That way we can get to know one another a little bit, figure out roommate options and we can share our knowledge from prior trips in terms of packing and planning, as needed. These meetings aren't mandatory, but we strongly recommend them if you are available to join. Plus, they are fun because, Yay Africa!

PLEASE READ BELOW RE: REGISTRATION!!

Group Size: trucks each hold 6 people. At this price point, we need at least three full trucks (6 people per truck x 3 trucks = 18), so the first 16 people approved for the trip will get a spot on a truck (plus your two TLs). After the first 16 people, we'll need at least 6 more participants to justify an additional truck at the same price. If we get a minimum of 6 more, they too will get a spot in a truck, up to a total of 24 participants (6 people per truck x 4 trucks). However, if we only have 17-21 people approved, including the TLs, the trip will be limited to the first 16 + 2 TLs due to space restrictions.

NOTE: This web page is designed so that you can only put yourself on the waiting list. Once you're verified to have a spot on the trip, the TLs will confirm with you  and move you to the “Active List” so that you can submit your deposit. 

Detailed Itinerary:

Depart Atlanta on Tuesday, May 5th (overnight flight through Amsterdam or similar)

Arrival Day/Day One, Wednesday, May 6th: Arrive in Arusha at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
The outfitter will meet us at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and assist us with our luggage. They have organized an expedited Customs process for us, which is much faster and more enjoyable than going through the regular lines.  

After assisting us with our luggage and Customs, they will take us straight to The Lake Duluti Serena Hotel for dinner and overnight: https://www.serenahotels.com/arusha

Day 2, ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK, Thursday, May 7th: After breakfast we will depart for a morning game drive and canoe outing in Arusha National Park, which is the closest National Park to Arusha Town. The lakes, forest and Ngurdoto Crater can all be visited within an easy one day outing. Upon arrival at the forest gate, we will most likely be greeted by inquisitive Blue Monkeys as well as the acrobatic Black-and-White Colobus Monkeys (see photos below).

As we drive further north, we will travel through an area known as the “Little Serengeti.'' While game-driving we’re sure to see many giraffes, zebra herds, warthogs… and we’ll also be on the lookout for elephants, elusive leopards, and spotted hyenas. Eventually we will come into the rolling hills that surround the Momella Lakes where thousands of flamingos gather. Each lake has a different colour due to mineral content.

Among the Momella Lakes you will go for a canoeing excursion, enjoying a peaceful and scenic paddle on small Momella lake. In 2 hours, the canoe safari will give you a good chance to spot buffaloes, giraffes, hippos (which we’ll give a VERY wide berth if we see), and many water birds living close to the shore. On our way back out of the park you may take your time observing and photographing the nature of Arusha Town. Overnight again at Lake Duluti Serena Hotel.

Here is a pic of the lake:

Below is another photo of Arusha NP from a prior visit.

Day 3, REST DAY & ORPHANAGE VISIT, Friday, May 8th: Enjoy a relaxing breakfast at the lodge. Later in the morning we will head to a local orphanage to learn about the life situations of the majority of homeless children in the country and to share our donated items. The orphanage, despite the fact they are not in a very good condition, still are very helpful as they try to accommodate kids and provide them with basic needs like food, shelter and medical treatment. At the orphanage you will have a chance to participate in many different activities like teaching kids’ songs, dancing with the kids, playing different kind of games you know, etc. There will also be an opportunity to learn about family conditions and learn more from their teachers and matrons.

Later, after the activities at the orphanage, we will return back to the Serena Hotel for lunch. After lunch you can relax at the hotel and get prepared to start the safari the next day. Feel free to explore the gardens, sign up for a guided hike, take a bicycle tour, schedule a massage, or just nap until dinner.

Overnight at The Lake Duluti Serena Hotel again. The main building is shown below.

Day 4, MTO WA MBU & NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA (THE CRATER), Saturday, May 14th: 

Depart the lodge in Arusha after an early breakfast and head for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, approximately a two hour drive. Prior to our arrival at the conservation area, we may stop and stretch our legs while visiting the town of Mto w Mbu, which literally translates to "Mosquito River," yet is most commonly referred to as "Mosquito Village." This is one of the most active towns in Northern Tanzania and borders Lake Manyara. The village has approx. 18,000 people, among them 120 tribes. It flourishes with life and Tanzanian culture, and is a great place to do walking tours, sample local cuisine, meet villagers and just explore for an hour or two. We will then depart, pausing up the road a short way to enjoy the gorgeous view of Lake Manyara, before continuing on to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Upon arrival at the gates of the conservation area, we will begin our ascent through a lush, green Montane forest before descending into the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera (2000ft deep and 100sq miles). The crater formed after a large volcano collapsed on itself 2-3 million years ago. The view from the crater rim is magnificent, especially when the quality of the light brings out a whole range of delicate color. From the viewing point on the crater rim, with a pair of binoculars one can quickly discover that the crater floor is dotted everywhere with animals; around the Magadi Soda Lake, on the slopes and the edge of the beautiful highlands forest were the typical yellow-backed acacia predominates. In the forest we’ll look for monkeys, elephants, buffalo, and beautiful rare birds. 

The Ngorongoro crater is a home to the Black Rhinos, whose number went down in the past 16 years due to the poaching of its horn. Because of the nature of the Ngorongoro landscape it proved difficult for poachers to encroach into the park, so it is here they have remained well protected. The Maasai who live in the Ngorongoro conservation area have by nature added to a protection of wildlife in general. 

The crater floor is carpeted with rich pastures, which ensures the continuation of the life cycle, and the fascinating concentration of some 3,000 large resident mammals. Bird life is also extremely abundant including Ostriches, Crowned cranes, Flamingos, Pelicans, Egyptian geese, Eagles, and other birds of prey.

We will take in the “unparalleled beauty of one of the world’s most unchanged wildlife sanctuaries” while in search of resident game such as elephant herds, lion prides, cheetahs, hyenas, zebra herds, and so much more. This is an amazing day which everyone always loves. Below is a photo of the crater I took on a prior trip.

Overnight at The Ngorongoro Farmhouse Lodge. We stayed at this lodge on all of our trips and really liked it:  http://www.tanganyikawildernesscamps.com/camps/ngorongorofar mhouse/

Here was the view from my room on a prior trip:

Day 5, LAKE EYASI- Visit with the Bushmen and Two Other Tribes, Sunday, May 10th: This is an incredible experience! Get ready for a wildly unique cultural adventure today, we will depart with breakfast via road transfer (approximately 1.5 hours) to the Lake Eyasi region where we will spend a day with the Hadzabe Bushmen, one of Africa’s original hunter and gathering tribes. These nomadic people live in the African bush, and move their “home” pending where the food source is most prominent throughout the year. They speak an ancient click-language so we will pick-up an interpreter guide who will also track ahead of us to find their location and prepare the family for our arrival. Witness or join them in ritualistic ceremonies (which involves smoking medicinal herbs) and then take-off on a hunt! Please be advised that some running will be involved to keep up with them (they will catch, and eat, anything from a small squirrel, to a monkey, to an antelope). One time we sampled squirrel and local honey, sourced from a nearby tree.

You will learn first-hand about their survival techniques and get hands-on experience with their various hunting weapons (such as hand-made bows and poison arrows) and likely participate in gathering wild fruits and honey. Assuming the hunt is successful you will also learn how they prepare and eat their meals, which they may invite you to join – at your discretion, of course. Our guides will pack picnic lunches for us as well. Here are the ones we visited last time

Afterwards, we will have the option to visit two additional tribes, the Datoga and the Blacksmith, with each visit being about 30 minutes in length. 

Upon returning to our lodge that afternoon, there will be an optional tour of their coffee and banana plantation/gardens on the grounds. Feel free to join, or relax by the pool if you prefer.

Overnight again at The Ngorongoro Farmhouse Lodge.

Day 6, NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA Game Driving & Hike, Monday, May 11th: After an early breakfast, we will head to the crater for further exploration, starting with a guided hike in the morning with an armed ranger along the crater wall. Afterward we'll have a picnic lunch in the crater and an afternoon of game-driving again on the crater floor. Then we'll head to our lodge on the actual crater rim to enjoy the amazing view of the sunset, where we will stay overnight.

Overnight at The Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge, with amazing views from its position on the edge of the crater rim:  https://www.serenahotels.com/ngorongoro

Day 7, NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA (NDUTU WOODLANDS), Tuesday, May 12th: Depart with breakfast, road transfer to the Ndutu Woodlands of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (approximately 1-1.5 hours). Along the way we will stop to visit a traditional Maasai village on the outskirts of the crater. These nomadic tribesmen have learned to co-exist with the surrounding wildlife. We will spend about an hour learning about their traditions and ways of life. 

Following our time with the Maasai we will continue on our way, but before entering Ndutu we will make a second stop at the historic Olduvai Gorge, known as "The Cradle of Mankind" where the first early human species lived 1.9 million years ago. There is a great welcome center and museum with the history of Louis & Mary Leakey, the archeologists who first made the discoveries, along with numerous artifacts found at the site. We can take a private tour down into the excavation site before having a picnic lunch overlooking the gorge, shown below.

Afterwards, we'll continue towards Ndutu. The vistas and landscapes here are remarkable and you can expect to see both resident and migratory animal numbers here.

Overnight at The Lake Ndutu Luxury Tented Lodge. This is a beautiful, luxurious tented camp overlooking Lake Ndutu: http://tnshospitality.co.tz/lakendututentedlodge/

Day 8, NDUTU WOODLANDS Game Driving & Hike, Wednesday, May 13th: Today we’ll game drive in the Ndutu Woodlands area in the morning, returning to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll have a short walking safari led by an armed park ranger, and optional additional game driving for those who are interested. Overnight again at the Ndutu Luxury Tented Lodge.

Day 9, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK (SERONERA & MORU), Thursday, May 14th: Depart after breakfast, road transfer to the Serengeti National Park (approximately 1-1.5 hours). On the way to the Serengeti, we will keep on with the game drive for approximately 20-30min before arriving at the Serengeti gate depending on what you will see on the way.

We will be in pursuit of The Great Migration of wildebeest and the predatory animals that follow for food. The Great Migration is a massive annual movement of millions of wildebeest, zebras, and other ungulates following seasonal rains in search of fresh grazing and water. The migration is a clockwise journey that covers a distance of over 800 kilometers, traversing the Serengeti plains and occasionally crossing into Kenya's Masai Mara Reserve. The timing and route of the migration are influenced by rainfall and grazing conditions, making it a dynamic event that varies from year to year. 

After entering the Serengeti Park, we’ll officially be deep in the heart of the African bush! The Seronera Valley is the best place for viewing lions, leopards and cheetahs year-round. Leopards can be spotted in the acacia woodlands, cheetahs are found hunting on the open grassy plains, and lion prides are often seen lounging on rocky outcrops called “kopjes.” The Moru region is particularly well known for its beautiful landscape with rocky kopjes and is a must-see. Rare Black Rhinos are often spotted in that region.

Photo of the great migration from my first trip:

We’ll also explore the central territory for massive elephant bulls, jackals, spotted hyenas, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, eland, impala, topis, buffalo, and large schools of hippos and Nile crocodiles in the Seronera River.

Overnight at Nyikani Tented Camp. This is a new camp to us, which we are trying because it is more centrally located to the area where we’ll be game driving in the Serengeti: https://nyikani.com/nyikani-camp-central-serengeti/

Day 10, SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK, Friday May 15^th: Today we’ll rise early to visit the hippo pool and game-drive to catch the nocturnal animals returning from their hunts; this is when the animals are most active and there are fewer vehicles in the bush. We will break mid-morning for a picnic breakfast, and then return later to the lodge for lunch. An optional afternoon game drive will be available for those who wish to participate, or you can choose to stay and relax at the lodge. Overnight again at Nyikani Tented Camp.

Day 11, ARUSHA & Flight Home, Saturday, May 16th:  After breakfast at the camp, game-drive en-route to the Seronera Airstrip. Board an 11:00 am flight back to Arusha. Below is a photo of one of the planes we took from the Serengeti to Arusha on my first trip.

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Upon returning to Arusha’s regional airport, we’ll be transferred to the nearby Arusha Coffee Lodge, where we can enjoy the use of day rooms until our flights that evening. There will be an opportunity to go shopping at the nearby Cultural Heritage Center, for those who are interested. One of the lodge rooms is shown below:

You can also visit the wonderful Shanga Center, which is located on the lodge’s grounds. Shanga was founded in 2007 and has grown into a self-sustaining social enterprise training and employing 34 people with disabilities to produce creative products including weaving, glass blowing, beading, paper making and metal work, using recycled materials wherever possible. Be sure to visit their lovely gift shop:

 After an early dinner at the lodge, we will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport for our flights home to the US.

Pricing:

The cost per person, for double occupancy (each person gets their own bed), is $6,527.00 if we have 18 participants:

    - Please note that these rates are based on a minimum number of six people per truck, so this is the rate for three trucks, totaling 18 participants (6 per truck x 3 trucks). Therefore, we have to have at least 18 participants in order to make the trip work at this price point.

    - If we only get 12 participants (2 trucks) then the price increases to $6,988.00 per person.

    - Conversely, if we're able to get 24 participants (4 trucks), the cost per person will decrease to $6,313.00.

    - The absolute minimum number we can have is 12 people, or we may need to cancel the trip. 

    - $25 of this cost is going directly to the AOC to help them with operating expenses, etc. since we are using their site to manage the registration for this event. NOTE: this amount is non-refundable, even if the trip is cancelled.

    - A detailed list of what is/is not included in the pricing is provided below.

If you sign up for this trip, the following will be due by September 1st, 2025:

    - An initial $2,500 deposit per person to the Trip Leaders 

    - A completed and signed Reservation Booking Form with your address, passport information for the outfitter (they will provide a link) so that they can make our Lodge reservations

    - A completed Travel Insurance Acceptance form outlining any travel insurance data for the outfitter

Payment: We will collect the money from all attendees and send it in two payments to the outfitter: one for our deposits and one for the remaining balance. As such, we prefer to have money sent to us via PayPal so it is easily tracked.

The PayPal address is: cakendall1@hotmail.com.

NOTE: Be sure to use the “Friends and Family” option so that it does not charge a fee! Also, there is a built-in PayPal fee for credit card use, so please adjust accordingly if that’s how you opt to pay, so that we receive your full balance due.

FYI, we originally set this PayPal account up specifically for these trips and it will only be used to collect these funds. Please note that we will be sharing access to it (Allston and Steven, the other trip leader), just in case something happens to one of us!

If needed, you may also make payment via check payable directly to "Top Nature Tanzania Safaris" and we will send the checks all together. There is a fee to pay the outfitter directly with a credit card, so it is not recommended. It is also difficult for them to track individual payments not submitted at the same time, which is why we collect everyone's payments and send them together.

Our phone numbers are available to all who sign up and here is my mailing address for checks (be sure to include the apartment number!!):

Allston Kendall, 2850 Delk Road SE, Apt. 54B, Marietta, GA 30067

The balance of the safari costs will be due by December 1st, 2025. Please read the cancellation policy carefully below, as you will be responsible for your spot and balance due once you sign up and make your deposit, unless you can find someone to take your place. 

We hope you can join us for this amazing adventure!

Note: the outfitter can help with trip extensions such as a visit to Zanzibar or to Rwanda to go trekking to view the mountain gorillas. Your trip leaders will not be coordinating any trip extensions for attendees, but you are more than welcome to work directly with the outfitter to get these set up. Just be certain to ensure that it does not impact your arrival date to Arusha for the safari.

Flights to Arusha from Atlanta, connecting through Amsterdam, typically cost about $1,200 to $2,000 round-trip but are the most direct. You can sometimes find cheaper options, so you may wish to shop around.

When booking your flights, it is critical that you arrive on time. Once the group leaves Arusha, there is no way for you to catch up with us. Please keep this in mind when exploring options.

Once your flights are booked, you'll need to let your trip leaders know the details to ensure that the outfitter can plan to pick you up from the local airport accordingly. They will try to pick up as many people at a time as possible, so if two flights are close together the first group may need to wait a short time at the local airport for the second group to arrive.

Please note that you will need to visit the CDC's website to get advice on any vaccinations and malaria treatments needed prior to this trip. We can share our own experiences and ideas on these as well, based on past experience, but defer to the CDC's recommendations. 

The outfitter will be providing us with packets of information on items to pack, recommended clothing, etc., and we will have several group meetings/dinners prior to our trip to compare notes and ensure everyone is prepared.

Note: the Trip Leaders will do their best to accomodate roommate requests, but participants will need to be flexible. The Trip Leaders will also take personalities into consideration as this is a trip where we will be in close proximity for many days and therefore the Trip Leaders reserve the right to give priority to participants who have demonstrated past ability to travel and interact well with others over those who may not.

This cost assumes a minimum of 18 participants and includes:

• All accommodations (assumes two people per room, each with their own bed)

• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and all beverages, excluding alcohol

• All airport transfers/hotel transfers (all safaris are 100% escorted)

• All national park and reserve entrance fees, including special game drive permits with exclusive access (these are significant and are per person, not per vehicle)

• Use of 4WD private safari vehicles, including unlimited mileage/fuel for game-drives

• Private services of your expert Naturalist drivers-guides

• Internal regional airfare (scheduled bush flight from the Serengeti to Arusha)

• Use of Nikon Action 7 x 35 binoculars while on safari

• Use of charging stations in your vehicles for cell phones and camera batteries

• Unlimited bottled drinking water, soft drinks and bush snacks in your vehicle (local tap water is not safe to drink)

• Comprehensive support from our Tanzanian office for the duration of your safari

• 24-hour access to the Flying Doctor’s Emergency Response Centre for medical advice and air ambulance requests should an emergency evacuation be required

What the cost does NOT include:

- Airfare to Kilmanjaro International Airport in Arusha, Tanzania (approx. $1200-$2000).

- Tanzania Visa which can be acquired online for less than $100/person in advance at: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/start

- Travel insurance (approx. $150-250 per person)

- Souvenirs and other local purchases

- Alcoholic purchases/beverages

- Approx. US $60-70 cash per person for tips for our guides (this is total for the whole trip, not per day)

- Additional US $5-10 cash per person for tips for the guides on our canoeing and hiking activities

- Gratuities (at your discretion) for staff at the various lodges

- Any trip extensions you wish to add on, such as trekking to see the gorillas in Rwanda or visiting Zanzibar

The Trip Leader(s) for this event has (have) elected either to personally collect the funds that event participants are required to pay, or to require participants to pay funds directly to a third party. No funds will be paid to the Atlanta Outdoor Club for this event. Therefore, by registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree to the following: (1) the monies paid by registrants will not be monitored, managed, or otherwise accounted for by the Atlanta Outdoor Club; (2) that the Atlanta Outdoor Club bears no financial responsibility for this event; and (3) you waive any and all claims against the Atlanta Outdoor Club, and hold the Atlanta Outdoor Club harmless for the loss of any monies you paid for this event.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any paying registrant may request directly from the Trip Leader, prior to the event, a breakdown of funds collected, estimated expenses, and deposits made in anticipation of the event. Following the event, the Trip Leader must complete his or her financial accounting for the event, with supporting documentation, within 30 days of the completion of the event, and a paid registrant may request a breakdown of funds collected, money spent and supporting documentation after that time. If you are unable to obtain requested documentation, please contact the Director of Paid Events.

Please note that once you have signed up for this trip and paid your $2,500 deposit by the September 1st, 2025 deadline, you are committed to going. Once we submit the deposits to the outfitter, they are non-refundable, but we will alert you before that happens. If you pay a deposit before September 1st, but then find out you have to drop off prior to the September 1st deadline, you will receive your full deposit back, minus any potential postage needed to get it to you.

Full payment of the balance is required by December 1st, 2025. You may pay earlier than that if you wish.

Should you withdraw from the trip for any reason after September 1st, 2025, you will either need to ensure that there is someone on the wait list who can and will take your place, or you will be held responsible for the full amount of the trip cost. Please note that this trip price is based on a minimum number of 18 participants. Therefore, we have to have at least 18 participants in order to make the trip work. If a person drops out, if impacts everyone else.

If the trip is cancelled after we've submitted our full payments, the initial deposits of $2,500 are non-refundable (which is why it's important to get trip insurance) but any additional payments will be fully refundable (minus the $25 AOC fee). This is because the initial deposits are used to book lodgings, who themselves do not provide refunds. However, if the trip is cancelled due to lack of enough participants prior to the deposits being submitted, you will receive a full refund of your deposit, minus the AOC fee, and any postage needed to get it to you.