Tanzania - A.K. Taylor International

		The baobabs in Tarangire have been on earth for thousands of years
Tanzania

is a wilderness lover's haven with some of the world's last great intact ecosystems. Most people think of the 1.5 million wildebeest that move across the Serengeti, the famous tree-climbing lions of Tarangire and Lake Manyara and the fantastic primeval view over the Ngorongoro Crater. However, there are many other beautiful and less visited parks, like the Ruaha and Selous, that harbor some of the last packs of wild dog in Africa as well as numerous other animals and bird species. It is even possible (although this camp is very remote) to visit a research site and camp where troops of chimpanzees can be seen at close range.
	Some of the biggest elephants in the world reside in the Ngorongoro Crater.
Enormous expanses of parks and reserves protect much of this country in both the north and south and cover so much territory that one would need at least three weeks to see them all.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Perhaps the finest way to travel in Tanzania is with a mobile-tented camp and private guide. This works very well for families or multiple family groups and allows one to visit very remote, untouched areas. For smaller private groups, a flying safari between small camps in different parks is the best way to travel, as the distances in Tanzania are great.

Our guides have unique relationships with the Masai and with one of the last remaining Hadza Bushmen. The Hadza are probably the most traditional and "primitive" tribe in Tanzania and, indeed, Africa itself. One has the opportunity to join the Hadza on a hunting expedition, or even more memorable, join them as they follow the Honeyguide Bird in search of honey. This is one of nature's most amazing symbiotic relationships. Once the Honeyguide has led the Bushmen to the beehive, they collect the honey and set aside a portion for the bird, which eats the larvae from the honeycomb.

Climbing down a baobab with honeycomb

For the more adventurous or second time traveler to Africa, a walking safari with a professional guide in the Selous or Ruaha is a rare experience. The Selous Game Reserve lies in the southeastern region of Tanzania and covers almost 54,000 square kilometers. There are a limited number of guides that still offer this type of trip where one has a chance to learn animal signs and bird calls, and for a short period in our busy lives, feel as though we are not protected by our material surroundings.

That moment when one hears a buffalo in the bush before it catches human scent, when one sees a lion looking back from a shady thicket or actually smells a wild animal that has recently passed, is something that will not be forgotten. While walking, one will generally see less game than from a vehicle, but the experience of being part of the environment is truly unforgettable.

POSSIBLE SAFARI COMBINATIONS AND EXTENSIONS

Tanzania's proximity to Kenya and Uganda makes it ideal to combine a trip to both countries. We also recommend an extension at the end of the trip to Zanzibar, which is completely different from the rest of eastern Africa. The Arabic influence on the Africans has created an interesting Swahili culture where 90% of the population are Muslim. This influence is also evident in the dress of the local people and the architecture on Zanzibar, especially in the ancient "stone town" with narrow streets and mosques.
Zanzibar once had a major part in the spice trade and is still the world's top producer of cloves with over 3 million clove trees on the island. A few days to relax on the beautiful beaches, explore the ancient streets and indulge in fresh seafood makes for the perfect end to a Tanzanian safari.

For a more active extension before a safari, we can arrange a guided trip up to 19, 430 feet atop Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain. It is fascinating to see the numerous and ever-changing vegetation zones as one slowly makes their way to the summit. This is not a technical climb, but it is physically challenging and rewarding. While there are many companies that lead climbers up the mountain, the success rates and safety precautions taken by these companies is variable. We only work with the top companies that lead these trips and utilize less traveled routes up the mountain to keep one away from the crowds.

For more information or questions, please contact us.

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