2010 Dates:

January 18-25
February 15-22
March 16-23
June 25-July 2
July 4-11
August 1-8
August 29-September 5
September 11-18
October 3-10
October 25-November 1
December 12-19
January 2-9, 2011


2010 Land Cost:
$3,275 (10-14 members)
$3,475 (6-9 members)
$3,675 (3-5 members)



Trekking Grade: Easy

Experience the most magnificent wildlife spectacle on earth. Immerse yourself in the cycles of life, death, adaptation and migration that are as old as the hills themselves!

Our safaris to Africa’s premiere wildlife parks are designed as both extensions for climbers and for non-climbers looking to visit the famous conservation areas. During the safari you will visit Lake Manyara National Park, the Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, and the Serengeti National Park. Our safaris use comfortable four-wheel drive Land Cruisers equipped with wildlife viewing windows.

While visiting the crater floor, you will learn the role each animal plays in the intricate web of life as you witness lions, hyenas, and cheetahs stalking their prey. The magic of remote Tanzania will overtake you as you marvel at the serenity of a giraffe, stand in awe of elephants, and ponder the rarity of the nearly extinct black rhino. For some the highlight of the trip will be a visit with our Masai friend, Ole Dorop and his family. For others, watching the migration of 2 million wildebeest and more than 200,000 zebra will provide an unimaginable experience and offer definition of the Serengeti, one of the oldest, most diverse ecosystems on earth.

To most easily view such spectacles we use lightweight camps, which allow us the mobility to camp in the best areas, at a moment’s notice. At the end of each day we return to your private camp where you sit under the star studded African sky while the camp crew prepares your hot shower and dinner. Our comfortable camps feature large, canvas, traditional "safari style" tents with beds. Each tent has an attached shower and toilet.

Environmental and Social Practices: Mountain Madness not only strives to offer the highest standard of service, but also to be the most socially and environmentally responsible adventure travel company in Northern Tanzania. Although there are many interpretations of "ecotourism," we feel that most importantly it means choosing a company that is respectful of the environment and the local cultures. At Mountain Madness, we practiced ecotourism long before it became a buzzword and we have a broad understanding of the issues. We are always involved in training, conservation and social development programs that ensure that the net impact of our company in Tanzania is positive. Please read more about our commitment to Tanzania and our social, cultural, and environmental practices. Our camps utilize solar energy and avoid the busy activities and noise of the lodge based safaris.

Safari Cuisine: The menus for all trips are specially prepared to provide a balanced diet of fresh fruit, vegetables, plenty of protein and carbohydrates. Our cooks undergo extensive training and we have ongoing workshops to review menus. The cooks are particularly vigilant in their hygiene practices as contracting stomach bugs is common for visitors to the developing world.

Dinners are typically a main course with vegetable and salad. Lunches are often served picnic style and usually consist of cold cuts and vegetables laid out on a table so you can make your own sandwich. Fresh hot vegetable soups are served at every meal, and packet soup is available on request between meals as is coffee and tea. Breakfast is your choice: granola, toast, fruit, eggs, and sometimes pancakes or French toast. We also cater to different dietary requirements and full vegetarian menus can be provided on request.

Safari Camps: Our mobile safari camps are comfortable and fully staffed for excellent service. Tents are large, canvas, traditional "safari style" with camp beds and bedding. Each tent has an attached shower and toilet. The shower water is heated in special high efficiency water heaters and, at your request, your shower bucket is filled with hot water by the camp crew.

Itinerary

Day 1 – 2: Depart from home for travel to Arusha, Tanzania.

Day 2: Moivaro Lodge
Overnight Moivaro Lodge Arusha Tanzania. We will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the Moivaro lodge for the night.

Day 3: Lake Manyara National Park & Ngorongoro Private Camp
We continue on our journey with a visit to Lake Manyara National Park, a park Ernest Hemmingway described as"the loveliest I had ever seen." Found amid the variety of animals is an abundance of birdlife, including the pink flamingos that enjoy the water-based microcosm of the lake and it's environs, all of which add to the ecological diversity of your safari. After our visit we drive to the highlands of Ngorongoro Crater.  We stay for two nights at the deluxe private camp at Ngorongoro, near Ole Dorop´s, our Maasai friend and walking safari guide.

Day 4: Ngorongoro private camp
The twelve-mile wide crater left by this massive volcano contains incredible wildlife viewing.  This entire day is set aside to visit the crater and photograph, watch, and appreciate the extensive wildlife diversity.   Depending on the interest of the group we have time to visit a traditional Maasai boma and or venture out for a short walking safari. 

Days 5 & 6: Serengeti Private Camp
On our way to the Serengeti, we will visit Olduvai Gorge located between The Serengeti and Ngorongoro. This is the site of the famous archeological dig, where doctors Mary and Louis Leakey discovered East Africa’s earliest known humanoid remains in 1959. Apart from the Selous Wildlife Reserve, the Serengeti is the largest of all the parks in Tanzania. It offers a diversity of scenery - plains, rivers, lakes, hills and rock outcrops, each with their own appeal and range of wildlife. We will explore the park according to the group’s interests and then spend the night in the Serengeti Private Camp.

Our options allow flexibility to go where we feel the game is most concentrated. As we journey out in search of the wildlife, we can visit the many rock outcrops, where it is possible to view predators who climb up the low angle rock to scan the endless plains.

Day 7: Depart for Home or Other Adventures
Travel back to Arusha, stopping for lunch on the way. At the Moivaro Lodge you will have a dayroom where you can relax and enjoy the serene Tanzanian landscape before dinner at the Moivaro.

Day 8: Arrive Home

FAQs about the safari

Are we camping while on safari?

Staying in our Private Luxury Safari Camps is not camping in the ordinary sense. Each A-frame styled canvas tent is equipped with two wooden framed beds with mattresses, pillows and sheets, a dresser, and nightstand, and a front porch with canopy and lounging chairs for your relaxation. Your group will be alone in the camp, which allows you to rest and relax in peace, unlike the busy lodge based safaris.

Can we shower while on safari?

Each of our tents is equipped with an attached bathroom and shower facility. So morning or night, hot water is ready for you.

What kind of vehicles do you use while on Safari?

Mountain Madness uses reliable Toyota Landcruisers while traveling through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. A limit of 4 people per vehicle allows a window seat for all to optimize game viewing. Our detachable roofs also allow you to stand up and view Africa’s game for a more natural experience and are best for photography.

How many hours are we out while on safari?

After an 8:00 am breakfast, we will get a start on the day. Lunch will be provided out in the bush and you will return to camp at around 5 or 6 pm, taking advantage of the full day.

What is the best time of year for safari?

From December through March the Wildebeest are everywhere and are calving from mid February to the beginning of March. The plains are also much greener this time of year. From June through November the Serengeti is much more dried out. Animals tend to congregate around the Seronera river where there can be a lot of predators and prey living together which makes for a bit of action. Each season has it's own charactersitecs, but it can be said that neither is better than the other, just different.

What animals will I see on safari?

What animals won’t you see!! Here is a short safari checklist: Zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, hartebeest, topi, dik dik, bushbuck, eland, impala, gazelle, lion, elephant, cheetah, giraffe, baboon, monkey, hippopotamus, hyena, warthog, crocodile, ostrich, vulture, rhino, jackal, cape buffalo, and leopards. And then there are the birds…!

What areas do we travel to while on safari?

While on Safari you will split your time between two different areas, the Ngorongoro Crater, and the Serengeti National Park. Your first two days will be spent camping in the Serengeti bush along with the wildebeest and other animals that decide to come through. Your next two nights will be spent in the forests near Ole Dorop’s Boma which is near the Ngorongoro Conservation area.

Should I bring bug spray and be worried about malaria?

Many people think that using DEET and having their clothes washed in DEET is a must for any African Safari, this is not the case. Most days while on Safari are bug free and simple bug spray from your local outfitter will horde off any nuisances. Anti-malarial pills are recommended for Africa but your chances of contracting Malaria in Tanzania are considered minimal. However, we defer the definitive answer be handled by a travel clinic. Please call your local county health dept. for more information.

Can I expect crowds on my safari?

Our drivers try to avoid the more popular roads by introducing you to their “secret” spots. However, a heard of elephants is easily spotted and others on safari may come to see these magnificent creatures. The Ngorongoro crater is a much smaller area than the Serengeti and thus may be more difficult to avoid crowds. As an alternative to classic Safaris, our walking safaris are off the beaten track and avoid crowds.

Will we be able to get out of the car and walk around while on safari?

There are strict rules and regulations about passenger vehicles on safari. However, there are designated areas where you can get out, stretch, take lunch and walk: The remainder of the time while on safari you will remain in the vehicle.

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