TANZANIABIRDING AND PHOTOGRAPHY WITH REINIER MUNGUIAMay 10-23, 2017

Tanzania is known for its large wildlife — particularly the “Big Five” game of lion, leopard, African elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo — and as the site of the annual wildebeest migration. But the country is also rich in other species, including a number of endemic and localized birds. In fact, more than 1,000 avian species can be found here, making for one of the largest bird lists in Africa. On this 12-day safari, enjoy the opportunity to photograph amazing fauna and beautiful landscapes, accompanied all under the expert leadership of professional wildlife photographer Reinier Munguia.

Decken’s Hornbill by Pa Van

• Seek out and photograph a variety of birds and wildlife in bushland, forests, swamps, and grassland.

• Descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, famed for its high density of predator species.

• Explore Serengeti National Park, one of the wonders of the world and the location of the famous annual migration of a million wildebeest.

• Observe the unique culture of the Maasai people.

• Visit Ngorongoro Farm House and explore the lush, rambling gardens of the colonial-era mansion.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

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TANZANIA

scenically breathtaking natural areas. What’s more, the crater is also home to one of the planet’s densest populations of large mammals. Our wonderful lodge is nestled on the edge of the crater rim with spectacular views of the crater itself. The forests that cloak the rim of this iconic site are home to a wide variety of Afro-montane forest birds. From the lodge we are able to gaze down at the Ngorongoro Crater below and watch distant elephants and herds of antelope and buffalo moving over the plains. Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. (BLD)

MAY 15 - NGORONGORO CRATER After an early breakfast, we will descend 1,970 feet to the Ngorongoro Crater floor itself. The crater is deluxe “Big Five” territory and a photographer’s dream. Most of the animals are extremely relaxed and habituated to the presence of human admirers, and the high crater walls, usually cloaked in a pure white frosting of clouds, make for dramatic backdrops to animal photographs. In addition, the crater floor provides a mini-example of a complete African ecosystem with forests, lakes, grasslands, swamps and rivers. Between 25,000 and 30,000 large animals reside in the crater and great concentrations of blue wildebeest and common zebra are supplemented by smaller numbers of African elephant (we hope to find some of the crater’s famous Tuskers), African buffalo, the highly sought-after black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, eland and Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles. The crater reputably boasts the world’s highest concentration of predators and these include lion, cheetah, leopard, serval, bat-eared fox, spotted hyena and golden and black-backed jackals.The birding is equally rewarding and we can expect to find many of the picturebook species that make Africa so famous. Pink rafts of Greater and Lesser Flamingos on Lake Magadi, Common Ostrich striding over the grasslands, regal Kori Bustard (the world’s heaviest flying bird), the elegant Grey Crowned Crane and good numbers of raptors including the unique Secretarybird, Bateleur and Martial Eagle. In the evening, we ascend to our lodge on the scenic crater rim and at dusk will attempt to track down Montane Nightjar. Overnight at Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge. (BLD)

MAY 16 - SERENGETI This morning we make our way to the world-famous Serengeti National Park. En route we pass through an area that is home to the Maasai people. These tall, proud nomadic warriors are famous for their legendary prowess in battle and single-handed acts of bravery in fights with wild animals. Here, we have the opportunity for an excursion to a traditional Maasai village. A local guide will explain their unique culture as you watch the people busy about their daily chores. You will also be treated to a display of the famous Maasai dancing and will have unlimited photographic opportunities. Our lunch venue will be the well-known Olduvai Gorge, so named after the wild Sisal plant that grows in the gorge. As a result of massive geological activities over the eons, Olduvai provides a unique record of countless years of fossilized creatures and plants in a series of stratified rock layers. Most famous of all discoveries, which revolutionized thinking on hominid evolution, have been those of Australopithecine hominid remains found by the Leakey family. After an introductory lecture we have time

ITINERARY

MAY 10 - DEPARTURE Depart Orlando. Other departure cities available.

MAY 11 - ARUSHA Arrive in Europe and connect with flight to Kilimanjaro Airport. After your arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to the Arumeru River Lodge. The lodge, sprawling across 12 acres of landscaped gardens and natural African bushland, is situated on a former coffee plantation in the shadows of Mt. Meru and Mt. Kiliminjaro. Please note: Upon arrival in Tanzania a $100 per person visa fee will be due and can be paid in cash upon arrival at the airport. Overnight at Arumeru River Lodge.

MAY 12 - TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK After breakfast spend the morning at leisure to relax and enjoy the stunning views from this beautiful lodge. Begin your East African safari with a transfer to Tarangire National Park. En route there will be birding and photography stops, especially in the drier Acacia woodland and scrubby areas. This roadside birding can often be very productive and may include sightings of Blue-naped Mousebird, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird and Golden-backed Weaver. The first two nights will be spent at the picturesque Tarangire Sopa Lodge, set within the heart of the national park. Overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge. (BLD)

MAY 13 - TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK The Tarangire ecosystem is the third largest in Tanzania, sprawling over a vast 7,700 square miles. Seasonally, the park supports the second largest concentration of wildlife in Tanzania, surpassed only by the Serengeti during peak migration! However, Tarangire is most famous for its huge numbers of African elephant that congregate along the meandering Tarangire River. We will take time to observe these massive pachyderms and will be amazed at their tender family interactions. Other mammals likely to be seen include the waterbuck, impala, warthog and giraffe. The Acacia woodland and Baobab-studded grasslands also provide a home for a large number of avians, with the park total well over 500 species. During our time here we have the opportunity to find African Hawk-Eagle and the diminutive Pygmy Falcon, among others. We will also visit the vast Silale Swamp, which is excellent for waterfowl. If we are fortunate we may spot a Black Coucal or flush out a secretive African Crake. A night walk around our lodge may also be fruitful and we will look for Slender-tailed and Freckled Nightjars and the African Scops-Owl. Overnight at Tarangire Sopa Lodge. (BLD)

MAY 14 - NGORONGORO CRATER After breakfast we leave Tarangire and strike out west for the vast Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This 3,200-square-mile World Heritage Site protects Earth’s largest intact volcanic caldera (100 square miles) and one of the world’s most

to explore the very informative museum at the site which exhibits replicas of the hominid fossils and extinct animals that used to inhabit the region, ranging from river elephant and giant swine to short-necked giraffe. Afterward, we continue westward on the rutted dirt track across the vast, flat and seemingly endless Serengeti Plains, to spend three nights in one of the world’s most renowned game reserves. Overnight at Naona Moru Camp. (BLD)

MAY 17 - SERENGETI Extending for an incredible 5,790 square miles, the Serengeti is one of the world’s largest natural sanctuaries. Despite the vast space, the numbers of game that we can expect to see are still astounding. The Serengeti, literally meaning “Endless Plain” in Maasai, consists mostly of grasslands interspersed with Acacia woodlands and rocky outcrops. There is little permanent water in the park and this fact, combined with a fairly regular rainfall pattern, has resulted in the world-famous wildebeest migration, when up to 2 million large ungulates move between the Serengeti in Tanzania and the Masai Mara in Kenya. During our visit to the Serengeti we will explore the southern and central areas. Once again we have the chance of finding the full complement of African megafauna. We hope to see lazing prides of lion, leopard draped over large trees, aloof cheetah resting on or near vantage points, skulking spotted hyena, jackals and, if we are fortunate, the bizarre bat-eared fox. Several species of smaller cats such as caracal, serval or African wild cat may also be seen. Besides the wildebeest, the Serengeti supports huge populations of common zebra, African buffalo, Maasai giraffe, warthog, Thomson’s and Grant’s gazelles, impala, topi, kongoni, bohor reedbuck, eland and smaller numbers of African elephant, hippopotamus, rubber-nosed Kirk’s dik-dik, oribi and defassa waterbuck. Overnight at Naona Moru Camp. (BLD)

MAY 18 - SERENGETI Another day of exploration. Not only is this a great place in which to find game and birds, but the wide green-gold savannas, dotted with thorn trees, also make it ideal for photography. The Serengeti is ravishingly beautiful and offers long, undisturbed views and utterly dramatic panoramas. Overnight at Naona Moru Camp. (BLD)

MAY 19 - SERENGETI Spend another day exploring the Seregeti. Overnight at Naona Moru Camp. (BLD)

MAY 20 - NGORONGORO After breakfast, we will depart to Ngorongoro Farm House, where we’ll explore the lush, rambling gardens of this colonial-era mansion. This private estate built on the style of an old colonial farm and rustically decorated with local materials and full of details of good taste, facing the Oldeani Volcano, just 5 kilometers from the Ngorongoro Loduare gate, the lodge is home to several interesting bird species, including Grey-capped Warbler, White-tailed Blue Flycatcher, Green-headed Sunbird and Southern Citril. In the evening we may be visited by the local pair of Greater

Galagos that make their home in the gardens. Overnight at Ngorongoro Farm House. (BLD)

MAY 21 - ARUSHA After some early morning birding and breakfast we depart the Farm House and head back to Arusha. En route we might find White-fronted Bee-eater, which can often be seen sallying for insects from roadside perches. Overnight at New Arusha Hotel. (BLD)

MAY 22 - ARUSHA/DEPARTURE We will go for a walking tour in Arusha and shopping if needed, otherwise you will have some time at leisure and then celebrate your stay in Tanzania with a special farewell dinner before being transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport. (BLD)

MAY 23 - ARRIVAL Arrive home following your overnight flight.

LAND COST

$5,550 (based on 7-11 participants)

Includes:

• Accommodations, meals, entrance fees, and activities listed in itinerary

• Private vehicle transportation unless otherwise noted in itinerary

• Non-alcoholic beverages with meals

• Full time guide for duration of program

Not included: International airfare, gratuities, travel/trip cancellation insurance, optional activities, items of a personal nature, alcoholic beverages.

Round-trip airfare is estimated at $2,150 from Orlando. Rate not guaranteed until reservations are confirmed. Other departure cities are available.

Price is based on double occupancy; single rooms are available for an additional $450.

THE FINE PRINT

A $200 per person deposit and enrollment form is required to secure your space on the trip. This deposit is refundable until February 4, 2017 excluding a $100 cancellation fee. Non-refundable final payments are due on February 4, 2017. Travel/trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. For more information call Travel Insured at 800-243-3174. Holbrook Travel’s agency number is 15849.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL

Visit holbrook.travel/munguiatz or contact Debbie Sturdivant Jordan at 866-748-6146 or debbie@holbrooktravel.com

PHOTOS BY

Harvey Barrison, Laurie McLaughlin, Dain Van Schoyck, Lip Kee Yap