ROBERT CAPUTO

National Geographic photographer Robert Caputo has specialized in Africa over the past three decades. He photographed ten stories on the continent for National Geographic magazine, and assisted filming a wildlife documentary series in Tanzania with Jane Goodall. Co-author of four National Geographic photography field guides, Bob will share his knowledge of Africa and his techniques for locating, identifying, and capturing on film the wildlife you will encounter.

Bob will accompany the December 29, 2005 and February 12, 2006 departures.

LAURENCE FRANK

Wildlife biologist and National Geographic grantee Laurence Frank is one of the world’s leading authorities on African predators. Laurence has spent 30 years studying predators in East Africa. National Geographic has supported his work since 1981, including his study of spotted hyenas and his work on lion conservation biology. Laurence runs the Laikipia Predator Project and the Kilimanjaro Lion Conservation Project, aimed at preserving and increasing predator populations.

Laurence will accompany the January 14, 2006 departure.

KARIN MULLER

Filmmaker, author, photographer, and adventurer Karin Muller has participated in several expeditions to Tanzania to retrace her family heritage. Following in the adventurous footsteps of her German grandmother who lived in Tanzania, Karin has trekked the Royal Inca Highway down the spine of the Andes, hitchhiked through Vietnam, lived with the geisha and pre-Buddhist mountain ascetics in Japan, and sailed to Zanzibar on a native dhow. She has returned to East Africa to study wildlife conservation, national park policy, and the use of new technologies to track wild game. Since first receiving a National Geographic Expedition Grant in 1998, Karin has published books, produced documentaries, written articles, taken photos, and presented lectures for National Geographic.

Karin will accompany the December 27, 2005 and January 16, 2006 departures.

MEAVE LEAKEY

National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Meave Leakey, paleontologist, zoologist, and member of the renowned fossil-hunting Leakey family, will meet with travelers on our expedition. Meave discovered a 3.5 million-year-old fossil skull and jaw believed to belong to a new branch of early humans.

Days 1 and 2 New York/Arusha, Tanzania
Depart on an overnight flight to Kilimanjaro via Amsterdam, arriving in late evening the next day.
New Arusha Hotel

Day 3 Arusha/Lake Manyara
Drive to Lake Manyara National Park, famous for its tree-climbing lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, and smaller animals. Enjoy an evening game safari.
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 4 Lake Manyara/Serengeti
Visit a Masai village and continue to the central Serengeti. Take a late afternoon game drive for your first glimpse of the million-strong annual wildebeest migration (December and January departures only).
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 5 Serengeti
Embark on a morning game drive or optional hot-air balloon safari to view the plains game from above, followed by a champagne breakfast under the shade of an acacia tree. Enjoy an afternoon of game viewing en route to our tented camp in the western Serengeti.
Kirawira Camp Western Serengeti (B,L,D)

Day 6 Serengeti
Enjoy a full-day game drive amid the thunderous theater of the vast wildebeest migration. View crocodiles at the Grumeti River.
(B,L,D)

Day 7 Serengeti/Olduvai Gorge
Drive to Ngorongoro hills. National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Meave Leakey, who in 1999 discovered a 3.5-million-year-old skull and partial jaw believed to belong to a new branch of early hominid, will join us on a visit to the Olduvai Gorge. Here, her father-in-law, Louis Leakey, discovered the remains of Homo habilis, regarded as one of humankind’s first steps on the ladder of human evolution. Meave will join us for dinner and discuss her family’s research.
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge (B,L,D)

Day 8 Ngorongoro Crater
Descend to the base of the crater, 2,000 feet below the rim, where almost 30,000 animals shelter in an area naturally enclosed by the slopes of the volcano, for a full-day game drive. At any time we may see elephants, rhinos, buffalo, cheetahs, lions, hyenas, hippos, wildebeests, and many more of Africa’s most spectacular game. Enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to our safari lodge in the late afternoon.
(B,L,D)

Day 9 Ngorongoro/Zanzibar
Rise early for a morning game drive. Drive to Arusha and fly to Zanzibar where ancient Islamic ruins; noble Arabic houses; and white, sandy, palm-fringed beaches and coves coexist. Our home for the next three nights is the Ocean Paradise Resort, a lovely resort on one of the island’s most pristine beaches.

Note: On the December 27, 29, January 14, and 16, 2005 departures, accommodations will be at the Breezes Beach Club, and on the December 31 departure, accommodations will be at the Zanzibar Serena Inn.
(B,L,D)

Day 10 Zanzibar
Choose from several excursions this morning: Board a local dhow (wooden sailing boat) to Prison Island and see the giant tortoises, then snorkel or relax on the beach. Or, go on an excursion to view dolphins or to visit a spice plantation. Our afternoon is at leisure to snorkel, sail, or simply enjoy the beach.
(B,D)

Day 11 Zanzibar
Today sail, snorkel, or take an optional scuba-diving excursion. Transfer back to Stone Town late in the afternoon. Tonight, gather for our farewell reception and dinner.
(B,D)

Days 12 and 13 Zanzibar/Dar es Salaam/New York
Depart on a walking tour of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the city market, old Slave Market site, and National Museum of Zanzibar. Walk through the narrow streets to small, exotic bazaars and curio shops. Later, fly to Dar es Salaam and connect to your flight to New York, arriving the next day.
(B,L,D)

Kilimanjaro Climb
January 7-15; February 5-13, 2006
Climb Mount Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet) via the seven-day scenic Machame Route. This is a strenuous climb and only recommended for those in excellent physical condition. It includes six nights of camping, one night in Arusha, all meals, and the services of expert climbing guides. Call for a detailed itinerary.

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