DUMA EXPLORER OFFERS NEW OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH JOURNEY
5% of Tanzania Legends bookings to help support Mozambique cyclone relief efforts
Tanzania is known for its many superlatives and is home to some of Africa’s top destinations including Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Kilimanjaro National Park. In addition to these world-famous parks, there are many other destinations that a first-time visitor misses. Since many travelers choose to visit more than once, Duma Explorer has created a new off-the-beaten-path itinerary calledTanzania Legends tailored to those who value new experiences combined with the legendary Serengeti National Park – perhaps the greatest wildlife park Africa has to offer. Duma Explorer is donating 5% of all bookings of the Tanzania Legends tour to help support the Mozambique cyclone relief efforts.
As part of this new itinerary, travelers visit Hatari Lodge, a historical property with an interesting Hollywood pedigree near Arusha National Park. View resident wildlife at close range with Tanzania’s highest peaks in the background. During the stay at Hatari, enjoy game drives through Mount Meru’s old growth forest and around the flamingo-filled Momella Lakes. A gentle hike through Meru’s rainforest with a picnic lunch at Majo Waterfall is a half day activity for those wanting to enjoy time outside the vehicle.
Continue on to West Kilimanjaro to learn from the Maasai and enjoy the remote Kilimanjaro ecosystem. Drive through Maasailand and enjoy a picnic at 3,600 meters before arriving at Shu’mata Camp. Situated on a hilltop beneath Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak, Shu’mata offers breathtaking views of Maasailand below and Mount Kilimanjaro above. Designed to inspire conservation, Shu’mata treads lightly on this fragile ecosystem and works hand in hand with the Maasai to restore harmony between migrating herds and local communities. While at Shu’mata, enjoy walking safaris, Maasai cultural experiences and game drives in the Kilimanjaro/Amboseli ecosystem.
The 13-day itinerary then takes travelers to Serengeti National Park, the world’s most iconic safari park, flying over the Ngorongoro Highlands and arriving in Central Serengeti in the early afternoon. Spend the next two days viewing wildlife around the Seronera River Valley, Retina Hippo Pool and various rock outcrops in the area. Your base for the next two nights is Kiota Camp, an intimate tented camp with breathtaking views located just twenty minutes from the Seronera River Valley.
Fly from Central Serengeti to Ndutu or Northern Serengeti and spend the next two days at Chaka Camp, a mobile tented camp designed to be lightweight enough to move seasonally. Chaka Camp follows the wildebeest migration, covering hundreds of kilometers as it moves seasonally around the Serengeti. In the Northern Serengeti, the migration crosses back and forth across the Mara River as the herds search for fresh grass. Witness a spectacular river crossing in the north and perhaps even a crocodile taking down an unlucky individual. In Ndutu, the herds gather in groups of several thousand as visitors eagerly await calving season, when the wildebeest give birth to up to 8,000 babies each day.
This epic journey ends with an optional beach excursion on Tanzania’s seldom-visited coast. Spend four nights luxuriating on a stretch of untouched beach south of Pangani on the Swahili Coast. Take a boat trip to Maziwe Marine Park to explore the nearby reefs and enjoy a picnic on the island of sand. Explore the mangrove forest and river estuary behind the hotel and finish with a sundowner overlooking the vast salt-plains.
Rates for the 13-day journey start at $7450USD per person based on double occupancy during peak season (December 21 – February 29; June 16 – October 31) and $6345USD off-season (March 1 – June 15; November 1 – December 20). Price includes all meals, accommodations, park fees, activities as indicated and internal flights. International flights are not included. Duma Explorer will allocate 5% of all bookings of the new Tanzania Legends tour booked by December 31, 2019 will go towards the Mozambique cyclone relief efforts. For reservations, visit info@dumaexplorer.com or www.dumaexplorer.com.
For travelers looking for a specific type of itinerary, Duma Explorer can put together experiences for almost every type of traveler. From the adventurist to multi-generational families, here are just a few.
Extreme Adventures Duma Explorer started as a Kilimanjaro trekking company back in 2004 and now runs approximately 30 Kilimanjaro climbs per year. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the largest free-standing mountain in the world. At 19,341 feet above sea level, a trek to Kilimanjaro’s summit is a multi-day affair and not for the faint of heart. Though not a technical climb, most trekkers experience varying levels of altitude sickness and the summit success rate is approximately 70%. Duma Explorer recommends 7, 8 or 9 day climbs to increase chances of summit success. Other climbing adventures in Tanzania include Mount Meru, Oldonyo Lengai, and Ngorongoro Highlands trekking.
Families Safaris are a wonderful experience for families. The magic of seeing wildlife in its natural environment is an experience that can be enjoyed over and over again by adults and children alike. Every safari is unique, and many travelers return as families for repeat trips. Duma Explorer recommends safaris for children ages 7 and older and most lodges and camps offer a 50% discount for children ages 12 and under. Safaris are also a great way for families to bond and are the ideal trip for multi-generational families.
Honeymooners Often thought of as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, safaris are perfect for honeymooners looking for a truly memorable experience. There are many small boutique camps and hotels that provide an intimate, romantic getaway for honeymooners. Add-on romantic experiences include a Serengeti balloon safari, private dinners under the African stars, bush breakfasts, and sundowners in the wild. Chaka Camps operates three boutique luxury lodges that are a wonderful choice for honeymooners.
Eco-Conscious A safari is a perfect adventure for travelers interested in the environment. It is a chance to witness wildlife in its natural environment, uninhibited by the development of humans. The Serengeti ecosystem is one of the only remaining ecosystems in the world large enough to support the wildlife populations in it, making it a perfect destination for eco-conscious travelers. Staying at properties within the national parks gives an inside look at what it is like to operate ‘off-the-grid’. Chaka Camps operate on solar, collect rainwater, recycle all plastic and steel and more.
Founded in 2004, Duma Explorer is an adventure travel company offering safari and trekking packages to beautiful Tanzania. With decades of Tanzania tourism experience, Duma Explorer prides themselves on their long-standing reputation for providing high quality travel experiences to their guests. As one of Tanzania’s only Travelife-certified tour operators and a founding partner of Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project, Duma Explorer continually demonstrates their commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability. www.