TANZANIAN WILDLIFE SAFARI WITH ANCIENT EGYPT - 2010
A Safari in Tanzania & a cultural tour to Egypt

An interesting tour that combines the best of the wildlife kingdom of Northern Tanzania with the rich cultural heritage of ancient Egypt. We start with a safari though the national parks of Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti and Lake Manyara seeing the big five and a lot more – in their natural surroundings and habitat. After our safari we head off for the second segment of our tour to Egypt –for a whole different experience. We traverse over 5000 years of human achievements enshrined in the Pyramids, Sphinx, and Luxor Temples. Then it is off to Islamic Cairo with its citadels, mosques, parks and exotic bazaars.

Day 01 (THU): Depart home city for Kilimanjaro, Arusha

Day 02 (FRI): Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport, Arusha (TANZANIA)
Karibu! - Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport after we are cordially welcomed and transferred to our hotel for a good night’s rest. Arusha is a small town but is the exact centre between Cairo and Cape Town and is also the capital of the East African Community.
Overnight: The Impala Hotel, Arusha (1 night) (B)

Day 03 (SAT): Arusha / Tarangire (drive) (TANZANIA)
After a pre-safari briefing, we drive to Tarangire National Park. It houses vast number of the ancient baobab trees that will first capture our eyes. After lunch we start with our first game drive – and the adventure begins. Tarangire not only has big game but is also a focus for over 350 species of birds.
Overnight: Tarangire Sopa Lodge (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 04 (SUN): Tarangire / Ngorongoro Crater (drive)
Morning we head off for Gibbs Farm which is located in the slopes of Ngorongoro and is famous for its coffee farms. We visit the farms and also see the historical buildings going back to the early days of the British colonial era. We then continue for Ngorongoro to our lodge located on the rim of the crater. The crater covers over 102 square miles (250 square kilometres) of land and is the home of the rare black rhino, prides of lion, elephant, cheetah and great herds of buffalo, antelope and wildebeest.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 05 (MON): Ngorongoro Crater
Breakfast at the lodge. Today we will descend 2000 feet (0ver 600 metres) to the floor of the crater for a half day crater tour. Explore the forest areas that are inhabited by monkey and elephant, the lake area, where we may see the flamingos and the open savannah where the lions hunt for food. (B, L, D)

Day 06 (TUE): Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti (drive)
After breakfast drive to Olduvai Gorge, site of Louis and Mary Leakey’s renowned archaeological discoveries. Their findings include some of the man’s earliest known ancestral remains. Continue to Serengeti National Park with a picnic lunch en route. This enormous park supports every variety of animals imaginable, from large predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah to the smaller herbivores they prey on.
Overnight: Serengeti Sopa Lodge (3 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 07 & 08 (WED & THU): Serengeti
Breakfast at the lodge. Morning and afternoon game drives. More than two million wildebeest, Thompson’s gazelle and zebra gather during the migration, attracting a great deal of attention from their predators such as lion, hyena, cheetah and leopard. (B, L, D)

Day 09 (FRI): Lake Manyara
After breakfast we depart for Lake Manyara National Park. Lunch at the lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive in this park famous for its prolific bird-life and other inhabitants such as hippos, monkeys, tree climbing lions.
Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 10 (SAT): Lake Manyara / Arusha / Cairo
After breakfast, drive to Arusha for lunch and bid farewell to our wildlife experience. After lunch transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your scheduled flight to Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Safir Hotel, Cairo (2 nights) (B, L)

Day 11 (SUN): Cairo / Pyramids (drive)
This is a day to go back in time, starting with a visit to the most famous of the Egyptian sphinxes, the Great Sphinx of Gizah, followed by the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops). Completed around 2600 BC, this pyramid was 146m (478ft) high and consisted of over 2 million limestone blocks weighing over 2 tons each. We also examine the Chephren and Mycerinus Pyramids as well as the Cheops wooden boat. At over 4500 years old, this boat is the most ancient vessel found in perfect condition anywhere in the world and is one of the most important archaeological finds in Egypt. Next we visit Memphis and the Saqqara Step Pyramid, the world's first great stone structure. Evening, an ideal opportunity to join in our optional viewing of the spectacular Sound and Light Show at the foot of the Great Pyramids. (B)

Day 12 (MON): Cairo / Luxor (Flight)
A short flight gets us to Luxor where we are warmly received and transferred to the boat, home for the next four nights. Over the next few days we cruise the Nile and visit various off-shore sites.
Overnight: M/S Sherry Boat / President Cruise (4 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 13 (TUE): Nile Cruise Luxor
This afternoon we visit the Karnak and Luxor Temples. The ancient Egyptians knew the Temple of Karnak as Ipet-isut. Luxor is a city of temples built over 2000 years and dedicated to the Theben triad of Amon, Mut and Khonsu. This derelict place continues to overshadow many of the wonders of the modern world. It is the mother of all religious buildings and a place of pilgrimage for nearly 4,000 years. Luxor Temple was connected to Karnak Temple by an avenue of sphinxes in ancient times. Unlike Karnak, Luxor is mainly the work of one pharaoh - Amenhotep III and was added to by Tutankhamun, Horemheb, Ramses II and Alexander the Great. During Akhenaten’s reign, all religion other than worship of Aten, was rejected and the development at Luxor stopped. When Akhenaten died, the old religions returned, along with the priests, so the temple began to expand again. (B, L, D)

Day 14 (WED): Nile Cruise Luxor / Esna / Edfu
We begin our day with a visit to the West Bank of Luxor to explore the Valley of the Kings, a vast City of the Dead where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks, richly decorated, and filled with treasures for the afterlife by generations of pharaohs. Our visit will also includes Queen Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Sail to Esna, cross the lock then continue on to Edfu. (B, L, D)

Day 15 (THU): Nile Cruise Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan
Morning we will be visiting the well-preserved Greek built Temple of Horus. This temple, built during the reigns of six generations of Ptolemy’s, is not only the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but also the second largest after Karnak. Afternoon sail for Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. It stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank.(B, L, D)

Day 16 (FRI): Aswan / Cairo (Train)
Disembark after breakfast. Visits in Aswan include the famous and monumental Aswan High Dam and the romantic and majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilka. This afternoon, we take a ride on a felucca, a typical Egyptian sailboat, around Elephantine Island. This is also a day for those who may want to take an optional flight excursion to Abu Simbel+ to see the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Evening we are transferred to the railway station at Aswan for our comfortable overnight train to Cairo or take the optional flight ro Cairo with overnight at the hotel. See ++ below for details.
Overnight: Sleeper Train / Cairo Hotel (1 night) (B, D)

Day 17 (SAT): Arrive Cairo
We arrive in the morning and are welcomed at Cairo Railway Station. Our day starts with a fascinating tour of 7,000 years of Egyptian history with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The Museum houses the world's greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including 12 rooms filled with golden treasures from the world-famous tomb of the boy-king Tutenkhamun. Next we are off to the fascinating part of Islamic Cairo, including the beautiful and graceful Mohamed Ali Mosque and the ancient Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress perched on a hill above the city. Originally built by Salah El-Din in 1176 to fortify the city against the Crusaders, the Citadel was modified and enlarged over the centuries by subsequent rulers and today is a complex of three mosques and four museums. Our last stop is at the awesome Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, reputed to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Originally founded as a watering stop for caravanserai in the 14th century, the bazaar has now grown to vast proportions.
Overnight: Safir Hotel, Cairo (1 night) (B)

DAY 18 (SUN): Cairo / departure
After what will have been a wonderful journey, we bid farewell as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. For optional extensions within Egypt or the neighbouring countries, please contact us. (B)

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Departure Dates
2010 English Speaking Departures Mar 25, Apr 22, May 20, Jun 24, Aug 05, Oct 07, Nov 18 & Dec 16
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation and cruise as mentioned or similar International Airfare - click to see note Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Insurance (trip cancellation & medical insurances are highly recommended) All game drive and transfers by jeeps Entrance fees to special chambers inside the Pyramids, Tout Ankh Amoun Tomb in the Valley of Kings, Mummies room at the Egyptian Museum, visit to the Solar Boat Museum. Entrance fees to the outside chambers, where applicable, are included. Services of local English speaking guides/drivers   Entrance fees at all Museums, Parks & Sites   Domestic air tickets: Cairo / Luxor   Train tickets: Aswan / Cairo
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
2010 Departure Options Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement Apr 22 & May 20 US $ 3825 US $ 695 Mar 25 & Nov 18 US $ 4490 US $ 695 Jun 24, Aug 05, Oct 07 US $ 4845 US $ 695 Dec 16 US $ 4995 US $ 700 + Day 16 Optional Abu Simbel add $ 295 per person includes airfare Aswan / Abu Simbel /Aswan ++ Day 16 Instead of the overnight train take a flight at $ 160 per person includes airfare and transfers and overnight hotel. Single Supplement $ 50
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast US $ 1500 Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast US $ 1450
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 07 participants.
Notes
International airfares ranges ex East Coast to Tanzania & Egypt combined FROM $ 1700 plus taxes (approx $ 350). West Coast supplement is $ 300.
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.