Your exclusive flying safaris in Africa

Soaring Safaris

1

THE BEST OF EAST AFRICA: TANZANIA TO ETHIOPIA (Explorer)

Tanzania – Uganda - Kenya – Ethiopia

10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS

Special departure at a special rate: June 5th to 14th, 2013 One of the most spectacular tours in Africa: all the highlights of East Africa in all

its beauty and awe, a full immersion in the magnificent and incredible contrasts of this region. Unique and exclusive perspectives with an “embrace from the air”. Guiding principle: great experience combined with the choice of high standard

accommodation or, in some cases, the best available. For those who want it all, do not have much time, are seeking

the “wow” effect … and love Africa! FLYING DETAILS DURING THE AIR-TOUR: • an average of 2.5 hours of flying time per day • aircraft used: Cessna Grand Caravan C208 (14 seats for max 9 pax + 1

pilot/guide for more comfort and all window seat) Min. nr of pax: 1 Max nr of pax: 9 (all window seats) DAY 1 – JUN. 5th: Arusha - TANZANIA Arrival in Arusha Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) and transfer to the nearby hotel. Free time to relax. Meals own arrangements Overnight Mount Meru Hotel (all rooms ensuite) DAYS 2 & 3 – Jun 6 & 7th: from the Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti - TANZANIA After breakfast, transfer to the city airport, meeting with our experienced pilot/guide and start of the air-tour. From Kili we head to the northwest to admire some outstanding beauties. The imposing silhouette of the Ol Doinyo Lengai – “the mountain of God” for the Maasai tribes –, a still active volcano with a very unusual carbonatite lava which makes the volcanic landscape different from any other in the world. Then another incredible phenomenon of this geological scar, Lake Natron, so uniquely alive and amazing from the air: its alkaline red waters, the many white discs of natron salt, the pink dots of the flamingos… Then we veer westbound and fly over and across the green vastness of the Serengeti with its endless plains, our “home” for the next 2 nights to fully enjoy the excellent safaris and varied landscapes of this national park. Activities: game drives in 4WD in the park to admire its abundant and varied wildlife

Your exclusive flying safaris in Africa

Soaring Safaris

2

Breakfast at the camp Lunch at the camp Dinner at the camp Overnight deluxe mobile tented camp in the northern area (all tents ensuite) DAYS 4 & 5 – Jun 8 & 9th: from the Serengeti to the Virungas - UGANDA After another early morning safari in the Serengeti and a short stop for immigration and customs formalities in Mwanza on Lake Victoria, continuation to other icons of Africa. We fly across the lake to Entebbe, our port of entry into Uganda, and then up again in the air on a very scenic flight to the remote southwest. We land at Kisoro, at the foothills of majestic Virunga Mountains - the ancient volcanoes which are part of the western branch of the Rift Valley – and transfer by road to the lodge. Activities: mountain gorillas tracking, a unique experience which allows us to spend one hour in the presence of these incredible apes; a must for any person in love with animals. Breakfast at the camp Lunch picnic lunch en route / at the lodge Dinner at the lodge Overnight Clouds Mountain

Gorillas Lodge (rooms ensuite) DAY 6 – Jun 10th: from the Virungas to Lake Turkana - KENYA After breakfast transfer back to Kisoro, and we retrace our steps to Entebbe and Lake Victoria but this time we land on the Kenyan side, at Eldoret, to clear customs and immigration. We are now ready to fully embrace from the air the incredible sceneries of the Great Rift Valley - craters, blue lakes often dotted by thousands of pink flamingos, escarpments, forests…. - and of the Suguta Valley - where extensive black lava rivers share the landscape with small sand dunes and numerous volcanic craters -. Simply magnificent the unexpected panorama

offered by the southern shores of Lake Turkana where one of these volcanoes sticks out of the lake’s waters and on its side has a vast black lava carpet with many small lagoons. We land at the far-off village of Loyangalani where we settle in a basic lodge, indeed a necessary and well worth compromise. Activities: late in the afternoon, stroll in the village of Loyangalani to get in touch

Your exclusive flying safaris in Africa

Soaring Safaris

3

with remote Africa, its villages made of huts and its people still living in a traditional way. Breakfast at the camp Lunch picnic lunch en route Dinner at the lodge Overnight Oasis Lodge – rustic but the only available and conveniently located

on the lake (all rooms ensuite) DAYS 7 & 8 - Jun 11 & 12th: from Turkana to Addis and Gondar - ETHIOPIA Departure after breakfast to Lokichoggio, the former largest center for UN Humanitarian operations in Africa and today a sleepy village. After custom and immigration clearing, continuation to the border with Ethiopia and, following the Rift Valley through the Ethiopian highlands and lakes district, we reach Addis Ababa. Transfer to the hotel and city tour. The following day we are ready to set our wings to one of the most spectacular panoramas in Africa: the Ethiopian high-plateau and the Blue Nile Canyon, all the way up to its sources in Lake Tana! Landing in Gondar, just north of the lake, transfer to the hotel and city tour.

Activities: one full afternoon dedicated to the visit of the capital of Ethiopia and one full afternoon dedicated to the visit of Gondar with its ancient palaces and churches. Breakfast at the hotel Lunch at the hotel Dinner at the hotel Overnight Hilton Hotel ***** in Addis Abeba, Goha Hotel ** in Gondar (the best

available - all rooms ensuite) DAY 9 – Jun 13th : from Gondar to Lalibela - ETHIOPIA Departure after breakfast to fly across still more scenic landscapes to the magic city of Lalibela, center of the Copt Orthodox religion and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lalibela is not only a remarkable example of ancient architectural achievements, in fact what strikes most is the magic and spiritual atmosphere which pervades every corner of the church complexes. Transfer by road from the small airport to the town itself and visits. In Lalibela in the afternoon we will visit the first two groups of rock hewn churches and then

Your exclusive flying safaris in Africa

Soaring Safaris

4

have time to stroll in the village, to absorb the local life and the still present movement of pilgrims gathering into what is considered today’s Vatican for the Ortodox Copt. Activities: one full afternoon dedicated to the visit of 2 of the 3 groups of the still active rock hewn churches. Breakfast at the hotel Lunch at the hotel Dinner at the hotel on day Overnight Tukul Village Hotel ** in Lalibela, the best available; DAY 10 – Jun 14th: from Lalibela to Addis - ETHIOPIA this morning we have more time to visit the third and last group of churches, or, we can go on a mule ride up to an ancient monastery on the top of on of the mountains dominating Lalibela. The excursion itself is a good opportunity to admire at a slow pace the beauty of the surrounding landscapes, move across some local villages witnessing the daily life, and once on top, enjoy a magnificent and dominating view over the ethiopian highlands. Inside the monastery we will be able to take a look at some very ancient books, over 600 years old. Back at Lalibela for lunch, we then drive back to the local airport and fly with our aircraft back to Addis Abeba, once more enjoying a very spectacular scenic flight. Upon arrival in Addis Abeba the tour ends and passengers can take their flights back home. Activities: one full morning dedicated to the visit of the 3rd group of the still active rock hewn churches, or mule ascent to a local monastry. Breakfast at the hotel Lunch at the hotel Dinner own arrangements Overnight own arrangements If the international flight is before 19.00 an extra overnight (and transfers) in Addis is necessary and can be quoted upon request.

Your exclusive flying safaris in Africa

Soaring Safaris

5

Included: § Assistance at Arusha-Kilimanjaro airport upon arrival and at Addis Abeba

airport upon departure § Transfers from/to airports (in minibuses and/or 4WD vehicles) § All sightseeing flights by Cessna C208 Grand Caravan § 9 days of flying safaris with experienced pilot/guide (English, French &

Spanish speaking) § Safari activities by 4WD vehicles; visits of cities in minibuses § 1 permit for gorilla tracking per person in Uganda § Accommodation in standard rooms/permanent tents/bungalows, as per

itinerary § All meals as described, apart from those indicated as “own arrangements” § Cold drinks while aboard the aircraft § Entrance fees to national parks, concessions, protected areas and cultural

sites § First Aid box § All service charges and taxes Not included: § International flights to Arusha and from Addis Abeba § Visa fees and any airport passengers departure taxes § Any meal or sightseeing tour other than those specified § Some beverages § Porterage § Personal and holiday insurance (compulsory) § Tips for drivers, guides and hotel staff § Any item of personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc. § Whatever is not mentioned as included Accommodation § Arusha (TNZ) – Mount Meru Hotel or similar § Serengeti N.P. (TNZ) – Serengeti Sayari or similar § Virunga Mountains (UGA) – Clouds Mountain Gorillas Lodge or similar § Lake Turkana (KEN) – Oasis Lodge § Gondar (ET) – Goha Hotel or similar § Lalibela (ET) – Tukul Village hotel or similar § Addis Abeba (ET) – The Hilton Hotel or similar Important: § Should clients wish to transform this experiential tour into a “smart” tour,

this would be possible with some modifications to the itinerary and by replacing some accommodation: Arusha Coffee Lodge instead of Kia Lodge/Mount Meru Hotel, Desert Rose Lodge instead of Oasis Lodge, The Sheraton Addis instead of Hilton Hotel in Ethiopia and even by staying all nights in Addis and fly in and out of there. Quotation upon request.

Your exclusive flying safaris in Africa

Soaring Safaris

6

§ All our trips are designed to be flexible so that we can adapt to weather conditions, focus on the group’s interests and take advantage of wildlife sighting opportunities that arise. We enjoy the grandeur of the vast wilderness.

§ Considering the special nature of the journey, some parts may be modified due to unpredictable factors and are based on unarguable decisions of the pilot. Costs originating from such variations will be sole responsibility of the participants. Of course the pilot will do their utmost to adhere to the original programme.

§ There are 6 border-crossings in African countries, hence some delays are to be expected and patience is necessary.

Rates per person (based on twin share) – Valid only for the dept of Jun. 5th, 2013 Number of participants Per person Rate Based on 9 pax per plane 11 325 US$ Based on 8 pax per plane 11 950 US$ Based on 6 pax per plane 13 825 US$ Based on 4 pax per plane 17 560 US$ Single supplement 2 525 US$ Price based on the following exchange rates: 1 US$ = 9 ZAR

Prices to be confirmed 3 months prior departure.