Organised Fieldtrips

A FULL RANGE OF FIELDTRIPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOU to fully explore the natural wonders of Tanzania. Fieldtrips have been filling up fast and many formerly available excursions are now no longer available, or fewer days are being offered. At this point, we would like you to contact Vanessa Morgan directly to reserve a spot on a trip: fieldtrips(at)atbc-sbcafrica2011(dot)org

Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek using the Lemosho Route, 4 – 10 or 17 – 23 June or 24 - 30 June 2011

Due to small group numbers, we will not be conducting this fieldtrip. If you would still like to hiki Kili, contact Hans Schabel: hschabel(at)gmail(dot)com

Some places you visit just once but spend the rest of your life reliving the experience and retelling the story. Trekking up Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of those places. It is the highest peak on the African continent and also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. At 5,895 m (19,336 ft), it a towering and breathtaking site. We will be taking you along the Lemosho Route, a trail that starts on the West side of the Mountain. Lemosho route makes a more gradual ascent than other routes, increasing your chances of getting to the top, and is highly attractive largely because so few people know about it. The Juniperus procera forest that we traverse on the first day is also more impressive and the route provides occasional exposure to wildlife. If you are interested in the gradual transition of vegetation with elevation, if you like a physical challenge, if you want to calm your mind, lift your spirits, and replenish your soul, join us on this fieldtrip. Total cost per person: $1,919 includes Park fees, transfers, food & accommodation.

Mt. Meru Trek, 8 -11 June or 17 -20 June

You’ll be seeing Mt. Meru daily from Arusha City, but it’s another matter altogether hiking this sister mountain to Mt. Kilimanjaro. Although not quite as high as “Kili”, this is still Africa’s fourth highest mountain (4556 m). Meru is a tougher mountain to hike than Kili and often used as the ‘practice run’ for your longer trek up Kili. Hike Mt. Meru before the meeting to feel superior, or after the meeting to sign off before leaving Arusha.

Rift Valley and Ngorongoro Conservation Area Walking Safari, 17 – 23 June 2011

Most visitor's experience of African wildlife and the great African landscape will be from the comforts of a 4X4 Land Cruiser vehicle. Nobody will offer you a walking safari quite like the one we are offering you here. Usually done together with a Kilimanjaro hike, this safari offers you something quite different: following the wildlife by foot, camping in Maasai bomas, herding the donkeys that carry your load! Join us on a one-week safari centred around lakes and wildlife in Tanzania's spectacular Rift Valley and the neighbouring Volcano Highlands. Pretend you are Livingstone (or Stanley for that matter), imagine you are Ernest Hemingway hunting elephants around Lake Manyara. Total cost per person: $2,140 includes transfers, park fees, food, drinks and accommodation for 6 nights and 7 days. Read full description.

Lake Natron and the Mountain of God, 10 - 12 and 17 - 19 June 2011

This trip consists of a visit to Lake Natron, a spectacularly pink and orange salt lake located in northern Tanzania, followed by a nighttime ascent up to Oldoinyo Lengai, a carbonate volcano that the Maasai call "The Mountain of God". The fieldtrip focuses on the Flora & Fauna of Lake Natron and the successional changes of vegetation recolonising the slopes of Oldoinyo Lengai. Big game is not the highlight of this trip, rather it is birds and other lifeforms that can tolerate excessively high salt content and pounding heat...

Lake Manyara NP, Serengeti NP, and the Ngorongoro Crater, 17 - 20 June 2011

This trip focuses on the three most incredible parks in Tanzania, two of which are listed among the natural wonders of the world. You’ve read about them, you’ve seen the documentaries, you’ve dreamed about visiting them since you were a child, and now you are as close as you have ever been to them. But, unfortunately, you must rush back to your duties and commitments elsewhere in the world and can only spare a few days…This is your trip: a triple whammer packed into 4 days and 3 nights you never will forget.

Arusha National Park, day trip, NOW offered only on 11, 12 and 17 June 2011 [all other days filled]

Take advantage of the fact that you will be a mere 35 minutes drive from wild-roaming elephants, giraffes and the African landscapes of your childhood dreams. The Park’s biggest attraction is its volcanic landscape dominated by Mt.Meru. A walk around the slopes of Mt.Meru, accompanied by an armed ranger can be incorporated in the safari as you wish ($10p p extra).You could also choose to embark on a canoe excursion on the Lake-an excellent way of getting up-close to buffalo, giraffes, bushbucks and waterbucks grazing on the shore. On a clear day you will also have great views of Mt.Kilimanjaro from here!

NEW: Tarangire National Park, day trip, offered 11, 12 and 17 June 2011

Tarangire NP is the place for spectacular views of large elephant herds and bird watching. In their rush to go to Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP and Lake Manyara, most visitors forget about Tarangire NP, a slight out-of-the-way stop. For those who appreciate the places less visit, however, this is well worth the effort. Low visitation rates makes Tarangire a particularly nice place to visit because you won't be thronged by all those "other tourists"...

Arusha Coffee farming, day excursion offered 10,11, 12, 17 and 18 June 2011; $60 per person

Coffee is an important cash crop for Tanzania and Arusha is one of Tanzania’s main coffee-growing areas. Experience coffee cultivation from seedling to harvesting to packaging.

Arusha Flower Farming, day excursion, offered 10,11, 12, 17 and 18 June 2011; $60 per person:

Planeloads of flowers leave Arusha and Moshi daily from Kilimanjaro International airport, bound for Europe to decorate doctor's offices and hotel lobbies. This tour will give you a sense of the international flower industry, its size and effect on lives in Arusha.

Diving with Whale sharks in the Spice Islands (Zanzibar, Mafia and Pemba), 17 -23 June

Don't forget to pack your diving license because the East African coast is a little-mentioned but wondrous place to "get deep"...Moreover, these Islands offer you a different understanding of Tanzanian culture: The Tanzanian coast has been trading with the Arab aworld since the late 1500s...

Udzungwa Primates and Mikumi National Park,17 -21 June 2011

Join us on an appreciation of the habitats, behaviours and challenges facing our distance relatives...From the newly discovered, to endemic, to threatened primates in the Udzungwa Mountains (e.g. the Sanje Crested Mangeby and Iringa Red Colobus) with option to extend to Jane Goodall's Chimpanzees in Mahale and Gombe Stream National Parks and on to Zanzibar for the habituated Zanzibar Red Colobus.

Tarangire NP is the place for spectacular views of large elephant herds and bird watching. In their rush to go to Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti NP and Lake Manyara, most visitors forget about Tarangire NP, a slight out-of-the-way stop. For those who appreciate the places less visit, however, this is well worth the effort. Low visitation rates makes Tarangire a particularly nice place to visit because you won't be thronged by all those "other tourists"...

Ngorongoro Crater day trip, NOW offered only 11 and 18 June 2011 (all other days filled)

You've come to Arusha and you are 'this' close to  being in one of the most amazing places on Earth. You can't turn back and leave without visiting the Ngorongoro Crater. There are no words to describe the splendour of this geographical and biological wonder. At the first sight of the Crater, most people loose their speech; others cry. This trip is a really quick dash to the Crater for those who cannot stay long enough to do a longer safari that includes several other Parks along the way. This fieldtrip is primarily for LOW BUDGETS.You'll need to be either a STUDENT or from a LOW INCOME COUNTRY to participate.

Chumbe Island Private Marine Park , 17 -19 June 2011

The award-winning Chumbe Island Coral Park is a private Marine Protected Area (MPA) off the coast of Zanzibar.It is self-funded through an eco-accommodation located on the island. Guest fees fund monitoring and research projects and sponsor environmental education trips for local students.

Swim-walk in the Coelecanth Marine Park, 17 - 19 June 2011:

Tanga is a quaint Coastal Tanzanian town that has the ability to enchant, if you allow it to. The Program includes 3-4 hours walking & swimming with strong tidal currents through fantastic wild mangrove creeks, swamps & coastal land, passing village sites.Watch informal activities, dhow & ngalawa boat building & repairs, sea grass fields, archaeological and witchcraft sites. End with a typical coastal Swahili dinner under the stars.

Flora and Fauna of the Amani Nature Reserve, 17 - 19 June 2011

Like islands amidst an ocean of savanna, the Eastern Arc Mountains host hundreds of endemic plants and animals that are threatened by logging and agricultural. This trip to Amani Forest Reserve will allow us to explore the human and natural resource aspect of one of 13 mountain blocks forming the Eastern Arc ranges. Formally owned by tea estates, Amani Reserve is now a wonderful example of the contributions that forests can make to improving livelihoods through biodiversity conservation.