Re: Tanzania in 2027 - My Last Trips (fwd)

[robert <http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert>]

 > From: Noelle <noelle>
 > Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2026 09:38:56 -0800 (PST)
 >
 > intl trip retirement?

I don't know if it will fit into your budget.  We could work on budgeting
if you are interested in going.

 >  > From: "Michael Ellis" <http://www.footlooseforays.com/~mjellis>
 >  > Date: Sat, 07 Mar 2026 01:18:32 +0000
 >  > 
 >  > Footloose Forays  <
 >  > https://www.footlooseforays.com?ss_source=sscampaigns&ss_campaign_id=69a9db678e9f656d23ea3271&ss_email_id=69ab7cdae7920920226b3438&ss_campaign_name=Tanzania+in+2027+-+My+Last+Trips&ss_campaign_sent_date=2026-03-07T01%3A18%3A30Z
 >  > > 
 >  > Tanzania 2027 Michael Ellis — March 6th, 2026 March 2026 Hello there: This 
 >  > may be my last northern Tanzania trip. I certainly will not offer any in 
 >  > 2028. So, if you have been waiting to go with me, this is your chance. I 
 >  > first traveled to Africa in 1973 and spent about a year exploring Morocco, 
 >  > Algeria, Tunisia, Spanish Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia. I fell in 
 >  > love with that diverse and fascinating continent. Since the early 1990s I 
 >  > spend every January and February in the Serengeti, witnessing the migration 
 >  > of one and a half million wildebeests. East Africa is the heart of one of 
 >  > the last remaining wildlife spectacles on earth. Everyone who visits this 
 >  > area longs to return. I strongly recommend seeing it now rather than later. 
 >  > Changes in this part of the world are rapid – political uncertainty and 
 >  > population explosion. But at this point the wildlife refuges in Tanzania are 
 >  > holding up very well. The country is doing a pretty good job. I have a 
 >  > fantastic itinerary and I have worked with the same ground operator and 
 >  > their excellent local guides since 1996. This is far and away my favorite 
 >  > Footloose Forays trip. I have had the great fortune to see many leopards in 
 >  > my life do a remarkable variety of things – mating, nursing, playing, 
 >  > killing, climbing, eating. But I have never seen this particular behavior 
 >  > before <https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Zwvlyk6VWEY> … 
 >  > especially when the Land Rover moved. Enjoy it, we sure did. And here are 
 >  > some of the black and white <
 >  > https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=MoVGLpFwPWs>
 >  > Colobus
 >  > monkeys playing. Watch carefully for the completely white baby in mother’s 
 >  > arms. I recorded this beautiful dawn breaking <
 >  > https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=plcp&index=1&list=UUp-AZ5NRh_kt6AM90T1kfog&v=WjCqPFWtprI
 >  > > across the Serengeti at the place we sometimes camp in 
 >  > the Serengeti– Moru Kopjes. Classic video of vultures <
 >  > https://www.youtube.com/watch?index=73&list=UUp-AZ5NRh_kt6AM90T1kfog&v=GyNjI0WK5_g
 >  > > on a zebra carcass My international trips always fill up early for 
 >  > one important reason. If you're going to spend thousands of dollars and be 
 >  > intimately involved with a group of folks for a fortnight, they better be 
 >  > great people. Nothing can spoil a trip faster than a difficult individual. I 
 >  > tend to attract clients that are compatible, flexible, highly educated and 
 >  > most of all – fun. I have a very high repeat business and I do not 
 >  > advertise. I use only word-of-mouth to fuel my natural history business. I 
 >  > can afford to be discriminating in my client base and it shows in all of my 
 >  > trips. There is only a modest increase from last year - the land cost for 
 >  > 2027 is $12,000 Current airfare is $2500 + for round-trip from San Francisco 
 >  > to Arusha in northern Tanzania (JRO). I have two trips offered and they both 
 >  > will fill. January and February 2027 may seem like a long way off, but it's 
 >  > not. If you're interested please fill out the registration form and send in 
 >  > the non-refundable deposit $500 soon. This way you are guaranteed a spot on 
 >  > the trip. If you have any concerns or questions please contact me 
 >  > immediately. I am also happy to put you in contact with any one of the 
 >  > participants of last year's three trips. In fact, I encourage it; they had 
 >  > the best time of their lives. January and February are the best months to be 
 >  > in the Serengeti and for that reason it's imperative that you sign up right 
 >  > away so I can put deposits on the Lodge and camping places. I use Thomson 
 >  > Safaris as our tour operator; they have been operating successfully in 
 >  > Tanzania for the last 40+ years and do an excellent job. And they have an 
 >  > office in the United States. I am happy to answer any questions that you may 
 >  > have. Michael Ellis 2027 Itinerary SAFARI ITINERARY JANUARY 14 TO JANUARY 28 
 >  > JANUARY 30 TO FEBRUARY 13, 2027 There may be slight date modification to the 
 >  > itineraries but the descriptions are accurate Trip 1 begins January 14 and 
 >  > ends in Tanzania on January 28. Trip 2 begins January 30 and ends in 
 >  > Tanzania on February13. Leave SFO, or your airport of choice to Amsterdam (
 >  > AMS) for the night or go directly to TZ (JRO). The flight from SFO to AMS is 
 >  > long at 10 hours. Therefore, it is a good idea to spend a few days enjoying 
 >  > Amsterdam. The overnights in Holland would be on your own. I suggest staying 
 >  > for several days to both enjoy the city and acclimatize to the new time 
 >  > zones. There is a Mercure Hotel only 15” by shuttle which is very 
 >  > convenient and not too pricey. So many world class museums. Day 1 Depart 
 >  > Amsterdam on KLM/Delta and fly directly to Arusha (Kilimanjaro International 
 >  > Airport JRO) the same day. Flight time is 9 hours arriving around 8:30 PM. 
 >  > After clearing customs, we shall meet you for the short drive to Rivertrees. 
 >  > Great welcome. Recuperate from long flight. Here for two nights. Caveat we 
 >  > are assuming KLM will restart previous flights scheduled but if not, we will 
 >  > move the included transfer to line up with the direct KLM flight arriving 
 >  > the day before. You will need to book an extra overnight and meals, which TS 
 >  > can assist with. If you prefer to arrive on the scheduled arrival day, there 
 >  > may be other flight options on other airlines such as United/Ethiopian, 
 >  > Kenya Airways, or Qatar Airways. This would require a private transfer, but 
 >  > TS will consolidate the transfers and split the cost among all travelers 
 >  > arriving on the same flight. The same applies if the direct KLM flight from 
 >  > Kilimanjaro International Airport to Amsterdam is not operating on your 
 >  > scheduled departure day. Please run any itineraries you are considering by 
 >  > TS so that we can ensure your flights will line up with the trip. Day 2: 
 >  > Arusha National Park. Our safari in Tanzania will begin in this dramatic 
 >  > park. It’s a small park, about ½ the size of Pt. Reyes National Seashore 
 >  > but is a nice potpourri of wildlife. It is an easy drive from our lodge, 
 >  > gaining elevation and passing into a tropical dry montane forest. We have 
 >  > our first walk with an armed ranger to a waterfall. Hopefully Mt. Meru (the 
 >  > same height as Mt. Whitney) and Kilimanjaro (19,340’) will be a most 
 >  > dramatic backdrop to our introduction to the remarkable biodiversity of East 
 >  > Africa. Ah, Africa -- Maasai giraffe, common waterbucks, zebras, black and 
 >  > white Colobus monkeys, warthogs, savannah baboons, African buffalos, augar 
 >  > buzzards, Hadada ibises, and much more. I will be looking hard for an albino 
 >  > baboon we first saw years ago as a youngster. Back to Rivertrees this 
 >  > evening. There are resident blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys 
 >  > and black faced vervet monkeys on the grounds here! Day 3: Tarangire 
 >  > National Park. On our way we will have a brief stop at the Moirvaro Primary 
 >  > School to drop off school supplies. I have been helping this primary school 
 >  > since 2004. This is an opportunity for us to directly help the children of 
 >  > Tanzania. We shall also stop at the Thomson Office to drop some unneeded 
 >  > luggage off. Then south on a long drive across the strikingly beautiful 
 >  > plateau grasslands and mountain vistas to Tarangire National Park. Zebras, 
 >  > wildebeest, gazelles, elephants, and other wildlife may be seen here. This 
 >  > park is different from all the others; it has rolling terrain, tall grasses, 
 >  > and huge baobab trees, lilac-breasted rollers, and handsome white-crowned 
 >  > shrikes may perch just an arm's length away. This is the best place in all 
 >  > of Tanzania to see elephant herds. There's also a chance of seeing oryx -- 
 >  > waterbucks, impala, Grant's gazelle and giraffes are abundant. Tarangire 
 >  > Safari Lodge (two nights). All accommodations are in twin bedded large tents 
 >  > on a concrete slab. The tents are in a long row, with a door to the attached 
 >  > bath. Bath has a shower, toilet, basin, mirror, and lights. The front of the 
 >  > tent has a sitting area with two chairs and is very nice. All meals and the 
 >  > bar are in a main building at the end of the row of tents. This is often the 
 >  > favorite lodge. Awesome view indeed. Day 4 Full day to explore Tarangire National Park. Many, many elephants (the densest 
 >  > concentration in Tanzania) and my favorite tree – the baobab. We shall 
 >  > encounter several different species of mongooses, black-faced vervet monkeys (
 >  > pesky around the lodge), many hornbills, the most elegant of all antelopes - 
 >  > impalas and more. If we are lucky, we will have some good views of lions and 
 >  > even leopards. Back to Tarangire Safari Lodge this evening. The night sounds, 
 >  > the views, the swimming pool, the cocktails! Day 5: The Serengeti!! Early 
 >  > departure and the longest and hardest drive of the trip. But what a day! 
 >  > Morning drive from Tarangire into the rain shadow of the Crater highlands. We 
 >  > will have a brief stop for our first downward glimpse of the Ngorongoro Crater. 
 >  > But don’t worry we will be back toward the end of our safari to fully explore 
 >  > it. Meanwhile, we are heading toward the best game concentrations at this time 
 >  > of year, as we descend through acacia woodlands into the breathtaking vista of 
 >  > seemingly endless short grass lowlands below --- the Serengeti Plain! It is 
 >  > truly remarkable and just like those nature programs you have been watching 
 >  > since childhood. The Serengeti is one of the largest and most important 
 >  > wildlife sanctuaries in the world. We'll explore the immense plains of the 
 >  > Serengeti, looking for leopard, lions, zebras, Thomson's gazelles, Kori 
 >  > bustards, harriers. We'll look for elusive animals as well as hyenas, jackals, 
 >  > vultures, and wildlife of the kopjes -- rock hyraxes, mongooses, cheetahs, and 
 >  > klipspringers. And we are there during one of the greatest wildlife spectacles 
 >  > in the world --- the wildebeests gathering in the southern part of their range 
 >  > for birthing. We have five nights at a camp set up strictly for me! Our exact 
 >  > location is determined by the National Park. The Afrikaans "kopje" (pronounced 
 >  > copy) is the term commonly used for the rocky outcrops technically known as 
 >  > inselbergs. They consist of very old granite or gneiss, which has broken up 
 >  > into a rough, jumbled and rounded surface. In the open grasslands, where the 
 >  > countryside has been more or less leveled off by deposits of ash from local 
 >  > volcanoes, the kopjes stand out against the surrounding plain. Kopjes are 
 >  > remarkable in that they have their own range of vegetation and wildlife; they 
 >  > are islands in a sea of grass. On the plains where there is little shelter from 
 >  > the sun, they provide shade and protection in a habitat free from the dangers 
 >  > of fire and flood. Every nature special on East Africa shows the kopjes. They 
 >  > are totally cool (quote from 8-year-old) and we spend a lot of time exploring 
 >  > them. Day 6,7, 8: Full days of wildlife viewing in the central part of the 
 >  > Serengeti. Our general plan is an early breakfast, then out on a game drive and 
 >  > back for a late lunch. Next a bit of a siesta and I often give mini-talks 
 >  > around 3:30 and then we are off for another adventure in our land rovers. You 
 >  > will see why I return here year after year. Every day is unique. We never know 
 >  > what is around the next corner. Day 9: We sadly say goodbye to our camp and tip 
 >  > camp staff and drive through the profusion of wildebeest and zebra past the 
 >  > Naabi Hills. Heading to Ndutu in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. For two 
 >  > nights it’s the Ndutu Safari Lodge. The rooms are so comfortable and 
 >  > beautiful. It is the small pleasures of life that one appreciates on safari. 
 >  > Wildlife abounds very close to the Lodge. This region is famous for many of the 
 >  > filmmakers who have set up camp and documented the abundant wildlife here. Hugo 
 >  > van Lewick (married to Jane Goodall) had a camp since the 1970’s and the BBC 
 >  > did some nighttime filming of aardvarks several years ago. The footage is 
 >  > astounding! We have the opportunity to see hundreds of thousands of wildebeest 
 >  > gather here to graze on the lush grass and just maybe give birth to their 
 >  > young. Zebras, giraffes, gnus, dik diks and even elephants stroll by just off 
 >  > the grounds. Ndutu Safari Lodge. Day 10: We have our second walk with two armed 
 >  > rangers right from the Lodge. It is so nice to have our feet on the ground. We 
 >  > do have to be cautious after all there are no fences! Sometimes Ndutu lake is 
 >  > full of lesser and greater flamingoes. Fingers crossed. Back for a late 
 >  > breakfast and another game drive before lunch. Ndutu Safari Lodge this evening. 
 >  > Day 11: Leaving after a leisurely breakfast we retrace our road to Olduvai 
 >  > Gorge, where we will visit sites where Australopithecus boisei and Homo habilis 
 >  > have been found. Here in a sequence of two million years of sediment, Louis and 
 >  > Mary Leakey labored for 27 years before finding their first hominid skull! 
 >  > Leaving Olduvai bouncing (the roads are rough) back uphill for the cool, 
 >  > moss-draped montane forest at the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. The view of the 
 >  > 10-mile-wide crater will leave you spellbound. We drop down into the crater for 
 >  > some fantastic game viewing as we make our way to Thomson’s Ngorongoro Nyumba 
 >  > Camp. This semi-permanent tented camp is located in a beautiful acacia forest 
 >  > up on the eastern rim of the Crater. It can be much cooler, because it is about 
 >  > 7,600 feet above sea level. Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Day 12: Ngorongoro 
 >  > Crater. Early departure before the sun rises so we can be in the Ngorongoro 
 >  > Crater at first light. The awe-inspiring scenery and abundant wildlife are 
 >  > captivating as we go exploring down into the crater in safari vehicles. From 
 >  > the flamingos to the zebra in golden morning light, this is a great day for 
 >  > photography. Predators are numerous here. In fact, the greatest concentration 
 >  > of large predators on the Planet! Look for lions, golden jackals, and spotted 
 >  > hyenas. With luck, serval cats and black rhinos may be seen. Mid-afternoon we 
 >  > drive back through the acacia forest of the crater slopes to our cozy camp. The 
 >  > treetop cries of bushbabies lull us to sleep or not. Day 13: Ngorongoro Crater 
 >  > to Karatu. Enjoy a last morning overlooking Ngorongoro Crater, then drive from 
 >  > the cool, misty rim of the crater through a rich corn and wheat-farming 
 >  > district to Gibbs Farm. For many people Gibbs Farm is the most surprising treat 
 >  > of the trip. One person described the food as the Chez Panisse of Tanzania. It 
 >  > is a small intimate hotel perched on the outer slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater 
 >  > highlands -- a real piece (peace) of civilization. Upon arrival we have a 
 >  > lovely tour of the extensive gardens. Closing circle just after lunch and 
 >  > afternoon to relax. Overnight at Gibbs <https://www.gibbsfarm.com> . Some 
 >  > clients have requested an extra day here. We can make that work. Day 14: Early 
 >  > morning departure to Arusha, the hub of the "northern safari circuit". This 
 >  > busy city is situated beneath the impressive, 14,800-foot summit of Mt. Meru. 
 >  > We have several shopping stops en route to Arusha for opportunities to purchase 
 >  > crafts and souvenirs. We enjoy a farewell lunch at Arusha Coffee Lodge, a 
 >  > coffee plantation. On the property, we will visit the Shanga Gift and Workshop, 
 >  > which is also a non-profit organization that provides employment for the 
 >  > disabled. We have day rooms available in Arusha town and the rest of the day at 
 >  > leisure before our evening flight to Amsterdam with KLM. Day 16: Arrive 
 >  > Amsterdam and connect to USA flight. Killer travel day but we are finally home. 
 >  > QUESTIONS???? Tanzania and the Serengeti, 2027 GENERAL CONDITIONS Reservations 
 >  > are on a first-come basis and limited 18. Cost is $12,000 for land only. Single 
 >  > supplement is $2300. These are limited. What to Expect: An exceptional 
 >  > exploration for the wildlife enthusiast of superb national parks and refuges in 
 >  > Tanzania, led by excellent naturalists. Travel by 7-passenger 4-wheel drive 
 >  > safari combis (each passenger will have a window seat). Outings will be at a 
 >  > leisurely pace suitable for wildlife observation. Typically, temperatures are 
 >  > spring like (in the 70's to 80’s). Ngorongoro Crater is at 7500' and can be 
 >  > cold at night. We camp out for four nights in the Serengeti, two nights at the 
 >  > edge of the Ngorongoro Crater and stay in comfortable lodges the rest of the 
 >  > time. If you have any questions about your own health, please consult your 
 >  > physician before registering. This safari is a tremendous experience for the 
 >  > adventurous traveler in good health that can tolerate bumpy dirt roads for the chance to 
 >  > discover the awesome landscapes and superb national parks of East Africa. (No 
 >  > smoking on my trips). Safari Fee Includes: Land transport, airport transfers 
 >  > with the group, accommodations twin share with bath in very nice hotels and 
 >  > lodges, camping expenses, all meals in Tanzania, drinking water, park/museum 
 >  > entrance fees, baggage handling, leadership, administration. Safari Fee Does 
 >  > Not Include: Meals and hotel in Europe, tips to safari drivers and local guides,
 >  >  personal items such as alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone calls, snacks, visa,
 >  >  passport, personal insurance, or extra foreign airport taxes. Single 
 >  > Accommodations: A limited number of singles are available, price is $2300 but 
 >  > may not be possible in some of the Lodges because of the busy season. If you do 
 >  > not have a roommate and we cannot assign one, you must pay the extra cost of a 
 >  > single. Air Fare and Airline Ticketing: You must book your own flight. Thomson 
 >  > Safari can assist. AIRFARES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Reservations, Deposits and 
 >  > Payment: Please mail a non-refundable deposit of $500 per person with the 
 >  > completed reservation form. Check payable to Footloose Forays. A second 
 >  > non-refundable payment of $5000 is due on June 15, 2026. The balance is due 120 
 >  > days before departure. Thomson Safaris will bill you for any extra services 
 >  > requested. Cancellations and Refunds: $500 is non-refundable. After June 15, 
 >  > 2026 there will be no refund of the $5500 deposit. After the balance is paid 
 >  > there are no refunds unless your place is resold. There are no refunds for 
 >  > unused meals, accommodations, or other trip features. I strongly suggest that 
 >  > you purchase trip cancellation insurance. Canceled Trips: I reserve the right 
 >  > to cancel any trip prior to scheduled departure due to undersubscription or 
 >  > logistical problems (strikes, nuclear war, pandemics etc.). I will refund all 
 >  > payments in full except for the losses incurred by my own on-refundable 
 >  > deposits. In no event shall my liability exceed the obligation to refund the 
 >  > amount you paid me. Trip cancellation due to under subscription usually occurs 
 >  > three months before departure. Airline Clause: The airlines and/or travel 
 >  > agencies concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or 
 >  > event during the time the passengers are not aboard the aircraft. The passenger 
 >  > tickets in use by the airlines when issued shall constitute the sole contract 
 >  > between the airline and the purchaser of these tickets or the passenger. 
 >  > Withdrawal: I reserve the right to require any participant to withdraw from an 
 >  > expedition at any time if I deem his or her acts or conduct to be detrimental 
 >  > to or incompatible with the interest, harmony, comfort or welfare of the 
 >  > expedition. In such cases no refunds will be given. Medical: Although this trip 
 >  > is not physically demanding, you must be in general good health to participate. 
 >  > It is the participant's responsibility to judge their own physical capabilities 
 >  > for these travel activities. Anyone with medical problems or restrictions must 
 >  > make them known to me well in advance of the trip and should have a personal 
 >  > supply of any special medicine needed. I have the right to disqualify any 
 >  > member of the group at any time if considered medically necessary; no refunds 
 >  > will be made under such circumstances. I take no responsibility for special 
 >  > arrangements required by passengers physically unable to complete a trip and I 
 >  > assume no liability regarding provision of medical care. Insurance: I do not 
 >  > carry liability insurance for international trips. Please get travelers 
 >  > insurance for peace of mind. http://www.travelguard.com/ <
 >  > https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___http:/www.travelguard.com/___.YzJ1OnNlcmVuYWFuZGxpbHlpbmM6YzpvOjM2ZWU4OTY4YTMwMTNjZDBiYzg5MjJmYjZjOTBjMmZjOjc6OTViYzpjZTVlZTNiMmJhN2RlZThjNDAyNjEwZjk2YWQ1NDBmNDY4OGM3Y2IxNjE4M2ZjNjg3ZDUyYThlZGUxMzA2ZmQzOmg6VDpG
 >  > > . Or other travelers have used https://www.insuremytrip.com <
 >  > https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https:/www.insuremytrip.com/___.YzJ1OnNlcmVuYWFuZGxpbHlpbmM6YzpvOjM2ZWU4OTY4YTMwMTNjZDBiYzg5MjJmYjZjOTBjMmZjOjc6NmY5NjphZGZiMGM3ODFiYTJlMjgyYTQxOTAzZTE4MzVhYmI4YzI2YWVkOGQwYjVmZTViYjhlN2VlNjQzMmQzYTJkN2NjOmg6VDpG
 >  > > , Smoking: There is no smoking on my trips. Suppliers of 
 >  > Services: I am performing a service by taking people on worthwhile natural 
 >  > history expeditions. However, I am acting independently and I have no business 
 >  > association with any boat owner, resort, hotel, carrier or other services. Any 
 >  > and all claims for inadequate performance or nonperformance of such services 
 >  > may be made against the supplier or those services but shall not be made 
 >  > against me. OK? ******* Copy, print and mail in ****** TANZANIA 2027 To reserve 
 >  > your space please include the non-refundable deposit of $500 per person, along 
 >  > with this signed application form. A form is required for each participant. 
 >  > Additional copies can be sent or you may reproduce this form. Checks should be 
 >  > made out to Footloose Forays and sent to Michael J. Ellis, 1275 4th St. #311, 
 >  > Santa Rosa, CA 95404. (707) 570-2187. http://www.footlooseforays.com/~mjellis <mailto:
 >  > http://www.footlooseforays.com/~mjellis> Total: $________ NAME (as in Passport) : 
 >  > _____________________________________________________ ADDRESS: 
 >  > __________________________________________________ CITY: _____________________ 
 >  > ST:______ ZIP ___________ E-Mail TELEPHONE: Home (_____) ___________. Work (
 >  > ____)____________ NAME: _____________________________________________________ 
 >  > ADDRESS: __________________________________________________ CITY: 
 >  > _____________________ ST:______ ZIP ___________ TELEPHONE: Home (_____) 
 >  > ___________. Work (____)____________ I will be participating on this expedition 
 >  > with: ______________ You must sign an extensive LIABILITY AND RELEASE form 
 >  > before participating in this trip. I do not carry liability insurance for 
 >  > international trips. You may want to consider getting travelers insurance. I 
 >  > can give you the information. __________________________________________ 
 >  > ______________ Applicant's signature Date 
 >  > __________________________________________ ______________ Signature of Parent 
 >  > or Guardian Date (if applicant is under the age of 21) Footloose Forays, 1275 
 >  > 4th St , Santa Rosa, CA 95404, United States Powered by Squarespace