Sunday, October 11, 2009

SAFARI SALE - Tanzania, 9 nights, from $2,099 – as reported by MSNBC

Explore the Serengeti, the Ngorongoro Crater and a visit a local village

Updated 3:27 p.m. ET, Thurs., Oct . 8, 2009


The Real Deal: One night at the SG Resort in Arusha, one night at a camp in Tarangire National Park, two nights at the Ngorongoro Farm House Lodge, and five nights at the Migunga Forest Camp; transfers and ground transportation; 26 meals; 12 game drives in a four-wheel-drive vehicle, with guaranteed window seats; visits to Mto wa Mbu village and the Olduvai Gorge museum; entrance fees; $100 off per person on a balloon ride over Serengeti National Park; and the services of English-speaking guides, from $2,099 per person—plus about $195 in taxes and fees.

When: April 2, 16, May 7, 21, 2010; add $300 for March 5, 19; $350 for June 4, 18, Sept. 3, 17, Oct. 1, 22, Nov. 5, 19, Dec. 3; $450 for July 2, 16, Aug. 6, 20, Jan. 8, 22, Feb. 5, 19; $600 for Dec. 24.

The fine print: Does not include taxes of about $195 per person. Based on double occupancy; single supplement from $299; prices for kids 4 to 12 start at $1,199. Use promo code BTOL. Airfare is not included, but the tour operator can help you book that separately, often at reduced rates. U.S. citizens will need a valid passport and a visa for travel to Tanzania; see the U.S. Department's travel fact sheet for more info. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

Book by: Nov. 6, 2009.

Contact: 2Afrika, 866/462-2374, 2afrika.com.

Why it's a deal: The Affordable Tanzania 2010 package breaks down to about $255 per person per night, including all taxes, and offers some experiences that would be hard to book on your own, like game drives in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara National Park, plus a cultural visit to a small village. As an exclusive perk, BT readers also get $100 off a hot-air balloon ride over Serengeti National Park (which brings the price to $399 per person instead of $499).

More: You can book extensions to the Tanzania trip, such as a daylong Mount Kilimanjaro hike for $395 per person and a three-night excursion to Zanzibar from $299 per person, including all taxes.

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