East Africa
Tanzania and Kenya
I'll start with the planned itinerary. However, in doing so, I am reminded of the complications that I had in making our flight arrangements. My travel agent from Emslies Global Travel worked very hard to plan our many different flights. Often, she said, "TIA - This is Africa." Therefore, the planned itinerary is just that - planned. It could easily change at the drop of a hat. By the way, Emslies Global Travel was recommended to me by one of my student's parents who goes to Kenya and Tanzania frequently doing AIDS research. I will also be traveling with a companion. Because this is a public forum, and there is a chance that one of my students may stumble across this page, this person will be anonymous.
Zanzibar (Tanzania)
On July 1, 2011, we will be on our way to Tanzania. After several connecting flights, we will be on the island of Zanzibar on July 3. Our contact here is Abdullah Rashid. I got his contact information from Nancy Taylor, my former Earlham College professor who led the Kenya program in 1988. (She was very helpful in the initial stages of planning this trip.) The current program is much different now, and it seems somewhat similar to my upcoming trip. Abdullah has been very helpful in planning this portion of the trip. We will be staying at the Tembo House Hotel from July 3 to July 9. While we are on Zanzibar, we will go on some cool tours - City and Spice Tour, a dhow sailing trip, Prison Island, and Jozani Forest. We will also spend some time walking through Stone Town, and I am sure we make some time for the beach too.
Safaris
On Saturday, July 9, we will fly to Arusha, Tanzania. Our first safari will be driving through Tarangire National Park with our guides from Summit Expeditions and Nomadic Experience (SENE). (The parent who had the Emslies Global Travel connection knows the owner of SENE. He works with his wife.) That night, we will be staying at the Tarangire Safari Lodge. On July 10, we will spend a half day exploring Tarangire, and then go to Lake Manyara National Park. Late that afternoon we will "ascend the Rift Valley Escarpment" to the Ngorongoro Highlands and get to our next lodge, The Country Lodge. On July 11, we will go to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and drive to its "famed Crater." Late that evening we will arrive at Mbahe Farm in Mbahe Village. We will spend July 12 exploring the farm and surrounding area.
Lamu
On July 13, we fly to Nairobi and then get on a smaller plane to go to the island of Lamu. We set up this part of our trip with Susan Zakin Suleiman. I found her doing a Google search, and so far she has proved to be extremely helpful.
We may also set up some tours on our own to Lamu Fort, the Lamu Museum, and the Riyadha Mosque. (You can read about these places here.)
After hanging out in town for a few days, we will move our quarters to Shela Village which is located about a 20 minute walk from town. (However, it is recommended that we travel back and forth from Shela to Lamu by boat.) We will be staying on the top floor of Second House. (You will have to scroll down to see Second House.) It has a bedroom, a kitchen, and a bathroom, complete with cold showers! Susan said that if nobody else is staying on the other floors of the house, then we can have the whole house for the price of one floor. (She seems to think that is a possibility.) It is a very short walk to the beach. We should be able to see the beach from our rooftop terrace! We will be in Shela Village July 16-22. Shela will be our last stop on the East African Coast.
We have a layover in London from July 22-25. However, my special friend is in charge of those plans, and I have no idea what those plans entail!
This blog looks fabulous. I am very impressed, but then again, you are never one to do things halfway! Bon voyage. I know this will be a great trip.
ReplyDelete