Join yoga teacher Tricia McDonald and Serengeti Pride Safaris Co-Founder Erika Bloom for an amazing yoga retreat combined with a Tanzania safari and Zanzibar experience.  Spend time around Mount Meru at Ngare Sero Lodge, experience the Ngorongoro Crater and Highlands, and the vast Serengeti Plains with an amazing assortment of predators and prey.  A combination of yoga retreat, wildlife safari, and cultural experience all in one amazing trip.  Top it off with an optional extension to Zanzibar for a Spice Islands yoga retreat at the beach (or join us just for Zanzibar).

People:  Tricia McDonald has been practicing yoga and meditation for 10 years and teaching full time for 7 years.  She teaches from the heart and makes students feel welcome, safe, and supported as they travel their path of healing and growth.  Tricia will teach a mixed level, eclectic style of yoga that draws from many traditions and will enhance the connection to nature and self this trip inspires. Classes will be adjusted to the needs of the group and to the day's activities so we'll feel deliciously energized yet relaxed and centered to fully enjoy and integrate the beauty and wonders that Tanzania offers.  Tricia will be joined by Stacia Soysal Leach, the resident yoga teacher at Ngare Sero Lodge, during our days at Ngare Sero.  Stacia will teach a class inside the crater of Mount Meru, with walking meditations and partner yoga in this unusual and fun setting.  Erika Bloom is co-Founder of Serengeti Pride Safaris.  She has dreamed of this trip for years since realizing how the nature and beauty of Tanzania and the Serengeti make an amazing setting for yoga practice.  Erika looks forward to sharingTanzania with you.

Flights: International flights are not included in the prices listed.  Depending on the airline, routing and when they are purchased, flights from the US to Tanzania typically range from $1,900-$2,600 round trip.   If you do not go to Zanzibar, your international flight should arrive at and depart from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).  If you are including Zanzibar, your international flight should arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport but depart from Dar Es Salaam airport, otherwise you will have extra travel time and expense on your return.  Ask Erika for advice prior to purchasing your ticket.

YOGA RETREAT ON SAFARI ITINERARY:

*B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner Included

Sunday Jan 2, 2011 – Trip Day 1 Depart USA.  Most direct routing (though not always least expensive) is USA-Amsterdam and then the KLM flight Amsterdam – Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

Monday Jan 3  – Trip Day 2   Arrive Tanzania in the afternoon or evening at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and overnight at Ngare Sero Lodge http://www.ngare-sero-lodge.com/Lodge_tour.htm   All meals included starting with supper today.  Airport transfer from JRO included.  D

Tuesday Jan 4 – Trip Day 3  Morning yoga at 8 AM taught by Stacia (for the early risers – those who are tired should feel free to sleep in).  Ngare Sero Lodge has an outdoor yoga platform for us to use and enjoy.  After lunch we’ll take a forest walk, followed by afternoon yoga taught by Tricia.  Overnight at Ngare Sero Lodge.  BLD

Wednesday Jan 5– Trip Day 4 Arusha National Park game drive at the base of Mount Meru, yoga in Meru’s crater taught by Stacia, evening meditation or other class taught by Tricia.  Overnight at Ngare Sero Lodge.  BLD

Thursday Jan 6 – Trip Day 5 Morning yoga 7:30-8:45 AM (taught by Stacia).  Depart at 10 AM for a primary school visit & donate school supplies (optional), transfer to a seasonal safari camp near Ngorongoro Crater.  This is an area rich with wildlife as well as the local Maasai residents with their colorful robes, herds of cows and goats, and polygamous lifestyle.  Tents are large enough to stand up and walk around in and have beds, a camp toilet and a camp shower at the back of your tent with hot water brought by buckets when you’re ready.  This camp is situated near a small Maasai village that allows opportunities for cultural interaction and learning about these fascinating people.  BLD

Friday Jan 7 – Trip Day 6 Spend the day exploring the Ngorongoro Crater during your game drive, enjoying this amazing volcanic caldera teeming with wildlife.  Afternoon yoga in the camp’s lounge tent.  BLD

Saturday Jan 8 – Trip Day 7  We leave for the Serengeti with a game drive en route to our camp, and yoga class in the late afternoon.  At this time of year, we hope to find some of the great migration of wildebeest and zebra arriving in the southern Serengeti.  Our camp will be another seasonal safari camp, quite comfortable and amazingly close to nature, with animal sounds at night.  Meals are taken in a central dining tent.  Yoga space will be experimental, some type of ground cover and possibly a large tent to have coverage from sun/trees/etc.  You must be adaptable and accepting of the challenges of practicing yoga in a wonderful but wild location.  BLD

Sunday Jan 9 – Trip Day 8  Yoga and game drive..  BLD   Overnight at the same camp

Monday Jan 10 – Trip Day 9   Early morning yoga.  Return to Arusha area for late afternoon/evening international flights home (last meal included lunch today), or continue on to Zanzibar (breakfast is the only meal included during the upcoming Zanzibar extension). BL (breakfast, lunch)

Price for Yoga Retreat and  Safari without Zanzibar extension:  

If group size of 6 or more (excluding leaders/teachers):  $3,350 US Dollars per person

If group size of 10 or more (excluding leaders/teachers):  $2,700 US Dollars per person

Prices are based on double occupancy (we can match you with a roommate/tentmate if you sign up solo) and include all meals from supper on arrival day through lunch on departure day, lodging, transportation, guide, classes, all park fees (subject to any government increase in park fees or taxes).  Prices exclude international airfare, tips, beverages/alcohol, travel visa ($100), vaccines/medications and items of a personal nature. 

ZANZIBAR YOGA RETREAT AT THE BEACH EXTENSION (CAN ALSO BE BOOKED ALONE BUT WILL REQUIRE ARRIVING IN TANZANIA THE DAY PRIOR): 

Monday Jan 10 – Trip Day 9 (Continued)  Arrive in Zanzibar.  Overnight Fumba Beach Lodge.  www.fumbabeachlodge.com   We have designed our itinerary on Zanzibar to provide one yoga class per day (likely in the morning) taught by Tricia.  You’ll have the option to sign up for excursions through the lodge for an extra fee.  These include a historic Stonetown tour, Spice Tour, Jozani forest excursion, snorkeling or SCUBA excursions offered by the Lodge’s on-site dive shop.  Or, just relax around the pool or beach at Fumba, and perhaps check out the spa  We have elected to only include breakfasts after arrival on Zanzibar, so that while on excursions you might choose to eat lunch or supper away from the lodge.  As of January 2010, lunch was $10 and supper was $25 at Fumba Beach Lodge (and quite delicious!).  BL

Tuesday Jan 11 – Trip Day 10  Zanzibar and yoga.  Overnight Fumba Beach Lodge.   Breakfast only.

Wednesday Jan 12 – Trip Day 11  Zanzibar and yoga.  Fumba Beach Lodge.  Breakfast only.

Thursday Jan 13 – Trip Day 12  Zanzibar and yoga.  Fumba Beach Lodge.  Breakfast only.

Friday Jan 14 – Trip Day 13  Late afternoon flights from Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam International Airport so you are in place for your KLM flight that  leaves just after midnight, technically early morning of January 15 (domestic flight Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam cost is included).  Or, earlier flights back to Arusha area if your international flight departs from Kilimanjaro Intl. Airport (domestic flight Zanzibar to Kilimanjaro airport is not included and will incur extra cost and travel time).  Important note:  If you are flying home from Kilimanjaro (not recommended), the flight departs around 10:30 PM on Jan 14.  However, if you are flying home from Dar Es Salaam (recommended), you are on a continuation of that same flight but it leaves at 12:45 AM on Jan 15 so make sure you book on the correct date – this flight has a date change while briefly stopped at Dar Es Salaam Airport.  Breakfast only.

Saturday Jan 15 – Trip Day 14  International flight departs Dar Es Salaam around 12:45 AM.  Arrive back to the USA late in the day.

Price for Yoga Retreat on Zanzibar extension: 

If group size of 6 or more (excluding leaders/teachers):  $1,150 US Dollars per person based on double occupancy in lovely Sea View cottages.  Upgrade available to larger cottages with rooftop terrace, direct beach access, beautiful bathroom and outdoor shower for $200 extra per person (total for 4 nights) based on double occupancy or $250 extra for a Baobab tree suite - a unique and luxurious end to your adventure in Tanzania.  Prices include lodging, breakfasts, flight from Arusha to Zanzibar and Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam (subject to fare increases; please note international flight home should be booked out of Dar Es Salaam), yoga classes, and local airport transfers.  Prices exclude international airfare, activities/excursions, tips, beverages/alcohol, lunch and supper on Zanzibar, and items of a personal nature.