St Andrew's Cathedral School - Tanzania Service, Trek and Safari

Code: SOG7612

Overview

Highlights

Community Project at Maasai Village Primary School
Sunrise from Rhino Point, Mt Meru
Visit the famous paleolithic site of Olduvai Gorge
Game viewing in the UNESCO World Heritage Ngorongoro Crater
Flamingos and hippos on Lake Manyara
Observe wildlife in Tarangire National Park
Travelling with your peers on a life changing adventure

The perfect combination of cultural immersion, service learning, adventure, physical activities and game viewing. Following your arrival in Arusha, Tanzania, the first stage

of your journey will be working with local villagers to help regnerate a local school. You will spend time working to complete multiple tasks that will not only be personally rewarding, but positively impact the students and teachers at the school, and ensure an ongoing improved learning opportunity. There are many tasks that are required at the school and we will know more closer to your departure. Your service work will provide much needed assistance at the school and will be a highly rewarding and enriching experience, providing cherished memories for years to come, for you and the local community.

The next stage of your journey will be a trek on Mt Meru, Tanzania's second highest mountain (4566m). Mount Meru is a horseshoe-shaped volcanic crater and inside the caldera is a subsidiary peak called the Ash Cone (3670m) that last erupted only 100 years ago. We wake before dawn to trek to the rim at Rhino Point (3800m) and enjoy the sunrise over this magnificent landscape. There is an immense variety of tree and plant life, adding considerably to the interest of the trek. Mount Meru is part of Arusha National Park, and the lower slopes of the mountain shelter a variety of wildlife.

On the final stage of your journey you head into some of the best National Parks in Tanzania. Tanzania has some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa where, in the company of your expert safari guide, you will have the the opportunity to spot the rare black rhino, look out for tree climbing lions of Lake Manyara and descend in to the UNESCO World Heritage Ngorongoro Crater, a magnificent extinct volcano teeming with wildlife. Stunning sunsets appropriately conclude the day, leaving lasting impressions of the charm and diversity of East Africa. This is a once in a lifetime service, learning and challenge expedition not to be missed!

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Sydney

Activities:

Grading:Moderate

Itinerary

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Day 1
Depart Sydney

After many months of planning and preparing, your adventure is finally here! You will depart from Sydney Airport at around 2100 (flight times/routings TBA)

Meals: Nil

Day 2
Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport

Jambo! Upon arriving at Kilimanjaro Airport (arrival time TBA) you will be met by your Guide at the airport and driven in private transportation to your hotel. After check-in, you will reconvene in the foyer for a Welcome Meeting. After your official welcome and hearing about what to expect over the coming few weeks, you will enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight Arusha Planet Lodge (or similar)

Meals: D

Day 3
In Arusha - Explore, Rest and Pre-Service Briefing

Day for orientation/short walk, money exchange and lunch at the Blue Heron (own expense). In the afternoon, you will have a pre-project briefing and prepare for the start of your service project the following day. Overnight Arusha Planet Lodge (or similar)

Meals: B,D

Day 4-7
Community Project at Maasai Village

This morning you transfer to your community project (approx 20km north of Arusha) for orientation and commence project work. For the following 4 days you will work on a variety of jobs which will make the school a safer and more enjoyable place to learn. There is plenty to do and the exact project work required will be confirmed closer to your arrival. Your work will involve manual labor and you should be prepared for up to 6-8 hours of work per day. The work will be hard at times but rewarding, constructive and fascinating. The School is a short walk from your accommodation, and you will walk to and fro each day. Accommodation in local guesthouse

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Transfer to Arusha and prepare for your trek

After breakfast you will transfer back to Arsuha. You will have a chance to rest and wash. In the afternoon you will have a pre-trek briefing and prepare for your trek the following day. Overnight, Planet Arusha Lodge (or similar)

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9
To Mt Meru (Arusha National Park), park formalities and walk to Miriakamba Hut

We pick you up from your lodge and transfer to the start of the trek at Momella Gate (1500m) in late morning. The track soon passes some open grassland, with a good chance of seeing buffaloes and warthogs, and then continues as a steady climb through montane forest. We have lunch en-route. After lunch, the route continues through less dense forest, where there are an abundance of birds and monkeys. The black and white colobus monkeys are particularly fascinating to watch. By mid-afternoon, there are the first closer views of the towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. You reach Miriakamba Hut (2514m), situated in an idyllic grassy glade, in time to enjoy the last of the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro. (5-6 hours walking). Accommodation: Hut (dormitary)

Meals: B,L,D

Day 10
To Saddle Hut

The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short but a steep and sustained climb all the way. You walk through attractive, open, and lush montane forest to reach the halfway point of Elephant Ridge. This has excellent views of the summit ridge and across most of the crater floor. During a break, you might spot elephants or other animals from our vantage point. The path continues uphill through giant heather and other moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut (3570m), where lunch is waiting for us. The afternoon is free to rest and enjoy the views. The more energetic can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3820m) for superb views just before sunset. (3 to 6 hours walking). Accommodation: Hut (dormitary)

Meals: B,L,D

Day 11
To Rhino Point (3800m) and descend to Mirikamba and Momella Gate. Transfer to Arusha

We begin with an early start at around 2.00am to climb steeply to Rhino Point (3800m), for view into the ash cone. You return to Saddle for breakfast and continue down to Miriakamba and then take the direct route down on your final trek towards Momella through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. You should reach Momella Gate by mid-afternoon (approx 3-4pm). Your vehicles will be waiting to take you back to Arusha, and your hotel where you will have time to wash and shower and join for a celebration dinner in the evening. Overnight Arusha Planet Lodge (or similar)

Meals: B,L,D

Day 12
Lake Manyara National Park and drive to Highlands

Today you head off on safari towards Lake Manyara National Park, situated between the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment. There is an abundance of animals within only 125 square miles (two thirds of which is Lake), as they are attracted by the permanent water in the lake and small rivers. The surrounding forest is jungle-like with giant trees and snaking lianas. Often called Tanzania's water wonderland due to the large number of birds and animals the lake supports, Lake Manyara National Park is also famous for its' tree-climbing lions. After our safari, we continue to Rift Valley wall for overnight. Overnight Lodge

Meals: B,L,D

Day 13
To Olduvai Gorge and Ngorongoro Crater

Today you will depart early to the world famous Olduvai Gorge where our earliest ancestors were discovered by Professor Richard Leakey. Here you will visit the Olduvai Gorge Museum and learn about this historic area before transferring to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Ngorongoro Crater, for game viewing in the Crater. At nearly 2300m, make sure you pack your jumper as it can be cold here. The Crater is one of the last refugees for the endangered black rhino in northern Tanzania; the rhino population here is carefully protected and they are quite commonly seen. With over 30,000 animals across all species, the Ngorongoro Crater can be regarded as a “Garden of Eden”. The 100 sq km caldera also has the highest density of lions anywhere in Africa. You return to your accommodation for overnight. Overnight Lodge

Meals: B,L,D

Day 14
Tarangire National Park and return to Arusha

This morning we depart for Tarangire National Park (approx 3 hour drive). Once we arrive in the National Park you will spend time game viewing within the park. This area has the largest population of elephants in northern Tanzania, with approximately 2000 sighted along the river at certain times of the year. In the dry season, (July–November) most of the wildlife in the Tarangire ecosystem migrates to the permanent water of the Tarangire River. The lush green shores of the river are a big attraction to many varieties of wildlife, so they offer fantastic game viewing. Dry baobab and acacia trees are scattered widely throughout Tarangire National Park and these provide an ideal home to over 500 species of birds. Following our safari we transfer to Arusha where you can freshen up and get ready for a final dinner to celebrate the incredible experiences shared and bid a final farewell to Tanzania! Overnight Arusha Planet Lodge (or similar)

Meals: B,L,D

Day 15
Transfer to airport for onward flight to Australia

The time has come to say farewell to Tanzania. After breakfast and check out you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home (flight times/routings TBA)

Meals: B

Day 16
Arrive Sydney

You will arrive in Sydney today where a warm welcome awaits!

Meals: Nil

Learning outcomes for students

A World Expeditions Schools adventure is a unique learning experience. Our journeys are designed to encourage thriving and positive youth development along with leaving the communities and environments where we travel in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to enhance the following life skills that will help you grow as an individual:
• the confidence to lead a group and make decisions
• the value of working together as a cohesive team to achieve a common objective
• the ability to face mental and physical challenges
• the ability to adapt to new environments outside of their 'comfort zone'
• to appreciate and care for the natural environment. The environments we trek through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers and also the local peoples
• basic outdoor skills obtained on trek such as personal hygiene, pitching a tent, helping to prepare meals
Importantly our adventures help increase general well-being and build resilience in young citizens to help them deal with adverse situations in life.

Inclusions

What's included

International return economy flights from Sydney including airport taxes (taxes subject to change until ticketed)
13 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 13 dinners
Simple guesthouse (twin/triple share) at Community Project
Multi-share dormitary/hut accommodation on Mt Meru
Comfortable twin/triple share Lodge in Arusha and on Safari
All National Park fees
Private transport in a 4x4 (extended) vehicles with roof hatches
Fully supported trek on Mt Meru
Airport arrival and departure transfers
Professional English-speaking local Guide, safari crew, cooks and drivers
Basic building utensils for community project – spades, hammers, wheelbarrows, etc.
All sightseeing and safari's as indicated
Teacher's from St Andrew's Cathedral School accompanying the trip

What's not included

Lunch on Day 2
Costs associated with the community service project, such as the purchase of materials, transport of materials to the project site and wages of a local trades person to oversee the project work - to be advised (approx $200 - $250AU per student)
Sleeping Bag (required for Mt Meru) - can be hired
Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
Tips (not compulsory)
Visas
Travel Insurance (compulaory)

Grading

Moderate

As with all our moderate to programs, students will need to be fit and healthy and be doing regular exercise in the lead up to this adventure. The fitter you are for your trip, the more you will get out of it. Activities as close to the actual activity on your trip are the best training; in this instance walking and climbing, with and without a pack. This builds leg strength, aerobic capacity and confidence in your ability to travel comfortably with a pack for extended periods. At the same time, you are also comfortable with the layers you like to wear and footwear. Whilst this ascent of Meru is not a technical climb, it is nevertheless a short and steep trek with some altitude gains. The community project is also another physical component of the expedition. Although there is no trekking, the restoration and building work being done around the school will be demanding. There will be lots of sanding, hammering, possible painting, load carrying, sweeping, digging and erecting - all of which is tiring but character building! Please speak to your teacher if you are unsure about your suitability for this expedition.

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We can fully customise a School Travel Program to suit your students' learning objectives and budget. Whether you require a Service Learning program, physical challenge, cultural immersion or certain curriculum targets - talk to one of our educational travel experts about the elements you need in your itinerary. We pride ourselves on developing unique itineraries to meet the learning requirements for schools.

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Use our simple Expedition Design Form to contact us with your requirements and an educational travel expert will be in touch to assist.

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