Sure:

The essentials:

Flew out of DC to Amsterdam, connecting on a KLM flight direct to Kilimanjaro (more expensive than going through Nairobi or Dar es Salaam, but the convenience was definitely worth it. Arrived around 8:30 p.m. and were met by Thomson representative, who took us to Mountain Village Lodge in Arusha, which consists of Bungalows on a coffee plantation. There for a short overnight and breakfast. Then off the next morning to the Arusha airfield for a 90 minute flight out to Seronera Airstrip in Serengeti National Park. Plane had to go for a second landing because a giraffe was on the strip. Within the first 2 hours in the jeep on the way to the camp, saw giraffes, lions, vervet monkeys, elephants, impala, gazelles, topi, baboons, hippos, crocs, zebras, etc. Great way to start!

Camp was really nice. Each tent had a full-sized raised bed in it, with an attached shower and toilet tent. A separate dining tent also had a small bar. Evenings were spent strolling around the campsite among wildebeast and gazelles (with an armed ranger) and sitting by the campfire with a Safari or Tusker beer.

Serengeti time was spent with 2-3 days of game drives and a highlight of a sunrise hot air balloon ride. Also came across a cheetah family eating a fresh kill 25 feet from the jeep path.

Moved on to Ndutu Lodge, which is another bungalow property on Lake Ndutu. Amazing views of Giraffe and cats wandering past the property.

On to Ngorongoro Crater. Fantastic wildlife viewing there as well, all in a smaller area of the crater floor. Camped on the crater rim each night, where temperatures dipped to the 40's at night.

Driving brought us past Olduvai Gorge, site of the Leakey's Hominid Discoveries and thought to be the potential site of the cradle of mankind.

Then, moved up to roughly 13000 feet above sea level to Empakai Crater. After a four hour hike down to the crater floor, ate a box lunch near the flamingo-laden lake. Camping that night brought temps to roughly 40 degrees: quite a contrast to the 75-80 degree days.

Next day, hiked roughly 14 miles down through the Masai village of Naiobi and through the Acacia forest, our gear on donkeys. Masai guides along the way pointing out fauna and flora. That evening, the Masai asked if we would like to view them slaughtering a goat. Figuring this might be my only opportunity, I took it. Actually not what I had imagined. They merely clamped their hand over the goat's nose and mouth and smothered it (they say this is how the lion kills the Cape Buffalo). Then, they later skinned and dressed it. A Masai celebration ensued, during which they showed us their warrior dances. Definitely something that has to be seen first-hand!

Next morning, we hiked onward down through the Rift Valley, with breathtaking views along the way, ending up at Lake Natron. Amazing numbers of flamingoes all over this lunar-like landscape, in the shadow of an active volcano- Oldonyo Lengai ("Mountain of God").

All of the hiking through 6-8 inches of volcanic silt made the Masai offer of doing laundry for us at the Lake Natron camp (only $10 for everything) a godsend.

Next morning, took a river hike up to a 75-foot waterfall.

Then, drove slowly through the dust to E Unoto Retreat, near Lake Manyara. E Unoto is a Luxury-style retreat whose large down beds were a welcome sight after adventure camping among donkey caravans and hiking down 11000 feet. Took a small hike down to the lake on the property as well. Great day and a half of relaxing prior to making our way back to Arusha.

Upon arrival in Arusha, went to the Cultural Center for several souvenir/artwork purchases.

Then, on to Arusha airstrip for one more flight, this time on to Zanzibar.

Spent 3 nights in Zanzibar at the Breezes Beach Club. Basically is a nice beach resort, similar to any upscale Caribbean property. Food was excellent and included in the price. This was even more surprising, given the 5 course dinners!

Finally, after 18 days, it was unfortunately time to make our way to the Zanzibar airport for the 20 minute flight to Dar es Salaam, then for the 17-hour flight out of Africa.

In all, this was one of those "trips of a lifetime" that I hope to make more than once. Thomson was very good and, I think, offered a tour that really brought us outside the standard box, which says even more in Africa. The hiking was not like trekking Kilimanjaro, but was more strenuous than some in our party expected. This was probably heightened by the deeper-than-usual volcanic dust (which also gave most blisters). I enjoyed the lodges, but actually preferred the classic camps as they were luxurious enough and really made me feel that I was "not in Kansas anymore" as I laid in bed among the sounds of lions, hyenas, ostriches, and whatever else happened to wander through the area.

This trip was definitely a highlight of my years so far. I'm sure anyone who takes a similar journey will find the same.