a 13-day wildlife safari to -...

Tanzania Safari March 4–17, 2019 with Mark Faherty

Optional Extension to Kenya: March 17–22, 2019

Wildlife Crossing, Yellow-billed Storks ©Classic Escapes; Pool, © Tarangire Safari Lodge

Tanzania/Kenya, Mar 4–22, 2019 with Mark Faherty

Natural History Travel | massaudubon.org/travel | [email protected] | 800-289-9504 2

Tour Overview The greatest wildlife spectacle on earth! Even if you have been there before, it “never gets old.” Our tour includes world-class birding and abundant wildlife views of the big mammals: elephant, Giraffe, zebra, African Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah in the famous national parks and of Arusha, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro (conservation area), and, of course, the Serengeti. Arusha National Park is a small but popular park with great birding and extinct volcanoes covered in thick forest. Tarangire National Park is famous for the many baobab trees and high elephant populations. Lake Manyara National Park is a comparatively compact area nestled beneath the cliffs of the Great Rift Valley with spring-fed forests, thick acacia bush, and a soda lake, which, at times, holds a large variety of waterbirds including flamingos, ibises, storks, and ducks. Ngorongoro is the largest unbroken volcanic caldera in the world, but also famous for the grasslands and lakes of the crater floor, where we may find the endangered Black Rhinoceros. The main tour ends in the Serengeti. A vast unspoiled, rolling savannah and woodlands, which hosts the most spectacular concentration of animals during migration and calving. Over one million Blue Wildebeests (along with hundreds of thousands of Thomson’s Gazelles and Common Zebras can be found in the huge park during February- March. A moderately paced tour with good-to-excellent accommodations (in lodges as well as tents). Birding and wildlife viewing will be from comfortable safari vehicles. Many of our days will start early, with birding and wildlife viewing, then break midday with more exploration in the afternoon. Climate will be mostly warm and dry, with cooler and possibly damper conditions at higher elevations.

Leopard, by Karen O’Neill

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Day-to-Day Itinerary

Day 0, Mar 4: Travel to Tanzania Depart from your home airport to begin travel to Arusha, Tanzania (meals aloft).

Day 1, Mar 5: Arrive in Arusha Arrive in Arusha this evening, where we will be met by our local guide and transferred to the lodge. Because of the late arrival time, no meals are included today. Overnight: Rivertrees Country Inn | rivertrees.com | meals aloft

Days 2-3, Mar 6–7: Arusha National Park and Mt. Meru Our birding adventure will begin in Arusha National Park. Although relatively small, this unusual park has three distinct zones: Ngurdoto Crater, often called the “mini Ngorongoro”; the shallow alkaline Momella Lakes, which are fed by underground streams; and the densely forested slopes of magnificent Mount Meru. There is an abundance of wildlife to be seen as we explore. Usually there are thousands of Lesser and Greater Flamingos and migrant birds at the Momella Lakes. We will watch for African Goshawk overhead and colorful birds, including Narina and Bar-tailed Trogon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Hartlaub’s Turaco, and White-headed Barbet. On the following day, we’ll drive around Mt. Meru to the lark plains. These grasslands are home to the last 200 Beesley’s Larks on Earth, and we will search long and hard for this critically endangered Tanzanian endemic. Lots of other interesting species can be found: possibility of migrants like Spotted Flycatcher and Common Nightingale. Overnights: Rivertrees Country Inn | rivertrees.com | BLD

Days 4-6, Mar 8–10: Tarangire National Park After breakfast, we’ll head to Tarangire National Park (under three-hour drive), the third largest national park in Tanzania. It is the vast number of baobab trees that first captures the eye as one enters Tarangire. The gently rolling countryside is dotted with these majestic trees, which seem to dwarf the animals that feed beneath them. Over 300 bird species have been recorded in Tarangire. Endemic bird species include Ashy Starling, Yellow-collared Lovebird, and the Rufous-tailed Weaver. Tarangire Safari Lodge is built on top of a high bluff with a breathtaking panorama. Below the lodge, we will see the area’s diverse wildlife accumulating around the Tarangire River, the local favorite watering spot. At the heart of the lodge are the impressively high thatched roofs of the lounge and dining room. The open-sided design allows an uninterrupted view of the landscape and wildlife below. 3 Overnights: Tarangire Safari Lodge | www.tarangiresafarilodge.com | BLD


rivertrees.com

rivertrees.com

http://www.tarangiresafarilodge.com/



Day 7, Mar 11: Lake Manyara National Park and Karatu

In the morning, we’ll head for Lake Manyara National Park, an ornithological paradise with over 350 species of birds. We’ll see Verreaux's Eagle, a variety of vultures, storks, swifts, and swallows winging their way atop the spectacular cliffs overlooking the lake. Lake Manyara, at 3,150 feet, varies in salinity levels with wetter and drier climate cycles, and at times it is replete with shorebirds. We will look for Yellow-billed and Marabou Stork, Pink-backed Pelican, Sacred Ibis, African Spoonbill, and Black-headed Heron, among others! South of the groundwater forest, acacia woodland and open grassland are frequented by an elusive tree-climbing group of African Lions—the signature of this park. After enjoying a picnic lunch, we’ll drive to Karatu and Plantation Lodge. Overnight: Plantation Lodge | http://www.plantation-lodge.com | BLD

Lake Manyara, by Karen O’Neill


http://www.plantation-lodge.com/



Day 8, Mar 12: Ngorongoro Crater

Today, we’ll explore Ngorongoro Crater, a World Heritage Site, which is an extinct volcano and the largest unbroken caldera in the world. The crater (1,800 feet deep and 102 square miles) is a microcosm of East African scenery with abundant wildlife—more than 25,000 larger animals, mostly zebra and wildebeest. Over the years, the floor of this crater has become mostly savannah (grassland) and there’s also a soda lake whose size changes depending on the rains, which are the lifeline of this amazing land. The lake hosts colorful flamingos and a variety of other waterbirds—more than 100 species of birds are found here, but not in the Serengeti. Common Ostrich, Gray Crowned-crane, and Kori Bustard are joined seasonally by migrant flocks of White and Abdim's Stork. A mainly resident population of Blue Wildebeest, African Buffalo, Thomson’s and Grant’s Gazelle, Common Zebra, and Eland are well distributed across the savannah, as are the accompanying predators—especially African Lions and Spotted Hyenas. A major goal will be close views of some of the Black Rhinoceros that survive here. We’ll enjoy a sumptuous picnic lunch before resuming our wildlife viewing. Return to the lodge in the afternoon. Overnight: Plantation Lodge | http://www.plantation-lodge.com | BLD

Day 9, Mar 13: Oldupai Gorge and Serengeti National Park—Southern Sector Today’s drive will take us to the legendary Oldupai Gorge. The two-hour drive to the gorge is breathtaking—passing through a spectacular mix of savannah grassland and volcanic hills, where red-robed Maasai graze their cattle, before it drops steeply down into the gorge itself.

Abdim's Stork, by Dave Larson


http://www.plantation-lodge.com/



Oldupai is one of the world’s most important paleoanthropological locations. This is where, in 1959, Mary and Louis Leakey found fossil evidence of the 1.7-million-year-old Australopithecus boisei and Homo habilis. Thousands of stone tools, some of which were used by Homo habilis, have been found at Olduvai. In addition to the remarkable human fossils, prehistoric elephant, giant horned sheep, and enormous ostrich fossils have been found here. Extinct species unearthed include three-toed horses and giant antelope. Since the Leakeys first began searching the area for clues to our distant past, more than 60 hominid remains have been excavated, belonging to four different hominids, showing the gradual increase in brain size and in the complexity of their stone tools. The gorge itself is a very steep-sided ravine roughly 30 miles long and 295 feet deep. It resembles a small Grand Canyon with exposed strata of different layers where the deposits of rich fossil fauna, hominid remains, and stone tools were found. The gray lines are volcanic tuffs and eruptions are used to estimate the age of the fossils. We’ll visit the museum that contains a cast of the 3.7-million-year-old footsteps of Australopithecus afarensis preserved in solidified volcanic ash, found at nearby Laetoli by Mary Leakey in 1979. Outside the museum, a Tanzanian guide will explain the geological features of the gorge and the work of the Leakeys. Then, it’s off to Serengeti National Park (3,646,500 acres), the jewel in the crown of Tanzania’s protected areas with over 3 million large mammals roaming its plains. It lies between Ngorongoro and Lake Victoria and adjoins Kenya's Masai Mara. Our four-hour drive will be broken up by wildlife viewing along the way. Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the Masai Mara National Reserve across the border in Kenya protect the greatest and most varied collection of terrestrial wildlife on earth, and is one of the last great migratory systems still intact. Our luxury mobile tented camp is strategically placed in the best locations for game viewing and following the herds of the migration, which will be in this area at this time of year. Each tent has en suite facilities with flush toilets and hanging canvas bag showers. They all have spacious verandahs for enjoying the sights and sounds of nature and are fully furnished, even offering electric lighting. Overnight: Serengeti Explorer Camp | http://www.serengetiexplorercamp.com | BLD

Day 10, Mar 14: Serengeti National Park—Southern Sector Today, we will explore the magnificent landscape of the Serengeti—home to more than a million wildebeest, accompanied by hundreds of thousands of zebras and other herbivores. These migrating herds descend upon the short-grass plains of the southeastern Serengeti at the start of the rainy season around December. After calving in January and February, they scatter over the southern and central plains. By May, the rain ends, the grass has been reduced to stubble, and the animals begin their long march to dry-season grazing grounds near the permanent waters of the Serengeti's northern woodlands and Kenya's Masai Mara. Reaching these destinations by July or so, they remain until October, when they head back to the southeastern Serengeti. We will also be birding and watching for the brightly colored Superb and Hildebrandt’s Starling, Wattled Starling, Red-billed and Yellow-billed Oxpecker, Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver, and Grayish Flycatcher. Raptors are a familiar sight, including Pygmy Falcon, snake-eagles, and Bateleur. Overnights: Serengeti Explorer Camp | http://www.serengetiexplorercamp.com | BLD


http://www.serengetiexplorercamp.com/

http://www.serengetiexplorercamp.com/



Days 11-12, Mar 15–16: Serengeti National Park

Today, it will be more Serengeti National Park as we travel to our next accommodation in the central Serengeti. We’ll be observing wildlife throughout the entire four-hour drive. The kopjes (prehistoric rock outcroppings) host Rock Hyraxes, Dwarf Mongooses, and Red-headed Rock Agamas, while patience might reward us with a sleepy black-maned African Lion or a Leopard. The open grassland is home to large groups of Thomson's and Grant's Gazelle, Spotted Hyena, jackal, and birds such as the Double-banded Courser, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Red-capped Lark, Fischer's Sparrow-Lark, and Capped Wheatear. Our accommodation, the Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, is set high on a hill with breathtaking vistas of sweeping grasslands. The lodge design is inspired by a traditional African village, separate rondavel "huts" house the lovely guest rooms. Overnights: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge | www.serenahotels.com/tanzania/serengeti/home.asp | BLD

Days 13-14, Mar 17-18: Arusha and Flights Home In the morning, we’ll transfer to the Seronera airstrip for the flight back to Arusha. We’ll have the afternoon for relaxing in our dayrooms at the Rivertrees Country Inn. Later in the evening, we’ll return to the airport for our overnight flights home. (B,L, meals aloft)

Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, courtesy same




Five-Day Optional Extension to Kenya’s Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks Kenya’s Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks are both very special. Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya and one of the largest in the world. Amboseli, in contrast, is one of the smaller reserves. This park covers only 150 square miles, but, despite its small size and fragile ecosystem, it supports a wide range of mammals and is rich in history and beauty. Both lodges and parks are in view of the glorious Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Day 13, Mar 17: Arusha In the morning, we’ll transfer to the Seronera airstrip for our flight back to Arusha. We’ll have an opportunity to shop at the Cultural Heritage Centre, before relaxing in our rooms at the Rivertrees Country Inn. Overnight: Rivertrees Country Inn | rivertrees.com | meals aloft

Days 14-15, Mar 18–19: Tsavo West National Park

This morning, we’ll head for the border at Taveta and cross into Kenya on our way to Tsavo West National Park (about a six-hour journey). Because of its size at just over 8,000 square miles, Tsavo is split into two, Tsavo West and Tsavo East, for easier administration. Located midway between Nairobi and the coast, the area boasts volcanic hills, four rivers, more than 60 major mammal species, and 1,000 plant species. Although the tall vegetation makes mammal spotting trickier than in some of the other parks, Tsavo West's biodiversity is amazing. The landscape is a mixture of grassland and forest shrub vegetation. Thus, we are

Sleepy lions, by D. Carlisle


rivertrees.com



likely to have close encounters with the following mammals: African Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, zebra, Giraffe, antelopes, Hartebeest (Kongoni), Waterbuck, Klipspringer, Impala, gazelles, African Buffalo, and African Bush Elephant. There are many African Lions—some undoubtedly the descendants of the infamous “man-eaters of Tsavo” popularized in the film The Ghost and the Darkness. In addition to African Lion, the resident carnivores in Tsavo include Serval, hyena, Leopard, Cheetah, and Caracal. The landscape is dominated by the giant baobab, a tree that is reputed to live 1,000 years. Tsavo West is famous for the Mzima Springs. This star attraction is a pool of natural spring water with underwater viewing hides for observing Hippopotamus where a gushing supply of fresh, crystal-clear water has created an oasis for wildlife. A specially constructed underwater observatory provides visitors with a unique view into the underwater world of Mzima. The water catchment is divided into two pools; and here we’ll view Hippopotamus and Nile Crocodile. The first lodge ever to be built in a Kenyan national park, Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge is superbly situated in the lee of Mount Kilimanjaro so that all can enjoy uninterrupted views of the legendary “snows of Kilimanjaro.” The lodge also stands central to miles of lion-stalked grasslands, elephant-studded plains, and wildlife-teeming bush and is ideally placed for visits to all the park’s prime attractions. Overnights: Kilaguni Serena Safari Lodge | www.serenahotels.com/serenakilaguni/en/default.html BLD

Days 16-17, Mar 20–21: Amboseli National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro

Maasai, by Karen O’Neill

In the morning, we’ll drive three hours to Amboseli National Park located at the foot of Africa's highest mountain. Mount Kilimanjaro is actually across the border in Tanzania, but Amboseli offers some of the best views of Africa’s highest mountain.


http://www.serenahotels.com/serenakilaguni/en/default.html



Aside from awesome views, Amboseli also has a healthy wildlife population. It is one of the few places in East Africa where your chances of seeing endangered Black Rhino are good. It is home to well over 50 of the larger species of mammals and over 400 species birds! Part of the large ecosystem that spreads across the Kenya-Tanzania border, the park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants among other wildlife species. Years ago, this was the locale around which such famous writers as Ernest Hemingway and Robert Ruark spun their stories of big-game hunting in the wilds of Africa. This, too, is part of Maasailand. It’s not unusual to see the proud Maasai warrior or small children tending their cattle as we traverse their territory. This is also the park made famous by Cynthia Moss, the noted American naturalist and author who manages one of the longest-running studies on elephants. We might even see some of the elephants that Cynthia immortalized in her many books and award-winning film, Echo of the Elephants. In the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro stands the luxurious Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge. Enjoy two lovely nights here while all around the lodge roam wildlife that has made East Africa legendary. Overnights: Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge | http://www.serenahotels.com/serenaamboseli/en/default.html | (B,L,D

Day 18, Mar 22: Amboseli/Nairobi /En Route Drive to Nairobi this morning: usually five hours or less (an optional flight from Amboseli to Nairobi is available at a cost of $350 per person). A day room will be supplied for you at Ole Sereni to rest and relax until it’s time to be taken to the airport. As your journey comes to a close, we say a fond farewell to your driver/guides and naturalist and promise to come back in the not-too-distant future. Dayroom: Ole Sereni | https://www.ole-sereni.com/ (B,L)

Day 19, Mar 23: Homeward Bound Journey homeward, bringing with you the memories of all the wonderful sights of East Africa (meals aloft)


http://www.serenahotels.com/serenaamboseli/en/default.html



Mass Audubon staff guide Mark Faherty has been the Science Coordinator at Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary since August 2007 and has led birding trips for Mass Audubon since 2002. While his current projects involve everything from oysters and horseshoe crabs to bats and butterflies, he has studied primarily bird ecology for the last 20 years, working on research projects in Kenya, Florida, Texas, California, Arizona, Mexico, and the Pacific Northwest. He was a counter for the famous River of Raptors hawk watch in Veracruz, Mexico, and has birded Africa, Panama, Belize, and both Eastern and Western Europe. Mark is an emcee and trip leader for multiple birding festivals and leads workshops on birding by ear, eBird, birding apps, and general bird identification. He is past president of the Cape Cod Bird Club and current member of the Massachusetts Avian Records Committee. Mark’s weekly essay on Cape and Islands bird life, the “Bird Report,” airs each Wednesday on the Cape and Islands NPR station, where he also co-hosts “Bird News,” a monthly call-in show all about birds, on The Point with Mindy Todd.

What you need to know Travelers must be able to climb in and out of minibuses unassisted and easily climb stairs. They should

also be able to tolerate riding on uneven, bumpy dirt roads for long periods of time (six to nine hours maximum), as well as some off-road experiences when opportunities allow.

Participants should also be able to stand and / or walk moderate distances at an easy pace for up to a few hours at a time when visiting villages, towns, or other sites. Some, if not most, of this walking may be on uneven ground or uphill, often at higher elevations and altitudes that many people are not used to. Travelers should be in good physical health. Smoking is only allowed outdoors in non-group areas.

Visas are required for US Citizens traveling to Tanzania & Kenya.

True adventure in travel can sometimes be accompanied by unexpected changes in conditions, itineraries, and occasionally your accommodations.

Travelers should embrace the safari with a spirit of adventure and flexibility. Remember to pack your patience and sense of humor! Be willing to look past self-imposed ideals of Western amenities and do not compare these new experiences with your life back home. Travel often includes visiting destinations with modest infrastructures and a bending definition of comfort.

That being said, some locations are nestled in absolute luxury where pampering is the norm. Participants should generally be in good health and prepared to travel in locations without medical facilities.




Price, Terms and Conditions Safari Tour Price: $9,900 per person, double occupancy, with 10 travelers Single supplement: $1900, ONLY 2 single rooms available Tour begins and ends in Arusha, Tanzania Add Optional Post-Extension to Kenya $2700 per person, double occupancy, with 10-14 travelers Single supplement: $600

Tour price includes: Transportation within East Africa

Local naturalist guide / leader

Mass Audubon naturalist guide, Mark Faherty

Flight between Serengeti/Arusha.

Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.

American breakfast in Arusha; all meals while on safari. Other meals as indicated.

Naturalist from Massachusetts Audubon Society will accompany the group with minimum of 10 travelers on the main program and with minimum of 10 travelers on the extension.

All park entry fees and resort fees.

Baggage handling, service charges, hotel gratuities, and taxes imposed by hotels,

All wildlife viewing by land cruiser, driven by a naturalist driver/guide.

Maximum of 6 travelers per vehicle with a window seat guaranteed.

Complimentary bottled water in vehicles.

Emergency evacuation insurance.

Carbon offset for all international flights

Tour price excludes: Round trip air transportation between your home airport and Arusha including departure taxes and fuel

surcharges (currently, subject to change). The extension returns from Nairobi, Kenya (quoted separately).

Passport and visa fees and service charges for obtaining visas. Visas are required for US Citizens traveling to Tanzania & Kenya.

Gratuities/ Tips to drivers and guides. (estimated to be ~ $300 per person for the main program)

Excess baggage charges levied by airlines.

Meals and beverages, other than specified.

Laundry and other items of a personal nature.

Personal and baggage insurance.

Cost for anything not specifically mentioned in the listing above.




How to Book, Deposits, Payments, Cancellations HOW TO BOOK: Fill out the reservation form below and send it to Massachusetts Audubon Society, S. Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773, together with a deposit of $1,000 per person for the main safari and $250 for the extension. Final invoicing of your trip will be done approximately four months prior to departure. Final payment is due November 29, 2018. Final documents will be sent to you approximately two weeks prior to departure.

DEPOSIT: A deposit of $1,000 per person for the main trip and $250 for the extension must be submitted at the time of booking. Deposits may be paid by check or charged to MasterCard or Visa FINAL PAYMENT: Final payment is due 95 days (November 29, 2018) before departure—we will receive a final invoice. Final payment is payable by check or money order ONLY. RATES: Rates are based on the minimum number of guests outlined in this document, plus airfare costs, currency exchange rates and other factors and are subject to change. Though it is rare to make a price adjustment after promotion of an itinerary, we do reserve the right to assess a surcharge if the minimum is not met, or if increases are forced upon us by airlines or other partners or because of changes in currency exchange rates. SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: The quoted rate is valid for the first two single rooms booked and on a first-come, first-served basis. If more than two single rooms are needed, an additional supplement will apply. The single room supplement pays for privacy, not better accommodations. For passengers who are traveling alone and wish to share a room with another tour member, we will do our best to provide a roommate. However, if this is not possible, we will be required to pay the single room supplement prior to your departure from the USA. CANCELLATION Policy: If you need to change your booking, you must inform us immediately in writing. All cancellations must be done in writing and are effective upon receipt in the Massachusetts Audubon Travel office:

Cancellations received up to 121 days will be refunded deposit less a $300- per-person fee.

Cancellations received between 120 and 91 days prior to departure will forfeit all deposits.

There are no refunds for cancellations after 90 days or less from departure. We must adhere to these policies but know that sometimes emergencies can happen and travelers have to cancel their trip. Therefore we strongly urge all travelers to purchase trip cancellation insurance. You will be sent information from Mass Audubon Tours upon receipt of your deposit or you can review policies here: www.insuremytrip.com

Documents, Insurance, Flights PASSPORT & VISAS: Visas are required for US citizens to enter Tanzania. We strongly recommend we get your visa before traveling. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the return of your trip and have four consecutive blank pages in the visa section. See travel.state.gov TRAVEL INSURANCE: We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance within 2 weeks of your deposit. A brochure and application for optional trip cancellation, illness, and baggage insurance will be sent to you you’re your confirmation letter, but you can purchase insurance from any company. We suggest you review and compare policies on www.insuremytrip.com to find one that best suits your needs. Please check with your own health insurance to see if you will be covered for medical expenses overseas. (Note: Medicare will not cover you outside the U.S., nor will most Medicare supplements.)


http://www.insuremytrip.com/

travel.state.gov

http://www.insuremytrip.com/



CHANGE FEES: Once we reserve your tour, changes are possible subject to availability of air or land space at the time of request. Should there be any change fees imposed by airlines or ground operators, or additional costs incurred due to availability of any space, this cost will be invoiced to you. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS: The tour operator, Classic Escapes would be happy to make additional travel plans for you, including specially arranged pre- or post-tour extensions different than those that may be offered in conjunction with this tour. A service charge of $150 per person (over and above the cost of the services required) will be assessed. FLIGHTS AND AIR SCHEDULES: The start and end city for the “land only” program is Arusha, Tanzania. The extension returns from Nairobi, Kenya. You, the traveler, are responsible for booking and paying for your own international flights. Once you reserve your space, we will provide you with suggested flights and tell you which flights our leaders will take. You may book flights directly with the airline or with a travel agent. Please be aware that most tickets are non-refundable, therefore you should not book your flight arrangements until you have checked with us to be sure the tour has the minimum number of participants for the trip to go. We ask that you provide us with your flight details so we can be sure to meet you at the airport upon your arrival. PHOTOS: Mass Audubon reserves the right to make use of any photograph taken on the tour. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: Although every precaution is taken to safeguard you and your belongings, group travel trips by their nature involve a certain amount of risk. Trip participants should understand that the domestic and international trips sponsored/operated by Massachusetts Audubon Society (Mass Audubon Tours) - hereafter collectively “M.A.S.” involve known and unknown risks. M.A.S. assumes no responsibility for injuries, death, financial losses or damage to clients’ property caused by or occurring during participation in any of the travel trips sponsored/operated by M.A.S. Trip participants must assume responsibility for having sufficient skill and fitness to participate in the trips and activities offered or sponsored by M.A.S. Trip participants must also certify that they have no medical, mental or physical conditions which could interfere with their abilities to participate in the activities and/or trips they are participating in and they must assume and bear the cost of all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly, by any such condition. It is the responsibility of trip participants to have in place adequate insurance to cover any injury, damage or emergency transportation costs related to their travel and/or participation in trip activities and/or to bear the costs of such injury, damage or emergency transportation costs. Because of the risks associated with the travel trips sponsored by M.A.S. we urge all trip participants to supplement their own insurance with travel or vacation or emergency response types of insurance. M.A.S. requires that all trip participants acknowledge and assume these risks by reading and signing an M.A.S. Release and Waiver and Assumption of Risk contract prior to departure. CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL: Travelers will be provided with an itinerary and trip preparation information. It is expected that travelers will read this information prior to trip departure. Travelers will be responsible for completing an application reservation form, including the personal information and a release of liability. Travelers will be expected to abide by the terms set for in the invoice. During the tour, travelers are asked to respect and follow the directions of their guide and leader.




[email protected] 800.289.9504

Mass Audubon – Travel, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773

