Get PSYCHED! Only 4 more days before we take off!

Welcome to the student-run site for Carpe Diem’s fall 2008 trip to East Africa!

Curry and I, the fearless Program Leaders, have been busy here in Portland, OR training with the Carpe Diem staff and the 14 leaders in charge of the 7 trips headed to other parts of the globe.

Among other things, we’ve been camping, completing Wilderness First Aid training, and finalizing details of the trip. We’ve also perused our group’s files and are psyched about the awesome group of students we’ll be traveling with this semester. As you can see from the itinerary below, we’re in for an awesome ride!

We’re looking forward to meeting our students at San Francisco International Airport’s KLM desk for international departures at 11:30AM on September 10th!

Students, if there are any missed connections, call the toll free number ASAP: 1-877-285-1808. A Crape Diem staff member will be there to help you out 24/7.

Check this site often for updates from our students regarding the magical semester of team building, community service, exploration, growth, and FUN on which we are about to embark.

Peace,
Zik

Updated Program Itinerary

DateDescription
Sept. 10Depart San Francisco International Airport to Entebbe, Uganda
Sept. 12Arrive Entebbe, Uganda and travel to backpackers hostel outside of Kampala
Sept. 12 – 16Orientation at local hostel with occasional trip into Kampala for scavenger hunts
Sept. 16Travel by bus to Fort Portal in the Western side of Uganda
Sept. 16 – 25Volunteer with Youth Encouragement Services working on construction at an HIV/AIDS orphanage
Sept. 25Travel overland back to Kampala and overnight
Sept. 26Travel overland from Kampala to Jinja and overnight
Sept. 27Rafting!
Sept. 28Get settled with Volunteer project
Sept. 28 – Oct . 5Volunteer with Adrift on Environmental Conservation project
Oct. 5Free day in Jinja for relaxation, email, pizza, etc.
Oct. 6 – 12Volunteer with Soft Power Education. Homestays and Swahili tutor.
Oct. 12Travel overland back to Kampala and overnight
Oct. 13Travel overland across the Tanzanian border to the town of Bukoba
Oct. 13 – 15Free days in the sleepy Lake Victoria town of Bukoba
Oct. 15Ferry across Lake Victoria to Mwanza where we’re met by our safari company, Tanzannature Tours. Ferry runs only on M, W, & F
Oct. 16Free day in Mwanza to recover from the ferry trip
Oct. 16 – 19Safari through the Serengeti, and the Ngorongoro Crater
Oct. 19 – 22Safari: begin three-day trek from the Ngorongoro Crater rim down to Lake Natron; camping with local Maasai tribesmen
Oct. 22Overnight in Arusha for comfort and email
Oct. 23Free day in Arusha. Eeew, but necessary for more email and comfort
Oct. 24Travel by local transport to Homestays in local village
Oct. 24 – Nov. 8Homestays and Swahili classes in village immediately outside of Arusha
Nov. 8Travel by bus to Moshi and start working with Amani Street Kids Project
Nov. 9 – 20Volunteer with Amani Street Kids
Nov. 20 – 25Free Travel
Nov. 25Overnight in Dar Es Salaam
Nov. 26Ferry from Dar Es Salaam to Zanzibar
Nov. 26 – Dec. 3SCUBA Diving on Zanzibar Island
Dec. 3Fly from Zanzibar to Dar Es Salaam and on to Arusha for connections home.