Stone Town Zanzibar – 2 nights
Selous Game Reserve – 3 nights
Morogoro – 1 night
Mikumi National Park – 2 nights & Usambara
Mountains - 2 nights
Dar es Salaam – 1 night
The South of Tanzania is substantially les
developed than its much visited northern
reaches, or indeed its East Africa neighbour,
Kenya. However, it offers a natural and cultural
richness which is guaranteed to stir the
inquisitive traveler. Utilising superb luxury
safari camps this unique itinerary combines a
variety of tropical ingredients, with the
somewhat surreal, almost alpine landscape of the
fine walking in the Usambara Mountains: the
immense, unspoiled wilderness and rich fauna of
the Selous Game Reserve; the beautiful coastal
game reserve of Saadani and the exotic Stone
Town of Zanzibar – the spice island – with its
unique mix of Africa and Islam. These alone
would be sufficient to create a memorable
cocktail. The finale – white sand beaches and
coral reefes of the Zanzibar Coast round off a
perfect blend of activity and relaxation – a
great African adventure undertaken in style and
comfort!
Day 1 – ZANZIBAR TOWN
After flight to Zanzibar, we transfer to first
night’s accommodation and check in. As result of
its trade in slaves and spices, Zanzibar was for
many years the most important town on the East
African Coast.
Hotel – 1 night (B)
Day 2 – ZANZIBAR TOWN
We have the morning to explore the atmospheric
faded splendour of the Stone Town. It’s fun to
wander unhurriedly through the narrow,
whitewashed streets and make chance discoveries;
the bustle of the old fish market, the vibrant
colours of the stalls in the fruit market, the
curious mix of black Africa and Islam – veiled
women, men with white pillar-box hats, and
traces of Arabic origins in the faces of
merchants.
Alternatively, we can take a half-day ‘spice
tour’ (optional), which brings to life the story
of the island by visiting many ruins, and the
extensive plantations which produce cloves,
pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and cardamom
as well as fruit and herbs. Another possible
excursion is to Prison Island, a mile offshore,
with a pristine beach and resident colonies of
giant tortoise and peacock.
Hotel – 1 night (B)
Day 3 – SELOUS GAME RESERVE
From Zanzibar airport we fly by light aircraft
across the straights to Dar es Salaam, the
nation’s capital and largest city. From the
local airport it’s a short transfer to the
station where we board our trainfor the 5 hour
journey to Selous. TAZARA, (Tanzanian/Zambian
railroad) was contracted almost 30 years ago to
link copper mines of Zambia with the Tanzanian
coast. It covers some 1,860 km and has proved an
extremely important life line for village along
the way. The latter part of our journey we
across the northern sector of Selous so there is
a chance to get first glimpses of the game we’ve
come so far to see. On arrival at Kisaki
village, home to many Maasai we disembark and
enjoy our first game drive en-route to the
lodge. Our home for next three days is set high
above riparian forest at the north-west corner
of the reserve, in an area of considerable
elephant activity. It consists of eight
delightful stone cottages with en-suite
facilities, solar power, and a supply of spring
water. Selous is African’s biggest wildlife
preserve and contains the largest populations of
elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and wild dog
on the continent. There are over 400 recorded
bird species, including a dazzling array of
bee-eaters, rollers, sunbirds and kingfishers,
and a marvelous landscape which changes
dramatically across the reserve. This is one of
the last great African wildernesses where it is
still possible to watch lions stalking their
prey without worrying about other vehicles
interrupting the show.
Private Stone and thatch cottages with en-suite
facilities – 3 nights
Day 5/6 – SELOUS GAME RESERVE
With such a vast of bush at our disposal, first
full day in Selous is spend exploring by
vehicle, either south-east to Lake Manze, famed
for its lion and wild dog, or west to the
game-rich natural gardens of Kinyanguru. Armed
with a picnic lunch and drinks, we explore the
changing mosaic of Selous vegetation, to
discover its wide diversity of large mammals,
and birdlife. Back at the lodge, the perfect way
to cap the day’s activity is to gaze at the
stars from hill-top snug after dinner, and soak
up the sounds of the African light.
The following day we are likely to enjoy an
early morning hunt for predators while in the
afternoon we have the opportunity to visit a
local Maasai village. On returning to the camp
after dark we hope to spot some of the area’s
nocturnal species such as genets, bush babies,
porcupines and possibly even leopard and wild
dog.
Day 7 – MOROGORO
The Matombo road which leads north from Selous
to Morogoro is one of the most scenic in
Tanzania and, whilst rough in places, it offers
fabulous mountain views, an exhilarating river
crossing, and thick rainforest alive with
primates, wonderful village markets and an area
of bizarre quartz rock formations. Our
destination is Morogoro, a neat well-laid out
town standing in lush, fertile country at the
foot of the Uluguru mountains, which loom some
2,000 metres above it. It’s a major agricultural
centre (producing fruit, vegetables and sisal)
with a large, bustling and highly photogenic
market. If there is time, we may be able to
explore the market, visit the small botanical
garden on the lower slopes of the Uluguru
(optional), or simply get the feel of a typical
Tanzanian town. Otherwise it’s a convenience
overnight stop for us.
Hotel – 1 night (B)
Day 8 – MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK
You will leave early this morning to make the
most of your time in Mikumi National Park,
approx 1.5 hours drive away. Overnight at Vuma
Hills or Foxes Safari Camp - 2 nights (B, L, and
D)
Day 9 – MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK
You'll spend a full day in and around the park.
It is home to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard,
giraffe, zebra and many sorts of antelope. You
will drive to some different parts of the park,
maybe seeing herds of elephant as you pass. (B,
L, D)
Day 10 – USAMBARA MOUNTAINS
Today is a traveling day as we drive northward
towards the Usambara Mountains. After flanking
the Masai Steppe, our route climbs abruptly
through montane forest by a series of
spectacular hairpin bends which offer views out
over the plain. All around are green hills
chequered with neat plantations of banana, maize
and pineapple of the Bantu-speaking Wasambara
people.
The area has many endemic plant species
(including nine varieties birdlife of African
violet), colourful butterflies and abundant
birdlife: Green-headed oriole, Uluguru
Violet-backed sunbird, Banded green sunbird,
Amani sunbird, Silvery-cheeked hornbill and a
variety of robins, bulbuls and starlings, plus
the rare Nduk eagle owl, which is found only
here. In the area close to Lushoto we can also
find Black and White colobus monkey and Blue
monkey. Our accommodation for next the next two
nights is a characterful colonial house set in
its own gardens. Lodge – 2 nights (BD)
Day 11 – USAMBARA MOUNTAINS
Lushoto, the largest town of the area, has an
older feel to it. It grew at the turn of the
century when German settlers came to grow
rubber, cotton, tobacco and sugar, and found it
a pleasant place to escape the heat and dust of
the Masai steppe. So enamoured were the German
colonists of its cooling breezes and verdant
vegetation, that – in the early days of colonial
rule – it was even considered as a possible site
for the capita. It’s a place of curious
contrasts – much of its public architecture is
reminiscent of Germany, yet the outlying suburbs
are African in feel. The fresh mountain air an
lush scenery make this area excellent for
walking and several half day and full day
options are available. The longer walks require
the services of a local guide and a small fee is
payable to the local ‘Friends of Usambara
Village Development Fund’. (BD)
DAY 12 – DAR ES SALAAM
Drive to Dar es Salaam. The city is centred on
the harbour where traditionally rigged dhows
complete with modern cargo ships. The city
itself is an eclectic mix of Swahili, Germany,
Asian and British architecture, reflecting its
colonial past and more recent history. It is a
relatively new city - Sultan Majid bin Said of
Zanzibar, saw the potential of Dar as a
deepwater port because of its strategic position
at the centre of the East African coast. In
1886, he began work on his palace, built of
coral blocks hewn on Changuu Island off
Zanzibar. He died before its completion and the
palace fell into ruin - he gave the port its
name ''Haven of Peace''.
DAY 13 – Transfer to International
Airport for your flight.
Enquire Now
The package includes
-
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- All airport
transfers in private car
- flights
Dar es Salaam - Zanzibar - Dar es Salaam. Train Dar es Salaam/Selous
- Transport
and wildlife drives in 4WD Land Cruiser or
Land Rover with photographic roof hatch
- Services of
a professional safari guide
- All
wildlife reserve entry fees
-
Conservation fees
The Package does
not include
-
International airfare & flights
- All items
of a personal nature
- Gratuities
for safari guide and camp staff
- Airport
departure tax
- Travel
insurance
- Visa and
Passport fees
- Alcoholic
and non-alcoholic drinks and beverages in
lodges
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