Safari, Culture, Nature and Beach
Overview
This 22-day itinerary offers a perfect combination of safari, culture and nature, history and beach experience – all in one. If you are looking for a truly African immersive adventure then this kind of a trip would be ideal for you. A trip starts with safari to Nyerere (Selous) National Park, Mikumi and Ruaha National Park. Followed by a hike to Uluguru Mountains where you will also immerse yourself in the culture of Luguru people who live in the Uluguru Mountains. And the last part of your trip will take you to Zanzibar Island. It is a kind of trip that adventure seekers can’t go wrong with.
Number of Days
22 Days | 21 Nights
Area to Visit
Dar es Salaam, Selous, Mikumi National Park, Ruaha, Morogogro, Ulugugru Mountain Zanzibar
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Dar es Salaam Airport
Upon arrival at Dar es Salaam Airport (DAR), you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in Dar es Salaam city for relaxation after your International flight. Dar es Salaam city is a gateway to all Tanzania’s Southern circuit parks
Overnight stay in Dar es Salaam
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park (Selous)
Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in the morn
Morning after breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel and driven to Nyerere National Park. It takes 5 hours drive away from Dar es Salaam city. You will arrive at your camp/lodge in time for lunch. After a few hours of relaxation; you will go for a boat safari along the Rufiji River. Return to the camp/lodge in the evening after a beautiful sunset view.
Overnight stay in Nyerere National Park
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3 & 4: Nyerere National Park (Selous)
You have an option of full day game drives or morning and afternoon game drives. You can discuss with your guide. Nyerere National Park is the largest park in Tanzania it offers a wide range of habitats to explore from grassland savannah to flood plains and miombo woodland and it is a home to variety of wildlife including the African wild dogs, lion prides, elephants, giraffes to mention few.
Overnight stay in Nyerere National Park
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Nyerere National Park to Mikumi National Park.
Optional walking safari, transfer to Mikumi with packed lunch boxes. It takes 8 to 9 hours drive. Arrive at your lodge for dinner.
Overnight stay in Mikumi
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Mikumi National Park
After breakfast at your lodge, transfer to Mikumi National Park for a full day game drive with picnic lunches. In the evening return to your lodge for relaxation and overnight stay. Mikumi National Park has variety of animals including lion, zebra, giraffe, elephant, hippopotamus, buffalo, impalas, warthog as well as leopard.
Overnight stay in Mikumi
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 7: Maasai Boma visit. Transfer to Ruaha National Park
After breakfast, you will visit Maasai village which is close to Mikumi Park before you leave Mikumi to drive to Ruaha national park via Iringa. A drive from Mikumi to Ruaha takes about 5 -6 hours. Optional Night game drive is available, advance booking required.
Overnight stay in Ruaha
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 8 & 9: Ruaha National Park
Enjoy 2 full days of game drive to explore this Tanzania’s second largest National park which is still undiscovered, it is a true hidden gem. The landscape of Ruaha National Park is really fascinating park, is mainly characterized by baobab trees and acacia trees and The Great Ruaha River that flows through the park. Ruaha has large population of African elephants, prides of lion as well as endangered African wild dogs. It is also a home to great mammals like kudu, sable and roan antelopes which cannot be found in any other national park in Tanzania. Other animals can be spotted here include leopards, cheetahs, giraffes. Many zebras, elands, impala, bat eared foxes and jackals live in the park.
Overnight stay in Ruaha
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 10: Ruaha National Park to Morogoro
After breakfast at your lodge/camp, transfer to Morogoro via Iringa with packed lunch boxes. Upon arrival at your hotel you will be checked in then go for relaxation after a long drive and get ready for the next day’s schedule. This is where you will say good bye to your safari driver guide. In this evening your guide for Uluguru Mountain hike will meet you at your hotel for a briefing.
Overnight stay in Morogoro
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 11: Morogoro Town to Choma village of Luguru people in Uluguru Mountains.
Morning after breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up by your local guide and start walking up hill to Choma village. The walk will take you through the peaceful villages with charming people and breathtaking views of the mountains. The walk to Choma village takes 2.5 to 3 hours depending on your fitness and walking speed. Upon arrival at Choma village, you will go the waterfall known as Choma waterfall.
You can swim in this waterfall. Then, your guide will take you to visit some few local houses where you can learn about Luguru tribe, participate in their traditional activities like mat weaving and pots making as well as cooking class if you are interested. The Luguru people are warmly welcoming people and always love to share their stories with others. In the evening, enjoy your dinner with a local family and overnight stay in that house. A homestay with locals is such a unique experience to immerse yourself in a local culture and the house has all the important facilities.
Overnight stay in Uluguru Mountains (Homestay)
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 12: Choma Village to Bondwa Peak/ Morning side in Uluguru Mountains
Enjoy your breakfast with your local host family in Choma village, then proceed walking up hill to Morning side. As you go up you will pass through various farmlands of cassava, banana, maize and strawberries and enjoy stunning views of Morogoro city as well as of the mountain peaks. A hike from Choma village to Morning side takes 2 to 3 hours. Upon arrival at Morning side, you will be welcomed by a very beautiful view of Morogoro city, you will relax a little bit and then have your hot lunch. Morning side is an old German building which is now used as a historical site. Your guide should have a lot to share with you. After lunch, you can decide whether to continue with the hike to Bondwa Peak (The third highest peak of Uluguru Mountains) or end up there. Morning Side is the best place for camping.
Overnight stay: Camping at Morning Side
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 13: Morning Side, Uluguru Mountains to Morogoro City
After breakfast, you will walk down to Morogoro city via Ruvuma and Towelo village of Uluguru Mountains. This takes 3 hours walking down hills. Upon arrival at your hotel, you will have your lunch then relax.
Overnight stay in Morogoro Town
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 14: Morogoro to Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
In the morning, you will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to Dar es Salaam. The drive takes 3 hours. You will be dropped off at Dar es Salaam Airport to catch a flight to Zanzibar- the spice Island. Upon arrival at Zanzibar Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel in Stone Town.
Overnight stay in Stone Town
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 15: Stone Town, Zanzibar
After breakfast, you will be picked up by your guide and take you to Stone Town then to the Spice Farm. Spend this day to explore the historical city of Stone Town and visit the Spice plantation; you will get to learn a lot of things about Zanzibar. Later, return back to your hotel in Stone Town.
Overnight stay in Stone Town, Zanzibar
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 16: Stone Town to Nungwi, Zanzibar
Your driver will meet you at your hotel, you will check out and be transferred to Nungwi.
Overnight stay in Nungwi, Zanzibar
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 17 & 18: Nungwi, Zanzibar
Free days in Nungwi, Zanzibar at your own leisure
Overnight stay in Nungwi, Zanzibar
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 19: Nungwi to Paje, Zanzibar
After breakfast, you will be picked up by your driver, transfer to Paje for more relaxation days on the beach.
Overnight stay in Paje, Zanzibar
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 20 & 21: Paje, Zanzibar.
Enjoy free days in Paje, Zanzibar at your own leisure. Please let us k now if you would like to go for some excursions, we can help you to arrange them for you.
Overnight stay in Paje, Zanzibar
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 22: Transfer from Paje to Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ)
Depending on your departure flight time, you will be picked up by a driver and transferred to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) for your departure flight to your next destination.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Inclusions:
- Transfer from Dar es salaam Airport to your hotel in Dar es Salaam
- Park fees as per itinerary
- Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
- Game drives as indicated in the Itinerary.
- Service of English Speaking guide.
- Drinking water while on safari
- One-way flight from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
- Game drive in a safari vehicle with pop up roof and/or open sided vehicle
- Boat safari at Selous/ Nyerere National Park
Exclusions:
- Any International flights
- Any Domestic flights not mentioned above
- Visa
- Optional activities such as walking safari and Night Game Drive
- Travel and medical Insurance
- Zanzibar Infrastructure fee, payable direct to the hotel
- Tips for driver or camp/lodge staff
- All items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls and drinks
- Any other items or activities not specified above
