Big Cat Safari - a Family Holiday in Tanzania & Zanzibar (EXFRU)

Duration: 15 days (may vary)
Areas: Tanzania
Tour types: Family Adventures, Nature & Wildlife, Safari

Description

MIKUMI GAME & MUFINDI TEA ESTATE
After a brief taste of the capital, Dar es Salaam, with its rich colonial history, it's safari time! Tanzania is best known for its outstanding game reserves and we start with Mikumi, in the foothills of the Uluguru Mountains. We stay in a comfy tented camp, near the 'Place of the Python' watering holes, which are at their best for game watching at sunset. After a visit to the Stone Age settlement of Isimila, where some amazing remains of prehistoric animals and tools have been found, we arrive at our log cabin on a tea plantation, Mufindi Tea Estate, perched high up on a plateau. We get 'behind the scenes' and - if tea isn't really your cuppa - you can always explore the area and local village by mountain bike.

BIG GAME IN RUAHA
Continuing west through savannah and forest we reach our lodge in Ruaha National Park. A jewel in east Africa's game reserves and Tanzania's second largest park, Ruaha is famed for it's diverse and plentiful wildlife. We concentrate on areas around the Great Ruaha River with game drives in search of the Big Five as well as a host of other wildlife, predator and prey alike, and a huge abundance of birds. Our trail then takes us back to our camp in Mikumi NP with a second chance to observe its fantastic fauna.

ENCHANTED ZANZIBAR
Zanzibar is every bit as magical as the name suggests - its white sands and coral reefs are a beachcomber's dream. It was ruled by Sultans until fairly recently and its spice merchants were known across the world. Our discovery here includes old Stone Town, spice plantations, the Sultan's Palace and optional excursions to Jozani Forest Reserve, home of the Red Colubus monkey, or Prison Island to see giant tortoises. And there's plenty of time for beachcombing, swimming and snorkelling.

Tour itinerary

Day 1

Join Dar es Salaam.

Day 2

Drive Mikumi NP; afternoon game drive.

Day 3

Drive via Isimila Stone Age site to Mufindi Tea Estate.

Day 4

Walks around Tea Estate and along Rift Valley Escarpment.

Day 5

Free day in Mufindi; optional activities.

Day 6

Drive Ruaha NP; visit Iringa market on the way.

Day 7 & 8

Game drives and optional foot safaris in Ruaha.

Day 9

Drive back to Mikumi NP; game drive.

Day 10

Drive to Dar es Salaam; fly to Zanzibar.

Day 11

In Zanzibar Town; optional trips to Coral Park, Prison Island (Giant Tortoises) or Jozani Forest Nature Reserve.

Day 12

Spice Tour; drive on to East Coast.

Day 13 & 14

Free days on East Coast; optional canoe, bike hire and snorkelling.

Day 15

End Zanzibar.