Tanzania Special

BAOBAB has organised an exquisite Tanzania special as a small group itinerary, combining famous safari destinations, such as the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, nature walks in the Usambara Mountains and relaxation and culture on Zanzibar Island. This 15-day, action packed, comprehensive and exciting itinerary is run at a leisurely pace – can you think of a better way to spend a fortnight in East Africa?

Itinerary

Day 1
Transfer by luxury coach and 4x4 vehicle from Dar-es-Salaam to the Usambara Mountains and checking into Grant’s Lodge (FB basis). Grant’s Lodge is located approximately 20 km outside Lushoto in the Western Usambara Mountains. This spacious, colonial-era farmhouse is perched on a beautiful green hillside, a most relaxing and peaceful retreat. Anna, your host, will make you feel at home in their cosy and comfortable facilities, indulge with an overdose of the ‘good life’ in Grant’s private, wood fired sauna.

Day 2
Grant’s Lodge is very near the Magamba Forest Reserve, where you can enjoy nature walks ranging from 2 to 10 hours. The Lodge has developed several self-guiding trails and walks. Some of the more popular walks are the Waterfall, River Loop, and Mountain Top and Grant’s Loop walk. These self-guiding trails and walks have a narrative, directions and a map supplied by Grant's Lodge. The area is well known for it’s rich bird life, a real paradise for bird watchers - get your binoculars out! Overnight stay in Grant’s Lodge (FB basis).

Activities

View over Usambara Mountains

Grant's Lodge in the Usambara Mountains

Cascading waterfall on Waterfall walk

Day 3
A nature walk to Irente viewpoint, part of Tanzania’s cultural tourism programme - entirely run by local people. The proceeds are invested in improvement of farming and irrigation systems to raise the local standard of living. Irente viewpoint, reached after couple of hours, provides spectacular views over Maasai plains almost 1000m below. On the way back you will visit Irente Farm for a lovely homemade lunch. Overnight stay in Grant’s Lodge (FB basis). more accommodation info

Day 4
Transfer by 4x4 and luxury coach from Usambara Mountains to Arusha and checking into the Outpost, a small family run hotel with en-suite, cosy garden bungalows, famous for their evening buffet... Overnight stay in The Outpost (HB basis).

Day 5
Transfer from Arusha by 4x4 safari vehicle to Tarangire National Park, known for its vast number of baobab trees and permanent waters of Tarangire River. The latter ensures its high biodiversity all year round, e.g. huge herds of wildebeest, zebras, and elephants. Overnight camping at the Kigongoni campsite (FB basis).

Day 6-7
Transfer from Tarangire to the legendary Serengeti National Park. Serengeti in Maasai language means ‘endless plain’, which is probably the best description for this flat plateau covered in extensive grasslands, interspersed with rocky outcrops called ‘kopjes’. The Serengeti is best known for wildebeest migration, however large herds of elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffalos, impalas and antelopes can be seen all year round. It is also celebrated for its lions, cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, large birds (e.g. ostrich) and little birds (e.g. superb starling). Day 6 camping at Seronera campsite (FB basis) and day 7 transfer to Ngorongoro Crater and camping on Crater rim (FB basis).

Wildebeest migration in hte Serengeti

lone bull elephant

Lioness resting beneath shade

Black rhino in Ngorongoro Crater

Day 8
Early morning, descend into the Ngorongoro Crater, a spectacular caldera (inward collapsed volcano) with a diameter of 19 km and a depth of 600 m. It houses a great number of species, including wildebeest, zebras, gazelles, buffalos, elephants, lions, hippos, a large flock of lesser flamingos and last but not least black rhinos. Transfer to Arusha and overnight stay in the Outpost (HB basis).

Day 9
Flight from Arusha to Zanzibar - offering palm fringed white beaches, pristine coral reefs and a colourful history believed to go back 2,000 years. It has always had powerful trading links with Arabia and Persia, providing a gateway for amongst others slaves, gold, ivory, wood, spices, glass and textiles.

In Stone Town, you will check into Tembo House Hotel (or equivalent hotel, B&B basis). Tembo House has very much the feel of a traditional Zanzibarian house and is conveniently located in the heart of Stone Town, ideal for exploring its labyrinth of narrow streets. Stone Town consists predominantly of Arabic architecture, with a blend Indian, African and European design. The most impressive architectural structures are the large Arabic houses, usually two to three storeys high, with a central courtyard and flat roof, surmounted by a low crenulated parapet. Most buildings have elaborately carved wooden doors decorated with massive brass doorknobs.

Beach with traditional dhow on Zanzibar

Rooftop view of stone town

Colobus monkey in Jozani forest

Day 10
Day trip to Jozani forest - home of the Red Colobus monkey - only found on Zanzibar. Jozani has an excellent nature trail to discover the impressive flora and fauna of this island. Some time left in afternoon to further explore Stone Town. Visit the Beit el Ajaib (formerly Sultan’s palace), the Old Fort, the Anglican Cathedral and Old Slave Market and you get a real taste of Stone Town’s exotic history and maybe try Forodhani Gardens for an infamous Zanzibar pizza. Overnight stay in Tembo House (or equivalent, B&B basis). more accommodation info

Day 11
Transfer to the East coast with a spice tour along the way. Zanzibar is famous after all for its cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper and many other spices. The trip will be lead by Mr. Madawa, a well-known herbalist, who can introduce you to a variety of spices and their uses in cooking and cosmetics.

On the East coast you will check into Shooting Star Inn (or equivalent accommodation, HB basis), an intimate & relaxed family run hotel. The bungalows are built to a high standard in traditional Zanzibari style with white lime washed walls, high-beamed ceilings and large windows. more accommodation info

Day 12-14
Just indulge and relax under a coconut palm on Kiwengwa beach with spectacular views across the coral reefs and the azure Indian Ocean beyond. Try a bit of snorkelling or diving on Shooting Star house reef. Overnight stay at Shooting Star – Sea View Cottage (HB basis).

Day 13, a trip to Nungwi, a village on the north coast of Zanzibar. You will visit a boat yard, where traditional wooden dhows are still manufactured by hand, a local handicrafts group and turtle sanctuary.

Day 15
Unfortunately, your last day on Spice Island before being transferred to Zanzibar airport and catch a flight back to Dar. In Dar you check into The Beachcomber (B&B basis), conveniently located for Dar international airport with complementary airport pick-ups.

All BAOBAB’s trips are priced excluding the international flight. This provides more flexibility for you, especially when based outside the UK. BAOBAB arranges all other transfers once you have arrived at your destination.

What's included?

BAOBAB Tanzania Special includes all accommodation as in itinerary, safari (camping - FB), cook, guide/driver on safari days, National Park fees, cultural trips and internal land & air transfers. Please note that BAOBAB prices do NOT include any bar drinks and international flight.

Price: 15 nights Tanzania Special starts from £1,750 - based on 2 people sharing, a minimum group size of 4 people and subject to availability. Currency converter

Similar trips can be organised on a tailor-made basis throughout the year, please contact BAOBAB for prices and availability.