African Safari
Itinerary
Step out into the vast open plains of Tanzania and you suddenly feel very, very small. And so you should. You’ve just joined one of the largest, wildest animal populations in the world. Wildebeest, monkey, antelope, lion, cheetah, crocodile, gazelle, flamingo - they're all out there.
Day 1 - Saturday 8 November 2008
Australia - Dubai
Depart this evening on our overnight flight to Dubai.
Day 2 - Sunday 9 November 2008
Dubai - Nairobi, Kenya
We transit in Dubai early morning and continue to East Africa and our destination, Nairobi, Kenya. On arrival and after clearing customs formalities we are transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Nairobi, Kenya's mile-high capital is only 138 km south of the equator. Founded by the British little more than a 100 years ago, the city now has a population of more than 3,000,000. D
Day 3 - Monday 10 November 2008
Nairobi
This morning we enjoy a tour of Nairobi then proceed to The Langata Giraffe Centre to view and feed the famous Rothschild’s giraffe from a specially constructed viewing platform. We return to our hotel early afternoon. Balance of day is free for independent activities and sightseeing. BD
Day 4 - Tuesday 11 November 2008
Nairobi - Arusha - Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania
Transfer to the airport this morning to join our flight to Kilimanjaro Airport at Arusha. After completing airport formalities we drive to Lake Manyara National Park. Lake Manyara is one of the most scenic parks that we will encounter in Tanzania and is situated at the base of the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. The view is breathtaking, as we take in this massive lake. Like most Rift Valley lakes, the water is alkaline. This attracts vast flocks of flamingos which resemble pink foam against a silver background of water. The park is a bird lover’s haven with a variety of local species inhabiting the forest and bush. The best time to observe these birds is in the late afternoon and early morning. Animals also found in the area include zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck and warthog. Manyara is also known for its tree-climbing lions. These majestic animals find shelter in the branches of trees away from the heat and biting flies. After our phenomenal experience, we’ll continue to our lodge. BLD
Day 5 - Wednesday 12 November 2008
Lake Manyara - Serengeti National Park
After breakfast we travel via the Olduvai Gorge - the 'cradle of mankind', to the Serengeti National Park, a World Heritage Listed Site. En-route we enjoy a game drive. The Serengeti National Park is one of the most incredible places on the planet. What you might have seen or read simply cannot do justice to the actual experience. This is the largest of Tanzania’s national parks, covering 14,763 sq. kms. The park name is derived from a Maasai word meaning 'endless plains' and houses the largest concentration of wildlife in the world. BLD
Day 6 - Thursday 13 November 2008
Serengeti National Park - Game drives
Today we begin exploring the famous Serengeti, unequalled for its natural beauty and scientific value. With more than two million wildebeest, half a million Thomson’s gazelle and a quarter of a million zebra, it has the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa. The wildebeest and zebra, moreover, form the star cast of a unique spectacular - the annual Serengeti migration. A unique combination of diverse habitats enables it to support more than 30 species of large herbivores and nearly 500 species of birds. Its landscape, originally formed by volcanic activity, has been sculptured by the concerted action of wind, rain and sun. It now varies from open grass plains in the south, savannah with scattered acacia trees in the centre, hilly, wooded grassland in the north, to extensive woodland and black clay plains to the west. Small rivers, lakes and swamps are scattered throughout. In the southeast rise the great volcanic massifs and craters of the Ngorongoro Highlands. Each area has its own particular atmosphere and wildlife. BLD
Day 7 - Friday 14 November 2008
Serengeti National Park - Ngorongoro Crater
Morning game drive in the Serengeti National Park before we head off to Ngorongoro Crater - 'Africa’s Eden'. The crater is actually a caldera, measuring 22.5 kms across and the rim walls stand 600m high. Views from within and from the rim are breathtaking. The crater houses over 30,000 animals and a large variety of birds, which rarely move from the area due to the availability of water through wet and dry seasons. The Ngorongoro Crater, our second World Heritage Site, is home to the rare Black Rhino and has its own Soda Lake. With the high concentration of animals in the Crater area, we may see the 'African Big Five' as we descend 670 metres into the Crater. We'll experience a thrilling day among lion, elephant, buffalo, black rhino and possibly the illusive leopard. For those who don't know, the 'Big Five' were given this name due to the extreme danger and cunning they posed to early hunters. After a picnic lunch and a full day of game viewing, we return to our lodge. BLD
Day 8 - Saturday 15 November 2008
Ngorongoro Crater - Lake Manyara
After breakfast we travel further into the Ngorongoro Crater for another amazing game drive and during the afternoon we visit a local Maasai Village before returning to Lake Manyara. The Maasai live in the semi-arid Rift Valley region of Tanzania. They own large herds of cattle, sheep and goats which they follow around seasonally in search of new grazing grounds and water sources. Traditionally the Maasai have always been a proud and independent people. They did not cultivate the land and depend on a cash economy as many of those around them did, rather they lived off the blood, milk and meat that their cattle provided. Cattle plays a central role in the life of the Maasai. Cattle represents food and power; the more cattle a Maasai has, the richer he is and, therefore, the more power and influence he will have within his tribe. BLD
Day 9 - Sunday 16 November 2008
Lake Manyara - Arusha
Drive to Arusha via the Great Rift valley and the Masaai village of Mto wa Mbu, where we will have a chance to experience village life, meet the villagers and perhaps the Masaai chief and even enjoy a traditional dance. Here we encounter a mixture of different Tanzanian cultures while enjoying the magnificent lush-green tropical vegetation at the base of the Rift Valley. We then continue to Arusha and our lodge. BLD
Day 10 - Monday 17 November 2008
Arusha - Stone Town, Zanzibar Island
Fly to the tropical island of Zanzibar, the spice capital of the world; a beautiful island that has it all, from coral reefs to deserted beaches, colourful locals to ancient architecture, African markets to westernized shopping. On arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel. The remainder of today is at leisure. Our hotel is set in two historic seafront buildings that have been masterfully restored to their previous grandeur, exceptionally welcoming and comfortable. Stone Town has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and the old town is built on a triangular peninsula of land on the western coast of the island. It consists of a warren of narrow alleys leading to, houses, shops, bazaars and mosques. Transport around the town is generally by foot or bicycle as cars are too wide to drive down many of the inner streets! There is time for you to do a little exploring this afternoon.
The island has a colourful history as it was a strategic trading location and visited over the centuries by the Persians, Arabs, Indians and the Europeans, specifically the Portuguese and the British. The first of these merchants, the Persians, are thought to have visited the islands around the 10th century. Between the 12th to 16th centuries, Zanzibar became a city state and it's rising importance led to a Portuguese presence by the 16th century. After a short duration of Portuguese control, the British assumed control followed by the Omani arabs, who maintained their authority over the islands well into the 19th century. Apart from being a trading hub,the islands were also a major slave trade market, with the trade finally being stopped around the year 1873. Omani rule gradually came to an end and in 1964 the islands became a part of the United Republic of Tanzania. BD
Day 11 - Tuesday 18 November 2008
Stone Town, morning tour - East Coast
Today our guide shows us the many sights of Stone Town. We visit a spice plantation and get to taste the many aromatic spices. Our tour includes The House Of Wonders and the slave chambers, Peace Memorial Museum, The Palace Museum, Arab Fort and the Forodhani Gardens, a perfect place for souvenir hunting. This afternoon we drive to the beautiful East Coast where we spend two relaxing nights. BD
Day 12 - Wednesday 19 November 2008
Karafuu Beach Resort
Day at leisure. Relax and enjoy the resort environment or take one of the optional tours offered by the resort. One of the more popular optional tours is to Kizimkazi, to swim with the Dolphins. Drive to the South-West coast of Zanzibar to the fisherman's village. Here your guide will provide a quick briefing concerning the dolphin's behaviour, before you embark by small local boats and arrive at an area where large shoals of dolphins live and here you will have the chance to interact with them. A truly unique and unforgettable experience. BD
Day 13 - Thursday 20 November 2008
Zanzibar - Dar Es Salaam - Nairobi - Dubai
We farewell Zanzibar this afternoon and transfer to the airport for our flight to Dar Es Salaam en-route to Nairobi where we join our overnight flight to Dubai. B
Day 14 - Friday 21 November 2008
Dubai
Arrive early this morning and after clearing airport formalities transfer to our hotel. Given our early arrival, rooms have been reserved from the previous night, in order for us to have immediate access. This afternoon our tour of this fascinating city reveals the captivating contrasts of the cultural and the modern. Our route takes us to the magnificent Burj Al Arab, Jumeriah Mosque, the amazing World Trade Centre - one of the tallest buildings in the Middle East and we pass many palaces belonging to the ruling family of Dubai. We take a short break by The Creek then cross to the oldest part of the city, Bastakia. We soon reach the Dubai Museum now housed in the Al Fahidi Fort, which stood guardian over the early settlers for almost two centuries. We cross The Creek by water taxi to the spice and gold souqs. This will be the last stop on the tour. You may stay and spend more time in the bustling environment and return to the hotel independently. The coach will return to the hotel for those not staying. B
Day 15 - Saturday 22 November 2008
Dubai - Bedouin Desert Camp
Morning at leisure, and mid-afternoon we depart by 4WD for our Bedouin desert campsite. Relax on cosy carpets and cushions, savouring Arabian coffee and fresh barbecue dinner of Continental and Oriental dishes. Live Oud player and bewitching belly dances complement an authentic Arabian experience. Later this evening return to Dubai. The traditional homeland of the Bedouin is the Arabian Desert; some Bedouin groups, however, have migrated into northern Africa. Today, nearly 180,000 Bedouin live in the U. A. E. The most well known of these groups are the Rwala and the Dhafir. Their tents are their main possessions and animals are very important for their nomadic lifestyle. Camels are their main means of transportation, while sheep and goats are bought and sold. The Bedouin fall into two basic categories. One is known as the 'true' Bedouin, and they live as nomadic shepherds. The other group has embraced farming and is known as the Fellahin. The Fellahin lead a more settled life on the edge of the desert. In contrast, the 'true' Bedouin move into the desert during the rainy winter seasons and back to the desert’s edge during the summers. Since much of the land in the U. A. E. is fertile, most Bedouin here are of the fellahin type. BD
Day 16 - Sunday 23 November 2008
Dubai
Today is free for you to explore at leisure. B
Day 17 - Monday 24 November 2008
Dubai - Australia
Our wonderful Safari draws to a close as we transfer to the airport this morning to join our homeward flight to Australia. B
Day 18 - Tuesday 25 November 2008
Arrive Australia
Arrive early today with lasting memories of our exotic Safari tour to East Africa, Zanzibar and Dubai.
