“Through Chagga Land” Horse Safari in the West Kilimanjaro region; a driving safari of the Northern Park Circuit; and a stay in Zanzibar’s Stone Town and beaches

INTRODUCTION

Your 17 night / 18 day tour starts at Kilimanjaro airport, in northern Tanzania and ends at Dar es  Salaam airport in eastern Tanzania. The program is diverse and exciting comprising a “Through Chagga Land” Horse Safari in the West Kilimanjaro region; a driving safari of the Northern Park Circuit; and a stay in Zanzibar’s Stone Town and beaches.   You are guaranteed to safely see and experience the best of what Africa offers for the intrepid traveler.

Your tour involves 2 inter-continental flights as indicated by the red arrows below.

“THROUGH CHAGGA LAND” HORSE SAFARI

Day 1:  Upon arrival at Mount Kilimanajro international airport, you will be met by a representative holding up a sign displaying your last name who will transfer you to the Makoa Farm  where you will overnight. If you arrive early enough, you can meet thehorses, choose one for your safari and begin an introductory ride, exploring the plantation and getting to know your horse.

Day 2:  The first destination on your way to the forest reserve leads along the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro to Kibo-Kikafu-Coffee Estate. You ride over farmland, passing an old historical bridge and continue through lush banana and coffee plantations. In the coffee and over long fields there are possibilities for good canters. During  lunch on the neighbour’s farmhouse veranda you enjoy breathtaking views. Afterwards  you leave the horses here and drive back to Makoa. On your way back you visit  Tom, the 170 year old giant tortoise. Tom is the mascot of this farm and could tell lots of stories…instead he will demand his extra banana ration.

Day 3: Early morning you are driven back to the horses from where you head west… through Chagga Land around Mt. Kilimanjaro. The Chagga tribe populates the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro and successfully farmed long before any explorers reached this spot.

This is a day which offers wonderful insights in Chagga lifestyle and culture. You will ride through villages, small holder farmland, banana and coffee plantations and scenic valleys.  All this goes along with lots of chatting with the local population who take a real interest in the horses and guests. Later you will reach the national forestry projects of West Kilimanjaro area. The scenery will change from coffee plantations to Eucalyptus forests that are farmed for serving Tanzania’s construction demand. By the evening you will arrive at the camp bordering the Kilimanjaro Forest Reserve (*weather permitting, alternatively in our private guest house). Enjoy the lush environment and the noises of the forest – next morning you will probably wake up with early calls of the Colobus monkeys.

Day 4: Today you will explore the indigenous montane forests of the Kilimanjaro Reserve, a lush world of exotic scenery. You ride slowly and carefully so as to spot the shy Black and white Colobus monkeys. Mostly there are no roads and elephant trails are used to pass through. These dense forests are populated by a whole range of mostly secretive animals. A sharp eye will discover lots of tracks and signs, maybe even an elusive leopard, and a keen ear might pick up the crunching sound of a herd of elephant feeding not far off. After a picnic lunch in the forest reserve you will continue to the Namuai guest house and enjoy a refreshment.

A representative will pick your party up and transfer you to overnight at the Olasiti Lodge ( B+B ) in Arusha about a 90 minute drive away.

NORTHERN GAME CIRCUIT PHASE

 Day 5: After breakfast you will commence your private game safari of the Northern Game Circuit, the best combination of game parks in the world. Guests are provided a professional English speaking guide driving a specially outfitted 4WD drive vehicle with a pop up roof to allow clients to stand up and view the scenery and wildlife in every direction. Guests will be spoiled by the scenery of tribal villages, the Rift Valley Escarpment, alkaline lakes, extinct and active volcanoes, the endless plains of the Serengeti , kopjes, riverines; and close up encounters with lots and lots of African wildlife . A sighting of the “big five “is almost assured. Prepare to be amazed, and always have your camera ready. At the end of each day, you will be treated to fascinating assortment of camps and lodges providing great meals and hospitality.

The first day of safari is of  Tarangire National Park reknown for it’s huge baobabs trees and elephant herds.  Overnight at the Lake Burunge Tented Camp .

Day 6: Today you drive south off the beaten path to Lake Eyasi in the Yaida Valley, the home of  the Hadzabe people and the Datooga people, two fascinating tribes who have stuck to their primitive lifestyles and beliefs. Overnight at the Tindiga Tented Lodge  situated on Lake Eyasi.

Day 7:  This morning you will spend time with members of the Hadzabe who are bow hunters and gatherers. (Following are URL links to informative websites; Hazda Tribe Photos;  Hunting With The Hazabe;  Primitive Tanzanian Tribes).

Early afternoon you commence the drive into the famous Serengeti National Park to experience as it has existed for thousands of years.  En-route via the Oldupai Gorge, you may  visit the Oldepai Information Center where Dr. Leakey discovered hominids millions of years old.  Overnight at the Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp, located in the central Serengeti, home to many territorial predator cats.

Day 8 :   Another full day game safari of the central Serengeti is on the menu today to enjoy all the African wildlife freely roaming on the plains.  Overnight again at the Serengeti Kati Kati Mobile Tented Camp.  The bulk of the migration is typically in the western part of the Serengeti at this time of year which is very accessible from this vantage point. 

Day 9 :  After breakfast your safari will take you out of the Serengeti into the Ikoma region.  Being outside of the park , walking and night time safaris are permitted  and available for a small fee. Overnight at the Robanda Safari Camp .

Day 10: All manner of safari is available today or just relax around the camp. Overnight again at the Robanda Safari Camp .

Day 11 :  Today you will safari  back through the Serengeti back into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. You will overnight at the  Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge  overlooking the stupendous Ngorongoro Crater.

Day 12 : After breakfast, you will descend  over 600 meters into the Ngorongoro Crater, the eighth wonder of the World. Official website at Ngorongoro Conservation Area . This is a world heritage site, and is the world’s largest ‘caldera’. Magnificent views and fantastic wildlife viewing is on the menu today. You have a very good chance to spot the remaining black Tanzanian rhino as well as numerous predators and some of the biggest bull elephants in Tanzania. You will begin ascent out of Crater mid- afternoon and be driven to briefly visit the Canadian Physicians For Aid and Relief Project at Karatu . Afterwards, your party will overnight at the Bougainvillea Safari Lodge.

ZANZIBAR PHASE

Day 13 : And now for something completely different. The day starts off with a transfer to the Arusha airport for a flight  onto the exotic archipelago of Zanzibar. A representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Stone Town . Overnight at the boutique Dhow Palace Hotel  (B+B) centrally located in Stone Town.

Some of the spots for night life in Stone Town that might appeal to the tourists  include but are not limited to ;

Africa House Hotel which has the Sunset Bar to enjoy a beverage while the sun sets.

The Livingstone is a terraced seafront bar with good music playing other than on Friday evenings.

Mcheza Sports Café is a bar with a number of TV’s to watch sports.

Mercuy’s is a seaside bar with good food and beverage selection with occasional live music.

Dharma Lounge which is a small unpretentious bar with extended hours.

For those looking to mix with the locals at their level, there is the;

Magereza Club which features bands from the Dar es Salaam.

Komba Discotheque at the Bwawani Hotel.

Sterehe Club which plays a lot of reggae.

Day 14: After breakfast, an English speaking guide will meet you for half-day City Tour of fascinating Stone Town taking in David Livingstone’s House Of Wonder, the Palace Museum, the National Museum, the Slave Market , the Central Market, and down some winding streets of antique and souvenir shops. Afterwards transfer to Nungwi-Kendwa Beach , Unguja’s best beaches in both low and high tides. Overnight at the  Sunset Kendwa (Breakfast only) . Nungwi/Kendwa beach activities include, snorkeling, Zanzibar Deep Sea Fishing  , Sunset Dhow Cruise  , kayak , and there is PADI certified scuba diving shops such as Scuba Do along the beach. There is also para-sailing, windsurfing , water skiing and paddle skiing available at another beach nearby.  If visiting during busy season, it may be advisable to book some of the activities before arriving.

Day 15 – 17  : Enjoy the beach life. Overnight again at the Sunset Kendwa.

Day 18 : Transfer to Zanzibar airport for flight to Dar es Salaam where you will connect to next flight. End of program

Total Cost for tour is $ USD ( Talk to Rep)  based on 6 clients sleeping 3 per room or tent.