Secret Southern Parks &
Zanzibar
OVERVIEW
- Experience East Africa’s only coastal wildlife park
- Travel to the largest wildlife reserve in Africa by train
- Relax on some of the world’s best beaches
This tour is very much an off the beaten track safari experience. It touches the wild Africa of yesteryear and completes the heady infusion on the spice island of Zanzibar.
Take in three exceptional, complementary destinations: Saadani National Park: the only coastal wildlife preserve in the whole of East Africa with a unique combination of wildlife park, marine park, a stunning boat safari and deserted white sand beaches. Selous Game Reserve: Head south by road to the largest reserve in Africa, teeming with wildlife but still with few visitors, and famous for its African hunting dogs. Zanzibar: Conclude your adventure on the exotic spice island of Zanzibar, situated in the Indian Ocean with clear turquoise seas and pristine beaches.
KEY DETAILS
| SEASON | DURATION | STARTS | ENDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| JUNE TO MARCH | 12 DAYS | ZANZIBAR | ZANZIBAR |
ITINERARY
On your morning arrival at Zanzibar airport, you will be met by a member of the Tent with a View team who will brief you on your next flight to Saadani National Park and hand over your flight tickets.
After just a 15 minute flight, you will drive through the park to the beautiful Simply Saadani Camp, your base for the next 4 nights. This lovely safari camp, with stunning Indian ocean views, is fringed by a deserted white sand beach on one side and wild bush on the other. Head out for a game drive in the late afternoon, your first experience of this beautiful park. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner.)
This morning, enjoy taking a guided walk north along the beach to the sleepy fishing village of Mkwaja and learn a bit about local life before returning to camp for lunch. The rest of your morning is at leisure, relaxing on your terrace, at the beach, or having a dip in the warm Indian Ocean.
After lunch, head down to the Mafui creek, on the south side of the camp, for a gentle canoe ride which offers great birdlife and perfect peace. Alternatively, stop by the wildlife research centre for a talk on the camp’s work with elephant, zebra, lion & endangered green turtle which nest July through August not far from the camp. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner.)
After a leisurely breakfast, leave the camp and head straight to the Wami River for a thrilling boat safari. Enjoy your lunch on the boat amongst the hippos and game drive back to the camp, arriving at last light. Saadani has excellent populations of elephant, giraffe, buffalo and lion adapted to life in their unique coastal habitat. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner.)
This morning, relax at the camp, swim in the ocean, walk the deserted beach, explore the colour coded nature trails, enjoy a local canoe ride or visit our wildlife research centre. After lunch, head out with Tiso or Francis on an afternoon game drive in the park returning at dusk. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner.)
Wake for an early breakfast before driving to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Selous Game Reserve. You will reach Sable Mountain lodge, a beautifully positioned camp set over two hills, in the late afternoon. Enjoy a short briefing followed by drinks and dinner. (Breakfast & dinner.)
This morning after breakfast, you will visit a local Maasai homestead with long term friend of Sable Mountain, Saita. This is a very personal experience where you will get to meet Saita’s family and learn about medicinal plants still used today by the Maasai. After lunch back at the lodge, head out into Selous for an afternoon game drive. Selous is the size of Switzerland, full of wildlife and famous for its African hunting dogs.
The reserve is also still relatively untouched by tourists unlike the more famous parks in the North. This means that you can be out all day without seeing another human soul making a safari here a very intimate and exclusive experience. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner.)
Head out at dawn into the reserve for a full day game drive & boat safari on Lake Tagalala returning to the lodge for a late lunch. Relax by the pool, on your balcony or take a walk down to the treehouse and water hole to see what is drinking there. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner.)
This morning, awake early for a foot safari from the lodge after tea/coffee, exploring the diverse environment from riparian forest on the Sable Mountain to sand rivers, miombo woodland and open grassland. This is a chance to watch for smaller mammals, colobus and Sykes monkeys, study the spoor of larger game and marvel at the birdlife, before returning to the lodge for breakfast. After lunch, head to the airstrip for flight to the spice island of Zanzibar.
On arrival, meet your driver and transfer to the North of the island, to Nungwi village where The Zanzibari boutique hotel is located. The hotel is close to the Mnemba Atoll, famous for its diving. Settle into the hotel this afternoon and explore the beach. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner.)
The Zanzibari hotel offers all the creature comforts you could wish for whilst giving a chance to experience life as a Zanzibari. Nzore, who is the assistant manager is known as “Mr Nungwi” and often leads the village tour. His irrepressible smile and good nature allow you to really get close to village life.
The remaining days are for you to relax, enjoy the peace of the hotel, or book from the many available excursions such as the exploration of Nungwi and its fishing community, historical tours of the capital Stone Town, Spice farm tours, diving, snorkelling, and more. There is also a Spa at the hotel offering massages and body treatments. (Breakfast & dinner.)
After a leisurely breakfast, say farewell to the Zanzibari hotel and transfer to Zanzibar airport for your international flight home. (Breakfast.)
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