Selous safari & Zanzibar holiday
| country: | Tanzania, Zanzibar |
| location: | Zanzibar, Selous Game Reserve |
| departures: | 2009: 19 Dec 2010: 16 Jan, 3 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 2 Oct, 16 Oct, 18 Dec 2011: 15 Jan, 2 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 3 Sep, 17 Sep, 1 Oct, 15 Oct, 17 Dec |
| price: | From £2029 - £2769 (14 days) including flights from the UK. From £1299 - £1799 excluding flights. Local payment $395 USD. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 4 travellers reviews
"This trip would really suit me as it is packed full of wildlife with some time to relax too. Taking a train to Selous must be a great way to cover the distance and I would enjoy spotting wildlife from the train as it enters the reserve. With three full days of safaris before heading to Zanzibar to look for some underwater wildlife, I think a couple of days on the beach would be a great way to relax before heading home."
- Holly, responsibletravel.com
- Holly, responsibletravel.com
the amazing things you'll be doing
Real off the beaten track adventures in Tanzania
Selous Game Reserve
From Dar Es Salaam, the ‘Haven of Peace’, you’ll enjoy a wonderful train journey across evocative African bush to Selous Game Reserve. From your comfortable lodge base enjoy classic game safaris by 4WD, boat and on foot. You’ll search for elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and wild dog in a region that is home to some of Africa’s largest populations of wildlife.
Zanzibar – Spice Island
Wander the narrow maze of alleyways in exotic Stone Town and sense the grandeur of days gone by in this historic trading port, home to the Sultan of Oman. Finally travel to the coast where the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lap white-sand beaches. You can choose to go snorkelling or explore the centre of the island to learn about the many spices that grow here.
Africa’s Secret Reserve
Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa and offers unrivalled wilderness. It is home to large populations of elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and the elsewhere endangered wild dog and rhino. Despite this, it remains one of the least visited reserves on the continent. Come and discover this unique, personal safari experience for yourself and escape from the crowds. The best time to visit is June to October when you’ll enjoy cool dry weather and the best chance of seeing game as it congregates around the shrinking waterholes.
Selous safari voucher
We are offering a $50 safari voucher for use on the free day during your holiday. This adds up to a free half day safari or a full day safari for just $40 (prices quoted are without government park fees). Offer available on all trips departing between 1st July 2009 and 30th February 2010.
Selous Game Reserve
From Dar Es Salaam, the ‘Haven of Peace’, you’ll enjoy a wonderful train journey across evocative African bush to Selous Game Reserve. From your comfortable lodge base enjoy classic game safaris by 4WD, boat and on foot. You’ll search for elephant, rhino, lion, leopard and wild dog in a region that is home to some of Africa’s largest populations of wildlife.
Zanzibar – Spice Island
Wander the narrow maze of alleyways in exotic Stone Town and sense the grandeur of days gone by in this historic trading port, home to the Sultan of Oman. Finally travel to the coast where the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lap white-sand beaches. You can choose to go snorkelling or explore the centre of the island to learn about the many spices that grow here.
Africa’s Secret Reserve
Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa and offers unrivalled wilderness. It is home to large populations of elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and the elsewhere endangered wild dog and rhino. Despite this, it remains one of the least visited reserves on the continent. Come and discover this unique, personal safari experience for yourself and escape from the crowds. The best time to visit is June to October when you’ll enjoy cool dry weather and the best chance of seeing game as it congregates around the shrinking waterholes.
Selous safari voucher
We are offering a $50 safari voucher for use on the free day during your holiday. This adds up to a free half day safari or a full day safari for just $40 (prices quoted are without government park fees). Offer available on all trips departing between 1st July 2009 and 30th February 2010.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Depart London Overnight flight to Dar Es Salaam |
| Day 2: | Dar es Salaam From Dar es Salaam airport you travel (approximately one hour) to your accommodation and check in. The rest of the day is free to relax and recover from your journey and to explore Dar es Salaam. Hotel – 2 nights |
| Day 3: | Dar es Salaam, free day Today is free for you to relax . Stretch your flight-weary legs with a walk along the beach, enjoy Dar es Salaam's shops or simply kick back and settle into the Tanzanian pace of life. (B) |
| Day 4: | Selous Game Reserve; train ride After a leisurely morning you transfer to Dar’s Tazara Station and board the train to Selous. The five and a half hour journey shows an interesting view of rural Tanzanian life as well as two hours of bonus game viewing as the train passes through Selous Game Reserve. You arrive at Kisaki station; the village is home to many Masai. From here it’s a 20 minute drive to Sable Mountain Lodge. Your home for the next four nights is set high above riparian forest at the north-west corner of the reserve, in an area of considerable elephant activity. It consists of eight delightful stone cottages with a swimming pool (great for cooling off in between safaris!), en suite facilities, solar power, and its own supply of spring water. Its high elevation provides wonderful views over the surrounding hills and forest with magnificent views of the Uluguru Mountains beyond. The lodge also has its own waterhole where you can watch the animals come down to drink in the evening. Regular visitors include elephant, buffalo, zebra and in November and December, the rare sable antelope. Selous, at 55,000 square km; (about 5% of Tanzania’s total land area) is the largest wildlife preserve in the whole of Africa and contains the largest populations of elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and wild dog on the continent, as well as large populations of giraffe, zebra and various antelope species. However, as it receives fewer visitors than some of Africa’s more famous reserves, you can benefit from more relaxed game viewing experiences; the north-west sector in particular is away from the busier routes and it isn’t unusual for you not to see any other vehicles during your game drives here. There are over 400 recorded bird species, including a dazzling array of bee-eaters, rollers, sunbirds and kingfishers, and a marvellous landscape which changes dramatically across the reserve. The reserve has an incredible diversity of habitats from deciduous hard woodland (miombo), open grassland, rocky hills scattered with thorny acacia, palm woodland, sand rivers (only channelling water in the wet season), riverine forest, swamps, lakes and rivers. Its ecological importance lead to the reserve being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. This is one of the last great African wildernesses where it is still possible to watch lions stalking their prey without worrying about another vehicle interrupting the show. Private stone and thatch cottages with en suite facilities - 4 nights (BD) |
| Day 5: | Selous; safaris by foot and 4WD With such a vast area of bush at your disposal, your first full day in Selous is spent exploring firstly on foot as you make an exciting early morning walking safari – a great way to really get in tune with the beauty, peace and tranquillity of the wilderness. Selous is one of the few parks and reserves in Tanzania where foot safaris are permitted; there is nothing to beat the thrill of going in search of big game without the confines or noise of a vehicle. Travelling on foot also allows you to take a closer look at the vegetation and follow animal spoor; your guide will be on hand to highlight points of interest and answer your questions. You may come across some of the park’s smaller, though no less interesting residents, such as birds and insects. Look out for dung beetles rolling elephant dung; their ability to move dung balls many times their size is amazing – especially as they may also have to fight off other beetles trying to steal their prize! You return to the lodge for lunch and have the afternoon to relax by the pool or check to see if there are any visitors at the waterhole. After the heat of the day subsides you embark on your first game drive. Using an open-sided 4WD vehicle you travel deeper into the reserve in search of more game. Selous Game Reserve is a vast wilderness and there are numerous routes to take. A stop at one of the many dry sand river beds may reveal elephants digging for water – a truly thrilling experience. You may also spot wild dog; unlike many other parks, Selous has a thriving population. The park is also home to a large population of giraffe and it is not uncommon to see large groups of them browsing the tops of trees and shrubs. After dinner back at the lodge, the perfect way to cap the day’s activity is to gaze up at the stars from the hill-top ‘snug’ and soak up the night sounds. The constant sound of cicadas chirping is quite soporific while the sound of a hyena laughing or a lion roaring has a more spine-chilling effect! (BLD) |
| Day 6: | Selous; safaris by boat and 4WD Today you make a full day game drive including a boat safari and a chance to spot pods of partially-submerged hippo, crocodile and other waterside dwellers at close quarters. Hearing hippo laugh is an experience which will delight everyone but only the brave will dare to look a crocodile right in the eye! Bird life is prolific; you are likely to see pelican, African skimmer, goliath heron, fish eagle, ibis and various species of kingfisher including the aptly named giant kingfisher – the largest in the world. The area is also home to Pel’s fishing owl but you would be very lucky indeed to see one. You may also spot other game at the water’s edge coming down for a welcome drink, especially during the dry season (mid-June – mid-November). Buffalo, waterbuck and impala are the most likely candidates but elephant, lion and leopard need to quench their thirst too. On returning to the camp after dark, look out for some of the area’s nocturnal species at the waterhole. (BLD) |
| Day 7: | Selous Game Reserve; free day for optional safaris Today is free to relax at the camp, enjoy the swimming pool, spot game visiting the water hole or make your choice of optional safaris. This evening you might like to opt for a night safari to see the wilderness from a new perspective. Using an open-sided 4WD vehicle, you’ll use large search lights to pick out the glowing eyes of animals going about their business. Some species are entirely nocturnal while others just prefer to do their hunting in the cool of the night. Species you may spot includes genet (it looks like a cat but is actually more closely related to mongoose and civet) ; the cute and cuddly looking bush baby (one of the smallest primates, it uses its huge eyes to look for insects in the dark) and hippo which come out of the water at night to graze in the long grass. If you are lucky you may even spot leopard; keep your eyes peeled! (BLD) NB: The day by day activities described for the Selous Game Reserve may vary due to weather conditions and also the location of wildlife in the reserve. |
| Day 8: | Stonetown; Zanzibar This morning there is a last chance to wallow by the pool before breakfast. A final short game drive ends at the Selous airstrip by mid-morning where you board the aircraft for a stunning flight across savannah grassland and shrub before crossing the Straits of Zanzibar to Zanzibar Island. As a result of its trade in slaves and spices, Zanzibar was for many years the most important town on the East African coast. The Sultans of Oman, who introduced the clove tree to its fertile soil at the start of the last century, moved their court here from Muscat in the Gulf and ruled until independence in the early 1960s. As a major trading centre, the 'Spice Island' is also reputed to be the birthplace of Swahili, the simple lingua franca that developed to allow trade between people of different languages. In the heart of the original merchant city the baleful cry of the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer resonates though the narrow stone streets. Hotel - 2 nights (B) Please note that the Zanzibar section is unaccompanied by a Group Leader although transfers are organised for you. |
| Day 9: | Zanzibar Town You have the morning to explore the atmospheric, faded splendour of Stone Town. It's fun to wander unhurriedly through the narrow, whitewashed streets and make chance discoveries. The bustle of the old fish market, the vibrant colours of the stalls in the fruit market, the curious mix of black Africa and Islam - veiled women, men with white pillar-box hats, and traces of Arabic origins in the faces of merchants. Alternatively, you can take a half-day ‘spice tour’ (optional), which brings to life the story of the island by visiting its many ruins, and the extensive plantations which produce cloves, pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and cardamom as well as fruit and herbs. Another possible excursion is to Prison Island, a mile offshore, with a pristine beach and resident colonies of giant tortoise and peacock. (B) |
| Day 10: | Beach resort Transfer from Stone Town to your resort on the beach. (about one hour’s drive). Hotel - 3 nights (BD) |
| Day 11-12: | Indian Ocean Beach The beautiful coastline with its palm-fringed beaches creates an image of a forgotten paradise. Most are protected by coral reefs and are made of white coral sand. Here you can relax on the balmy, tropical shores of the Indian Ocean. In the morning it may be possible to see some of the local fishermen, in their traditional dhows, bringing in their catch. Spend the days relaxing on the beach or snorkelling in crystal-clear water. There are bicycles for hire or several other optional excursions can be arranged through your hotel, such as scuba diving, boat excursions, fishing trips or a spice tour of the island. You could also opt to visit the nearby turtle sanctuary where injured turtles and other marine animals are cared for until they are well enough to be returned to the wild. (Bx2, Dx2) |
| Day 13: | Fly to London The trip ends for Land Only clients in Zanzibar. Those on group flights transfer from the beach directly to the airport (about one hour drive) and fly to London. (B) |
| Day 14: | Arrive London |
travellers' tales
The whole trip was wonderful but the magic moments have to be seeing all the wildlife, especially the elephants, lions and a leopard getting ready to attack. (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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On this trip: We support the Mkwaja Primary School, which you will have the opportunity to visit. You will see for yourselves how the children are progressing and perhaps have the chance to help them try out and improve their English. If you would like to offer your support by taking a gift, they would be delighted to receive any books or learning equipment, they have very little resources here at all but you will see a strong determination and great joy for life! These enthusiastic students would welcome pens, pencils, coloured pens, rules, slates, chalks, books, footballs or netballs. The school havetold us general resources will be pooled whilst they will use any individual gifts as rewards for performance or effort to encourage the students. Balls etc will be made available to all that are interested to participate. The camp at Saadani has been built using local materials and craftsmen.
Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us. Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full. Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |