Safari in Southern Tanzania: Selous & Zanzibar

Discover the wild parks and beaches of Southern Tanzania Safari in Southern Tanzania: Selous & Zanzibar

From
5,200 $ per person
Duration : 13 days
Technical Level : Suitable for everyone
Physical Level : Suitable for all
Max group size : 
Season : Junearrow_forwardSeptember
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Your trip

Less popular than those in the north, the parks of Southern Tanzania nevertheless have nothing to envy them. Parks such as Selous and Mikumi allow you to venture on a safari apart from the usual routes, off the beaten track, where you will discover truly heavenly places. You will marvel at the rainbow of colors that Tanzanian nature offers, from the yellow of the savannah to the green of the palm trees and the blue of the Indian Ocean. In this enchanting environment, you will search for the most beautiful wild animals that make Tanzania famous, including the legendary Big Five, before ending your journey with a stopover in Zanzibar, the famous island known for its breathtaking beaches.

Throughout your reservation, you will communicate with the Gody team, a multi-activity mountain agency based in Arusha. As a leading French-speaking agency in Tanzania, their extensive experience allows them to offer exceptional safaris and trekking stays that are carefully tailored to match your expectations and desires.

The package includes supervision by a French-speaking guide, a local guide, and a ranger for the two hikes in Selous. Accommodation is provided in hotels (3 nights), campsites (7 nights), and bungalows (2 nights), with full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 11. Transportation is included to and from Dar es Salaam International Airport, as well as travel by 4x4 vehicle during the safari. Camping equipment (two-person dome tents, foam mattresses, and meals), a boat tour on day 10, boat transfer from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar, minibus transport on the island, and mineral water in the vehicle are also included.

Pricing

5,200 $ per person
4,500 $ per person for a team of 2-5 people
4,000 $ per person for a team of 5- above

Includes

Supervision & Guiding: French-speaking guide, local guide, and a local ranger for the 2 hikes in the Selous.
Accommodation: 3 nights in hotels, 7 nights in campsites, and 2 nights in bungalows.
Full board from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 11.
Mainland Transportation: Transfers to/from Dar es Salaam International Airport and a 4x4 vehicle during the safari.
Zanzibar Transportation: Ferry boat from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar and a minibus on the island.
Camping Equipment: 2-person dome tents, foam mattresses, and camping meals.
Excursions: Day 10 boat tour.
Drinks: Mineral water provided in the vehicle.
Zanzibar Expenses (Excluded): All lunches, dinners, and any activities on the island not explicitly in the program.
Flights & Visas (Excluded): International flights and Visa fees (€40).
Taxes & Fees (Excluded): Reserve entries (€395), international exit tax (€40), and domestic exit tax (€10).
Supplements & Personal Costs (Excluded): Individual tent supplement (€210), international travel insurance, and tips for guides, drivers, cooks, and hotel staff.

Detailed program

Meeting point :  Tanzania
The itineraries for each day can be adapted to suit your personal preferences. Don't hesitate to discuss your plans with your guide at the beginning of your trip.

Day 1Welcome and transfer to Bagamoyo

After a welcome at Dar es Salaam International Airport, we will be transferred to our hotel in Bagamoyo. north of Dar es Salaam, former capital of Tanzania. we will take advantage of the journey to admire the few historical monuments, such as the first Catholic church in East Africa and the old fort of the city. you will be free for the rest of the day before we meet in the evening to set up our first camp, on one of the many heavenly beaches in the region.

Day 2Discovery of the Saadani reserve

Our tour of the nature reserves of southern Tanzania will begin with that of Saadani. We will then go up the east coast of Tanzania to access this magnificent park which has the distinction of being the only one to include a beach in the Indian Ocean. we will thus be able to observe elephants or giraffes walking on the white sand among the rest of the wild fauna which is increasingly dense, this park still being spared from mass tourism. in addition to the numerous ruminants and primates easily observed, we will also be able to come across buffalo, warthogs and various antelopes such as waterbuck, hartebeest, wildebeest, greater kudu, eland and even the magnificent and rare black antelope. leopards and lions have also recently multiplied in the Saadani, as well as spotted hyenas and black-backed jackals. Finally, it should be noted that the park's beaches today constitute the most important breeding grounds for the green turtle in mainland Tanzania. after this day rich in animal encounters, we will set up our camp in the middle of the reserve for dinner and spend the night there.

Day 3 and 4Photo safari in Mikumi Park

In the early morning, we will leave the Saadani reserve via the track. Back on the road, we will head southwest for our next destination: Mikumi Park we will then ride for 300 kilometers between beautiful hills and vast sisal plantations. (Plant used in the manufacture of ropes or carpets) We will arrive near the reserve at the end of the day and we will set up camp there. the next day, camera around our neck, we will venture into Mikumi Park for a beautiful day of safari. Neighboring Selous Park which we will visit two days later. mikumi hides a fairly dense fauna that we will try to photograph in the vast, very open prairies bordered by the mountains which form its natural borders. we will then come across large populations of antelopes and elk which rub shoulders with large families of lions which have taken up residence there, just like the wild dog, a species which has become very rare. We will return to camp before sunset.

Day 5Road Trip to Selous Park

We will take the road south in the early morning towards the Parc du Selous. We will then cross the mountainous region of Morogoro and its many traditional villages via a magnificent road lined with banana and coconut plantations. At the end of the day, we will set up a bivouac in the middle of the bush for the night

Day 6 and 7Safari in the Selous Park

we will leave at dawn to discover the North of the Selous Park, which is the only area reserved for observation safaris, the rest being rented to private hunting companies playing a decisive role in the management of this park. an area of 55,000 km2 listed as a UNESCO heritage site.this park is cut in two by the Rufiji river feeding a whole string of lakes where animals come to cool off in the middle of hippopotamuses and crocodiles. We will camp for two nights at the edge of Lake Tagalala after crossing the park, in the company of local rangers. we will then find ourselves in the middle of century-old acacia trees protruding above the water, making the place magical. The next day, we will walk at dawn to have a better chance of observing lions who are used to hunting, like African wild dogs. the rangers will then teach us the basics of tracking in the bush, research and identification of animal traces. We will return to camp for breakfast and rest until lunch. after this, we will leave for a photo safari in 4x4 to appreciate a little more the variety of fauna and environments such as the shrub savannah, the grassy plain, the light forests and the mountainous massifs on which the years did not have any influence. we will stop for a quick swim in the hot springs before returning to the camp for an observation hike.

Day 8Last moments in the Selous Park

Once camp is packed, we will cross the park to the east gate. we will sit at the edge of a lake for lunch surrounded by omnipresent wildlife and magnificent landscapes. We will continue our journey before setting up our last camp which will be located at the exit of the park, on the banks of the Rufiji River. If time permits, we will embark on a short boat cruise on the Rufiji which, in addition to allowing us to observe the fauna from another angle and many birds, will allow us to meet the ethnic groups who live along the river.

Day 9Back to Dar es Salaam

We will break camp at sunrise to return to Dar es Salaam. Once you arrive at the hotel located near the port, you can freely enjoy your afternoon strolling through the city's arteries. we will meet in the evening for dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

Day 10The beaches of Zanzibar

The beaches of Zanzibar We will leave the hotel early in the morning to board a boat which will drop us off on the paradise island of Zanzibar. We will then reach Jambiani beach, one of the most famous and beautiful on the island, to relax all day. We will spend the evening and the night in comfortable bungalows on Jambiani beach.

Day 11Day to enjoy the seaside pleasures on Spice Island

This eleventh day will be free, you will be able to satisfy your desire for relaxation on the white sand beaches and in the translucent water of the Spice Island where you can admire the seabed by trying out snorkeling or set sail in the company of a fisherman from the coast to observe dolphins. you can also visit the surrounding villages of this 1,600km² island (like Guadeloupe). We will meet in the evening at the bungalows to spend the evening and our last night in this enchanting place.

Day 12Discovery of the Jozani forest and visit to Stone Town

We will begin this last day by taking the road to Stone Town, the old Zanzibarian town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the road, we will stop to discover the Jozani forest. we will then leave for a 1h30 foray into the mangroves of this humid forest where we will cross paths with numerous monkeys including red colobus. once arrived in Stone Town, we will settle in a hotel located in the heart of the historic district of this city known for its mixture of Indian, Arab, African and European influences. You will then be free for lunch before meeting up to enjoy a city tour of approximately 3 hours in the company of a French-speaking guide. he will then make you discover the rich history of this fabulous island by visiting the shops, colonial residences and mosques of the old town. We will finish this last day at the hotel.

Day 13End of stay

Before taking the plane home, you can walk the streets of Zanzibar one last time and visit the city's different markets to bring home some local gifts for your loved ones. according to the program, you will be transferred to Dar es Salaam airport, with memories in your head.
Request a quote
From
5,200 $ per person
Duration : 13 days
Technical level : Suitable for everyone
Physical level : Suitable for all
Max group size : 
Season : Junearrow_forwardSeptember
Request a quote

Practical information

ACCOMMODATION

For nights camping, the group is asked to participate in the assembly and dismantling as well as the loading and unloading of vehicles.

TRANSPORTATION

You will ride in a 4x4 Jeep designed for 7 people (each has its own window) and equipped with an opening roof for 360° observation. Luggage is put in the trunks at the rear and sometimes on the roof, depending on the number of places, an assistance vehicle is sometimes used to transport equipment and luggage. It is possible that in the event of a particular transfer, that 8 people take place in the vehicle.

MEAL

The cuisine of the lodges and camps is varied, balanced, even refined, based on fresh local products

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

  • Short sleeve shirt with pockets
  • Lightweight t-shirts / tank tops
  • Long-sleeved t-shirts
  • Sweater or jacket
  • K-way or a waterproof jacket depending on the regions you are going to visit
  • Lightweight shorts/skirts with pockets
  • Jeans or long pants
  • Hat or cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Swimwear
  • Pair of shoes suitable for walking
  • Pair of flip-flops or sandals
  • Pajamas
  • Socks and underwear
  • Washcloth
  • Microfiber towel(s)
  • Light sheet that can be used as a pareo and scarf

PHOTO MATERIAL

  • DSLR camera
  • Wide-angle binoculars
  • Protective cover resistant to sand and humidity
  • Lens filters to protect against sand and dust
  • Memory cards or hard drive

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

  • Belly pouch
  • Flashlight
  • Padlock
  • Travelogue
  • Freezer bags
  • Universal adapters

VACCINES

Before your safari, it is recommended to receive the following vaccinations to ensure your safety and health during travel:

  • “Universal” vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, whooping cough, hepatitis B)
  • Typhoid and hepatitis A
  • Measles vaccine
  • Yellow fever vaccine
  • Cholera vaccine
  • Rabies shot

PHARMACY

  • SPF50 sunscreen
  • SPF 50+ lip balm
  • Disinfectant gel
  • After-sun / Biafine
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Cleaning wipes
  • First aid kit
  • Eye drops
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Broad spectrum antibiotic
  • Pain killer
  • Disinfectant
  • Anti-diarrheal

To avoid any problems with customs, always put medications in their original packaging and not in bulk.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Compulsory visa: Worth €40 (to be paid in cash), it is very easy to obtain from the embassy or consulate of your country of origin. You will need to present a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months), 1 identity photo, a travel certificate, and a photocopy of the plane ticket. Finally, you will be asked to fill out a form on site. The processing time is 5 working days for a normal procedure, and 15 days if the request is made by mail.

Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months before its expiration date.

TIPS

Even though tipping is a personal decision, it is still useful to know how to manage it while on safari. For the driver and guide: $5 to $10 per day and per person In hotels, lodges and camps: $1 to $2 for porters, room service, etc. local currency The monetary unit of Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). It is difficult to change currency in Tanzania and there are few ATMs, so, if possible, obtain cash as soon as you arrive at the airport.

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