Wildlife Tours to Central Tanzania CENTRAL TANZANIA
Wild Dog © Papyrus Tours
| Tour Ref. | Days | Dates | Party Size |
Cost | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTZ1/12 | 14 | Thursday 13th September to Wednesday 26th September 2012 | 10 plus leader | Est. £4295 *(£585) |
Roger Mitchell |
2012 Zanzibar extension Cost £675 (£135)*
*Single room supplement.
Tour Destinations :
- Selous Game Reserve
- Mikumi National Park
- Ruaha National Park
- Optional extension to Zanzibar
Tour Summary
Central Tanzania
The recent development/improvement of well serviced camps and lodges makes it possible to visit Central Tanzania in comfort and at the same time experience the unique timelessness and tranquillity which characterises this remote area.
Elephants, Hippos and antelope, sometimes in large numbers, will appear and then melt into the bush. Viewing is not as easy as in the open plains of Northern Tanzania but the rewards are considerable with many scarce species such as Wild Dog, Greater and Lesser Kudu and Roan Antelope well represented. Almost all the large mammals are here, together with a dazzling array of birds - and, beyond your group, relatively few other visitors.
It is this pervading tranquillity which makes this tour truly a wonderful adventure.
Elephants, Central Tanzania 2009 © Papyrus Tours
Itinerary
Day 1 : Flight from London to Dar es Salaam
Depart from London in the evening on your overnight flight to Dar es Salaam.
Days 2 and 3 : Mikumi National Park
On arrival in Dar es Salaam transfer by air to Mikumi. In the afternoon you will take your first game drive in the park. Day 3 is devoted to a full day exploring the largely open bushlands and woodlands of Mikumi where kills are relatively easily spotted and there is a good population of Lions and Leopards. The area offers great opportunities for close-up photography of game as this is one of the few places in Central Tanzania where animals are used to vehicles.
The areas around Chamgore, Mbuyuni and Mwanambogo Dam are usually rewarding with good numbers of Elephant and also a variety of plains game. The Mkata River flood plain and several hippo pools are also of particular interest for mammals and birds. A good number of bird species occur here which are not found in the Northern Tanzanian parks such as Dickinson’s Kestrel, Violet-crested Turaco and Pale Billed Hornbill.
Black-backed Jackal © Papyrus Tours
Days 4, 5, 6 and 7: Ruaha National Park
After a morning game drive in Mikumi you transfer by air to Ruaha National Park and take an afternoon game drive. Ruaha is a hilly Park extending over a huge area of 12,950 sq km at an elevation mainly between 2,500ft and 5,000ft. There are many wonderful views over an often dramatic and endless landscape whose most prominent feature is the dominance, in many areas, of Baobabs. There are also extensive areas of Commiphora and Combretum bush and miombo woodland: also sand rivers with ribbons of water holes, much used by all the mammals.
Grey-crowned Crane © Papyrus Tours
All the major predators are here, including Wild Dog, and the bird list for the Park is over four hundred. You will divide your time between exploring the several habitats within easy reach of the camp but you will inevitably concentrate on the prolific wildlife along the Great Ruaha River itself where anything can happen- and frequently does! Above all, this Park is, without exaggeration, a vast tract of unspoiled Africa- an experience which will long remain with you.
Days 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 : Selous Game Reserve
Following a last morning game drive in Ruaha, you transfer by air in the afternoon to Selous, a flight of just under an hour.
Selous is Africa's largest wildlife Reserve and Tanzania's most extensive protected area. Your five days here will be spent exploring the Rufiji River and lakes by vehicle and boat and on foot. You will also explore the dry, sparse, deciduous miombo woodland together with the marshes, savannah and open plains, in the company of local guides.
Eland
© Papyrus Tours
The mammals here are impressive with large numbers of Elephant, Buffalo and Wildebeest present along with, amongst others, Liechtenstein’s Hartebeest, Sable Antelope and Greater Kudu. In addition, there are large concentrations of Crocodile and Hippopotamus whilst Lion and Leopard occur and there is a chance of seeing Wild Dog.
The birding along the river is also very good but perhaps the most poignant ingredient is the experience of a true sense of wilderness in this vast Reserve.
Day 13 : A final morning game drive precedes your departure to Dar es Salaam where you have dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 14 : A morning departure for London where you will arrive late in the afternoon.
Zanzibar Extension
Your tour operates as above until Day 13 when the following itinerary applies.
Day 13: Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar
After the morning game drive in Selous you will fly directly to Zanzibar where the afternoon will be at leisure.
Days 14 and 15: Zanzibar
Two days for you to relax and explore Zanzibar.
During your time here you will have the opportunity to take some excursions to explore various parts of the island. One excursion visits the Jozani Forest Reserve, a remnant of the indigenous forest which once covered much of central Zanzibar. It is home to two endemic sub-species, the Kirk’s Red Colobus Monkey and the Zanzibar Leopard. Alder’s Duiker is found only here and at one other location in Kenya. The Red Colobus Monkeys are habituated to visitors so sightings are almost guaranteed. A second option is to take the Spice Tour which will introduce you to the vast array of spices grown on the island. Finally, you may wish to take time to simply wander around the fascinating labyrinth of streets which make up Stone Town.
Days 16 : Zanzibar/Dar es Salaam
A final morning Zanzibar prior to your departure for Dar es Salaam where you have dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 17 : Return journey
You will depart for the UK early in the morning arriving in London in the late afternoon.
Sacred Ibis © Papyrus Tours