Itinerary
Dar Es Salaam - Udzungwa Mountains NP - Kilombero Valley - Mikeregembe - Ifakara - Mikumi NP - Mafia Island
Day 1
Welcome to Tanzania
Arrive at Dar Es Salaam International Airport. You will be met and transferred to the Mediteraneo Hotel for dinner and overnight. Here you will stay on a bed and breakfast basis giving you the choice of the excellent restaurant or the local pub.
Day 2
Transfer to Udzungwa Mountains
Transfer to road to the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, lunch in Mikumi national park en-route. Here you will settle into Hondo Hondo Tented Camp before going on a village tour. You will eat dinner at Hondo Hondo in the shadow of the mountains, where a local drumming group will entertain you by performing traditional music under the stars, next to a roaring fire.
Day 3
Into remote Tanzania
Transfer into the Kilombero Valley, stop at Ifakara to buy provisions in the vibrant market and visit the Catholic Sisters' excellent bakery, cross the river and drive to the remote village of Itete, here you will stay at an old Catholic Mission. The rooms are basic but the atmosphere is magical. Evening village tour and visit to dispensary.
Day 4
Day around the Mission
Visit to local school and dispensary (both of which your trip will help), lunch, visit to remote Shamba (farm) deep in the bush where a single mother subsistence farms for food for her 5 children. Dinner and overnight at the mission.
Day 5
Kilombero River & Mikeregembe
Transfer, via a local with-doctor, to the Kilombero River, drive or take a cannoe (weather depending) to the remote fishing village of Mikeregembe. Here you will camp in the village campsite. Elephants sometimes walk through this village as it is on the edge of the Selous Game Reserve. Evening canoe safari to look at birds and hippo.
Day 6
Around Mikeregembe
Full day exploring Mikeregembe village, learn to fish by traditional methods. Canoe safari. Overnight camping.
Day 7
Back to Ifakara & Udzunga Mountains
Transfer back to Ifakara, visit the Womens' Weavers Association for few souvenirs and transfer back to Hondo Hondo Tented Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 8
Hike into the Udzunga Mountains National Park, looking for endemic primates along the way. You will camp on the top of a 180m waterfall at Sanje. You will see giant trees, African Violets and swim in waterfall plunge pools.
Day 9
Mikumi National Park
Spectacular sunrise breakfast, descend looking for primates and transfer to Mikumi National Park. Here you will stay in the Medical Center bungalows, where your stay helps fund the center. Afternoon game drive.
Day 10
Mikumi Game Drive
Full day exploring Mikumi National Park based at the Medical center. Mikumi is a good park to see a large number of different types of big game in a short time and is great for Giraffes.
Day 11
Transfer to Mafia Island
Transfer to Dar, catch the 15.00 flight to Mafia Island where you will be met and transferred to Ras Mbisi Lodge. Here you will stay full board but activities such as diving and snorkeling or Island tours are up to you and decided daily. Whale-sharks are frequently scene in this great Marine Park as are turtles and dugongs.
Day 12 to day 13
Relax and recharge in Paradise
Full days on Mafia, based at Ras Mbisi.
Day 14
Transfer to Dar Es Salaam
Transfer to the airport and one 12.30pm flight to Dar International Airport for your flight home. End of Services.
