INTRODUCTION
Tanzania offers a tremendous variety of interest, from the coral island of
Zanzibar to the
snows of Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, not forgetting the
Great Rift Valley and Maasai Steppe
where thousands of wild animals roam the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater.
Despite this Tanzania is strangely under-rated as a travel destination and
until recently it has been very difficult to visit except as part of standard
Safaris or very rough overland truck routes. We still offer the usual Safaris
in most of East and Southern Africa with the best established African operator
but we now also offer Tanzania as a tailor made destination so that you can
choose your own style of travel, within the limits of what is available.
Independent travel in Tanzania can be hard and sometimes a little too exciting
because of the nature of public transport and the fact that you can only
enter the Game Parks in a chartered vehicle, so assistance with your transport
and accommodation arrangements can be well worthwhile especially if you do
not have unlimited time available. We can arrange just your transport and
accommodation or a full service from England back to England. We also offer
destinations in other parts of Africa which are less familiar to visitors.
in particular Ethiopia, Ghana and Namibia.
This Dossier describes the Main Destination in Tanzania, lists some Typical
Itineraries and gives General Information about travelling to Tanzania. With
our expertise we hope we can help you to arrange the experience of a lifetime.
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DESTINATIONS IN TANZANIA
The Northern Game Parks and classic African
landscapes Even for those with little interest in wildlife, the experience
of crossing the vast open plains dotted with picturebook trees and perfectly
conical volcanos is like nothing you will find elsewhere in the world. The
main town in the north is Arusha, served by Kilimanjaro International Airport.
From here the fantastic scenery of the Rift Valley and the spectacle of the
great Wildebeest migrations can be reached. There can be few people who have
not seen wildlife programmes about the animals of the Serengeti where vast
numbers of wildebeest and zebra constantly cross the plains followed closely
by lions, cheetahs, leopards, jackals, vultures and hyenas. The Maasai also
share these plains and like the animals follow the seasonal grass with their
herds of cattle. Their belief in the superiority of their culture has so
far been strong enough for them to survive the pressures of the modern world
so that beyond the most visited areas it is not difficult to see their life
going on in its traditional way.
The Ngorongoro Crater is the caldera of an ancient exploded volcano and forms
a natural sanctuary about 100 square miles in area. The animals within the
crater do not fear humans and so it is possible to see a microcosm of African
plains wildlife within one day. The animals usually permit vehicles to approach
so close that it is difficult to believe that they are truly wild and you
can get great photographs even of rare animals such as Black Rhino.
There are several other Game Parks in this region with different habitats.Some
of the main ones are as follows: Lake Manyara
where tree climbing lions inhabit the woodland which nestles between the
lake and the vertical escarpment of the Rift Valley.
Tarangire where the river provides a rare water
supply for the animals during the dry season so you can sit and watch them
come to you. It is particularly noted for large herds of elephant and the
rare Fringe-eared Oryx. Lake Natron, a remote
sulphur lake fed by the waters of a refreshing stream which plummets over
the edge of the Rift escarpment and by the sulphur of an active volcano.
Thousands of Flamingo feed and breed in the large but shallow lake protected
from predators by the corrosive sulphurous water which only they can withstand
for long periods. Arusha National
Park is small but convenient for the town and
noted for its monkeys and bird life.
Between The Serengeti and Ngorongoro you can visit
Olduvai Gorge where in the 1950's some of the
oldest humanoid remains were discovered giving rise to new theories about
the origins of the species. Also in the northern region but further west
on the southern shores of Lake Victoria is Mkomazi
Game Reserve with a wide variety of fauna and further west still is
the tiny Gombe Stream National Park on the
precipitous shores of Lake Tanganyika. It was set up to protect a rare Chimpanzee
population and is only accessible by boat. In the opposite direction from
Arusha, towards the coast is Mkomazi Game Reserve
which adjoins Kenya's Tsavo National Park.
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The Southern Game Parks.
Accessible from Dar Es Salaam The Selous, Mikumi and
Ruaha National Parks together form about
30,000 square miles of unexploited and comparatively unvisited game parks.
Because of their vast area they include a wide variety of habitats and although
they do not have the famous migrations of the north they are home to most
African species including some of the largest and some of the smallest elephants.
Mikumi is only about four hours drive from Dar Es Salaam but the interior
of the Selous and Ruaha are less accessible than the better known northern
Parks. However it is only in the Selous that game drives, boat and walking
safaris can be arranged together. These areas are best visited between June
and November (between the long and short rains).
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Mount Kilimanjaro
Because it is the highest free standing mountain in the world and has a snow
covered peak virtually on the equator the image of Kilimanjaro is very
potent. It also gives any fit person the unusual opportunity of walking to
the top of a 19,340 ft. summit. Ascending too fast and therefore suffering
from altitude sickness is the only thing that is likely to prevent an energetic
person from reaching the top. Several alternative routes are now available
for those prepared to camp in addition to the old route march between the
permanent accommodation. Guides are obligatory and porters and equipment
can be arranged.
The walk provides an extraordinary experience of ascending from tropical
bush through alpine zones with unique flora such as giant heather, groundsel
and lobelia to the frozen wastes of the summit. The standard route is three
days up and two down but by taking a couple of extra days to acclimatise
you will double your chances of avoiding altitude sickness.
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Zanzibar and the Islands
Zanzibar is a different world from the mainland. It was ruled by Persians,
Arabs and Europeans as well as by Africans and eventually in the nineteenth
century, the Sultan of Muscat moved his capital here from Arabia until he
was evicted after Independence in the nineteen fifties. The Arab character
is still strong both in the people and the buildings of the old Stone Town.
The island was very wealthy due to the Arab slave trade and to spices so
in their day most of the houses of the town were fairly palatial. After the
slave trade was banned the palaces began to decay but some have been restored
as hotels. Stone Town is the place to stay if you want to soak up the fascinating
culture of the island but since Zanzibar is only about 50 miles long, excursions
to the spice plantations, beaches and other islands can easily be arranged.
If you prefer to stay away from the town and soak up the sun, sea and sand
of this coral island in the Indian Ocean the are now several Resort Hotels
on the palm fringed beaches of the west coast.
Pemba Island is just north of Zanzibar but was never developed in the same
way and tourist accommodation is still basic. Mafia Island has a Lodge which
specialises in organising diving and big game fishing expeditions.
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Dar Es Salaam and the Swahili coast
Dar Es Salaam means haven of peace, which it may have been for the Arab sailors
who plied the coast. Now it is a big dusty city like many others in Africa
and is perhaps best treated as an access or transit point. There are resort
hotels along the coast and the old port of Bagamoyo further north has some
Arab and Portuguese influenced buildings from the slaving days, but Zanzibar
is generally preferable both for history and beaches, if you have time to
go there. The large ebony woodcarving market in Dar is a good place to bargain
for souvenirs if you haven't already bought enough in Manyara and there is
a village museum which compares the many different tribal house forms as
well as the National Museum.
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SOME TYPICAL ITINERARIES IN TANZANIA
Northern Parks Safari
Day 1 AM Pick up from Kilimanjaro Airport and drive to Tarangire for lunch.
PM Game drive in Tarangire Park. Dinner and overnight at Lodge in Tarangire.
Day 2 AM and PM game drives in Tarangire. Meals and overnight at the Lodge
in Tarangire.
Day 3 08.00 Depart for Ngorongoro just after breakfast. 12.00 Lunch at the
Lodge in Ngorongoro. Afternoon tour of the crater. Dinner and overnight at
the Lodge.
Day 4 08.00 Depart for Serengeti via Olduvai. 12.00 Lunch at the Lodge in
Serengeti. 15.00 Evening game drive in Serengeti Park. Dinner and overnight
at the Lodge in Serengeti.
Day 5 06.3 0 Early morning game drive around the Lodge, I 0. 00 Collect lunch
boxes and depart for a full day game viewing. 17. 00 Return to the lodge
in Serengeti for dinner and overnight.
Day 6 Morning and afternoon game drive in Serengeti. Dinner and overnight
at the Lodge.
Day 7 08.00 Depart for Lake Manyara. 12.00 Lunch at the Lodge in Manyara.
15.00 Evening game drive in Manyara Park. Dinner and overnight in Manyara.
Day 8 09.00 Another game drive in Manyara Park. 12.00 Lunch at the Lodge
in Manyara. PM drive back to Arusha.
Overnight in Arusha or transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for flight back home
or continue to the Southern Parks or Zanzibar.
* Itineraries from 4 days to 2 weeks are available * This tour can be run
as a camping tour.
Southern Safari
Day 1 Depart Dar Es Salaam for your journey to Selous National Park. Arrive
at the Rifuji River Camp early afternoon. Afternoon game drives. Dinner and
overnight at Rifuji Camp or Mybuya Safari Camp.
Day 2 Full day game drive of the Selous. Dinner and overnight at Rifuji Camp
or Mybuya Safari Camp.
Day 3 Early morning walking safari. A free afternoon before an evening boat
safari on the Rufuji River. Dinner and overnight at Rifuji Camp or Mybuya
Safari Camp.
Day 4 Full game drive. Dinner and overnight at Rifuji Camp or Mybuya Safari
Camp.
Day 5 After breakfast depart for the Mikumi National Park. Arrive mid- afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at Mikumi Lodge,
Day 6 Early morning departure for Ruaha National Park. Evening game drive.
Dinner and overnight Ruaha Lodge.
Day 7 Full day game drive. Dinner and overnight at Ruaha Lodge.
Day 8 Return to Mikumi, this time staying at Mikumi Wildlife Lodge. Evening
game drive. Dinner and overnight at Mikumi Wildlife Lodge.
Day 9 Morning game drive before returning to Dar Es Salaam in the afternoon.
Southern Air Safari
Day 1 Transfer to the Dar Es Salaam airport and fly to Selous on a scheduled
flight. Transfer and lunch at Rifuji River Camp. Evening boat safari on the
Rifuji River. Overnight Rifuji Camp or Mybuya Safari Camp.
Day 2 A full day safari. Overnight Rifuji Camp or Mybuya Safari Camp.
Day 3 Early morning walking safari. A relaxing afternoon before an evening
boat safari. Overnight Rifuji Camp or Mybuya Safari Camp.
Day 4 Morning game drive in the reserve before transferring to the airport
for your flight back to Dar. Transfer to your hotel.
*Air safarisfrom 2- 5 days or longer if you wish.
* You can extend these tours with an excursion to Zanzibar Island, Mafia
Island or the southern coast,
Zanzibar
Day 1 Transfer from the airport to your hotel for 3 nights. (see below),
Day 2 A half day Spice Tour. Discover the exotic tastes and smells of fresh
cardamon, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg as well as the tropical fruits when
in season; durian, rambutan and coconuts.
Day 3 Free day to relax.
Day 4 Transfer to the airport for you flight to Dar Es Salaam, Nairobi or
Mombasa.
*Y'ou can extend for as long as' you like....
Other excursions include Pemba Island, Prison Island and the Jozani Forest
to see the rare Red Colobus monkeys.
** We can arrange transfers on the Hydrofoil to Dar. This takes approximately
70 minutes.
Mt Kilimanjaro Climb
It is a unique experience to be able to pass from hot scrublands through
misty forests to an alpine environment. There are several routes up Mt
Kilmanjaro, The most popular is the Marangu Route- a 5 day trek from the
village of Marangu. This is considered to be the gentlest route but it can
be crowded. The Machame and Umbwe Routes are tougher but more picturesque.We
can arrange a guide, porters, camping equipment and all meals. Having a
tailormade trek means we can allow sufficient time for acclimatisation. We
would recommend a minimum of 6 nights for the trek. We also arrange accommodation
and transfers to Arusha or Moshi before the trek. Prices start from £600
for the Marangu trek and £700 for the other routes.
Ask us for a day by day itinerary.
SERVICES WE OFFER IN TANZANIA & EAST AFRICA
Itineraries can be created by combining any or all of these destinations
and others in East or Southern Africa, depending on your time available,
interests and budget. We can offer various different options in Tanzania
and East Africa using ground operators appropriate to each type of tour.
All our tours are tailor made to your requirements, they normally include
transport by private safari vehicle with an English speaking local driver/guide,
good hotels or tented safari camps, airport transfers and internal connections
as necessary and any meal plan you choose.
We are also agents for the largest and most established operator in East
Africa who can provide a wide range of services including standard departures,
tailormade arrangements, balloon safaris and exclusive lodges and hotels
in Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda, Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar.
Please also refer to our websites listed in the
Main Index below, covering; Madagascar, Namibia, Botswana,
Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ethiopia
and Ghana.
Every tailormade tour is different and we prepare a proposal and quotation
free of charge and without obligation.
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Arc Journeys
Destinations
This is a brief description of the regions we cover, go to the
MAIN INDEX for links to Dossiers on each destination.
South East Asia
Visit ancient temples and traditional villages, relax
in exclusive hideaways, witness colourful festivals, learn about textiles,
local cooking or music and dance, cruise jungle rivers, meet orangutans or
trek the jungles and volcanoes .... We are acknowledged experts on this region;
this is what the Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore Handbook says about
us: "Arc Journeys have excellent cultural and natural tours run by people
who understand and care for the country, its people and environment."
Australasia
Meet the koalas & 'roos, visit the wineries, stroll deserted beaches,
dive The Reef, climb The Rock, experience the open spaces and untouched
wilderness. Escape the crowds. Accommodated self-drive, treks, 4WD tours,
gourmet cycle tours...indulge in the Aussie way.
India and The Himalayas
Walk through small villages among 8000m peaks, receive blessings from a Buddhist
Lama, stay in magnificent palaces, search for rhino and tiger. Himalayan
treks, rail journeys, camel & horse safaris, palace hotels, houseboats
or homestays...
Africa
Meet the curious lemurs, look out for the Big 5, climb Kilimanjaro, visit
villages where time has stood still. Luxury lodges or camping expeditions,
Self-drive or escorted 4WD safaris, horseback safaris, rail journeys, treks,
fly- in tours ......
South America
Discover the mysteries of the Incas, explore colonial towns and Indian markets,
hear the music and festivals, trek the Andes, take great train journeys,
cruise the Amazon and the Galapagos, meet blue footed boobies and giant turtles.
Small group tours and tailormade itineraries.
The Arctic
Dog sledding, polar bears, birds & whalewatching, cruise Alaska, Greenland
or rivers, touch an iceberg, see the Northern Lights or midnight sun, experience
the wilderness of the Arctic. Small group tours and tailormade itineraries.
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CONTACT DETAILS
Email 
David Halford Travel 102 Stanley Rd Cambridge CB5 8LB UK
UK Tel 0207 681 3175 Fax +44 207 6813175
Australia Tel & Fax +61 3 9923 6158
Home page http://www.travelarc.com
Alternative website
http://members.aol.com/ArcJourney/index.htm
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