$6,995 (including local flights)
August 31 - September 10, 2012

  From the center of Tanzania south to the great Zambezi, massive tracts of uninhabited wilderness are defined by sand rivers, giant watercourses with invisible water flowing almost continuously but deep in the sand. Beginning in Zanzibar this safari follows these sand rivers through central Tanzania, very much as the early explorers did, and before them, the ivory hunters and slavers.

Central Tanzania is a very wild place with vast wilderness reserves that are hardly developed. It's similar to what much of the East Africa tourists now visit was 30 or 40 years ago. There are still few visitors and the good lodges and camps are mostly distinguished as wonderful oases in otherwise vast wilderness. Every creature comfort and good food is available, but luxury has not yet arrived.

When combined with Zanzibar and The Selous, another massive wetland reserve but much more developed, a safari of the old style is created, amazingly affordable and still packed with lots of excitement and lots of big game.

Guided by author and African expert, Jim Heck, this is a chance to experience what truly wild Africa is all about. Jim pioneered many of the early safaris in the more traditional East African game parks, and his perspectives and fun stories on the days passed will have some special meaning on this safari!

Jim will lead you through some of the most remote wilderness in Tanzania, Mikumi and Ruaha, parks packed with game that are considerably wilder and less used to tourism than their cousins in the north of Tanzania and Kenya, or in the south along the Zambezi. Hardly a generation ago, these areas were reserved strictly for hunting, considered too remote for successful tourism. So choose this safari for the special opportunity of traveling with Jim, for the unpolished and still natural, and the excitedly wild!

The prices include: ** Guided by Jim Heck throughout; ** Guaranteed window seating in Landrovers & Landcruisers with pop-top roofs; ** Professionally-trained, English-speaking driver/guides with each vehicle; ** Meals as detailed in brackets following each day's description below; ** Two local flights: Zanzibar to The Selous, and Ruaha back to Zanzibar; ** All park entrance fees, VAT and other government taxes; ** Comprehensive pre-trip material with discount coupons for travel gear and equipment. Additional expenses not included, estimated at around $300 per person: - Meals not included; - All beverages; - Requisite visas and other travel preparations like inoculations; - Tipping.

Contact EWT for the best international air fares and for recommendations on how to use your frequent flyer miles.

Monday, September 3
Further game viewing includes a choice between vehicle drives, further boat trips and even guided foot safaris. The vast Selous was a formidable obstacle to the early explorers, and Jim will regale you with exciting stories of those days even as you drive in the footsteps of the ancient slave trading routes. Meals, activities and overnight at the Mivumo River Lodge.  [b-l-d]

Tuesday, September 4
Most visitors to the Selous fly in as you did, and then fly out, as you won't! From this morning through the rest of the trip, Jim n ow takes you with his excellent vehicles and professionally-trained driver/guides through some of the wildest and most beautiful country in Africa! Today you'll leave the Rufiji River and spend the day in the interior of the reserve, including a visit to Lake Tagalala, where some of Africa's largest crocodile are found. You'll enjoy a picnic in the reserve, possibly at the famous hot springs that you're welcome to enjoy as many visitors before you, including Queen Elizabeth! By the end of the day you've arrived the northern edge of the reserve for dinner and overnight at the comfortable Sable Lodge.  [b-l-d]

Sunday, September 2
Short morning flight into The Selous, Tanzania's largest protected reserve. Landrovers with guides from the camp greet the group with an immediate short game drive into the Mivumo River Lodge which is located on the Rufiji River. After lunch further activities continue, including the traditional start is a boat ride on the Rufiji River. Normally a wide range of big game is seen, including hippo, crocodile and elephant. Dinner and overnight in camp.  [b-l-d]

Saturday, September 1
This morning you'll be privately guided on a walking tour of Stone Town. You'll visit both the colorful fish and city market, see Livingstone's House, the Palace of Wonders and end at the Anglican Church that was built over the old slave market. After a short respite back at the hotel you'll be taken on a tour of Zanzibar's important spice plantations. You'll learn how a number of exotic spices are grown and harvested, including cinnamon, nutmeg, maize, cardamon and much more. The evening is independent and there is a wide range of fine dining in the area.Zanzibar Serena Inn.nbsp;nbsp;[b- - ]

  

  

Friday, August 31, 2012
Arrive any time, today. You'll be personally met and privately transferred to Stone Town's best hotel, the Zanzibar Serena Inn. The hotel is located on the waterfront in excellent proximity to all the best restaurants and sightseeing attractions.  [no meals]

Wednesday, September 5
Today is a fascinating day's journey through spectacular scenery with frequent and interesting stops. Minutes after leaving camp you exit the reserve, cross the railway line and find yourself in rural Tanzania. This rich agricultural area has long ago emerged from traditional life ways and you'll find the interesting towns and villages very much like America's 'Old South' looked a half century ago. There are colorful markets, tidy tin towns and very friendly people anxious to welcome visitors they rarely see. The morning drive is over the Uluguru Mountains, a fascinating geological area. By midday you've arrived the busy, large city of Morogoro, actually not too far west of Dar-es-Salaam. This is a very important commercial town at a junction of two highways. Jim takes you to lunch before continuing on the excellent Dar highway west and further into the interior. By the end of the day you've arrived Mikumi National Park for dinner and overnight at Vuma Hills Safari Camp.  [b-l-d]

Thursday, September 6
Mikumi National Park is a popular big game park because of its proximity to Dar-es-Salaam, and it contains most of the traditional big-game. Today, you have the option of remaining in the park enjoying several traditional game drives, or of a more adventurous day trip to nearby Udzungwa National Park. The trip to Udzungwa will be a day of modestly difficult hiking, through one of the world's newest and most exciting forest wildernesses. Meals and overnight at Vuma Hills Safari Camp.  [b-l-d]

Friday, September 7
The day is spent on a beautiful drive through central Tanzania into the great Ruaha National Park. The morning route is the northern border with Undzungwa Naitonal Park and its fantastic stands of baobab trees. By noon the safari reaches the important little city of Iringa for lunch at a popular local restaurant. The afternoon is spent driving into the park, game viewing enroute Mwagusi Safari Camp for dinner and overnight.  [b-l-d]

Saturday, September 8
Game viewing in Ruaha includes tracks along the sand rivers where large numbers of elephant and buffalo are regularly found. There are also pristine forests and hilly rock areas where unusual animals like roan and lesser kudu are frequently seen. Jim will have the most current information and in such a large area, some day game drives with picnics are possible. Many visitors, however, love relaxing at camp, with its view over the river, or in their own private tents in a shady grove of trees. Meals and overnight at Mwagusi Safari Camp.  [b-l-d]

Sunday, September 9
After a final morning of game viewing Jim leads you to the airstrip for the charter flight all the way back to Zanzibar, scheduled to arrive in the late afternoon. The evening is free and certainly worth a celebratory dinner at one of Zanzibar's famous restaurants. Overnight at the Zanzibar Serena Inn.  [b- - ]

Monday, September 10
Hotel checkout is at 10 a.m. You'll be privately transferred to the airport for your departures home, or consider an extension to Zanzibar's beautiful beaches!  [b- - ]
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