From the center of Tanzania south to the great Zambezi River, the large tracts of wilderness are defined by sand rivers. These are large and sometimes mighty watercourses, but rarely with flowing water visible. The large amounts of water that they drain from the center of the continent into the Indian Ocean mostly flows under the sand, becoming visible only for short periods during the year's heaviest rains. This unique ecology has sustained big game for millennia and become the feature of central east African game parks.

Beginning in Zanzibar this safari follows the sand rivers through central Tanzania, very much as the early explorers did, and before them, the ivory hunters and slavers. It passes through some of the most remote wilderness in Tanzania, areas packed with game that is considerably wilder and less used to tourism than their cousins living 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.

That's all changed. Starting in Zanzibar this dramatic safari moves through the great reserves of The Selous, Mikumi and finally into Ruaha. You will travel with a professional courier-guide and outstanding drivers in specially outfitted vehicles, experience some of the wildest of Africa yet spend your nights in excellent comfort.

The prices include: ** A Safari Guide who stays with you throughout and manages the entire program; ** 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 to Dar-es-Salaam; ** 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.

Whenever you arrive you'll be personally met by your EWT courier-guide and and privately transferred to Stone Town's best hotel, the Zanzibar Serena Inn. This afternoon 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.  [no meals]

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. The afternoon is free. Overnight at the Zanzibar Serena Inn.nbsp;nbsp;[b- - ]

Short morning flight into The Selous, Tanzania's largest protected reserve. Landrovers with guides from the camp will greet you and take you on a short game drive into the Selous Safari Camp which is located on the Rufiji River. After lunch game viewing begins, and 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]

Further game viewing includes a choice between vehicle drives, further boat trips and even guided foot safaris. Meals, activities and overnight at the Selous Safari Camp.  [b-l-d]

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, you'll be with a single, professionally-trained driver/guide and private safari vehicle that will take you 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]

You must leave early for a long day's journey through spectacular scenery and 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. Lunch in the town before you continue 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]

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]

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 Ruaha River Lodge for dinner and overnight.  [b-l-d]

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. Your courier-guide 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 the lodge, with its expansive views over the river, or in their own private bandas at the river's edge.  [b-l-d]

Today you bid good-bye to your courier and driver/guides and fly back to Tanzania's most important city, Dar es Salaam. On arrival you'll be met and privately transferred to the Movenpick Royal Palm. The afternoon and evening are free with a wide variety of dining available in the area.  [b- - ]

Hotel checkout is at 10 a.m. You'll be privately transferred to the airport for your departure.  [b- - ]
END OF EWT SERVICES