The Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania have been
called the "Galapagos of Mrica." It is also one of the World Wildlife Fund's
(WWF) 25 Biodiversity Hot Spots worldwide. Our ecological safari takes you through 4 of
these "islands" of biodiversity with the opportunities to stay in
local villages, hike in tropical rain forests and bush country, interact with researchers,
visit sustainable conservation projects, and time to sit and relax and enjoy the beauty of
Africa.... The safari can be customized to your individual preferences, i.e., ornithology,
herpetology, ecology, conservation, etc. Below you will find a brief itinerary of the
ecological safari and a price listing.
Day 1: Arrival into Kilimanjaro
International Airport (KIA) and transport to Hotel accommodation on the slopes of Mt.
Kilimanjaro, Moshi.
Day 2: Leave Arusha for Lushoto
village in the Western Usambara Mountains. Our campsite is located in a local community
and the first afternoon is spend exploring the village, talking with local people under a
shade tree or taking tea in someone's home
Day 3: We spend the morning in and
around Magamba Forest Reserve. Our walk (~ 4-5 hours) will take us through old growth
forests, production forests, and agricultural land. We will focus on conservation issues
related to traditional and modern agricultural practices and the ecological impact on a
high altitude montane forest. The afternoon can be spent visiting the silvuculture
research station and botanical gardens, birding, or just relaxing in the village.
Day 4: We move to the Eastern
Usambara Mountains and the Amani Nature Reserve. Amani NR is home to 30 out of 37 species
of the African violet and the only place in the world where the violet grows wild. The
afternoon is spent in the Botanical Gardens and a short hike (@2 hours) on Trail 1 in and
around the Research Institute.
Day 5: We spend the day hiking the Derma Trail
(T.5), 5-7 hours with a picnic lunch at the Lookout Point. The trail takes us through
forests, village agriculture, tea plantations, and splendid views....
Day 6: We drive down to the town of Tanga and spend
the day exploring some coastal forests and afternoon snorkeling on coral reefs.
Accommodation will be in a Beach House;
Day 7: From Tanga we drive to the Uluguru Mountains
and the village of Morning Side. Accommodation will be camping;
Day 8: We will spend all day in and around the
Village - looking at sustainable agricultural schemes, forest buffer zones, and
interacting with the local culture;
Day 9: We move to Mikumi National Park, set up
camp, go for an afternoon game drive, and then settle into your tents with the night
sounds of the African bush
Day 10: After an early morning game drive in Mikumi
NP, we drive the 60km to the Udzungwa National Park, set up camp and get an introduction
to this diverse ecosystem from the Park's Head Ecologist.
Day 11: All day in the Park, with walks up to Sanje
Falls and the really adventurous can ascend to the plateau;
Day 12: A beautiful drive through the Eastern Rift
Valley to Ruaha National Park and accommodation either in the River Lodge or Luxury tented
camp;
Day 13: All day in the Park with game drives in
open Land Rovers and a morning walking safaris along the river;
Day 14: To top off the journey a bird's eye view of
Tanzania and the Great Rift Valley on a flight back to Arusha on Coastal Air - transport
to KIA for your flight home or your next adventure.
