Dar es Salaam, Mikumi, Usambara Mountains, Pangani - 13 day

An off the beaten track safari to Mikumi National park, the Usambara Mountains and the north Tanzanian mainland coast.

Mikumi National Park offers fantastic game viewing and a good park infrastructure. The closest park to Dar es Salaam with the chance to see all the big 5 except rhino.
Authentic Mikumi Camp is a small seasonal wilderness camp set deep in the heart of Mikumi national park. With just 6 tents with en suite toilet/shower extensions emphasis is on appreciation of the natural fauna and fauna and walking safaris can be taken from the camp.

Emau Hill Forest Campsite, close to Amani and adjoining the Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambara Mountains, operates in an environmentally responsible way. It offers comfortable accommodation in simple tented bandas with fine views all around of mature forest. Set in over 70 hectares, Emau offers walks to suit all tastes through a variety of habitats with particularly fine examples of African violets growing alongside the river.
The location is a delight for serious and more relaxed birdwatchers alike with the majority of the ‘must see’ species either on the site or very close by.
Guided day and night walks are available both in the immediate area and further afield in these beautiful and little-known mountains. You can of course just sit, relax and enjoy before candlelit dinner and after-dinner drinks around the fire.

The untouched Pangani Coast offers the chance to snorkel or scuba dive off Maziwe Island, explore the Pangani River by boat and glimpse crocodiles and the spectacular birdlife that thrives here. You can also take a leisurely kayak trip or a walking tour of historic Pangani town

Day 1. Dar es Salaam
Arrival Dar es Salaam, transfer to Mediterraneo Hotel. BB

Day 2. Dar es Salaam
Half day visit to Bibi Jann Centre in Mbagala – the centre has established a primary school and a grandmother outreach programme for bibis who have been left to look after orphaned children. Overnight Mediterraneo Hotel. BB

Day 3. Mikumi National Park
Drive Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park (approx 5 hours).
After lunch game drive. Overnight Authentic Mikumi Camp. FB

Day 4. Mikumi National Park
Morning and afternoon or full day game drive in Mikumi National Park Overnight Authentic Mikumi Camp. FB

Day 5. Mikumi National Park
Morning walking safari, afternoon game drive. Overnight Authentic Mikumi Camp. FB

Day 6. Emau Hill, Usambara Mountains
Early morning game drive. After breakfast drive to Emau Hill, Amani Nature Reserve (approx 6 hours). Overnight Emau Hill Campsite, 3 overnights FB

Day 7. Emau Hill, Usambara Mountains
After breakfast a short walk in the immediate area to experience a tropical rain forest and by the river to see the African Violets growing in profusion.
Optional
A drive around the area including a visit to a tea estate and visit the womens batik cooperative. Escorted night walk in the Amani Nature Reserve

Day 8. Emau Hill, Usambara Mountains
Day at leisure bird watching or hiking. Picnic lunch can be arranged.
Optional Full day escorted bird watching with picnic lunch

Day 9 - 12 The Tides Lodge, Pangani
After breakfast transfer to The Tides on Ushongo beach south of Pangani. 4 nights FB
Relax by the pool, walk on the beach or the following optional activities:

1. Pangani River cruise
2. Snorkeling off Maziwe Island
3. Kite and windsurfing
4. Deep sea fishing
5. Dhow cruises
6. Walking tour of historic Pangani
7. Scuba Diving
8. Mountain Bikes

Day 13. Depart
Transfer to Pangani (Mashado) Airstrip dep 09.15 arrive Dar es Salaam 09.55.

Emau Hill Forest Campsite will be closed during the rainy season aprox mid April until June 21st. The simple accomodation consists of large tents under makuti, (palm thatch) roofs which are cool and comfortable with double or single beds and are large enough to hold a family of four.

The Dining Banda, Bar and terrace overlook the surrounding garden and offer views over the site to the forested hillsides beyond and with over 100 species seen from the Dining Banda and all the ‘must see’ species either on site or very close by, this is the ideal location for the most discerning birder.

The camp uses solar power, composting toilets and recycles as much as possible.
They make their own bricks and blocks and use natural materials sourced as close to site as possible whilst supporting several community projects which can be visited locally such as the women’s batik cooperative.

The Tides Lodge financially supports a conservation project at the Maziwe Marine Reserve. This preserves marine life. It also provides income for the local fisherman in a sustainable way

•    Use an Ionising Water Filter. This reduces the consumption of Plastic Water bottles
•    Use Solar Water Heaters
•    Use a brick oven, fired with bio-mass, to reduce the consumption of Gas
•    Purchase as much as possible locally. This reduces the damage to the environment
•    Laundry is done by hand. This employs more people locally and reduces electricity consumption
•    We use low energy light bulbs throughout the hotel

The Tides Lodge:-

•    Employs 30 people in the local village of Ushongo
•    Donates books to the local school
•    Makes a monthly contribution to the village directly linked to the number of visitors to The Tides

• Encourages guests to make a direct contribution for the benefit of the village
• Buys as much as possible from the Local community.
• Harvests the coconuts grown at The Tides and donates the proceeds to the staff