Family Southern Tanzania and Zanzibar

10 days
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Small Group Tour
Get away from the crowds of the Northern Tanzanian national parks on this family safari holiday with a difference. There can be few locations in Africa where you can combine a beach holiday with safari so effortlessly. Step out of your beach hut onto the tropical white sands of the Indian Ocean in the morning, heading inland by boat and safari vehicle in the ...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Combine beach and safari - walk on the white sands of the Indian Ocean in the morning, head out for a game drive in the afternoon.
    • Conservation - learn about their elephant collaring project.
    • Get closer to the wildlife - enjoy a relaxing canoe ride spotting wildlife in the backwaters of Saadani and take a boat trip on Lake Tagalala in Selous.
    • Big game - two game reserves in search of big game including lions, zebras and elephants.
    • Learn how to use camera traps - get some tips on how to set up the perfect camera trap, then compete to see who can get the best wildlife snap.

What's this trip about?

    Get away from the crowds of the Northern Tanzanian national parks on this family safari holiday with a difference. There can be few locations in Africa where you can combine a beach holiday with safari so effortlessly. Step out of your beach hut onto the tropical white sands of the Indian Ocean in the morning, heading inland by boat and safari vehicle in the afternoon to spot elephant, giraffe and buffalo. Spend time between Saadani National Park and the incredible Selous Game Reserve to the south, one of Tanzania's hidden wildlife jewels. The trip ends on beautiful Zanzibar Island.

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range30 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMoshi
End CityDhow Palace Hotel, Zanzibar town

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Family Friendly
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Safari

Destinations

  • Africa

Attractions

  • Arusha
  • Dar es Salaam
  • Lake Manyara National Park
  • Ngorongoro Crater
  • Olduvai Gorge
  • Serengeti National Park
  • Zanzibar

Activities

  • Bird watching
  • Game drive
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion
  • Nature
  • Safari
  • Snorkeling
  • Wildlife viewing

Itinerary

Travel Map
2018 Version

Day 1 Trip starts in Dar es Salaam.

Join the trip at the Slipway Hotel, set on the shores of the Indian Ocean, three kilometres from the city centre. The hotel features an excellent swimming pool overlooking Msasani Bay, together with shops and a choice of restaurants; it's an ideal location to relax after a long journey.

Hotel Standard

Day 2 Drive up to Simply Saadani Camp on the Indian Ocean. Learn how to use camera traps.

After a leisurely breakfast, drive north to Saadani National Park, enjoying our first wildlife viewings, perhaps elephants and Giraffe if we are lucky, as we drive through the park. Saadani is the only wildlife park in East Africa offering a unique combination of bush...

Day 3 Morning game drive in Saadani National park. Afternoon option to go birdwatching in the backwaters on canoes.

This morning awake before dawn and head out into the park by open Land Rover for our first game drive returning to the camp for a late breakfast. With a slight chill in the air, anticipation rises as we speculate what we could spot made even better by the fact that un...

Day 4 Follow the footprints of game on a sunrise salt flat walking safari. Afternoon game drive to Babs Camp.

This morning after breakfast, enjoy a guided walk up the beach to the local village of Mkwaja to visit a local school and meet the children. Mid-morning we will hold a talk on the endangered green turtle which breeds at the nearby Madete beach, a marine park within t...

Day 5 Walking safari tracking wild animals, afternoon boat trip on the Wami river.

Awake early and head out of camp on foot, studying the masaic of animal prints on the salt flats. Our highly knowledgable guides have extensive experience of tracking game gained through conservation work over the past seven years; spend time learning how to identify ...

Day 6 Drive to Dar es Salaam train station, train into Selous Game Reserve.

This morning, awake early for breakfast, heading back to Dar es Salaam to connect with the afternoon Friday train to Selous. Travelling by train in Africa offers fine views of the countryside and local life, taking just over four hours to travel the 200km from Dar es ...

Day 7 Full day in Selous Game Reserve in search of elephant, giraffe and cape buffalo.

This morning after breakfast, visit a traditional Maasai boma, a small hut made of mud and cow dung, quick to construct and easy to maintain, allowing the Maasai village to move on quickly if necessary. This is a very personal experience where you will get to meet Sai...

Day 8 Early game drive and boat safari on Lake Tagalala. This afternoon head to the waterhole.

Depart the lodge early today with a packed breakfast for an extended day game drive and boat safari on Lake Tagalala. Selous is made up of Acacia savana, woodland and open grassland with the Rufiji River cutting through the reserve, with a network of lakes and channel...

Day 9 Transfer to the airstrip for a short flight to Zanzibar Island. Transfer to Stone Town hotel.

Today after breakfast, bid farewell to Selous, driving to the local airstrip for a short flight to Zanzibar island. Taking off in a light aircraft from a remote grass airstrip in a game reserve is a truly memorable experience; no long check in queues here, instead you...

Day 10 Trip ends in Stone Town with the option to extend your holiday in Zanzibar.

The trip ends after breakfast in Stonetown, alternatively extend your stay in Zanzibar at The Zanzibari boutique hotel in the north of the island at Nungwi.

2019 Version

Day 1 Trip starts in Dar es Salaam.

Join the trip at the Slipway Hotel, set on the shores of the Indian Ocean, three kilometres from the city centre. The hotel features an excellent swimming pool overlooking Msasani Bay, together with shops and a choice of restaurants; it's an ideal location to relax after a long journey.

Hotel Standard

Day 2 Drive up to Simply Saadani Camp on the Indian Ocean. Learn how to use camera traps.

After a leisurely breakfast, drive north to Saadani National Park, enjoying our first wildlife viewings, perhaps elephants and Giraffe if we are lucky, as we drive through the park. Saadani is the only wildlife park in East Africa offering a unique combination of bush...

Day 3 Morning game drive in Saadani National park. Afternoon option to go birdwatching in the backwaters on canoes.

This morning awake before dawn and head out into the park by open Land Rover for our first game drive returning to the camp for a late breakfast. With a slight chill in the air, anticipation rises as we speculate what we could spot made even better by the fact that un...

Day 4 Follow the footprints of game on a sunrise salt flat walking safari. Afternoon game drive to Babs Camp.

This morning after breakfast, enjoy a guided walk up the beach to the local village of Mkwaja to visit a local school and meet the children. Mid-morning we will hold a talk on the endangered green turtle which breeds at the nearby Madete beach, a marine park within t...

Day 5 Walking safari tracking wild animals, afternoon boat trip on the Wami river.

Awake early and head out of camp on foot, studying the masaic of animal prints on the salt flats. Our highly knowledgable guides have extensive experience of tracking game gained through conservation work over the past seven years; spend time learning how to identify ...

Day 6 Drive to Dar es Salaam train station, train into Selous Game Reserve.

This morning, awake early for breakfast, heading back to Dar es Salaam to connect with the afternoon Friday train to Selous. Travelling by train in Africa offers fine views of the countryside and local life, taking just over four hours to travel the 200km from Dar es ...

Day 7 Full day in Selous Game Reserve in search of elephant, giraffe and cape buffalo.

This morning after breakfast, visit a traditional Maasai boma, a small hut made of mud and cow dung, quick to construct and easy to maintain, allowing the Maasai village to move on quickly if necessary. This is a very personal experience where you will get to meet Sai...

Day 8 Early game drive and boat safari on Lake Tagalala. This afternoon head to the waterhole.

Depart the lodge early today with a packed breakfast for an extended day game drive and boat safari on Lake Tagalala. Selous is made up of Acacia savana, woodland and open grassland with the Rufiji River cutting through the reserve, with a network of lakes and channel...

Day 9 Transfer to the airstrip for a short flight to Zanzibar Island. Transfer to Stone Town hotel.

Today after breakfast, bid farewell to Selous, driving to the local airstrip for a short flight to Zanzibar island. Taking off in a light aircraft from a remote grass airstrip in a game reserve is a truly memorable experience; no long check in queues here, instead you...

Day 10 Trip ends in Stone Town with the option to extend your holiday in Zanzibar.

The trip ends after breakfast in Stonetown, alternatively extend your stay in Zanzibar at The Zanzibari boutique hotel in the north of the island at Nungwi.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,950
Price per day$395
Last Updated: 0/14/2021

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
6,582
Great
2,187
Average
375
Disappointing
116
Terrible
56
B

Birthe

Feb 2020

Written on

Great tour

Great tour

D

David

Mar 2019

Written on

Excellent journey

An excellent journey made all the more so by an outstanding leader and his co-guid...

I

Ian

Jan 2018

Written on

This is our third holiday with Explore

This is our third holiday with Explore and it lived up to the standard ...

I

Ian

Jan 2018

Written on

We have come to expect

This is our third holiday with Explore and it lived up to the standard ...

R

Robert K

Oct 2016

Written on

Saw the sunrise and close to animals, wonderful trip

Successfully summiting at sunrise - seeing the sun come up from the rim of the crater and looking out at what we had accomplished was a very emotional moment. It was...

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Shannon

May 2024

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It was a great experience. The walking was sufficiently challenging to make it interesting and the vistas were amazing. The food at the hotel was excellent and the ...

T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

Very helpful

Patient and worked hard to get the best solution for me

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Tour Operator

Explore!

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About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


Why we love this operator
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
What they’re known for
Famous for our expert local guides that help ease the unknowns of adventure travel while bringing a unique richness and spontaneity to each and every

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Logistics

Transportation & Flights

Bus, 4WD, Boat, Flight, Train,

Transportation & flights

Bus, 4WD, Boat, Flight, Train
Guides
Explore Tour Leader
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Tanzania: A single visa is required by UK, New Zealand, Australian, US & Canadian citizens. Visas can be arranged on arrival, but due to queues at immigration we recommend for the visa to be arranged in advance.
Health & Safety
We strongly recommend protection against malaria, hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, polio and yellow fever. Please note you are required to produce a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival in Tanzania if you have spent 10 hours or more transiting through an endemic country. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Travellers may also wish to take immunisation against meningococcal meningitis. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • BreakfastCount : 9
  • DinnerCount : 7
  • MealLunchCount : 7
Age Requirements
30 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-FTS

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