We start the journey by flying Dar es Salaam to visit the Saadani National Park along the coast of the Indian Ocean. The area harbors a variety of wild terrestrial mammals including elephants, giraffe, buffalo and lion. You are then taken into the mainland by speedboat where you will spend two relaxing nights soaking up the distinct coastal atmosphere.
DAY 1: Arrive at Dar es Salaam international airport where you are met by Absolute Heritage Staff. We will take you to your hotel for Dinner and an overnight stay.
DAY 2 : A morning departure for Saadani National Park – Bagamoyo and lunch at the camp followed by an afternoon game Drive. Dinner and lodgings will be at the camp.
DAY 3: The starts with deep water fishing in the Indian Ocean, lunch and then snorkeling. What follows is a visit to Bagamoyo with the Kaole ruins, the German Cemetery followed by Dr Livingstone‘s Church and the Caravan Salei which documents the history of the East African slave trade.
Day 4: We leave Saadani National Park for Dar es Salaam where we take a speed boat ride to the spice Island of Zanzibar, After breakfast, meet and greet by guide after breakfast City Tour the tour starts from the Stone Town of Zanzibar, where you will visit the most historical and interesting places in town, such as Zanzibar Museum, former slave market, busy food market in the city, House of wonders, Old fort, the Sultan Palace, Old Dispensaries, Dr. Livingstone House, the harbor for Dhows. And finally you will take a leisurely walk through the narrow Street of the Stone Town.
Also in this part of tour you will find a lot of exotic small Bazaars, spice and antique shops which offers novelty gift items and attractive materials, (batiks and Saruni). Thereafter transfer to the Spice Farms for spice tour with lunch. The tour takes you the country side to visit some plantations such as Root Crops, spices, perfumes, medical plants, tropical fruits and flowering trees. It is a tour that will prove why Zanzibar’s referred as: THE SPICE ISLAND.
The tour is also includes a visit at MARUHUBI PALACE – Ruins and Gardens, bought by third Sultan of Zanzibar SEYYID BARGHASHI from an Arab of the Maruhubi tribes. You will also get a chance to visit Kidichi Persian baths – in 1850 by Sayyid Said bin Sultan, (the first Sultan) for for his wife Princess Shehrzard (grand daughter of Fateh Ali Shah of Persia).
Zanzibar : Myth or Reality?
No doubt, reality: Zanzibar is an archipelago of 1000 square miles located 25 miles east of Tanzania mainland, 6 degree south of Equator. With a total population of almost one million, here three religions live together: Islam, Christianity and Hinduism. The Stone Town is the capital Town, considered the only functioning Swahili town in East Africa and declared by U NESCO a World Heritage Site.
No doubt, myth: The sole pronunciation of its name places our minds in the magic field of dreams, of Arabian Sultans and Princesses, luxury, endless unspoiled beaches and coconut trees.
And, as we all know, reality goes always beyond fantasy: The best of the dreams is the real Zanzibar. The name of Zanzibar Zanguebar, Bilad es Zandj (the land of black people)
OF THE FORST Muslim traders that recalled in these shores, summarizes nowadays the originality and endless relations that over 1000 years have built the complex cultural system that evolves in a privileged natural frame work, at which the strength of colors and smell sharpen our senses :
The wonderful blue sea and white sands of the breathtaking beaches, the green of the luxuriant vegetation and the spices. Like Zanzibar people, fauna and flora are also examples of the mixture of elements of different backgrounds: The giant Tortoises in Changuu Island are now as local as the Red Colobus Monkeys of Jozan Forest.
Stone Town : Zanzibar ‘ s old quarter, usually called” Stone Town” is a fascinating maze of narrow streets and alleyways which lead past numerous old houses and mosques, ornate places, shops and bazaars. Overlooking dhows and outrigger canoes moored in the harbor, many buildings date from the 19th Century slave boom. Highlights include the gardens. There are many excursions possible from Stone Town including boat trips, spice tour with lunch. You will be taken on engine boat to snorkel at the best coral reefs at Mnemba Atoll Coral Garden, one will also enjoy sea food beach BBQ at the best beach. Dinner and overnight at your home stays.
DAY 5 : Your introduction to this romantic island begins with a city tour. Explore the hustle and bustle of the city market; visit the Anglican Church and Zanzibar museum. After lunch, spend the afternoon in the ancient Jozani Forest, home of the red colored monkey, found only in this part of the world.
DAY 6 : The day starts with a morning tour of the plantations just outside the town where papaya, cinnamon and Zanzibar ‘s famous cloves are aplenty. A drive through the lush green rural area takes you to lunch at Magapwani beach. The Afternoon covers a visit to the famous slave caves, and then we return to the Hotel for Dinner and an overnight stay.
DAY 7 : A day to relax at the luxurious hotel; one can laze at the beach or shop in the old town for exotic gifts before having lunch and more languishing before dinner and an overnight stay.