10 days Safari Mkomazi + Usambara Mountains + Saadani with beach relaxation

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, you will meet your Tanzania Specialist guide. This will take you to your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure, you can relax and enjoy the African atmosphere. Your personal and experienced Tanzania Specialist guide not only knows a lot about the Tanzanian culture, but can also tell you a lot about the beautiful national parks and sights of the country. So don’t be afraid to ask your Tanzania Specialist guide questions – he will be happy to answer them all.

This trip is an exclusive private safari so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest! You can decide for yourself when to leave in the morning and when to return in the evening. You can also observe a specific animal or herd for as long as you like during the safari. You don’t have to be considerate of anyone. Your personal guide will advise you during the safari so that your trip will be an unforgettable experience.

Tomorrow morning your safari will begin!

Today your guide picks you up at your hotel in Moshi and you drive to Mkomazi national park. Its landscape is a classic arid area, you find old baobab trees, rocky hills, savannah forests with umbrella acacias and flat grassland valleys.

Mkomazi’s wildlife is thinly populated and also quite skittish. You can spot giraffes, antelopes, small kudu, impala and Grant gazelles. They share the park with elephants, buffalo and numerous predators, including lion, leopard and cheetah. And with some luck you can also spot other animals like dik diks, zebras, oryx, wildebeests, eland and topi on a game drive.

The highlight is a heavily protected, fenced area in the park: the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary! The rhinos here make up nearly 30% of the total black rhinoceros population in Tanzania. There is no better way to see them!

Usambara is a beautiful mountain range with grassy plains and virgin tropical rainforest. The lush green mountains have a cool climate that is ideal for walks and hikes. But one of the best reasons to hike the Usambara mountains is the amazing view. You’ll see sweeping hills, mountains, valleys, farmland, picturesque villages, colourful markets and plantations everywhere you go.

You will discover the beautiful diversity of this vast area with your guide. You can hike up the Irente viewpoint to get a panoramic view of Mazinde village almost 1000 m below and the vast Maasai plains beyond. Or walk through the fertile farmlands of Jaegertal to a fruit tree nursery and learn more about the different types of fruit trees and their propagation. The “Growing Rock” tour starts from Soni where you walk to the top of the Kwamongo mountain, famous for its butterflies and enjoy views of Soni, Lushoto and the Handeni plains from the peak.

Today you sleep at Mambo View Point Eco Lodge.

Magoroto forest is situated in the Eastern Usambara mountains. With its scenic freshwater lake and tropical rain forest, it is the perfect spot for a getaway. Magoroto Forest Estate is located at an altitude of 850 meter above sea level where temperatures are pleasant all year long. The estate offers stunning views from the Muheza Valley to the Indian Ocean. Enjoy the lush rain forest with rare plant and bird species, explore the dense tropical forest with organic spices, have a picnic or swim in the beautiful lake!
On day 4 you hike along one of Magoroto’s eight well documented hiking trails and refresh yourself with a rejuvinating shower at the waterfalls. There are a lot of activities to keep you busy on day 5 at Magoroto Forest Estate such as canoeing, swimming, picnic at the lake, fishing, bird watching, forest walk, horse riding, mountain biking, spice tour, bonfire, camping, meditation and BBQ.

Saadani’s location is unique because it is the only national park on the coast of East Africa and you can combine a safari with a relaxing stay at its beautiful white beaches. It is allowing you to observe wildlife in a unique environment and offers a variety of landscapes: mangroves, large coral reefs, sea and beach with many palm trees, savannah and cotton fields.

Upon your arrival on day 6 you will make a game drive through the park. Wildlife in Saadani national park includes four of the “Big Five”. Although it is very hard to spot them, because the numbers are low and the animals are usually hiding well. But you can also find Maasai giraffes, waterbucks, wildebeests, dik-diks as well as baboons, vervet and blue monkeys and colobus. African bush elephants, lions and leopards are a bit more shy here. But with a bit of luck you might spot them too! We spot herds of up to 30 elephants with increased frequency. And several lion prides are inhabitants, together with leopards, spotted hyenas and black-backed jackals.

Days 7 and 8 are at your leisure and you can choose from many activities. It is possible to go on a boat safari in Saadani national park to see hippos, huge crocodiles and beautiful mangrove kingfisher and lesser flamingos. Or make a  walking safari with an armed ranger for a change. Off the coast is a sand bank which you can visit by boat to go snorkeling, swimming or just to relax and enjoy the tropical environment!

In the morning your driver transfers you to Dar Es Salaam airport for your departure flight and on day 10 you will arrive back home.

You like to extend your safari to visit more national parks or with a beach holiday? Tanzania offers perfect paradises to unwind after your safari, such as Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia.