12 days-Tanzania Eastern Arc Mountain Range Tour
Moshi ,Mkomazi N.P, Pare & Usambara Mountains, Pangani Beach and Amani Nature Reserve.
Stretching the southern highlands of Tanzania, the Eastern Arc Mountain Range has some of the oldest geological activity on the continent. Estimated to be at least 100 million years old – with some formations up to 600 million years old – the relative stability of their climate means that the area hosts a surprising array of biodiversity, from plant and insect life, to spectacular bird species. Pangani the pristine coastline to the north and south of Pangani town. Any visit to Pangani should be combined with a side trip to Amani Nature Reserve, possibly Tanzania’s most beautiful cloud forest.
Arrive- Moshi | AMEG Lodge Kilimanjaro(HB)
Day 1. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport (or from Nairobi) you will be transferred to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Mkomazi N/P | Tented Camp (FB)
Day 2. Depart after breakfast to Mkomazi N/p situated in north-eastern Tanzania, bordered by Tsavo West National Park in Kenya to the north-east and by the Pare Mountains to the south-west. The nature is dry open savanna and bushland, surrounded by mountains. Some mammal species found in Mkomazi are elephant, African buffalo, lion, leopard, lesser kudu, fringe-eared oryx and aardwolf. There is also the largest Tanzanian population of gerenuk, a long-necked gazelle. The rhinos are kept in a fenced sanctuary covering some 2 % of the park, and the wild dogs are also enclosed. The birding can be good. Some 400 species have been recorded, including many birds of prey, such as Wahlberg’s eagle, pearl-spotted owlet, martial eagle and secretary bird. Dinner and overnight at the tented camp
Usambara Mtae Village- Magamba Forest Guest House /Camp (FB)
Day 3. After breakfast drive to Mtae for a walking as well driving country side safari. For those walking you can climb Shegayu peak 2,220 m, where on clear days you will be able to see Mt. Kilimanjaro and Taita hills across the border to Kenya. You will have lunch en-route; proceed further along valleys and sloping hillsides of the inner Usambara Mountain passing by the vegetable farms lined with eucalyptus and banana trees. You will pass thru the villages of Malindi, Makose and Kagulio, proceed to Rangwi Catholic mission for dinner and overnight.
River Pangani | Emayani Beach Lodge(HB)
Day 4.Drive to Pangani River after breakfast. At the point where the massive Pangani River empties itself into the Indian Ocean, a village has grown.The river itself requires a ferry to cross, its dark brown waters heavy with alluvial silt as it meanders slowly into the ocean. On either side of the little town, coconut palms and sisal plantations undulate towards the horizon.Once a centre of Swahili trade with the African mainland, the town of Pangani is now a sleepy backwater that little remembers its days of splendour. The old German administrative boma still stands behind a colonade of tall shade trees and the former prison, painted a fading ochre red, looks over the river’s lazy waters. Pangani is the perfect beach destination for travelers seeking to escape the crowded resorts and aggressive street vendors in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar
River Pangani / Maziwe Island | Emayani Beach Lodge(HB)
Day5. After breakfasts take a dhow to Maziwe Island, a sand island located 10km offshore from Pangani. Maziwe Island and the surrounding coral reef is a nature reserve, with snorkeling and diving trips activities. Dhow trips to visit offshore coral reefs some of the reefs have been recently placed under protection so it is possible to see many species of colorful fish and live corals. Snorkeling equipment is available.You will have picnic lunch. Return to the lodge late afternoon.
Amani Nature Reserve | Emayani Beach Lodge(HB)
Day 6.Depart after breakfast to Amani, once a botanical garden, is located in the Usambara Mountains approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Pangani. A visit to Amani offers an opportunity to hike through beautiful montane forests viewing forest animals, flowers and plants. Amani is part of the Eastern Arc mountain range which stretches from southern Kenya to southern Tanzania. The range has been listed by Conservation International as one of the world’s twenty hotspots of biodiversity and there have been many efforts in recent years to protect the range’s forests. The Usambara Mountains are possibly the most diverse mountains in the Eastern Arc Range and Amani is a must see for those interested in botany. There are hundreds of endemic plant species and several reptiles, amphibians and birds unique to the Usambaras
River Pangani / Amboni Caves | Emayani Beach Lodge(HB)
Day7. Depart after breakfast to Amboni Caves natural limestone underground caves formed during the natural Jurassic age around 150 millions ago. There are 10 caves, with fascinating chambers; the longest is about 900m long. One of the caves is used for guided tours; some are up to 13 meters high. They form the most extensive cave system in East Africa. The caves have religious significance to the local people who pray and make offerings in one of the shrines. Proceed to the Galanos Hot Springs located few kilometers from Amboni Limestone Caves, they were named after Christopher Galanos, a sisal plantation owner. The unique aspect of the springs is the fact that they are hot and sulphurous. There are blue and yellow deposits in the canal, which the sulfur water flowing. There is prevailing belief among locals that the springs have magical arthritis and skin ailments cure. Galanos Hot Springs tour combined with crossing the Zigi River by canoe, famous for its crocodiles.
Arusha | Octagon Camp (FB)
Day 8. Wake up at 0600hrs for early morning breakfast, after breakfast check out and drive to Karatu via Moshi & Arusha where you will arrive in time for lunch. After lunch proceed further to Karatu on the glades of Ngorongoro crater to arrive late afternoon.
Serengeti N/P | Dik Dik Camp (FB)
Day9 & 10. Early breakfast and then depart to Serengeti late afternoon game drives in the vast Serengeti plain. The term Serengeti means endless plains in Maasai language. In the central plains there are carnivores like leopard, lion, hyena and cheetah. This park is normally the scene of the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra that occurs between the Kenyan Mara and the Serengeti. Varied bird species can be seen here including eagles, ducks, geese, egrets, vultures, secretary birds, ibis, stork, herons, kites, pelicans, cranes and guinea fowl. Dinner and overnight at the tented camp.
Ngorongoro Crater N/P | Ngorongoro Simba Camp(FB)
Day 11. Depart to Ngorongoro Conservation Area after breakfast game drives en route to arrive at the lodge in time for lunch. After lunch descend to the crater floor for game drives at this animal paradise a world wonder. Various animals co-exist inside this broken caldera which also has distinct vegetation zones. Return late afternoon to the camp for dinner and overnight.
Ngorongoro Crater N/P-Arusha/Nairobi Departure
Day 12. Check out after breakfast and drive to Arusha/ Nairobi.
contact info@wildsecretsafris.com for 12 days-Tanzania Eastern Arc Mountain Range Tour
ALL INCLUSIVE
PRICE PER REQUEST,
The Price depends on number of Travelers in the Group
- OVERVIEW
Moshi ,Mkomazi N.P, Pare & Usambara Mountains, Pangani Beach and Amani Nature Reserve.
Stretching the southern highlands of Tanzania, the Eastern Arc Mountain Range has some of the oldest geological activity on the continent. Estimated to be at least 100 million years old – with some formations up to 600 million years old – the relative stability of their climate means that the area hosts a surprising array of biodiversity, from plant and insect life, to spectacular bird species. Pangani the pristine coastline to the north and south of Pangani town. Any visit to Pangani should be combined with a side trip to Amani Nature Reserve, possibly Tanzania’s most beautiful cloud forest.
- DAY BY DAY
Arrive- Moshi | AMEG Lodge Kilimanjaro(HB)
Day 1. Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro airport (or from Nairobi) you will be transferred to your hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Mkomazi N/P | Tented Camp (FB)
Day 2. Depart after breakfast to Mkomazi N/p situated in north-eastern Tanzania, bordered by Tsavo West National Park in Kenya to the north-east and by the Pare Mountains to the south-west. The nature is dry open savanna and bushland, surrounded by mountains. Some mammal species found in Mkomazi are elephant, African buffalo, lion, leopard, lesser kudu, fringe-eared oryx and aardwolf. There is also the largest Tanzanian population of gerenuk, a long-necked gazelle. The rhinos are kept in a fenced sanctuary covering some 2 % of the park, and the wild dogs are also enclosed. The birding can be good. Some 400 species have been recorded, including many birds of prey, such as Wahlberg’s eagle, pearl-spotted owlet, martial eagle and secretary bird. Dinner and overnight at the tented camp
Usambara Mtae Village- Magamba Forest Guest House /Camp (FB)
Day 3. After breakfast drive to Mtae for a walking as well driving country side safari. For those walking you can climb Shegayu peak 2,220 m, where on clear days you will be able to see Mt. Kilimanjaro and Taita hills across the border to Kenya. You will have lunch en-route; proceed further along valleys and sloping hillsides of the inner Usambara Mountain passing by the vegetable farms lined with eucalyptus and banana trees. You will pass thru the villages of Malindi, Makose and Kagulio, proceed to Rangwi Catholic mission for dinner and overnight.
River Pangani | Emayani Beach Lodge(HB)
Day 4.Drive to Pangani River after breakfast. At the point where the massive Pangani River empties itself into the Indian Ocean, a village has grown.The river itself requires a ferry to cross, its dark brown waters heavy with alluvial silt as it meanders slowly into the ocean. On either side of the little town, coconut palms and sisal plantations undulate towards the horizon.Once a centre of Swahili trade with the African mainland, the town of Pangani is now a sleepy backwater that little remembers its days of splendour. The old German administrative boma still stands behind a colonade of tall shade trees and the former prison, painted a fading ochre red, looks over the river’s lazy waters. Pangani is the perfect beach destination for travelers seeking to escape the crowded resorts and aggressive street vendors in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar
River Pangani / Maziwe Island | Emayani Beach Lodge(HB)
Day5. After breakfasts take a dhow to Maziwe Island, a sand island located 10km offshore from Pangani. Maziwe Island and the surrounding coral reef is a nature reserve, with snorkeling and diving trips activities. Dhow trips to visit offshore coral reefs some of the reefs have been recently placed under protection so it is possible to see many species of colorful fish and live corals. Snorkeling equipment is available.You will have picnic lunch. Return to the lodge late afternoon.
Amani Nature Reserve | Emayani Beach Lodge(HB)
Day 6.Depart after breakfast to Amani, once a botanical garden, is located in the Usambara Mountains approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Pangani. A visit to Amani offers an opportunity to hike through beautiful montane forests viewing forest animals, flowers and plants. Amani is part of the Eastern Arc mountain range which stretches from southern Kenya to southern Tanzania. The range has been listed by Conservation International as one of the world’s twenty hotspots of biodiversity and there have been many efforts in recent years to protect the range’s forests. The Usambara Mountains are possibly the most diverse mountains in the Eastern Arc Range and Amani is a must see for those interested in botany. There are hundreds of endemic plant species and several reptiles, amphibians and birds unique to the Usambaras
River Pangani / Amboni Caves | Emayani Beach Lodge(HB)
Day7. Depart after breakfast to Amboni Caves natural limestone underground caves formed during the natural Jurassic age around 150 millions ago. There are 10 caves, with fascinating chambers; the longest is about 900m long. One of the caves is used for guided tours; some are up to 13 meters high. They form the most extensive cave system in East Africa. The caves have religious significance to the local people who pray and make offerings in one of the shrines. Proceed to the Galanos Hot Springs located few kilometers from Amboni Limestone Caves, they were named after Christopher Galanos, a sisal plantation owner. The unique aspect of the springs is the fact that they are hot and sulphurous. There are blue and yellow deposits in the canal, which the sulfur water flowing. There is prevailing belief among locals that the springs have magical arthritis and skin ailments cure. Galanos Hot Springs tour combined with crossing the Zigi River by canoe, famous for its crocodiles.
Arusha | Octagon Camp (FB)
Day 8. Wake up at 0600hrs for early morning breakfast, after breakfast check out and drive to Karatu via Moshi & Arusha where you will arrive in time for lunch. After lunch proceed further to Karatu on the glades of Ngorongoro crater to arrive late afternoon.
Serengeti N/P | Dik Dik Camp (FB)
Day9 & 10. Early breakfast and then depart to Serengeti late afternoon game drives in the vast Serengeti plain. The term Serengeti means endless plains in Maasai language. In the central plains there are carnivores like leopard, lion, hyena and cheetah. This park is normally the scene of the annual migration of wildebeest and zebra that occurs between the Kenyan Mara and the Serengeti. Varied bird species can be seen here including eagles, ducks, geese, egrets, vultures, secretary birds, ibis, stork, herons, kites, pelicans, cranes and guinea fowl. Dinner and overnight at the tented camp.
Ngorongoro Crater N/P | Ngorongoro Simba Camp(FB)
Day 11. Depart to Ngorongoro Conservation Area after breakfast game drives en route to arrive at the lodge in time for lunch. After lunch descend to the crater floor for game drives at this animal paradise a world wonder. Various animals co-exist inside this broken caldera which also has distinct vegetation zones. Return late afternoon to the camp for dinner and overnight.
Ngorongoro Crater N/P-Arusha/Nairobi Departure
Day 12. Check out after breakfast and drive to Arusha/ Nairobi.
contact info@wildsecretsafris.com for 12 days-Tanzania Eastern Arc Mountain Range Tour
- INCUDES/EXCLUDES
ALL INCLUSIVE
- PRICES & DATES
PRICE PER REQUEST,
The Price depends on number of Travelers in the Group