Zanzibar is an archipelago made up of Zanzibar and Pemba Islands, and several islets. It is located in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast, and 6° south of the equator. Zanzibar Island or Unguja is 60 miles long and 20 miles wide, occupying a total area of approximately 650 square miles. It is characterised by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs, and the magic of historic Stone Town - said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa.

There are no large wild animals in Zanzibar, and forest areas such as Jozani are inhabited by monkeys, bush-pigs and small antelopes. Civets - and rumour has it, the elusive Zanzibar leopard! Various species of mongoose can also be found on the island. There is a wide variety of birdlife, and a large number of butterflies in rural areas. The coral reefs that surround the East Coast are rich in marine diversity, and make Zanzibar an ideal location for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Fishing and agriculture are the main economic activities of the local people. Although cloves are still a major export along with coconut products and spices, tourism has been ear-marked as the primary foreign exchange earner, with more visitors coming to Zanzibar each year. At this stage, the numbers are still low (less than 100,000 annually) and the potential for tourism is relatively untapped.

Zanzibar Excursions and Holiday Tours

* Special Zanzibar Day Trip
* City Stone Town Tour
* Zanzibar Island Spice Tour
* Jozani Forest
* Prison Island Tour
* Dolphin Tour

The Meserani Snake Park is located some 20 km to the west of Arusha Town, just off the tar road that leads towards the world famous Serengeti National park. At the snake park there is a collection of snakes and other reptiles, some of the most fascinating animal of Africa. The Snake park has provided a new attraction for visitors on the northern Tanzania tourist circuit and building the park was quite an adventure.

The 50 km long Olduvai Gorge between the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti has on several occasions shed the light over the origin of human kind.

Already in the 1920`s, Mary and Lois Leakey found the first fossil leftovers of the forefathers of Homo sapiens, and later they dug up a few primitive stone tools and animal fossils. The important breakthrough came in 1959, when Mary Leakey discovered a cranium of zinjanthropus (now called Australopithecus boisei), who lived about 1,75 million years ago. Shortly thereafter they found fossils which had even greater similarity with humans, and they came to the conclusion that this had to be a new species, Homo habilis (the able man), who lived in the Olduvai Gorge at the same time of the Zinjanthropus. Homo habilis had a large brain and was able to make primitive tools. In 1976 Mary Leakey made another revolutionary discovery in Laetoli close to Olduvai. This time it evolved around fossil footprints, which proved to be 3,6 million years old. They were set in volcanic ashes and were in amazingly good condition when she discovered them. Today we know that these footprints stem from the species australopithecus afarensis, a 1.30m tall creature looking more like a monkey than a human being.

The footprints from Laetoli have revealed that our forefathers have been walking upraised for about 4 million years, twice as long as believed earlier. In a 4-wheel-drive one can drive down the gorge and have a closer look at the findings. Most tourists settle for a brief look at the history in the museum, which is situated only 6 km from the main road between Ngorongoro and Serengeti. For a modest fee you get a lecture, a look at some of the findings, and access to study the exhibits and pictures of the pre historic animals. It is not possible to overnight at the Olduvai Gorge.

This little-known mountain range is one of the gems of Tanzania. Lying north coast, the Usambara s are a relict patch of the great tropical forests that once spanned Africa from the Atlantic to the Indian Oceans, and have more in common with the forests of West Africa than those of East Africa .

The Usambaras are a treasure house of botanical and zoological and Ornithological diversity, with a huge number of endemic tree and plant species and the Birds of course… Although large tracts of the original forests have been levelled for tea planting, enough of the original wilderness remains to make this a hiking, birding and primate-spotting paradise.

Birders will want to keep eyes open for most of the species that are endemic to the Usambara forests and Tanzania in particular   the Usambara eagle owl, Usambara alethe and the Usambara weaver are among others. This is one of the best places in East Africa to see notable birds like the green-headed oriole, Amani sunbird, bar-tailed and Narina trogons and Fischer s turaco. Amani was once a resort for holidaying German officials, and there is a basic guesthouse and a campsite set amidst the spectacular forest.

The Amani Nature Reserve is an extraordinary place for botanical study. Within its boundaries there are many endemic tree species as well as an interesting relationship between the high level of floral endemism and invading species.

It is possible to base from Mikumi to access the Southern Highlands such as the Udzungwe Mountains National Park for the Southern Tanzania Endemic species as well as access the Ifakara area and the Kilombero Flood plains with her specialities and rarities. Accommodation in Ifakara and Udzungwe is basic.

The greatest altitude range of forests in East Africa: The eastern escarpment is the only place in East Africa with unbroken forest cover from lowland forest communities at below 250km above sea level, through intermediate types, to mountain communities at over 2,000m.
Exceptionally species-rich forest: The Udzungwe contain plant species found nowhere else in the world, ranging from a tiny new African violet to 30m high trees.

Rich primate fauna:
The park hosts six species of primate, two of them endemic forms - the Iringa (Uhehe) red colobus monkey and the Sanje Crested Mangabey. The latter was only discovered in 1979.
Diverse large mammal community: The plateau contains resident populations of elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, wild dog, sable antelope, eland and water buck. there is also a rich small bovid community, with good numbers of red, blue and abbots duikers and bushbuck.

Richest forest bird habitat in Tanzania with several endemics. Recent studies have added several new species the park’s bird list (including a new species of francolin.) This gives the Udzungwe forests a ranking in the top three areas important for bird conservation in mainland Africa.

Spectacular mountain scenery with rainforest, wooded grasslands, rock faces, rivers and waterfalls: The falls on the Sanje River drop some 170m through the forest to the valley below. The mountain plateau allows views of over 100km.

This small Wildlife Jewel is dominated by Hills and Plains as well as part of the famous Miombo Woodlands, these varied habitat is an excellent spot of several special and rare Wildlife not seen any where in Tanzania.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Rare Species such as the Wild Dog, Sable Antelope, Greater Kudu and Roan Antelope have been recorded in Mikumi National Park. Bird Watchers may be in position to spot Miombo woodland specialties such as Racket Tailed Roller,Pale billed Hornbill, Shelley`s Sunbird, Wood Hoopoes and Hoopoes. The Boem`s Bee-eater and the Miombo Rock Thrush are the few other Species to add on.

BEST TIME TO VISIT
Except March, April and May.

ACCESS
4 hours Drive in a 4WD from the Coast of Dar es salaam.

This continues great Eco system into the Maasai Mara of Kenya is the oldest and largest wildlife park in East Africa with a total land area of over 250000sq kilometres. Siringet (now serengeti) is a Maasai word for “flat endless plains”. Indeed your eyes, Scopes and Bins will be the limit to the freely roaming wildlife in the Serengeti country.

WHAT TO SEE
The wildebeest migration from Serengeti to Maasai Mara in Kenya and Vice versa. All the big cats and, the Big five except the Rhino may be spotted on a two to three days game drive depending on luck in the wilderness.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Wildebeest migration between June - October and December to May. Each year at about this time of the year, over a million large Mammals including Grazers and Carnivores come together to breed, a sight that even a fanatic Birder will find irresistible to ignore. This is the only place in East Africa with the highest concentration of wild life “The Serengeti shall never die”. Two Tanzania endemic bird species occur in the Serengeti - the Fischer’s Love bird and the Grey breasted Spurfowl. Other specialities in the Serengeti include the Usambiro Barbet, Yellow throated Sand grouse and the Silver bird…the list is endless.

BEST TIME TO VISIT
June through October, December and May.

ACCESS
6 Hours from Arusha in a 4 WD Vehicle.

It neighbours with lake Manyara Park, ecosystem almost similar.Covers an area of 2600sqKm.With large herds of Elephants, Thomson and Grant’s Gazelles, Gerenuk and Oryx may be spotted.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHT
Tarangire national park is best for the famous Baobab tree, Maasai giraffe & a birders paradise. The endemic Bird species include Ashy starling, Yellow collared Love bird and the Rufous tailed weaver can be found here. Other specialities include Yellow breasted Apalis, Slender Tailed Night jar, Lilac breasted Roller,Black faced Sand grouse ,Coqui Francoline ,Magpie shrike and the Red and yellow Barbet.

BEST TIME TO VISIT
June through December and January to mid April.

ACCESS
2 Hours Drive from Arusha in a 4 WD Vehicle.

Lake Manyara
WHAT TO SEE
This is where Florists and Botanists as well as Birders meet their world. A variety of vegetation species occur, ranging from monotone forest vegetation to plain savannah grassland. Here the Natural world is for you; spot tree climbing lions, zebras, Maasai giraffe and the breathe taking view of the spectacular lake Manyara. Bird life is prolific as you approach the lake shore, a variety of Gulls may be spotted and may be the Vulturerine Guinea fowl,Blue napped mouse Bird and the mountain Wagtail.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHT
Lake Manyara has the highest density of Elephants in East Africa ( at least 7 Elephants per sq kilometre). A profusion of colourful Birds awaits your discovery in the ground water forest as you spot pelicans and cormorants swimming among walloping Hippos and Flamingos in their pink on the lake. You will be able to update your Bird check list while in Lake Manyara, do not miss to visit the Hippo pool.

BEST TIME
Non stop visit to lake Manyara, all year round.

ACCESS
3 hours Drive in a 4WD vehicle from Arusha