Turaco Safari: Summary
Turaco Safari in a nutshell
By carefully combining a safari in Tanzania’s remote southern parks with a week on Zanzibar, this itinerary idea that we’ve called the Turaco holiday offers great value. You start the trip in Nyerere National Park with three nights at Lake Manze, a rustic bush camp in a wildlife-rich, lakeshore area close to a branch of the Rufiji River. A range of activities is on offer, from safari drives to bush walks and afternoon boat safaris – a lovely way to enjoy a sundowner.
You’ll then head further west to Ruaha National Park, a 90-minute flight from Nyerere National Park. Here you’ll stay at the laidback Mdonya Old River Camp, keeping an eye out for the elephants that frequently visit the camp, and explore the arid landscape in search of leopards and lion prides (Ruaha is home to the biggest population of lions in Africa).
Post-safari you’ll fly back east to Zanzibar, spending six nights on the island. Stay in a quirky hotel in the heart of Stone Town and discover its fascinating history. Your final stop on this sample itinerary is Zanzibar Pearl Hotel on the pretty east coast of Zanzibar, where you can snorkel over colourful coral reefs or simply relax on the beach and soak up the sun.
At a glance
| Starts: | Dar es Salaam International Airport | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights | Lake Manze Camp - Nyerere National Park, Tanzania | Full Board & Activities |
| 3 nights | Mdonya Old River Camp - Ruaha National Park, Tanzania | Full Board & Activities |
| 2 nights | Zanzibar Coffee House - Stone Town, Zanzibar | Bed & Breakfast |
| 4 nights | Zanzibar Pearl - East Coast Zanzibar, Zanzibar | Half Board |
| Ends: | Dar es Salaam International Airport |
Lake Manze Camp
Nyerere National Park, Tanzania
Mdonya Old River Camp
Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Zanzibar Coffee House
Stone Town, Zanzibar
Zanzibar Pearl
East Coast Zanzibar, Zanzibar
Highlights
Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Turaco Safari.
- Seeking out Africa’s iconic wildlife in Ruaha
- Try both walking and boating safaris in the Selous
- Absorb Zanzibar’s rich history in Stone Town
- Relax on powdery white beaches on eastern Zanzibar
- A great-value opportunity to combine safari and beach
Activities
Some activities which can be included in the Turaco Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Cultural excursion
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Hot air ballooning
Kayaking
Scuba-diving
Self-guided walking
Snorkelling
Watersports
Key species to see on the Turaco Safari
Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Turaco Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
100% chance
99% chance
91% chance
72% chance
54% chance
17% chance
13% chance
10% chance
8% chance
0% chance
0% chance
0% chance
Side-trips whilst on this holiday
We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Turaco Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.
Princess Salme Spice Tour
Half-day
Discover the captivating story of the smart and rebellious Princess Sayyida Salme, the youngest daughter of Sultan Said. Join a knowledgeable local guide to follow in her footsteps through palaces and plantations, as well as the fascinating Zanzibar spice trade on a working plantation.
More about Princess Spice Tour
Swahili Cooking Workshop
Half-day or combine with other tours
Zanzibar’s cuisine and culinary influences are as exotic as the island itself. This genuinely authentic culinary workshop will take you to the heart of the spice farm region, teach you how to select and blend an array of spices, create souvenir blends, and guide you through cooking a traditional Swahili meal.
More about Swahili Cookery
Stone Town Discovery Tour
Half-day
Spend a morning wandering through Stone Town’s maze of alleyways with an erudite Zanzibari resident, meeting the locals, marvelling at its fusion of architecture and cultures, learning about the food, music, beliefs and everyday life, for an utterly fascinating experience.
More about Stone Town Tour
Zanzibar Dhow Safari
Full day - approx. eight hours
Discover the coast and islands of the Menai Bay from a traditional Zanzibari dhow. Explore this beautiful marine conservation area with a local guide, snorkelling over coral reefs, swimming through mangrove lagoons and keeping an eye out for dolphins. To top it all, you’ll also be treated to a fabulous beach barbecue.
More about Zanzibar Dhow Safari
Jozani Forest Tour
Half-day or combine with other tours
For nature lovers, Jozani Forest is a must. One of the last sanctuaries of the red colobus monkey, it features a diverse range of habitats, from mangrove forests to salt marshes. Keep your eyes peeled for other forest residents, including Sykes’ monkey, bushbabies, duikers and more than 40 species of bird.
More about Jozani Forest
Jambiani Village Tour
Half-day - mornings
Tear yourself away from the soft white sands of Zanzibar to get under the skin of the history and culture of Jambiani village. Join a knowledgeable local guide to discover the intricacies of day-to-day life in this traditional coastal village, with much of the profits being ploughed back into the community.
More about Village Tour
Prison Island Tour
Half-day
Escape the hustle and bustle of Stone Town on a 30-minute boat ride to Changuu Island, now commonly known as Prison Island. This is your chance to find out about the darker side of Zanzibar history, as well as to get up close with the island’s Aldabra giant tortoises, and to engage in a spot of coastal snorkelling.
More about Prison Island
Balloon Safari over Ruaha
Three hours - one hour flight
Varied and scenically stunning, Ruaha National Park features rolling hills, woodlands, open plains and two wide meandering rivers: the Ruaha and the Mwagusi. What better way to view it than from the air, at sunrise? A balloon safari offers just this, the landscape unfolding below your basket as you float almost silently above.
More about Ballooning in RuahaPlan and book your trip with Expert Africa
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