Departure dates 2009: Mar 23, Apr 6.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Arrive in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital, situated along the Indian Ocean, and overnight.
Day 2: Embark in Dar es Salaam. Tour Dar es Salaam, its waterfront, the National Museum, and the craft center. Transfer to the pier to board your ship and embark. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 3: Zanzibar. Spend the day on Zanzibar's “spice island," where cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon are still cultivated. Take a walking tour of the historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and learn about traditional Swahili culture and the island’s rich history, visiting Zanzibar’s museum, the Sultan’s Palace and Old Fort. Walk through the forest of Jozani Natural Forest Reserve, home to the endemic red colobus monkey. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 4: At Sea (B, L, D).
Day 5: Ibo Island, Mozambique. Visit Ibo Island, at one time a hub for the Portuguese slave and ivory trade — one of Mozambique’s oldest and most atmospheric places. Reminders of its past are everywhere, including colonial mansions and the 18th-century Fort of São João Batista, where silversmiths today practice their craft. Visit the old Catholic Church and see the current residents’ village life. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 6: Mayotte, French Comoros. Mayotte is a territory of France. Our visit shows us French colonial architecture, colorful local cultures and a distinctive style of dress. During the afternoon, board Zodiacs and head off to Ile M’Bouzi in search of brown lemurs, and there may be a chance to snorkel. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 7: Antsiranana and Amber Mountain. From the town of Antsiranana, also called Diego Suarez, drive to Amber Mountain National Park, known for its lemur populations including Sanford’s and crowned lemurs. Among the remarkable birds found here are Madagascar paradise flycatchers and pitta-like ground-rollers. Walk to lakes and waterfalls within this rain forest park. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 8: Anjajavy. With pre-arranged special arrangements, visit a private reserve called Anjajavy, to look for Coquerel’s sifakas, brown lemurs, fish eagles, ibises and flocks of lovebirds. There may be kayaking opportunities at a nearby river mouth and a chance for some fine Zodiac cruises along the coast. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 9: Assumption and Aldabra, Seychelles Islands. Arrive in the Seychelles, anchoring off Assumption Island. Take a stroll ashore through coconut groves to see the remains of the guano mining that once took place here. Swim in the crystal-clear waters or snorkel. Those who wish to scuba dive might discover over 100 species of fish including black lion fish and Indian Ocean steep head parrot fish. Includes: (B, L, D).
Days 10-11: Aldabra, Seychelles Islands. Sail to remote Aldabra Atoll, one of the largest atolls on Earth, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With two day in Aldabra, there is plenty of time to see the best of this incredible island. Our plans will remain flexible to make the best of conditions. This afternoon we may have an opportunity to walk ashore, perhaps visiting the research station that houses the island’s only inhabitants — scientists and rangers who protect the wildlife. Walking through a shaded grove we find the Aldabra giant tortoise, emerging from the shade to feed. Zodiacs pass through narrow channels between fossilized coral islands to enter the lagoon. Through the clear water we see the rich marine life below — reef sharks, rays, and turtles. There’s some of the most amazing snorkeling and scuba diving in the world. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 12: Astove. Astove, also part of the Seychelles’ Outer Islands, offers remarkable snorkeling and diving along the outer wall of the coral reef. The wall plummets to huge depths and rises to within a few feet of the surface at the top. Make a Zodiac landing on a sandy beach and look for nests of hawks bill and green turtles, and Abbott’s sun bird. We spend the afternoon at sea. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 13: Discover the Amirante Group. There are 25 islands in the Amirante group, offering us good opportunities for expedition stops. We may land at Alphonse Island, an atoll which offers good coral reefs and some of the finest snorkeling and diving in the entire Seychelles archipelago, with rays, eels, lion fish, cod, lobsters and myriad other creatures. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 14: Aride. Tiny Aride is one of the most important seabird breeding grounds in the Indian Ocean, with large populations of shearwaters, lesser noddies, white (or “fairy”) terns, roseate terns, sooty terns, tropic birds and a host of others. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 15: La Digue and Praslin. Praslin is famous for its unique palm forest, the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to the rare coco-de-mer. This palm has mammoth fan-shaped fronds and a seed weighing up to 40 pounds. Some trees are over 900 years old. La Digue is a photogenic island with powdery white sand beaches and giant granite boulders, and we visit Anse Source D’Argent, the most famous beach in the Seychelles, for a swim. We explore the island by open vehicle or bicycle, and walk through the forest reserve. Includes: (B, L, D).
Day 16: Disembark in Mahé. Disembark on the island of Mahé in Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, and transfer to the airport for overnight flights home. Includes: (B).
Optional 8 day pre-cruise extension to Northern Tanzania: Northern Tanzania is justly known for its profusion of wildlife and its remarkable and diverse landscapes and habitats. In a short span of time, you’ll see some of the finest parks and reserves in the world, with wildlife that you can see and photograph to your heart’s content. You explore the Serengeti, Olduvai Gorge, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, seeing plains rich with wildlife, volcanic highlands, forests and lakes along the way.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender for the Category 1 and 2 cabins. Even if a cabinmate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- 50% off standard double rate for third traveler in Category 3 cabins
- Kids under age 18 save $500 per person
- Fuel Surcharge of $10/day
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Madagascar
Tanzania
Mayotte
Cultural Journey
Wildlife Viewing
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