A time to explore, a time to give
With over twenty years experience of traveling to East Africa and particularly to Tanzania, Mark has the expertise and knowledge to put together the Adventure of a Life Time.
He named it A Swahili Sojourn. You are very welcome to discover this photographer’s dream destination, this nature lover’s paradise. Most characteristic for his Safaris is that he serves you the authentic Tanzania. He makes friends very easily and they have shown him special places. You are welcome sometimes at their homes for lunch, dinner, to enjoy their musical skills and more. Also you will find out Mark himself is a great storyteller. Will you allow Mark to show you his love for Tanzania and its people?
A Swahili Sojourn
Dates by arrangement.
Swahili: a member of people of Zanzibar and nearby coastal regions,
Sojourn: A stay, a stop, a visit or vacation.
This safari shall be very enjoyable. Everything is in it. You will be visiting Cities, Coastal- and Mountain towns, Usambara Mountains, Uluhuru Mountains, Village communities, Youth groups, unspoiled beaches and of course two National Parks with expertly guided Game Drives included.
Distances each day are very manageable and this allows you to see the very varied landscape in detail.
There will be cultural activities on your way. That is why we would be very grateful if you can bring some essential equipment with you like books, pencils, a ball or notebooks. It is not always necessary to buy these things. Just see what you have and stopped using yourself.
Are you a Writer, Musician or Photographer?
Mark loves Art and is active as a storyteller himself. You are very welcome to be part of an intercultural exchange on this safari.
Testimony Michael and Sheri
My wife and I were on the first Swahili safari in October of 2017, and it was a wonderful experience. We spent only a day on each end in the big city and for the other 14 days we were in small towns, villages, and National Parks. In Mikumi National Park, we spent half an hour at a time within 10 or 15 meters of lounging lion prides or foraging elephant herds. The lion cubs were curious about us, but the adults just ignored us.
Rama Ama is a great guide. He made stuff happen and took care of us. When we were in a small village during a holiday when all businesses were supposed to be closed, he found a food shop to make breakfast for us. Mark Walker made friends easily everywhere we went. In one place he found a local guide for a walking tour and a marvelous dinner at the guide’s house. When something didn’t go as planned (which happens in Africa), both Rama and Mark were able to adapt and keep the experience going. At one town we happened upon an arts festival and changed the itinerary to spend an evening listening to many different types of Tanzanian music. We appreciated the flexibility.
This is not for people who want to stay in Hiltons. We recommend it to anyone who wants to have a more authentic African experience.
Day 1
Mark will pick you up by taxi at the airport of Dar Es Salaam. He will take you to the Mediterraneo Hotel in the Center of Dar Es Salaam. Depending on your condition after a long flight, you can take the rest of the day off and relax or you get a taste of the hotel environment. You will stay in the Mediterraneo Hotel for two nights in a sea-facing room.
Day 2
After breakfast you will be taken for a walk around the historic Center of Dar Es Salaam. Since Dar has been an important port to Zanzibar, the Middle East and Europe, there will be stories about the colonial time and slavery details too. Then we will take you to one of the famous tearooms in Dar to have some of the traditional snacks.
Afterwards we will continue our walk down to the ferry area, passing many landmarks on the way.
In the late afternoon we will drive with an Uber or Bolt taxi to Coco Beach for sunset and enjoy some local food before returning to the hotel for the evening.
Day 3
After an early breakfast you will leave Dar Es Salaam and drive for a 5 to 6-hour ride to the Vamos Hotel near Mikumi National Park for one night. We do make a reservation for a standard room. Soon after arrival you will enter Mikumi National Park for a wonderful game drive until early evening.
Mikumi National Park
Mikumi is Tanzania’s fourth-largest national park. It is sandwitched between three sets of Mountains, the Uluguru Mountains, the Rubeho Mountains and the Lumango Mountains. Mikumi hosts buffaloes, wildebeests, giraffes, elephants, lions, zebras, leopards, crocodiles and more, and chances are high that you’ll see a respectable sampling of these within a short time of entering the park.
Mikumi is an important educational and research centre. Among the various projects being carried out is an ongoing field study of yellow baboons.
Day 4
After breakfast you will depart to visit Morogoro. Morogoro is a lovely town and is positioned as a kind of Gate to Uluguru Mountains.
Uluguru Mountains will show you its green tops everywhere you look. We take you for one night to the Simbamwenni Lodge. We make a reservation for a double-bedded fully furnished Tent.
After settling in we will take a drive into Morogoro for a walk around this town which vibrates of aliveness, followed by dinner.
Uluguru Mountains are able to show you some of the world’s richest rainforests, containing more then ten species of reptilians and amphibians and over a hundred plants, including African violet, busy lizzies and begonias.
The animals you can meet here are yellow baboons, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, wild pigs and duiker antelopes, but still the mountains are most known for its birdlife, which include fifteen rare or unique species.
Day 5
We will leave Simbamwenni Lodge after breakfast for the longish but interesting drive up to Lushoto in Usambara Mountains.
We are a bit in love with Usambara. The mountains have a sort of sweet, kind atmosphere. Many times you see a lot of flowers and gently sloping hills. The red Earth in combination with all the green shrubs, grass and trees caress your eyes. On the other side, there also are rough areas in Usambara. Big rocks are giving firm shapes to higher areas where the mountain is watching out over the lower plains.
Yes, Usambara is one of our favourite places in Tanzania. Nature is beautiful and the views are wonderful. There is a big chance you will see a breathtaking sunset at one of the higher viewpoints like Irente viewpoint.
You will spend three nights at The Lawns hotel based on double Executive rooms.
If you want, you can make your first walk around Lushoto in the afternoon, breathing in the fresh air.
Day 6
Today you can have a quiet, relaxing morning. After lunch you are welcome to join the guide on a walk through higher areas of the Mountains. On the way you most likely will meet a peculiar little fellow. Its strategy to survive is basic but genious. It is one of the most commonly used strategies used by humans also. If you want to be safe then change your colour, change your opinion and your mood like a chameleon.
By the time sunset will enfold itself you arrived at Irente viewpoint to enjoy the changing sky and the magical light shining on the land below you.
Dinner will be served at the Lawns Hotel afterwards.
Day 7
After breakfast a morning guided walk through the market area of Lushoto town and its historical buildings.
Lushoto has been undergoing a remarkable change. The town has been renovated and uplifted in a harmonious way with the natural environment. The market became an atmospheric place where you can find a lot of interesting things to buy. There is a coffee corner connected with an art shop that sells local creations. Also, Lawns hotel has become a lovely place to stay overnight.
In the afternoon and evening, you can relax and enjoy Usambara as you wish.
Day 8
We leave the mountains behind us and make a short drive to Magoroto near Muheza. Magoroto is a wonderful place at a lake in a natural environment. There are plenty of activities to do, like hiking, boat trip, horse riding and more.
From there we will make the ride to Tanga. Tanga is a lovely coastal town. Life is taken at a leisurely pace. To walk in the streets can be a very joyful multicultural experience. There are many Arab influences but also Christian characteristics. In Tanga I learned to play a specific Tanzanian game on the streets with a group of 6 men. There are markets and lovely food can be found at the side of the streets. Tanga is sometimes alive, sometimes laid back, You will spend two nights at the Raskazone Hotel in a standard room.
Day 9
Enjoy an early breakfast before getting ready for a Tanga Cultural Tour. During your walk, we accidentally will pass the famous Blue Room Café and probably accidentally again try one of their delicious snacks.You will return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Recommended: at least one Indian dinner at the Seaview Hotel.
Before entering Pangani tomorrow, Mark will visit Choba School. He is well connected with the headmistress. You will experience that meeting friend of Mark will allow you to have a true meeting with Tanzanian people. It is very difficult for tourists to come that close.
Later we invite you to enjoy your dinner at Peponi Beach Resort (included). Enjoy!
Day 10
After breakfast Mark will pick you up to return to the coastal area for spending some time at Pangani Beach. We will take you for one night to a banda at Peponi Beach Resort.
The beaches at Pangani and Ushongo bay are untouched and therefore idyllic. Enjoy your walks and time at Peponi.
Day 11
In the afternoon you will leave Pangani for a short drive to have lunch. You will meet a local guide who will take you for a historical walk around Pangani village.
Later that afternoon you will arrive at Emayani Beach Lodge for two nights. We will make a reservation for a room with a seaview.
Day 12
You are very welcome to have a beach day at Ushongo Bay in your safari. You can swim, rest, sleep, read, talk and everything you feel like doing.
Optional:
You can have a one day snorkling experience with Kasa Divers. They will take you with their boat and professional equipment to areas in sea, where you can have your first diving experience or enjoy yourself with snorkling around beautiful coral reefs. This excursion is not included and we need to make a reservation in front.
Day 13
After breakfast, you will leave for Saadani National Park. This is the only marine park in Tanzania. You will have an afternoon game drive and not only look for lions, elephants and zebras but also for turtles, seabirds and if your lucky dolphins or even whales.
You will sleep in Saadani close to the beach for one night in nice renovated cottages.
Day 14
You can have a slow start today. At the end of the morning, you will be invited to take a walk through the historic part of Bagamoyo Bay. Bagamoyo was a central town for transporting slaves to Zanzibar and from there to Europe or America.
Bagamoyo Bay is one of the few towns in Tanzania which has a European glance. Look at the way the streets are paved or have a pizza at a roof terrace in an intimate setting. See the warm light of lanterns outside of a restaurant.
The Firefly hotel with a creative design and a shop where you will find originally designed clothes. Take your time at an art market to have a good look at the work of artists. At the end of your safari, it is nice to stroll a bit through Bagomoyo and buy something special for yourself or your loved ones at home.
You will spend the night in the specially designed and decorated Firefly Lodge.
Day 15
Depending on the time your flight is leaving, we will take you to the airport. We hope you fully enjoyed your time in Tanzania with Mark, his friends, our guide/driver and all the other people you have come to meet on your way these last weeks. We most of all hope you take something with you for the rest of your life.
This is YOUR SWAHILI SOJOURN!
KARIBU
Costs
1 person: $ 5800/5104 Euro
2 persons: $ 4200 pp/3696 Euro
3 persons: $ 3200 pp/2816 Euro
4 persons: $ 2800 pp/2464 Euro
Please note!
- These costs are approx and may change due to seasonality
- This amount must be paid in euros.
Included:
- all transport with Toyota Landcruiser (4×4)
- all entry fees of Parks
- all excursions (except diving with Kasa Divers)
- all accommodations
- Guidance of Mark and all other service costs.
- Two lunchboxes, all breakfasts, and two dinners.
Not included:
- food (except notified meals)
- drinks (except every day 1 bottle of water)
- tip ($ 15- $ 20 driver/guide p/d)
- flight ticket and visa
This safari can also be adjusted to your personal wishes.
