The Itinerary

Here is the itinerary I finally decided upon along with some commentary text from my travel agents.

Sep 5 (1 night) Narobi Woodmere Apartments www.woodmerenairobi.com

Overnight with a quiet dinner with my travel agent

Sep 6-7 (2 nights) Lewa Downs Il N'gwesi www.lewa.org/ilngwesi_lodge.php

Lewa Downs are a privately owned Wildlife Conservancy situated against the dramatic backdrop of the snow-covered massif of Mt Kenya and with the magnificent Northern Frontier District stretching out to the North. Lewa offers spectacular scenery, superb game viewing and a wide variety of activities such as game walks and horse riding. Wildlife densities are as high as anywhere in Africa and the reserve provides refuge to several endangered species such as Wide Rhinos.

Sep 8-10 (3 nights) Masai MaraGame Reserve Basecamp Mara www.basecampexplorer.com

Masai Mara’s grass-carpeted smooth hills, the chocolate Mara river waters with frolicking hippos, as well as the rich faunal diversity, fulfill the expectations of any visitor searching the African landscapes portraited in movies such as "Out of Africa". The Mara River traverses north to south and is the natural barrier crossed every year by more than one million wildebeests and 200,000 zebras in a quest for the best pastures, finding along the way the crocodile-crowded river. From July to October, this is a sight of one of the most spectacular and dramatic sites on earth.

Sep 11-12 (2 nights) Zanzibar Stone Town Beyt al Aman

Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar, little changed in the last 200 years. It is a place of winding alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings. This one-upmanship is particularly reflected in the brass-studded, carved, wooden doors. You can spend many idle hours and days just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways.

Sep 13-16 (4 nights) Pemba Pemba Afloat www.pembaisland.co.tz

A rustic but very exclusive 3-yatch place in a beautiful lagoon in the northern end of Pemba Island. Beautiful sceneries, idyllic getaway and relaxing feel. Basic and rustic accommodation, most nights on the deck of the yacht under the stars. A real Robinson Crusoe adventure offering excursions to remote beaches, forest walks, village visits and fishing trips in the Pemba Channel.

Sep 17-20 (4 nights) Saadani National Park Saadani Safari Lodge (1 night in Saadani Fly Camp) www.saadanilodge.com

Saadani National Park is the perfect union of beach and bush. The Wami River, which passes through Saadani National Park and empties into the Indian Ocean, hosts a large population of hippos, crocodiles, flamingos, and many birds. Elephants are often viewed bathing and playing on Saadani’s beach, and sometimes venturing into the crashing surf, which alone makes Saadani one of the more special and unique parks to visit in Tanzania.

Sep 21-23 (3 nights) Selous Game Reserve Selous Impala Camp www.adventurecamps.co.tz/selousimpalacamp.htm

Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest protected wildlife reserve and due to its remote location, it remains one of the untouched gems of Tanzania’s parks. The Rufiji River Delta is the striking feature of the game reserve and home to a plethora of varied water and bird life. Along its shores, oppulent hippos sleep languidly in the mud and sun themselves and crocodiles are common along the riverbanks.

Sep 24-26 (3 nights) Ruaha National Park Mdonya Old River www.adventurecamps.co.tz/mdonyaoldrivercamp.htm

Ruaha National Park is a remote bastion of spectacular wilderness, undisturbed wildlife, and breathtaking scenery. With large herds of elephants, vast concentrations of buffalo, gazelle, and bird species, and the Great Ruaha River meandering through its borders, the game viewing is spectacular and boating safaris offer a great alternative to wildlife viewing.

Sep 27 (1 night) Arusha Kigongoni Lodge www.kigongoni.net

Arusha is the Safari Capital of Eastern Africa, nestled in the shadow of Mount Meru with commanding views of the mighty Kilimanjaro.

Sep 28-Oct 2 (4 nights) Mahale Greystoke Mahale http://www.greystoke-mahale.com

On a far-flung beach along the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika, below a huge tropical forest, is the tiny sanctuary of Greystoke Mahale. The slopes of the Mahale Mountains rise behind camp, home to the worlds largest known population of chimpanzees. Within hiking distance is one such group of 60. Every day guests can venture out into the forest to observe them, as they groom, wrestle and forage across the leafy floor.