Day 1: Tanzania here we come!
All of Rustic Pathways scheduled group flights to Tanzania depart from New York. All scheduled group flights to Africa are escorted by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. The flight departs New York in the evening and takes about 16 hours. During your flight take the time to get to know other students on your flight, get some sleep in preparation for your arrival into Africa.
Day 2: Meet and Greet
Jambo! Welcome to Tanzania. You will arrive into Arusha, Tanzania in the early evening and will transfer to the Rustic Pathways Base. Spend the night getting to know the staff and as part of your initial orientation, you will be taught many aspects of Tanzania protocols and expectations of behavior.
Day 3: Head to the Island of Spice
This morning we will drive to Arusha airport and fly to Zanzibar, where ancient Islamic ruins, noble Arabic houses, and white, sandy, palm-fringed beaches coexist. We will spend the afternoon visiting the multitude of historical buildings in Stone Town. Building to see include: Forodhani Gardens, The Palace Museum, St Joseph's Cathedral, Arab Fort, House of Wonders, Durajani Bazaar and many more.
Day 4: Sun, Sand and Relaxing
Today will be spent relaxing on one of the island's most pristine beaches. Enjoy a day at the beach for snorkeling, sailing, or taking an optional scuba-diving excursion.
Day 5: A Spice of Life
Zanzibar is known as the spice island, and today we will visit where the various spices are grown and harvested. We will have the pleasure of seeing cinnamon trees, nutmeg trees, vanilla trees (believe it or not) and the likes. You will be asked to smell and taste various spices and guess what they are, as well as witness harvesters climbing huge trees with no harnesses or protection, to bring down coconuts for your delight.
Day 6: Day of Sailing to Prison Island
Earning its name as a former prison for slaves and a quarantine station for Zanzibar and the mainland nowadays the island gives you the chance to escape for some peace and quiet. The island lies just off the Old Stone Town and is home to giant tortoises that were imported from the Seychelles in the late 19th century. It is fringed with a beautiful coral reef, ideal for snorkeling, and has a lovely white beach for sunbathing.
Day 7: Explore Jozani Forest
Today we head off for Jozani forest which is a protected forest and is home to some of our primate cousins. The Red Colobus monkey are indigenous only to Zanzibar and there are about 2300 in and around the forest. We will explore this amazing forest by foot.
Day 8: Wild Dolphins
This morning we will drive from Stone Town to Kizimkazi a small village to the southern point of the island which will take us one hour. The surface of the Kizimkazi channel is broken by the skimming arcs of wild bottle-nosed dolphins. Here you are taken by an outboard engine boat into the sea to see the dolphins, and if lucky you will be able to swim quite close with them, as they are very friendly and playful. Please note that the dolphins at Kizimkazi are wild but there is an 85% chance of seeing these animals.
Day 9: Arusha and Relaxing
We spend our final day relaxing, doing some last minute shopping in Arusha for souvenirs and enjoying the chance to recount some of the wonderful memories we have of the last few days. Arusha is a small African town nestled in the shadow of Mount Meru with commanding views of the mighty Kilimanjaro.
Accommodation: Lodge
Day 10: Goodbye Africa
Our journey starts off with an early rise as it's time to say goodbye to the
staff and Arusha. If you are returning home today, your flight will depart
this morning. If you are continuing onto another Rustic Pathways adventure,
your staff will help you with your flight arrangements.
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Location, Location, Location
Kick Back And Relax
