2mozambique | Safaris in Tanzania and tropical islands in Mozambique.

Itinerary: Tanzania & Mozambique (21 days)

Day 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam On arrival you’ll be picked up and brought to your hotel in the center of Dar es Salaam.
Day 2: Dar es Salaam - Mikumi National Park We leave Dar es Salaam after breakfast and drive in a few hours to Mikumi while you can see trees of bananas and and mangos combined with small plots of agriculture. Near Morogoro you can some unique views on the Uluguru Mountains with summits rising over 2600m. On the way we definitely make a stop to enjoy the the sights before we set for Mikumi. After arrival we pitch up our tent and in the afternoon we make a game drive into Mikumi National Park. The vegetation of the landscape differs enormous, from grassy plains to thick woodland. This makes that a wide variety of wildlife is living in Mikumi. You can spot elephants, giraffes, antelopes, lions and with some luck the African hunting dog and a leopard. There is as well a wide variety of birdlife with over 400 recorded species including marabou storks, kingfishers and bustards. After the game drive we had back to our camp where you can have diner in the restaurant and rethink the incredible wildlife of Africa.
Day 3: Mikumi - Udzungwa Forest We leave Mikumi behind and set for the Udzungwa Mountains among the most biodiverse areas on earth. A true wilderness as we leave the tarmac road passing sugar cane plantation, numerous rice fields and small villages fields before we we see the forest covered hills of Udzungwa. In the nearby National Park the widest selection of primates of Tanzania is living including red- and black and white colobus monkey, blue monkeys and bush babies. Frequently seen as well are buffaloes, elephants and bushbucks. After we pitched up our tent you will be able to explore the Udzungwa Mountains today and tomorrow yourself. Listen to the bush babies crying high in the trees as the sun has set.
Day 4: Udzungwa Forest In the area of our campsite there is a lot to offer for an active day. In the Udzungwa Mountains National Park there are various hiking trails which differ in difficulty and time. From the park headquarters it is an easy 40 minute walk to two waterfalls named after Prince Bernhard, the former president of WWF. Frequently seen are red duikers, baboons and mangabeys. More demanding trails are the Sonjo trail, the Sanje Falls circuit and Campsite 3 circuit passing thru woodlands, waterfalls with the chance to spot some primates and birdlife. These walks demands good shoes and vary from 2-10 hours walking. From our campsite activities like mountain biking, traditional dug out canoeing and cultural tours to learn the rural Tanzania life are as well organized. A visit to the nearby rubberplantation is nice and educating. * Contact for Information on (multiple) day walks in Udzungwa Mountains NP.
Day 5: Udzungwa Forest - Selous Game Reserve We leave the mountains of Udzungwa behind us and set for one the biggest wildlife areas of Africa: Selous Game Reserve. Selous is home to an estimated 750,000 large mammals, including the world’s largest populations of elephants, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, lions, leopards, buffaloes and hippos. In Selous you will probably have the best chance to see the rare African wild dog, being famous for its hunting skills. Eighty percent of the hunts of the African wild dog end in a kill. In comparison, lions only succeed in thirty percent of their attempts. In the afternoon we make a boat safari on the Rufiji River, home of many hippos, crocodiles and a lot of birds. After the sunset we head back to our campsite where to enjoy a diner with all the noises of the bus around you.
Day 6: Selous Game Reserve We have a full day to spend in Selous game reserve. We will take a packed lunch and go on a full day game drive with our own car and driver. Selous will give you the feeling you are one of the first visitors going on safari there. We will hardly meet other cars with tourists and you will notice that the animals are not yet used to cars like they are in the Northern National Parks. We will most probably see lots of elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and hopefully some lions and wild dogs. After our safari we drive back to our camp and enjoy the last night with a diner near the Rufiji River.
Day 7-8: Kilwa Today we see the landscape changing from the Savannah to the Indian Ocean. Prepare yourself for a long ride off of the tarmac road. The Rufiji River is the largest river in Tanzania and in the rain season expanding up to fifteen kilometers wide feeding innumerable lakes and pools. The waters are important breeding grounds for prawns, shrimps and fish. As result of the water the roads are often cut down which makes the road to Kilwa a thru adventure. Kilwa is a remote village near the coast famous for its excellent diving spots, snorkeling opportunities and the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani. In medieval times Kilwa was one of the wealthiest places of Africa as result of monopoly of gold trade. The ruins are still impressive and give a good view on how the city must have looked like and the roof of Mosque is impressively built. Today or tomorrow you can bring a visit to the ruins, situated on an island two kilometer offshore. By local dhow you will sail to the island and guided around. From our campsite you have an overlooking look on Jimbiza Beach and the bay were you can enjoy the beach, swimming in the Indian Ocean and relax with a drink while the sun is setting.
Day 9: Kilwa - Masasi We leave Kilwa behind us and drive along the coast southwards. For decades, the south coast was remote as result of the rains making the area unreachable. With the construction of some bridges over the Rufiji- and Rovuma River the area can be explored more and local development is coming up. We stay the night in a basic local guesthouse in Masasi, two hours from the border with Mozambique. Masasi is a typical Tanzanian city with many shops, guesthouses and street business giving you the experience of a real African city. When there is time you can bring a visit to the colorful market.
Day 10: Masasi - Mueda (Mozambique) In two hours we drive to the border of Mozambique which is indicated by the Rovuma River. After the formalities on the Tanzanian side we cross the river by the Unity Bridge for the formalities on the other side. You are in Mozambique and you will see the culture has been changed as the houses made of stones, clay and Makuti (made of palm leafs) roofs. In a few hours we drive we drive to our basic guesthouse in Mueda. The town is most important city on the Makonde Plateau named after one of the largest tribes of Mozambique. The plateau lies at about 800m attitude.
Day 11: Mueda - Mocimboa da Praia We drive in a few hours to Mocimboa de Praia near the coast of the Indian Ocean. Mozambique and especially the northern part of the country are remote and even most towns have only limited tourist infrastructure. This makes the northern part adventurous to visit while contact with local cultures is easier. You will notice people are curious and surprised by your visit. A few words of Portuguese language is highly appreciated and worth learning in advance. Mocimboa da Praia is a typical fisherman’s village with a lively fish market and a colorful dhow harbor. We spend the night at the campsite.
Day 12: Mocimboa da Praia - Ibo Island We leave Mocimboa da Praia set for the Quirimbas Archipelago. The Quirimbas Archipelo consist over twenty islands among the turquoise waters; some are inhabited but most of them consists of white sand and some mangrove vegetation. We take a traditional dhow to Ibo Island, one of the biggest islands of the archipelago and facing a long term history. The island was taken over by the arrival of the Portuguese from the Muslim traders who have been around for centuries. Ibo Island became soon an important port for the trade in slaves. In the early 20th century the city lost its wealth as the colonial rule moved the trade to Pemba to take advance of better sea access routes. Ibo Island faded into oblivion and since the day time stands still which gives the island a remote and unique feeling. On Ibo Island we stay in a perfectly restored old house on the middle of the island with a nice garden.
Day 13-14: Ibo Island Although Ibo Island is a small island you can easily spend your days with activities, cultural visits or relaxing. Visit the Portuguese white star-shaped fort on the north of the Island, built in 1791 to protect the island or one of the other forts. From the hotel you can rent a bike and explore the island cycling and visiting local villages. A nice trip is to walk into the mangrove forests when the tide is low. This trip takes half a day and as a result of the tide coming up you are sailing by dhow back to Ibo Island. Enjoy the evening with some delicious seafood which is catches by the local fisherman and experience the mysterious atmosphere of the island.
Day 15: Ibo Island - Pemba We leave Ibo Island the way we arrived: by traditional dhow and set for the ride to Pemba. This is a small lively beach town and the capital for visiting the northern part of the country. On our way you will notice the production of salt by the while mountains near the road. On arrival you have time to have a look around in Pemba and bring a visit to Wimbi Beach which can be seen as the place to be. Try the delicious seafood in one the restaurants on the beach. We camp near the beach. * Contact for information on (multiple) day sailing safaris from Pemba.
Day 16: Pemba - Mozambique Island Although Ibo Island is a small island you can easily spend your days with activities, cultural visits or relaxing. Visit the Portuguese white star-shaped fort on the north of the Island, built in 1791 to protect the island or one of the other forts. From the hotel you can rent a bike and explore the island cycling and visiting local villages. A nice trip is to walk into the mangrove forests when the tide is low. This trip takes half a day and as a result of the tide coming up you are sailing by dhow back to Ibo Island. Enjoy the evening with some delicious seafood which is catches by the local fisherman and experience the mysterious atmosphere of the island.
Day 17: Mozambique Island In the morning a guided tour in planned to learn about the rich history of the island. Mozambique Island is a small island and since mankind was able to use the wind for sailing a favorite place to be. In 1498, before the ‘discovery’ by Vasco da Gama, Mozambique Island was a wealthy island trading with Madagascar, Persia and Arabia. The Portuguese made the island soon capital of east-Africa, a status which was held until the end of the 19th century when the capital was shifted to later Maputo. On Mozambique Island you can still experience the richness of the colonial power by the architecture and the cultural melting pot. After the tour you can explore the island a bit more or relax in the garden of your hotel..
Day 18: Mozambique Island - Nacala Bay We leave Mozambique Island and set for the last part of this trip to the bay of Nacala. This is only a short drive which makes it possible to stay a few hours longer on Mozambique Island as you wish. You stay in a lodge setting on an escarpment, overlooking the white sand beach and the aqua colored water of Nacala Bay.
Day 19-20: Nacala Bay This is a perfect end of this trip as opportunities for diving, snorkeling or relaxing on a remote beach. Depending the season you might be happy to see some whales coming by from the beach. The whales migrate from Antarctica to the water of Mozambique between August and December.
Day 21: Nacala Bay - Nampula In a few hours you will driven to the airport of Nampula where this trips ends.

About this trip 2mozambique is offering active- and adventurous trips with a good combination using campsites and lodges. We start and finish the trip with a night in a lodge. On this trip we camp 6 nights and the rest we stay in guesthouses and lodges. This trip is operated in a 4wd vehicle with your private driver/guide assisting you and providing information about the country and your trip. Travelling in Mozambique and Malawi requires a flexible attitude as things can go differently as expected in advance. .

Optional: Not in the mood for camping? Not in the mood for camping? We offer this trip using guesthouses, lodges and hotels only as well. No camping on your trip with this optional and some more comfort to experience your trip the more relaxing way. ($250 per person)

More information Contact one of our travel consultants for more information about this trip, your own ideas about a trip and Mozambique in general.


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Extra Information
Prize (Private group)
2 persons: $3295, 3 persons: $2850, 4 persons: $2595 , 5 persons: $2395, 6 persons: $2295
(>6 persons on request)

Included in this prize
Accommodation (twin share) including breakfast (day 2,3, 6-15, 17,18) and diner (day 5-6), campingequipment ,transport in 4wd vehicle including driver/guide, gamedrives and boatsafari in Mikumi NP and Selous GR including parkfees ($85 a person), transfers and guided city walks on Ibo- and Mozambique Island.


Hiking & Cycling

Udzungwa Mountains providing (multiple) day walks and trails.


Walking Safari

Spot wildlife in Selous when guided by professional ranger


Ibo Island festival

Mid June, Ibo Island celebrates Mozambique Independence.