THE SPLENDOURS OF DUBAI, SERENGETI, VICTORIA FALLS & MAURITIUS
A cultural tour of UAE, Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe & Mauritius

This is a specially tailored 20-day journey that gives a unique experience of contrasting panoramas starting first with the lifestyle at the desert sheikhdom of Dubai, to Africa’s prime game parks in Northern Tanzania, to the wonders of Victoria Falls, and lastly culminate with a 4day stay at the enchanting Indian Ocean Island of Mauritius.

Day 01 (SUN): Depart North America
Our artistically tailored journey starts today as we board for our flight to the Persian Gulf’s most well known city-state – Dubai.

Day 02 (MON): Arrive Dubai (UAE)
As-salaam-alaykum! – A Hearty greeting in the Arabic language.
Upon arrival at Dubai, the Mecca of the Middle East, we are warmly received and transferred to our hotel. Balance of the day is free to rest before we take upon Dubai and see what is happening in this state of art, Sheikhdom.
Overnight: Ascott Hotel (3 nights)

Day 03 (TUE): Dubai
Our morning city tour of Dubai includes the Jumeirah Mosque, the Museum, as well as the Spice and Gold Souqs. Our next stop is the Emirate of Sharjah, including a visit to the Natural History Museum, the Discovery Center, the Aviation Museum and the Cultural Center. We then take a short drive to the Emirate of Ajman, where we will visit the Ajman Museum, the Dhow building yard, the Pearl Monument, the King Faizal Mosque, the Bird & Animal Market, the Al Arsah Souq, Al Hisn Fort, Bait Al Naboodah and the Islamic & Art Museum. Early evening we are transferred to the desert for an exciting desert safari. We go over and down the sand dunes, with laughter, viewing the desert and it’s life style – what a contrast to the fast developing Dubai! This is followed by an entertainment of belly dancing and BBQ over camel and other meats and enjoying the traditional hubbly bubbly. Late evening, over starlight desert sky, we are transferred back to our hotel in Dubai. (B)

Day 04 (WED): Dubai
Dubai, in the heart of the Middle East, offers a lot from both the traditional as well as the modern. It is also a haven for shoppers. This day has been kept free for individual activities. Amongst the activities, we recommend, include day trips to the other Emirate cities like Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, etc. and a dhow cruise – all of these can also be pre arranged. (B)

Day 05 (THU): Dubai / Arusha (Tanzania)
After our stay in the Emirates, we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Arusha in Tanzania,, where upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel. Rest of the day is free to prepare for the next exciting segment of our tour – the safari. Arusha offers a world that is very different from what we have left behind in Dubai.
Overnight: Impala Hotel, Arusha (1 night) (B)

Day 06 (FRI): Arusha / Tarangarie / Lake Manyara
Our safari begins with a short drive to Tarangire National Park which offers wide panoramas of open acacia woodland and grass savanna, where herds (often two hundred strong) of elephants and other unique residents like fringe-eared oryx, kuduroam, run free. Seeing the game in their natural setting helps us understand their unique characters. Late evening we drive to Lake Manyara
Overnight: Manyara Serena lodge, Manyara (1 night)
(B, L, D)

Day 07 (SAT): Lake Manyara / Ngorongoro Crater
Today we discover the game at Lake Manyara National Park – one of the most popular parks in Northern Tanzania. Though relatively small in comparison to Serengeti and Ngorongoro, Lake Manyara is famous for the tree-climbing lions and numerous migratory birds making viewing here an all round exercise. Afternoon we drive to Ngorongoro where we have our afternoon game. The oval shaped Ngorongoro Crater is 300 sqkm/116 sq miles in area and 610m/2001ft deep, and is a repository of Africa's finest wildlife. All of the “Big Five” are present here, living a privileged existence on the crater floor, so placid you could (almost) move quietly amongst them.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 08 (SUN): Ngorongoro
We descend into the crater for half day game safari with picnic lunch. This gives us yet another opportunity to see the wildlife at it’s best. Afternoon we return to our game lodge where we have time to enjoy the surroundings and walk around and enjoy the many facilities that the lodge offers.
(B, L, D)

Day 09 (MON): Ngorongoro / Olduvai Gorge / Serengeti National Park
Our safari heads off to the Olduvai Gorge. This desert like gorge lies at the foot of the Ngorongoro highlands and is a world-renowned repository for the remains of vast numbers of animals that roamed these plains eons ago. We visit the museum featuring the famous Zinj skull, the Zinjanthorpus man of 1.8 million years ago, whose remains were found here by Dr. Leakey. We then proceed to Serengeti National Park via the Nabi gate and enjoy our first of three game drives at the Serengeti. Picnic lunch at the gorge.
Overnight: Serengeti or Lobo Wildlife Lodge (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 10 (TUE): Serengeti National Park
Serengeti is a huge national park, as big as Northern Ireland. As the largest sanctuary in the world, Serengeti offers breathtaking natural beauty and is unequaled in scientific value. Serengeti is home to about 4 million different types of animals including the big five: rhino, leopard, buffalo, lion and the elephant. We enjoy a full day game experience at the Serengeti with picnic lunch. At the end of this day, we will all wish that “Serengeti shall not die!” (B, L, D)

Day 11 (WED): Serengeti / Arusha
After an incredible game safari and experience of African culture in the world’s most famous national parks, we drive back to Arusha where upon arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Impala Hotel, Arusha (1 night) (B, L)

Day 12 (THU): Arusha / Johannesburg (South Africa)
Today we take our flight from Arusha to Johannesburg - the commercial capital of South Africa. At Johannesburg Airport we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Mercure Hotel, Johannesburg (1 night) (B)

Day 13 (FRI): Johannesburg / Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
After a good rest we are transferred to the airport for our flight to Victoria Falls where upon arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel. Balance of the day is free to enjoy the many activities like viewing tribal dancing, etc.
Overnight: A'Zambezi Hotel, Victoria Falls (2 nights) (B)

Day 14 (SAT): Victoria Falls
After breakfast, we take on guided tour of Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. This walking safari takes one through the magnificent rain forest to view the Cataracts, Livingstone’s statue and a wide variety of birds and plants. Afternoon sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. (B)

Day 15 (SUN): Victoria Falls / Johannesburg
After breakfast, we are transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for our return flight to Johannesburg. Balance of the day is free in Johannesburg.
Overnight: Mercure hotel, Johannesburg (1 night) (B)

Day 16 (MON): Johannesburg / Mauritius
After our exciting experience at Victoria Falls, we bid farewell to mainland African continent and take a flight to the enchanting Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Upon arrival at the Mauritius we are warmly received and transferred to our resort hotel.
Overnight: Palmeraie Hotel – Sea View Room (3 nights) (D)

Day 17 (TUE): Mauritius
The next two days is free to enjoy the beautiful silver sand beaches of this island which also offers a rich culture from their French, Indian and British past. (B, D)

Day 18 (WED): Mauritius
Another day at Mauritius to relax and explore the island.
(B, D)

Day 19 (THU): Mauritius / North America
Our journey of three continents comes to an end as we are transferred to the airport for our flight back home. (B)

Day 20 (FRI): North America
Arrival home.

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Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Feb 03, Apr 06, May 18, Jul 27*, Oct 05, Nov 30 & Dec 21**

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotel accommodation as per itinerary (or similar category) International air (see Note below) Meals as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Visa fees & Insurance All game drives with English speaking guide/driver Tips and gratuities Services of English speaking local guide / driver throughout the tour   Road taxes, park fees, drivers overnight wages

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement 2008 US $ 5580 • CA $ 5580 US $ 785 • CA $ 785 * For West Coast departures add US/CA $200 per person **High Season Surcharge add US/CA $400 (Dec 21, 2008)

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is not included in this tour

NOTE: International airfares range from ex Coast to UAE, Tanzania, VFA & Mauritius at $2000 plus taxes (approx $350)

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 06 participants.

Notes

If you are using your own international air passage for the whole journey please deduct $1800

Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.