I have visited Zanzibar many times, the first time was in 1986. I have seen the island go from a deserted paradise to a tourist mecca. This visit was to find more suitable places for people staying at Mikadi to visit on the island. I have noticed that many of our visitors have had their Zanzibar experience ruined by poor advice and the many “beach boys” who operate in Zanzibar, receiving commissions from hotels that should be closed down in my opinion. The packages to Zanzibar I have put together are pegged at the budget backpacker market, but I am able to offer advice and book anything up to uber luxury level. I have had experience of handling high net worth individuals, celebrities and even Prime Ministers.

Having extensively explored the island and visited many hotels and guest houses, it is my personal favourites that I have included in the packages. These properties in my opinion are the best value for money, clean and well located. I have a favourite in Stone Town and Kizimikazi but you will have to ask me what they are as I am keeping them for only people who book and request them. Regrettably they do not fit the budget category but they are outstanding properties and good value for money.

My favourite beaches on the island are Kizimikazi and Jambiani I would say. The West Coast is normally better for swimming as the tide does not go so far out as on the East Coast.

One of the places I have been privileged to stay was Mnemba Island, which is one of Bill Gate’s favourite places to holiday. This is just off the North East Coast near Matemwe and for those wanting a true Robinson Crusoe island with exquisite food, comfort guaranteed and the budget to match!

The following packages have been put together by myself and I have identified more than one place in each area that I have inspected and negotiated the best rate for Mikadi clients. I only will tell you the hotel or guest house I have used once I have this confirmed as often, because the places are small that I have chosen they are full.

Nungwi

Some of the properties I use in Nungwi

(Package price based on two people sharing)

USD$200.00 per person

Package Includes:-

**2 nights accommodation in a beach banda at Mikadi Beach

**2 nights accommodation Nungwi room only

**1 nights accommodation Stone Town including breakfast

**Transfer Dar es Salaam Airport to Mikadi Beach

**Return Transfers Mikadi/Zanzibar Ferry/Mikadi by Tuk Tuk

**Return Zanzibar Ferry Tickets

**Return Transfer Zanzibar Ferry Terminal/Nungwi/Stone Town

**Meet & Greet Zanzibar Ferry Terminal

ITINERARY

Day 1 *Arrive Dar es Salaam airport & transfer Mikadi Beach

*Overnight Mikadi Beach

Day 2 *Transfer by Tuk Tuk to Zanzibar Ferry

*Zanzibar Ferry to Zanzibar

*Meet & Greet Zanzibar Ferry Terminal & Transfer to Nungwi

*Overnight Nungwi

Day 3 *At Leisure Nungwi optional diving/snorkelling

*Overnight Nungwi

Day 4 *Transfer Nungwi to Stone Town

*Overnight Stone Town

Day 5 *At Leisure Stone Town optional tours available

*Zanzibar Ferry to Dar es Salaam

*Meet & Greet Zanzibar Ferry Terminal & Transfer by Tuk Tuk to Mikadi Beach

*Overnight Mikadi Beach

Day 6 * Tour Ends other options within Tanzania available

Some pictures of properties I use in Jambiani

Same package but Jambiani Beach

USD$210.00 per person (two people sharing)

Mid Range Option USD$455.00 per person (two people sharing)
Luxury Option USD$895.00 per person (two people sharing)

If you would like to book the above packages or anything else, please contact Graham on e-mail: graham@mikadibeach.com

Hot Rock group with Burt

“Burt” in all his glory!

Rhonda (Tour Leader) and Henry (Driver) arrived with Burt (Red Scania Truck) and 15 crazy climbers! Hot Rock have travelled in an old Scania truck all the way from Amman in Jordan and will continue from Mikadi to Cape Town….wow what an adventure!

Tuk Tuk’s taking group to Zanzibar Ferry

Check out their website:

www.climbhotrock.com

Selous Game Reserve

I recently had the opportunity to visit Selous, staying just outside the National Park and going in through Mtemere Gate for a Full Day in the Selous. Selous, after Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, is my favourite place in Africa and never ceases to amaze me. Above & below I have posted some pictures I took, and as you can see it was quite a special day trip I had!

Lions sleeping

Lions “Jiggy Jiggy”

Painted Dogs

We have put together some super packages from Mikadi to the Selous and Zanzibar. Check out the Dar & Zanzibar tab for further information. Our Selous package is as follows:

4 people travelling together USD$340 per person

We often manage to find 4 people if not then its roughly and extra USD$100 per person for 2 people.

Package includes the following:

**Return transfers Mikadi/Selous/Mikadi (approx 6.5hrs) last 100kms is on a dirt road

**2 nights accommodation in rondavel (round hut with thatch roof) with bathroom ensuite

**All meals

**Boat cruise on Rufiji River

**Park Entry Fee (Usd$65 per person)

**Qualified guide

**Full day in Selous with picnic lunch

Package Excludes:

**Drinks

**Tips – the lodge has a Tip Box which is for all staff but to tip the guide seperately is normal if you have seen good game

SAFARI NJEMA!

If you would like to book the above package or require further information on Selous, Zanzibar or anywhere else, please feel free to contact me on the following email: graham@mikadibeach.com

We are two guys who are riding a motorcycle from Stockholm in Sweden to Cape Town in South Africa. On March 24th we leave Stockholm for five months traveling through 25 countries.

You can follow our adventures on our website:

www.gosouth.se

Having just been in Johannesburg I can honestly say I could feel the World Cup everywhere. The experience of being here whilst the games are on and seeing the passion for Bafana Bafana was incredible. The vuvuzela’s just added to the atmosphere, and hearing these the whole day when Bafana Bafana were playing from every corner of this country was spectacular.

The first game played against Mexico, from midday, every bridge crossing the main highway from the airport to the centre of Johannesburg was manned by school children blowing vuvuzela’s and waving South African flags to welcome international visitors and support Bafana Bafana. People from factories and offices all came outside to wave South African flags and blow vuvuzela’s, I have never seen such a sight…truly amazing.

Mikadi is showing all the World Cup games on our overhead projector in the bar/restaurant area.

Here are some pictures of around Oliver Tambo International Airport and the highway to Johannesburg central:

Chimhavira Overland Safaris are offering a fantastic 4×4 overland experience to South Africa via Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Please open the attached pdf file for detailed itinerary:

18-day-bwd-south-africa-zimbabwe-mozambique-tanzania

For further information email:  jlaing@chimhavira.com

Mikadi now has its own Bajaj or Tuk Tuk for use by our guests.

Rob electrical wiring prototype eco banda

Each banda has 4×40 watt solar panels and 4 batteries, inverter and regulator. The toilet is from South Africa and requires no water. The Enviro Loo is a waterless dehydration/evaporation toilet system and provides a safe non polluting, cost effective solution to the sanitation crisis.

The solar power will allow each banda to have a fan during the night and allow charging of laptops/cellphones during the day. The lighting is LED and the light inside the banda is suitable to read by.

14 motorcyclists set off from Kenya but one, due to injury (accident), had to fly back to Germany from Dar es Salaam. He is the one with a sling!

Motorcyclists setting off from Mikadi for Namibia

You can follow their adventures, if you understand German, on their website:
www.explo-tours.de/

Following a visit to Palma in Northern Mozambique we decided to check out the new Unity Bridge between Tanzania and Mozambique. The above picture was taken from the Mozambique side of the Rovuma River. As you can see the bridge is quite impressive with the elephant tusks (copied from Mombasa of course!).

Palma Ferry Crossing – Mozambique

After visiting the bridge we stayed in Kilwa preparing ourselves for the road works the next day to Dar es Salaam. Reports of people being stuck due the rains and even robbed overnight were filtering to us from Mtwara to Kilwa.

Next day we set off early for Dar and soon encountered the road works! Due to a couple of bridges being washed away it was quite an adventure, as Belinda (my Landrover 90), was one of few vehicles able to get through that day.