Finding a coach that provides excellent road manners, and enough living and storage space for comfortable extended traveling is not always the easiest bill to fill. Add competitive pricing to the equation and the field narrows. We found the answer, and more, in the all-new Safari Zanzibar. Beautifully and elegantly appointed, the Zanzibar’s exterior styling drew attention wherever we traveled. From the stylish burgundy red accent stripes to the optional rear mural, it is clear this is a coach that is designed with a flair for class. The folks at Safari allowed my wife and me to take our test model (pictured on the cover of this issue just prior to departing the Coburg facility) to the Oregon Coast for a couple of days.
Living Space
Stepping up into the front entry of our test coach, the Zanzibar (model 3906) generates a feeling of spacious livability (and the front slide was not even extended). Once we extended both the front and bedroom slides, the open space created—together with a well thought-out floorplan—made this coach feel much larger than the 39-foot actual size. Walking past the pilot’s and co-pilot’s areas, we found ourselves surrounded by warm, coordinated earth tones, which brought upholstery, carpet, window treatments and wall coverings together with just the right accents to make the living space relaxing, inviting and luxurious.
"If you are in search of a coach..., Safari Zanzibar could be just for you."
Lighting from overhead, wall sconce, and indirect soffit treatments creates a mood for all occasions. The placement of the end tables, combined with the flexibility that the optional UltraLeather Euro-Recliner with Ottoman, offers the ability to create settings for both conversation and enjoyment of the 20" RCA color television. Changing living arrangements is a breeze: We found that the ottoman can also double as a footrest for the co-pilot when traveling. The sofa offers the traditional extra bed for overnight guests, and even with the bed made up, there is still plenty of room to walk around.
The well-lit galley seems to have more counter space than most condos, thanks to the “L” shaped kitchen and the flip-up counter extension on the stove side of the counter. Genovese solid surface countertops, with an integrated sink and the ever-popular three burner cook top and Sharp Carousel microwave/convection oven, invite even the most discerning chefs to engage in their favorite culinary preparation. Clean-up is easy and quick; just wipe down, and since the countertop slops into the double sink; spills reaching the optional Pergo flooring are rare.
"Lighting from overhead, wall sconce, and indirect soffit treatments creates a mood for all occasions."
Our test coach featured the optional Dometic 12-cubic foot refrigerator with icemaker so we were never lacking for space to store our favorite ingredients and beverages. The standard oak cabinetry makes excellent use of the space available, while providing a finished look to the galley area. The drawers and cupboards are full length, so no space is wasted.
Just to the rear of the galley is the entrance to the spacious private bath area. We like having a separate room for the water closet. This not only provides privacy while in use, but also allows full attention to the open feeling created by the optional garden tub and skylight. With sliding partitions at the galley and bedroom we could make this space as private or open as we desired.
With the optional Splendid washer/dryer combination installed, the bath area also doubles as a laundry room, centrally located within the coach yet out-of-the-way from day-to-day living. The linen cabinet and extra coat closet add just the right touch.
The optional slide in the master suite affords a full wall of dressing/wardrobe/entertainment area beautifully built from rich oak cabinetry. The same warm decor, and plush carpeting found in the living area adorns the bedroom. Picture sized windows bring an open feel to an already spacious area. Our coach featured the traditional full-length mirrored master closet to the rear of the queen-size bed with overhead soffit/storage area. The bedroom lighting offers both functional and mood-setting options, along with two strategically placed reading lamps for evening reading enjoyment.
Driving Impressions
We spent several days driving the scenic Oregon coast from Florence to Tillamook, then headed east to Salem to visit central Oregon’s famed wine country. We found the Zanzibar’s cockpit to be thoughtfully arranged. We liked the white background of the instrumentation, which gave excellent contrast for viewing during day and night driving conditions. The six-way UltraLeather chair made a comfortable platform from which to conduct the day’s driving activities. All of the controls (climate, radio, lights, etc.) are placed within easy reach of the driver, and once their locations are committed to memory, it is not necessary to take your eyes from the road to adjust them. If your co-pilot is in the habit of tuning the radio or adjusting the climate while underway, this may pose a situation that requires compromise. Visibility is excellent through the large split windshield and we found the wipers to clear an exceptionally large area during one of Oregon’s many winter showers. The lighting for forward visibility is adequate and we really liked the backup lamps, which proved handy when backing into a costal campground just after nightfall. The Zanzibar’s backup monitor is located just above the driver’s head to the front, a little out of the “normal line of sight” than we would like to see, but still very usable for viewing what’s behind when backing, and checking for proper clearance when passing on the highway.
The first impression is almost always the lasting impression. So it was with the optional Caterpillar C12 twelve liter turbo diesel engine. Rated at 455 hp and 1550 lbs. ft. of torque, our 39-foot, this engine moved the 31,000 lb. GVWR Zanzibar with all the agility and acceleration of a coach much lighter and smaller in size. The authoritative sound, coupled with a familiar sinking feeling in the small of the back that pushes you deeper into the plush captain’s chair, provides all of the right elements for a positive driving experience. The smooth and seamless shifts are compliments of the Allison 4000 MH transmission. We found merging onto interstates and passing did not require long term planning. Negotiating the twisting and turning coastal routes proved no challenge for the Goodrich Second Generation Velvet Ride Suspension and the Magnum Chassis. Equipped with an optional Jacobs brake, the two settings (one for normal and the other for more aggressive braking requirements) suited most driving conditions. The four wheel ABS disc brakes and electronic controls which automatically downshift the Allison transmission provide a sense of confidence that makes driving a rig of this size a pleasure rather than a challenge.
"The Zanzibar shows all the signs os a coach that has been carefully engineered."
The turning radius of our Zanzibar gave the impression and confidence usually inspired by much smaller coaches. We took the coach on our daily excursions and found parking it at most of the popular tourist attractions to be an easy, stress-free exercise.
If it sounds as though the Safari Zanzibar is fun to drive – in short, it is.
Service
The Zanzibar shows all the signs of a coach that has been carefully engineered. Not just for living and driving pleasure, but also maintaining the investment easily. The right rear (passenger side) compartment houses all of the engine specific maintenance components. Oil level, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter and air filter element condition are all easily accessed in one location. From the rear engine compartment door coolant level and belt inspections can be made.
"Negotiating the... coastal routes proved no challenge for the Goodrich Second Generation Velvet Ride Suspension..."
Moving forward, the driver’s side front compartment houses all of the coach’s electrical circuitry. We found all of the circuits and wires clearly labeled and routed in parallel paths making them simple to identify. The panel schedule posted on the compartment door was found to match, providing a double layer of insurance for finding the proper circuit in the unlikely event of a failure.
The optional 7.5 KW Onan diesel generator is located on slides, which extends the generator out the front of the coach. We found the slide a breeze to open and close, making day-to-day required inspections of the generator a simple task. In addition to oil level, the generator’s cooling system can be inspected too. The periodic maintenance items—oil and filter changes, spark arrestor maintenance, fuel filter changes, air filter changes and cooling system flushes—are made without undo complication.
Storage and Capacities
The balance of the space under the coach is provided for storage. One word comes to mind... cavernous. It is safe to say that we would be likely to exceed the Zanzibar’s gross vehicle weight rating of 31,000 lbs. before we ever filled all of the space available. There is plenty of room for large odd sized objects – float tubes, bicycles, mother-in-law, and fishing rods.
We found the 100-gallon fresh water supply, along with 55-gallon black and 55-gallon gray water holding tanks, to suit most needs for dry camping situations for several days. The 40-gallon LP supply provided plenty of fuel for cooking, refrigeration and hot water as well. With a little over 100-gallons of fuel on board we wanted to stop for rest and stretching long before the need to refuel. We found our test Zanzibar obtaining just over 8-mile per gallon unloaded with the Cat needing at lease another 10,000 mile to obtain break-in status.
Overnight
Setting up and leveling the coach became an operation that averaged less that 10 minutes. With slides extended, leveling jacks down and shore power (the 50 amp cord is one of the most flexible we ever used) or generator power from the optional 7.5 Onan, we were set for a relaxing evening. The light switches, water pump, thermostats and systems monitors are all placed in convenient locations. Having the ability to control climate from both the bedroom and living area proved a big plus.
Breaking camp is just a matter of following the inverse procedure. Electing to dump our wastewater before hitting the road (no sense caring extra weight), we checked out the water management bay. More coaches should follow the standard that Safari has established. In addition to the usual fresh water fill, black and gray water dump, black tank flush, and hot and cold-water rinse, is a clearly labeled manifold of each of the Zanzibar’s hot and cold-water circuits. Each of the circuits has its own shut-off valve. This allows the coach owner to isolate each circuit individually to identify a leak in the water system. It also provides the ability to shut off the leaking circuit while still providing service to the rest of the coach.
Recap
If you are in search of a coach which offers good road manners, excellent power, ease of maintenance, and is fun to drive, with comfortable and spacious livability and tons of storage space, wrapped in a stylish package, Safari Zanzibar could be just for you.
Scott Dalgleish is a freelance journalist who has enjoyed the Western outdoors and RV lifestyle for over 40 years. He is a contributor to Motorhome magazine and for the past six years Scott has been working closely with Dodge and Cummins in areas of new product development and customer relations. Scott and his wife Debra are the owners of a Monaco Coach Corporation product. |
