Your trip begins in Dar es Salaam, the hot and busy capital of Tanzania, and is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). You will be greeted at the tarmac (airside) by your attending Private Concierge and taken by car to your boutique hotel on the Msasani Peninsula. Dar es Salaam is unique in that it is a combination of African, Arab, and Indian heritages. You can take the time to sit and unwind by the ocean, but if there is some time, you may check out the National Museum and the Tingatinga Arts Cooperative, which exhibit a local vibrant style of painting. This evening you will have a relaxing seafood dinner that looks at the Indian Ocean as you get ready to rise early in the morning.
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The Oyster Bay Hotel
Sea Cliff Hotel
Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam
Begin with your first 3-day trip to the river. The wilderness begins at sunrise, so you will want to grab breakfast early, as you have a drive to the domestic airport for a flight to the Rufiji, a river in the National Park. The flight takes a total of 45 minutes, so you will have a beautiful view of the endless Rufiji river, and all the lakes and channels that are created.
As soon as you get off the airplane and land at Mtemere or Siwandu Airstrip, your guide will be waiting for you. Nyerere National Park is surrounded and defined by water. Initially, travel by boat for your first safari. The boat is able to get you close to the shoreline and wildlife. You will be able to see Elephants crossing the water, Nile Crocodiles laying on the rocks by the river, and you will see Carmine Bee Eaters nesting on the cliffs near the river. You will be in Nyerere for two additional days after your boat safari, and now it is time to put together your own safari. You will have 4 activities to choose from, a morning and afternoon safari, and then you will get to choose a walking and game safari. For your morning walking safari you will be accompanied by a ranger. You will get to leave the vehicle behind and track wildlife on foot. You will be able to see and learn about the medicinal plants here. The guide will analyze the spoor or tracks and you will get to see the thrill of a close wildlife encounter, like a giraffe or a zebra, without the barrier of a car like on a regular safari. Drives you will get to explore the plains and the woodlands of Nyerere National Park. This park has a high density of lions and there are spots of viewing areas to watch as wild dogs hunt in packs. This is one of the main reasons as to why Nyerere National Park is one of the best places to see wild dogs.
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Siwandu Camp
Sand Rivers Selous
Roho ya Selous
Flight to the Rugged West Transitioning from Nyerere to Ruaha national park by light aircraft takes 1-2 hours. During the flight, the landscape changes from the Rufiji wetlands to the deep red earth of Ruaha National Park.
Giants & Baobabs Ruaha is one of Tanzania's most stunning national parks. It is most well known for having one of the largest population of elephants in East Africa, along with stunning views of ancient Baobab trees and rocky kopjes. The Great Ruaha River is the most important water source in the area, and during the dry season it is reduced to several small pools and causes the predators and prey in the area to gather in one location.
Lion vs. Buffalo Ruaha is well known for the spectacular interactions of predators and prey in the region. It has one of the worlds largest “super-prides” of lions, consisting of over 20 individuals, that have been known to specialize in the hunting of adult Cape Buffalo and Giraffes. You will take part in several game drives in search of the park’s emblem: the Greater Kudu with its impressive, spiraled horns. Bring your binoculars to search for the park’s elusive leopard, often found hidden in the leaves along the river.
Night Game Drives The Northern Parks don’t allow night drives with spotlights, but we do in Ruaha for those select camps. On these drives, we hope to search for an Aardwolf, Civet, Serval, Lesser Galago aka Bushbaby, and other nocturnal wildlife.
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Jabali Ridge
Ikuka Safari Camp
Kwihala Camp
Last Ruaha bush breakfast or game drive and sunrise amongst the Ebenezer and other Baobabs, which makes for a brilliant day’s start. The light filtering through the trees is exquisite, one for the photographers and others just to remember the moment. Your next leg is to the coast by air and you’ll have the choice of landing in Dar Es Salaam for your International flights or Zanzibar, for a beach holiday extension.
Note: There is usually a stop at Mikumi or Selous, which also gives you a chance for a passing safari from the air.
Evening Leisure On arrival in Dar Es Salaam, a day room or overnight hotel will be organized for you, depending on your flight. We’ll have planned a dinner to reflect on the journey, let the unvisited southern circuit play in your mind and enjoy the vast silence.
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• (Same as Day 1 or Day Room at Airport Hotel)
To say 'much' is to say Goodbye, and to say 'much' is to say Farewell. Your personal driver will take you to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) to board your flight back home. You will be departing with the dust of Ruaha on your boots and the memory of the Rufiji sunset etched in your mind. You have experienced the true essence of wilderness.
