In the south of Tanzania lie some of the most untouched game reserves in Africa. Remote and wild, the Selous is the largest game reserve in Africa. The Rufiji River flows through the reserve attracting great herds of Tanzania elephant and also has a wide variety of other animals including lion, wild dog and crocodiles, while Mikumi and Ruaha, due to their relative accessibility, are Africa’s comfortable Safari destinations, that today's traveler expects.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Dar es Salaam
Arrive at Dar es Salaam International Airport and meet our guide who will help with the transfer to the City of Dar es Salaam for overnight stay. Overnight: Holiday Inn, Dar es Salaam. (1 night)
Day 2: Dar es Salaam / Selous Game Reserve (drive)
After an early breakfast and a short Safari briefing by our guide about day-to- day activities, we depart from Dar es Salaam for Selous Game Reserve. The Reserve is 255 km South of DAR (approx. 04 hours drive on a 4X4 Vehicle). Our route to Selous Game Reserve crosses through various Southern coastal Villages and Coconut farms, all glimpses of Tanzanian rural life.
We’ll arrive to Selous and at Rufiji River Camp early afternoon. After our check-in, we go for a game drive till dinnertime. We enter Africa's largest protected area, uninhabited by man, where Tanzania's greatest population of elephants wander in an area four times bigger than Serengeti.
The Selous is considered important enough to be World Heritage Site, in which we are among the lucky few who can experience a safari in an absolutely wild and unspoiled bush. The park varies from rolling grassy woodlands and plains, to rocky outcrops cut by the Rufiji River - the lifeblood of the park, whose tributaries form a network of lakes, lagoons and channels.
Volcanic hot springs even burst forth in places. The Rufiji offers a superb method of game viewing especially during the dry season when animals congregate. Overnight: Rufiji River Camp, Selous. (3 nights) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Selous Game Reserve
After Breakfast at River Camp, we go for a morning boat safari along the mighty Rufiji River. The most sublime way of exploring the reserve is by boat, meandering through channels and swamps, and exploring hidden lagoons where elephant often come to bathe. Angling in the river for tiger fish and the giant catfish (vundu), which can reach up to 50kg, can be an exciting way to pass a morning, keeping a wary eye open for crocodiles, hippo and lion.
After lunch we go for an afternoon day-game view drive at Selous Game Reserve. The Selous boasts one of the world's largest populations of elephant, and some of the last remaining Black Rhino. In addition to this, there are also Wildebeest, Giraffe, Lichtenstein's Hartebeest, Sable Antelope, Greater Kudu, Eland, Lion and Leopard to be seen. Hot volcanic springs and more than 350 birds and 2,000 plant species add to this sanctuary's varied attractions. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Selous Game Reserve
Today, after breakfast, we’ll have the choice of a Walking Safari or another Game drive safari on the 4X4 vehicle. Walking is permitted in the Reserve, accompanied by armed rangers, and there is no experience more exciting than encountering truly wild animals at close quarters on foot. After Lunch we continue with another Game drive. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Selous Game Reserve / Mikumi National Park (drive)
After an early breakfast, we’ll drive this morning to Mikumi National Park. The drive is approx 05 hours and en-route will focus again on game viewing. Throughout this scenic nature drive, will cross by Uluguru Mountain and follow the road to our base at Mikumi National Park for overnight stay.
While the Selous is a vast, often-uncharted wilderness, Mikumi is relatively civilized, with its easy access via national transport grids. But most of Mikumi is well away from the main roads and rail line, and is still wild Africa. Much of the park consists of open plains and flood plains of the Mkata River, with swamps and wetlands a constant feature.
Enclosed on three sides by hills and mountains, Mikumi is a gem worth the visit, and has all the major mammals that are found in the Selous. Overnight: Vuma Hill Tented Camp, Mikumi. (1 night) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Mikumi National Park / Ruaha National Park (drive)
After Breakfast at Vuma Hill Tented Camp we slowly travel to Ruaha National Park, while having a 6 hours scenic drive through Kitonga Mountains, Southern Highland Town of Iringa, watching nature and wildlife, arriving in the afternoon at Ruaha National Park. We’ll check in first at Tandala Safari Camp, and if time permitting, take a short game drive at Ruaha National Park.
Second only to Katavi in its aura of untrammeled wilderness, but far more accessible, Ruaha protects a vast tract of the rugged, semi-arid bush country that characterizes central Tanzania. Its lifeblood is the Great Ruaha River, which courses along the eastern boundary.
A fine network of game-viewing roads follows the Great Ruaha and its seasonal tributaries, where, during the dry season, impala, waterbuck and other antelope risk their life for a sip of life-sustaining water. And the risk is considerable: not only from the prides of 20-plus lion that lord over the Savannah, but also from the cheetahs that stalk the open grassland and the leopards.
This impressive array of large predators is boosted by both, striped and spotted hyena, as well as the highly endangered African wild dog. Walking Safari and Night Safari in Ruaha is available tonight (optional & extra). Overnight: Tandala Safari Camp. (3 nights) (Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Ruaha National Park
Will start in the morning our full-day game drive in Ruaha National Park and go in search of elephants and buffalo, with a very good chance of seeing the rare and beautiful wild dog, a day to experience an old style safari away from the crowds in an area that has remained unchanged for centuries.
We’ll have a picnic lunch and will only return at dinnertime to our Tandala Safari Camp. Night Game drive and Walking Night Safari will be again available for adventurers. (Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Ruaha National Park
Another exciting day spent in the Park. This ancient land holds many secrets and hides many animals in its undergrowth. Their cover is blown during the dry season (May to December), when the foliage dies down and animals become easier to see. Twice a year in March/April and October/November, Eurasian migrating birds arrive to boost the already high numbers of exotic and colorful species in this park. (Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Ruaha National Park / Mikumi National Park (drive)
We drive back this morning to Mikumi National Park, hours of exotic drive through Kitonga Mountains, Southern Highland Town of Iringa and various colorful African Villages. After we arrive at our camp, we go for an afternoon game drive at Mikumi National Park. Overnight: Vuma Hill Tented Camp. (1 night) (Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Mikumi National Park / Dar es Salaam (drive)
After a leisurely breakfast at the Camp, we bid farewell to this unspoiled wilderness and around midday we drive back to Dar es Salaam. We will drive through local African Villages, like Challinze - famous for pineapple plantation, and Kibaha – with a farm known for its Chestnuts Plantation, arriving in the evening to Dar es Salaam. After dinner we’re taken to the Airport for our onward journey. (Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner)
Price includes:
- Hotels / Lodges / Luxury Canvas Tented Camps, as per itinerary
- Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- All transfers and sightseeing by AC cars or minivan
- All game drives and transfers by jeeps (all window seats & pop-up roofs)
- Road taxes, parking fees, drivers overnight wages
- Services of local English-speaking professional Safari drivers & guides
- Entrance fees at all Parks and Sites
Price does not include:
- Any airport taxes
- International flight tickets
- Visa fees
- Insurance (trip cancellation & medical insurances are recommended)
- Drinks / beverages with meals
- Tips / gratuities or other such costs
- Personal expenses (phone or laundry bills)
- Optional walking tours
Tour highlights
- Selous Game Reserve (WHS)
- Mikumi National Park
- Ruaha National Park
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour prices for 2008
USD: 3,075.00 / CAD: 3,230.00 - per person in double occupancy
Single supplement, USD: 730.00 / CAD: 770.00
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Tanzania
Wildlife Viewing
National Parks
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