Duration: 7 Nights
When: June to November
Snapshot: A great itinerary covering two vastly different wildlife areas both offering a variety of activities including walking and fly camping, two of the most enjoyable things that you can do in Africa.
This itinerary is available using a number of different camps and ranges from markedly cheaper than the itinerary below to slightly more expensive, this just happens to be one of our favourites.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Selous Game Reserve
Welcome To Dar es Salaam! From the international terminal, you will take a transfer to the domestic terminal to catch your flight to the Selous Game Reserve. You will arrive at Siwandu airstrip. Here you will be met by our driver guide and taken back on a short safari to Siwandu in time for lunch. You will spend the first 3 nights of your safari at this fantastic luxury camp.
Day 2 to 3 – Selous Game Reserve
An early morning tea or coffee will be served in your luxury tent before breakfast and heading out, with a choice of the following activities:
By boat, either by following the course of the mighty Rufiji River or exploring Lake Nzerakera; weave amongst the pods of hippo and crocodile lining the bank and observe game coming down to drink.
Or
Start the day earlier on a game walk, heading out on Selous’ most privileged of experiences. Accompanied by our experienced guide and an armed ranger, walk out into Africa’s largest wilderness, learn about the complex eco-system that it embraces, encounter the thrills and be enthralled at the wonder of being at the heart of nature.
Or
Explore the game in the surrounding areas, from your seat on an open-sided vehicle, a comfortable and privileged journey through the wild African bush. You can expect to see any of the major African mammals, including elephant, giraffes, lions, leopard and even the rare African Wild Dog.
Return to camp for a splendid lunch, then a difficult decision between a siesta or a dip in the swimming pool whilst waiting for the heat of the day to subside. Mid afternoon meet for a cup of tea or cooling lemonade and scrumptious cakes under the Jackel Berry tree, and then move onto your second safari of the day – slowly meandering along the Rufiji River or perhaps tracking a leopard and her cub through the woodland.
Day 4 – Ruaha National Park
Depart Siwandu after breakfast for your flight to Ruaha National Park. The scheduled flight departs Siwandu airstrip at 09h30 and lands in Ruaha at 11h30 – there might be some stops in between – you will get off at Jongomero airstrip. On arrival you will be met by one of the guides and driven the short distance to Jongomero, in time for a traditional safari communal lunch. The next 4 nights you will stay in this wonderfully remote location.
Day 5 to 7 – Ruaha National Park
Wake up to early morning tea or coffee in your luxury tent and look forward to another wonderful day exploring Ruaha National Park. Jongomero is situated far to the South of the park and it feels like we have all of Africa to ourselves as we roam the riverine areas and hills. Birding is quite spectacular, with the park boasting some 500 different species of birds, including the Ruaha Red-billed hornbill which is unique to the park. Ruaha is an ecological convergence for Northern and Southern species of mammal and is also one of the few areas where Greater and Lesser Kudu can be seen. Game drives in Ruaha are unique and cater for the safari connoisseur, and with the bush luxury of Jongomero as our base, we can enjoy a most exclusive and rewarding safari experience. Dawn game walks are an absolute must; experience the warmth of the African sun warming your back as you navigate the dry river beds and listen to your expert guide tell you fascinating and often bizarre stories of the local flora, fauna, insects, birds and animals.
Day 8
Today you will fly back to Dar es Salaam for your onward arrangements, either head home or maybe for some relaxation on the beach.
Details
All pricing is given as a guideline, as all our itineraries are tailor made actual costs will depend on dates, passengers and exchange rates as well as any alterations to the itinerary.
Inclusions: Internal flights and transfers, full board accommodation, house wines, beers and spirits.
Exclusions: International flights
POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS
- Zanzibar – Why not treat yourself to a few days relaxation before heading back to the real world…with a number of great options, if you have the time then a few days of down time is the perfect way to end this itinerary.
- Stone Town – This historic little town was once the capital city of Oman, it was the centre of the African slave trade and was also the staging post for many of the great explorations of Africas interior.
- More safari…. – If you are looking for a longer itinerary you could combine this great itinerary with a walking safari in Ruaha, Northern Tanzania or the more remote Western Tanzania.