This is fast becoming one of the most popular combinations of game viewing areas in Africa, but how often has someone stopped to explain just why these two make such a great pair…?

There are any number of reasons that may apply to you to make this the right or wrong combination for your trip to Africa, below we have tried to highlight just a few things that we think make these two safari destinations perfect for so many people. Get in touch with us to talk about your perfect safari.

Access

Both areas are easily accessible by air from Dar es Salaam, itself an easy international hub to travel through. Light aircraft flights fly between the two several times a day, also connecting these two fantastic safari destinations with the iconic Zanzibar Island. The cost and duration of the light aircraft flights makes travelling to one or both of these areas a great option for everyone.

Varied habitats

The difference in these two areas is simply incredible, one of my favourite things about this combination is the contrast in the scenery and the interest that this offers in spending the time visiting both. The Selous is a fairly unique safari destination, with palm fringed oxbow lakes it is not the picture that comes to mind when imagining your safari, this contrasts with the scenery and habitat of Ruaha which has a mix of small copses and open plains cut through by the Ruaha River.

Remote wilderness

Now, if you know us then you know that the two words above are something that we long to be able to use to describe each and every safari that we arrange. There is something so special about the feeling of being in the wilderness in Africa, something that reaches into that part of the brain that we turned off many generations ago.

The Selous is becoming a more popular destination now than when I first visited, partly because of the ease and cost of getting here and partly because the secret of how much fun of it got out. That said, there are some great areas that will still give you that feeling of exploring Africa.

Ruaha is currently my favourite place in Tanzania and if there weren’t always new camps and new areas to go and visit I would happily come back here on every safari trip. The game viewing is great and there are very few camps within the National Park.

Guides

The guiding in southern Tanzania is also some of the best that we have come across in the country, the guides know their habitat and the wildlife contained with in it like the backs of their hands, it is also the spiritual home of the walking safari in Tanzania.

Without exception the camps that we use in these areas offer incredible guides, some also offer the opportunity to have a private guide and driver which is of particular interest for those keen on specific subjects or for photographers that might want as much flexibility in their schedule as possible.

Camps

The camps in this southern part of Tanzania are just about perfect, they are all small and very well run and there is an option for most from the rustic charm of our favourite tented camps Kigelia and Kwihala in Ruaha to a more luxurious feel at Siwandu and Sand Rivers in the Selous.

The standard of accommodation is simply fantastic with attentive and experienced managers and staff that are some of the best in the industry.

Everything that we do is tailor made and we aim to make every itinerary specific to what it is that you are looking to see, do and get from your time in Africa. If you are thinking of a trip to this amazing continent then get in touch for a chat about what it is that will suit you best. We pride ourselves on our relationships with both our suppliers in Africa and our clients and it is these relationships that allow us to create such amazing experiences.

In summary the mix of walking, game driving and boating in the Selous’ fascinating habitat and the walking and game diving in the incredibly wild and remote Ruaha make them the most amazing combination no matter if this is your first or your fiftieth safari.