Into the Wilderness: Discover Southern Tanzania's Safari Gems in 12 Nights

DAY 1: ARRIVAL TANZANIA

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) you will be met and transferred to Arusha city to recover from your journey and, if you’re lucky, to catch a glimpse of the spectacular Kilimanjaro which rises from the clouds above town.

Overnight Dar es Salaam

DAYS 2 & 3: SELOUS GAME RESERVE

You will be collected from your hotel early this morning to drive the approximately 5 hours to Selous, arriving in time for lunch. Dotted with palm trees and crisscrossed by the channels of the Rufiji River, Selous is as unique as it is vast. Spanning an area larger than Switzerland, the reserve is home to one of the most significant concentrations of elephants and lions on the continent. It has an exceptionally high variety of habitats including woodland, grassland, and swamps, however, only 5% of its area, north of the river, is open to safari-goers. This still leaves plenty of territories to explore. You will experience the wonders of the bushveld on foot, by vehicle, and on a river cruise. Spend nights out in the wild, sleeping in intimate fly-camps, savouring meals cooked over the hot coals, and sleeping with a canopy of stars for a roof.

Overnight Selous

DAY 5: IFAKARA

After breakfast, depart for your onwards journey to Ifakara, taking around 5 hours. Arrive in the early afternoon, where you will find your canoe ready and waiting. Sit back and relax as you are punted upstream with a long pole. It’s likely you’ll see hippos, crocodiles, Nile monitor lizards and many birds, including the endemic Kilombero Weaver and if you’re really lucky, a shoebill. Spend a long afternoon out boating, enjoying your picnic lunch on a sandbank. In the late evening, drive to your lodge.

Overnight Udzungwa Mountains

DAY 6: UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Today will be spent stretching your legs on a hike through the beautiful forests and landscapes of Udzungwa. Accompanied by a professional guide, on the trail you will learn about various trees used for traditional healing and see and hear a wide variety of different birds. At the top, you will be rewarded with an amazing view of the Sanje Waterfalls. From the top of the waterfalls look out over the enormous Kilombero Sugarcane Valley, one of Tanzania’s biggest sugarcane plantations. Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a magnet for hikers, with an excellent network of forest trails for you to explore.

Overnight Udzungwa

DAYS 7, 8 & 9: RUAHA NATIONAL PARK

The journey from Udzungwa to Ruaha National Park this morning, where you will spend the next few days. Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in the country, even bigger than Serengeti. Magnificent mammals such as greater and lesser kudu can be spotted here. The park has a high diversity of plants and animals including elephants, buffalos, antelopes, and some rare and endangered species such as wild dogs. A birders paradise, over 570 species of birds can be found here. Experience the wonders of the bush both on foot and by a vehicle on game drives.

Overnight Ruaha

DAYS 10 & 11: MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK

This morning you will travel from Ruaha to Mikumi with a cultural stop en route at the ‘Isimila Stone Age Historical Site’. This archaeological site yielded very important fossils that provided some enlightenment about the origins of mankind. Mikumi is known for its rich variety of bird species, as well as large numbers of giraffe, buffalo and elephants. You may be able to spot lions, leopards and African wild dogs. Likely to be seen animals include zebras, hippos, hartebeest, wildebeest, impala, warthog, eland and antelope. The Mkata river floodplain is an open expanse where you can easily spot a large number of animals, satisfying your thirst for wildlife before your journey draws to a close.

Overnight Mikumi

DAY 12: DAR ES SALAAM

After breakfast, depart for a short game drive in Mikumi, after which you’ll begin your drive back to Dar es Salaam, with a lunch break on the way. The drive takes approximately 5 to 6 hours and you’ll arrive at your hotel this evening for a hot shower and comfortable bed, before your journey tomorrow.

Overnight Dar es Salaam

DAY 13: DEPARTURE

Today you will be transferred back to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in time for your flight.