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Southern Tanzania Safari

			DAYS: 10 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $4350 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Ruaha National Park Mikumi National Park Selous Game Reserve ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges Deluxe Camp MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Travel in the Adventurous South, where game drives are in open vehicles, and walking safaris are escorted by expert naturalists. Less well-known than their Northern neighbors, the parks of Southern Tanzania are uncrowded, making for exciting and exclusive game viewing. Our expert guides look for area wildlife including elephants, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, cheetah, and lions, as well as wildlife unique to this part of Tanzania such as Greater and Lesser kudu.

DAY 1 :  ARRIVAL
Arrive into Dar Es Salaam where you will be met after passing through customs. Transfer to overnight at the Southern Sun or similar. [Meals on your own]

DAYS 2-3 :  MIKUMI
Return to the airport this morning for your shared charter flight to Mikumi National Park. On the Northern end of the Selous Game Reserve, the central feature of Mikumi is the Mkata flood plain, whose lush pastures attract wildlife from the surrounding hills, concentrating game, and making for easy game viewing. In addition to more common species such as wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, and giraffe, this is a great place to look for the powerful eland or watch lions resting in the shade. Overnight at Foxes Safari Camp, set on a rocky outcrop looking over the Mkata floodplain with 360 degree panoramic game viewing from the restaurant and bar. With only 8 permanent tents you get personal service, a great bush atmosphere, and local wildlife often wandering through camp. Each spacious tent has electricity and an ensuite bath with hot and cold running water. Overnights at Foxes Safari Camp. [BLD]

DAYS 4-6 :  RUAHA RIVER LODGE
After a last drive in Mikumi you will take a small aircraft flight to Ruaha National Park. Considered one of the undiscovered wildernesses of East Africa, Ruaha fans out from the Ruaha River, the lifeline of the park. With a varied topography including rocky kopjes, baobabs, and grassland plains, these lands are home to species not found in northern Tanzania parks including the Greater and Lesser Kudu, sable, and roan. Take open vehicle game drives with other guests and guides from the lodge looking for leopard, lion, buffalo, impala, warthog, and cheetah. Watch for elephants passing through camp and listen to hippos grunting in the Ruaha River. Walking safaris in Ruaha are also offered, depending on the availability of armed park rangers who escort the group. Overnights at Ruaha River Lodge, occupying a unique and privileged position set around a series of rocky kopjes in a bend of the Great Ruaha River. Game is drawn to the river from the neighboring hills and visitors can witness the great wildlife dramas unfold from the comfort and protection of their natural stone and thatch 'banda'. Each of the 28 bandas is a small self contained cottage, with hot water, ensuite bath, and a verandah. The Lodge is hosted by Peter and Sarah Fox who after a couple of decades living in Ruaha have an unparalleled knowledge of the park. Overnight 3 nights at Ruaha River Lodge. [BLD]

DAYS 7-9 :  SELOUS GAME RESERVE
Meet your small aircraft today for the flight to Selous. The biggest game reserve in Africa, the Selous Game Reserve is home to the largest populations of Cape buffalo and elephant on the planet and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. Seasonal flooding along the Rufiji River creates oxbow lakes where animals come to drink during the dry season. Resident wildlife includes elephants, wildebeest, zebra, giraffes, waterbuck, lions, and wild dogs. Take a cruise along the river looking for hippos and crocodiles, walk with a naturalist guide, and enjoy open vehicle game drives. Overnight in one of twenty safari tents overlooking the river at Rufiji River Camp. Each tent has a solid-walled bathroom at the back with running hot and cold water. Sit on your porch and watch hippos in the river below, or other animals as they come to drink. Overnight for 3 nights at Rufiji River Camp. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  DEPARTURE
Fly from Selous to Dar Es Salaam today where you visit the Slipway to pass the time before your evening flight home. The Slipway is a recreational area with bars, shops, and restaurants; a great place to shop for souvenirs before your flight. Transfer this evening to the Dar Es Salaam international airport for your departing flight. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Julia Nesbitt 1(800)345-4453