6-Day The Ultimate Escape of southern Tanzania NP

We pick you up from your hotel in the morning and embark on your blissful journey to Nyerere National Park. Now the largest national park in Africa, Nyerere National Park is one of the most beautiful and game-rich areas in the ecosystem of Selous Game Reserve, spanning the Rufiji River basin in southeastern Tanzania. The Rufiji River is Nyerere National Park's striking feature, providing an excellent natural setting for boat safaris. It is one of the few places in Africa where it's possible to view wildlife and birdlife from the water. During a boat safari, there is a great chance of spotting hippos, crocodiles and a variety of bird species such as the African fish eagle, malachite kingfisher, goliath heron, African skimmer and Boehm's bee-eater. Monkeys (blue monkey, savannah baboon and black-and-white colobus monkey) are often spotted in the trees along the banks of the river, as are Nile monitor lizards. Dinner and overnight are at the lodge.

Today, you can have a morning and afternoon game drive or head out to the reserve for a full-day game excursion with a packed picnic lunch to be taken at Tagalala (the heart of Nyerere) while exploring the hot spring. Return in the evening for dinner and overnight at the lodge.

After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and depart for Mikumi National Park with a packed lunch, or you can arrive in time for lunch. Then, go on an afternoon game drive in the park. Mikumi National Park is filled with lots of wildlife diversity and offers a thrilling experience. Dinner and overnight are at the hotel in the Mikumi region.

Breakfast at the lodge is followed by a transfer to Ruaha National Park. Ruaha is an outstanding safari park because it showcases a crossover of East and Southern African species in terms of flora and fauna. One reason for the hordes of animals in Ruaha is the Great Ruaha River, a vital water source throughout the year, especially during the Dry season. Lions live here in large prides, often numbering over twenty individuals! Leopards and cheetahs love hunting on the open plains, while many smaller species such as serval, caracal, genet and banded wild cat are equally at home here. Other mammals also thrive in Ruaha in abundance. The park’s elephant herds are massive! Buffalo are plentiful, as are zebra, giraffe, hippopotamus and an exciting assortment of antelope species such as roan, sable, eland, impala, gazelle, reedbuck, hartebeest, klipspringer and the largest population of greater kudu in all of East Africa. Dinner and overnight are at Ruaha Bandas inside the park.

After breakfast at the lodge, you will go on a 2 to 3-hour walking safari in the national park. Enjoy a game safari until evening. Return for dinner and your overnight stay inside Ruaha National Park. In the company of a knowledgeable guide, the walking safari offers a truly special and unique perspective of the park’s fascinating inhabitants. A not-to-be-missed attraction is the park’s towering baobabs, which stand vigil over the landscape. Their striking appearance makes for great photographic opportunities! Another prominent feature of Ruaha is the sparkling waterways, which attract an abundance of game. The best time to embark on a walking safari is in late June. At this fantastic park, a magnificent line-up of game is on show. Predators abound, and lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, and hyena will be happy to present themselves to you. While walking, if you are incredibly quiet and stealthy, you can get up close and personal with impressive buffalo and elephant herds.

Ruaha is a predator-rich remote wilderness that is off the beaten track. The remote location only adds to the park's appeal, leaving it wonderfully devoid of travellers. Big cat viewing is superb here and the overall quality of guiding is probably the best in the country. Usually booked in conjunction with Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park is an off-the-beaten-track destination that is often described as ideal for old safari hands. However, we believe that this park is for everyone who has an interest in true wilderness and big game viewing. There is no reason that this ridiculously good safari park should be ignored by adventurous safari novices! You will be dropped off at Dar es Salaam.