10-Days Tanzania Safari Tour
The south of Tanzania contains an infinite number of beauties still untouched by human hands. On this trip, you will combine completely different settings in a few days. Starting from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, we will arrive at the Nyerere National Park, formerly the Selous Wildlife Reserve, and the largest on the African continent. Here human interference is practically non-existent and it is home to what is defined as the largest population of mammals in Africa: elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, wild dogs, lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Most of the excursions come along the Rufiji River which in the local language means “big river”, the first stop of our safari, continuing then for the exploration of the immense Reserve in the following days passing by exciting safari experiences: in addition to the traditional 4×4 safaris, there are also boat trips – an amazing experience to watch the animals watering at sunset. The lodges and tented camps are all of a good standard on this safari.
01
Arrive at Dar Es Salaam
Arrive at Dar Es Salaam International Airport and after airport formalities, meet our guide for the private transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest and most important city. From a sleepy fishing village, it has developed into a tropical metropolis with a population of four million and interesting attractions. The architecture of Dar es Salaam is an extraordinary mix of African, Arab, Indian and German influences while its location on the Indian Ocean gives it an exotic feel, with dream beaches and skyscrapers, paradisiacal islands, and trendy clubs. Among the most beautiful architecture is St. Joseph’s Cathedral, a Gothic Catholic church whose spires stand out among the more modern buildings: a visit here on a Sunday morning allows you to admire the spectacular interior while listening to the notes of the choir. However, to experience the authentic heart of Dar es Salaam, you must go to the Kivukoni Fish Market. This is the best place to witness the fusion of cultures and to “do business” in a traditional Tanzanian environment: here you can take photos of fishermen unloading fish along the quays, but you need a strong stomach given the smells and the hundreds of gutted fish. If you want to buy sculptures or handicrafts instead, it’s best to opt for the equally traditional Mwenge Woodcarvers Market.
02
DAR-ES-SALAAM - NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
Wake up early in the morning and depart for Nyerere National Park, formerly Selous Game Reserve, which was granted national park status in 2019. On the way, there will be a stop for a picnic lunch. Depart in the direction of the lodge, arrive in the afternoon and depart for an exciting boat safari on the river. Your guide will explain the life of native birds and flora. The Rufiji River offers the most exciting boat safari in Nyerere National Park, home to hippos and crocodiles which we will encounter on our boat safari.
03
FULL DAY SAFARI IN NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
Wake up at dawn for an exciting wildlife safari, exploring within Nyerere in the company of an experienced ranger in a 4×4 off-road vehicle. Lunch will be packed and then we will continue our game drive. This park is the ideal environment to host the largest population of mammals (about 750,000) in Africa: elephants (of which you can admire the migration, during the dry season, towards Mozambique), buffalos, hippos, crocodiles, wild dogs, lions, leopards, cheetahs and more than 400 different species of birds. The Reserve is originally named after Frederick Courtney Selous, captain of the Royal British Rifles, who died in 1917 and was described as the greatest white hunter in Africa. Return to camp in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight stay at the lodge.
04
NYERERE NATIONAL PARK - MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK
Morning breakfast at your lodge then depart to Mikumi National Park with lunch upon arrival. Late afternoon enjoy a game drive and view the sunset activities of a variety of animal species such as elephants, giraffes, gazelles, kudus and impalas as well as birds and take in the scenery until 6:30 pm before driving back for dinner and your overnight stay.
05
GAME DRIVE IN MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK – UDZUNGWA MOUNTAIN
Your day this morning is going to start with a sunrise game drive along Mchanga mbuga to Zebra Bridge for breakfast then a further drive to Saba-Saba circuit and the Millennium until lunch. Animals such as elephants, lions, giraffes and zebras are often seen as well as wildebeests and buffaloes, which can be easily spotted here as much as any reserve in Tanzania. This will leave you feeling amazed at the wonders of the reserve in Tanzania. Later you will drive to Udzungwa Mountain.
06
HIKING ON UDZUNGWA MOUNTAIN - TRANSFER TO IRINGA
Leave the lodge after breakfast then transfer to Udzungwa Mountains National Park’s gate which takes about 10 minutes. Register and head out to the Sanje waterfalls, which is 4 to 5 hours trek through the green forest. Expect to see monkeys, including rare indigenous Iringa red colobus, and some ancient trees, some of which are 200 years old! Explore tropical forests until late afternoon then drive to Iringa for dinner and overnight stay.
07
IRINGA - TRANSFER TO RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
After morning breakfast you will start your journey towards Ruaha National Park. You will drive along the “Never-ending Road” and as soon as you take it, you will understand where the name comes from. You reach the gate and may have already had the chance to see some giraffes, elephants, or antelopes that are wandering outside the park. After the formalities are carried out at the gate, you will start your driving crossing the Ruaha River to see its hippos, crocs, and various water birds. We will reach your accommodation where we will have our lunch before starting the afternoon safari. We will be back just before the sundown to have a shower and get ready for dinner and overnight stay.
08
FULL DAY SAFARI IN RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
The day will begin with an early morning game drive, starting at sunrise and going through to breakfast. After breakfast, there will be a drive-through of various habitats with various animals, birds, and more stunning scenery of the Mwagusi Sand River as well as the Mdonya River. Stop for some lunch in the bush followed by further game viewing until sunset before you drive back for you to enjoy dinner and overnight stay.
09
GAME VIEWING IN RUAHA NATIONAL PARK - IRINGA
After a night hopefully disturbed by the sounds of wild animals, you will start your morning drive. You will have a nice breakfast in the bush and continue searching for all those animals that you have not seen before. You will start your way out to exit the gate at the same time you entered according to the regulations of the park. On your way back to Iringa you can have the chance to stop and see the museum of Kalenga. It is a small museum with an interesting story about chief Mkwawa and Wahehe’s ethnic group. Your guide will drop you at your hotel and later you can explore Iringa town with its nightlife.
010
IRINGA - DAR ES SALAAM
After morning breakfast we drive back to Dar es Salaam. Our driver guide will drop you at any destination in the city center.
