12 Days Nyerere - Ruaha - Mafia Island
Highlights
This journey takes you to the remote wilderness in the south of Tanzania. You discover the hidden gems: Nyerere and Ruaha and Mafia Island. Untouched wilderness, breathtaking wildlife encounters and many opportunities to completely immerse yourself in the African bush. Listen to grunting hippos. Watch trumpeting elephants. Enjoy private dinners under the African sky on Mafia Island.
This trip is a private and unique experience!
Your trip ends on tropical Mafia Island. The perfect spot to relax after your safari. The ideal place to explore the fascinating underwater world of the Mafia Island Marine Park. You can also discover old settlements and ancient ruins on the many islands.
ITINERARY
Your international flight lands in Dar es Salaam. Welcome in Tanzania!
You will be met by your driver at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy your rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore the city.
Dar es Salaam is a very quiet and beautiful city. Dar es Salaam is located in a beautiful bay off the Indian Ocean. Enjoy wandering around many colorful markets. Visit the various historical sites such as St. Joseph’s Cathedral, the White Father’s Mission House, the Botanical Gardens, and the old State House – all easily accessible by foot. If you love fresh fish, a visit to the daily fish market will be a memorable experience.
Accomodation : Hotel in Dar es Salaam
We arrange a car service to the domestic airport. Your flight this morning will take you to Nyerere airstrip, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your tented camp overlooking the Rufiji River.
Nyerere National Park is an untouched beauty! It’s a scenic network of channels, lakes and swamps that was formed by the Rufiji River. It is home to elephants, the famous wild dogs and also some of the last black rhinos. Explore this hidden gem on game drives. Listen to a grunting hippo family while doing a boat safari. And discover the smaller things of nature during your walking safari.
Your Camp is located along the river banks and offers excellent views. Dine along the river bank under the African sky. Sip a coffee from the lounge. Enjoy the view from your veranda – the choice is yours!
Enjoy your lunch at the camp and start your safari with an afternoon boat safari on the river. You will see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and a variety of birds along the river banks with your first sunset over the river.
Accomodation: Lodge outside the park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a hearty breakfast in the lodge you start with a full day of game drives in the park, exploring different areas and habitats. Discover the beauty of this park and keep looking for lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and more.
Your lunch will be as a picnic lunch in the park.
In the afternoon, we arrange a bush walking safari with an armed ranger, where you will get closer to nature and learn about the tracks and signs of wildlife. Vernäht
Accomodation: Lodge outside the park
Meals: Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner
Today after breakfast your safari continue to Ruaha airstrip, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your lodge in the heart of Ruaha National Park.
Ruaha is Tanzania’s best-kept secret. The scenery is quite dramatic and characterized by rolling hills, large open plains and baobab trees and the Great Ruaha River. Animal sightings are great as the climate is very hot and dry. The wildlife tends to stay close to the water sources.
A sundowner on the banks of the river or a bush breakfast is a great way to remember your safari adventure.
A truly private and unique experience.
May you like to experience a balloon safari? We can arrange this special adventure for you!
At the lodge you can relax and later we start to our first afternoon game drive in the park. You may will see elephants, kudus, impalas, lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and more.
Accomodation: Lodge outside the park
Meals: Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner
An unforgettable day on safari lies ahead of you: In an off-road vehicle, you drive through tree savannahs and along magnificent river landscapes, dominated by the Ruaha River. Ruaha National Park is particularly rich in classic big game. You also have the opportunity to spot unusual species such as sable and roan antelope, the endangered African wild dog, eland and Grant’s gazelle.
Accomodation: Lodge outside the park
Meals: Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner
Early in the morning they enjoy a last morning gamedrive while driving back to the airstrip for your flight to Mafia Island.
Here it’s goodbye wilderness!
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your beachlodge.
Mafia Island, off Tanzania’s coast, is an untouched paradise known for its pristine beaches and marine biodiversity. Renowned for whale shark encounters, it offers a tranquil escape with cultural exploration, water activities, and eco-friendly tourism. From vibrant coral reefs to local village visits, Mafia Island provides a diverse, off-the-beaten-path experience for those seeking a unique tropical getaway.
Accomodation: Beachlodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore the island at your leisure.
There is much to see and explore during your stay – some of the seasonal highlights include –
Whale Sharks: From October to March, dive into the waters and share a mesmerizing experience snorkeling alongside gentle giants.
Baby Turtles: In June to August, witness the timeless spectacle of sea turtles nesting on Tanzanian beaches for over 150 million years. Between June and September, delight in the instinctive scramble of hundreds of baby turtles making their way from the white sandy beaches to the inviting waters of the warm Indian Ocean.
Humpback Whales: Finally, from August to October, marvel at the majestic Humpback Whale migration in the south of Mafia as these colossal creatures, accompanied by their calves, journey to the warm waters—an awe-inspiring sight given their potential 14-meter length and staggering 40-ton weight!
At the appropriate time you will be transferred to the airport in time for your included flight to Dar es Salaam where your arrangements conclude on arrival.
This adventure can tailormade to your requirements – want more? There is also the option to start in Arusha, so combining with the famous northern circuit before is an easy addition – talk to us today!
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Domestic flights DAR – Nyerere – Ruaha – Mafia and Mafia – DAR incl. taxes
- All transfers
- All entrance fees
- All game drives as mentioned
- All Meals
- Lodge Nyerere and Ruaha Nationalpark including all game drives and activities offered
- Beach Lodge at Mafia Island
- Interterminal transfer in Dar Es Salaam on arrival and departure
- All other applicable taxes and fees
NOT INCLUDED
- International flights
- Personal expenses
- Tips, gratuities
- travel insurance
- Visa (50 USD payable on arrival)
- drinks
- Mafia Island Marine Reserve entrance fees – 25 USD per person/day – payable locally
- Balloon safari in Ruaha Nationalpark