Safari Fever with Ruaha
This Journey is like a fever! It is rich in activities, rich in wildlife viewing and rich in the diversity of national parks. With a domestic flight you arrive at Great Ruaha – the largest national parks of Tanzania. Together with your driver you discover the “Big Five”, the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Mikumi National Park and Selous.
The highlights of your the Safari Fever with Ruaha
- Round trip to the southern national parks in Tanzania
- Extensive game drives in the largest national park of the country
- Udzungwa Mountains – various activities are available
- Hike to Sanje waterfall with view over the Kilombero Valley
- Animal watching in Mikumi National Park and Nyerere National Park
- scenic drive along the Uluguru mountains
- Highlight of the trip is the ecosystem of the Nyerere National Park
- Boat safari on the Ruiji River
Itinerary and Highlights of Safari Fever with Ruaha
Day 1 Safari Fever, Arrival day – Dar es Salaam
Welcome to Tanzania! After a long flight, you will be picked up from Dar es Salaam airport and taken to the hotel. Depending on the arrival time you can relax in the hotel or explore the city.
Day 2 Flight to Ruaha National Park
Today you fly to Ruaha National Park, which is in the center of the country and was extended in 2008 to an area of 20,226 km². This makes Ruaha the largest national park in Tanzania. The river of the same name, 160 km long, characterizes the landscape and is the lifeline for crocodiles, hippos, elephants and the Great Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), which are not to be found in any other national park. During the first safari game drive you will already be able to photograph some of the animals.
Day 3 Ruaha National Park, game drive
Today you will spend in the Ruaha National Park. You can take a full day game drive or two half day game drives with lunch at the lodge. Ruaha National Park is part of an extensive ecosystem that includes Rungwa Game Reserve, Kizigo and Muhezi Game Reserves, Mbomipa WMA and several other protected areas. It also provides habitat for endangered wild dogs as well as Greater and Lesser Kudus.
Day 4 Ruaha National Park – Udzungwa Mountains
In the early morning hours, you leave the beautiful Ruaha National Park with many new memories. The day’s destination is the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, which is the only park in Tanzania that can only be explored on foot. In the Afternoon you will reach the park and head for a small walk in the area.
Day 5 Stay at Udzungwa National Park
In the morning you and your guide go on a 3-4 hour hike to the Sanje waterfall. It is the most impressive waterfall in Tanzania, from the top of which you can enjoy an impressive view of the Kilombero Valley. Alternatively, instead of hiking, you can visit the rubber plantation.
Day 6 Udzungwa Mountains – Mikumi National Park
After leaving the lodge you drive to Mikumi National Park. It’s not uncommon to see the first giraffes, antelopes and baboons before you reach the national park. The park is divided by a main road and part of the Mikumi into an open gas savannah in the north and a Miombe tree covered south. After reaching it, a game drive is on the program. Lions and elephants are also seen regularly.
Day 7 Safari Fieber, Selous – Mikumi National Park – Selous
In the early morning hours the journey to the Selous begins. In contrast to other protected areas in Tanzania, the Selous is not a national park, but a game reserve and has preserved the untamed wildlife to this day. The long stretch over the Uluguru Mountains is particularly scenic and original. In the evening you reach your lodge at the gates of the Selous.
Day 8 Selous, game drive
The Selous is still one of the big surprises in Tanzania. With a size of 55.000 km² the Selous is the second largest protected area in Africa. This is probably the largest connected elephant population in Africa. In addition, there are over 150,000 wildebeests, 100,000 buffalos and over 50,000 zebras and antelopes. On your full day game drive you will be able to observe many different animals. The sable antelopes have become rare and are still frequently spotted here.
Day 9 Selous, game drive
Another exciting day with game drives in the Selous protected area lies before you. The majestic Rufiji River is the largest river in Tanzania. Here you will find the perfect places to observe imposing hippopotamus families and countless crocodiles sunbathing on the wide sandbanks. Together with a network of tributaries and lakes, the Rufiji River is the lifeline of the Selous ecosystem.
Day 10 Selous, Safari with boat – Dar es Salaam
Even if you can hardly believe it, there is still an increase of your previous safari experiences: A boat safari on the Rufiji River. Early in the morning, when the first rays of sunshine are shining over the land and the air is still fresh, you take the boat along the embankment. Various colorful bird species can be seen along the edge of the shore. Then continue your drive to the Hotel near Dar es Salam.
Day 11 Relax and stay at the Indian Ocean
A few kilometers before Tanzania’s largest city you spend the last days of your journey. You can enjoy the warming sun all year round on the warm Indian Ocean.
Day 12 Relax and stay at the Indian Ocean
The day is at your free disposal. You can relax in the lodge, enjoy the view of the sea, swim, go for a walk and review the impressions of the last days.
Day 13 Relax and stay at the Indian Ocean
Another day on the warm continent of Africa. In the coastal region many coconut palms grow. Traditionally there is coconut in rice and various sauces. A very tasty cuisine that you should not miss. On a walk you can observe fishermen as you use nets from palm leaves or colorfully dressed women carrying your goods on the head.
Day 14 Depature day, Indian Ocean – Dar es Salaam
After breakfast you will leave the hotel and be taken to the airport in Dar es Salaam. This is where the journey ends.