The Best Of Southern Wildlife Safari

Ruaha is Tanzania's largest national park, a vast and rugged wilderness known for its dramatic scenery, massive baobab trees, and thriving predator populations. Unlike the more famous northern circuit, Ruaha feels remote and exclusive. A 7-day trip is a whirlwind adventure focused on maximizing game viewing in the most accessible and productive areas of the park, typically around the Great Ruaha River. A 7-day safari in Ruaha is a bold and exhilarating dive into the heart of wild Tanzania. It's a trip defined by quality of the time spent, offering some of Africa's most spectacular predator encounters and iconic landscapes in an efficient timeframe. While you'll leave wanting more, the raw, untamed beauty of Ruaha will leave a lasting impression far greater than the brevity of the trip might suggest. It's an ideal adventure for the intrepid traveler seeking a genuine safari experience beyond the well-trodden path.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Karibu Tanzania - Dar es salaam

Arrival in Dar Es Salaam International Airport and meet our pick-up guide for the private transfer, having a city tour then taken to your accommodation for dinner and overnight stay. It is Tanzania's largest and most significant city, Dar es Salaam. From a sleepy fishing village, it has developed into a tropical metropolis with a population of four million residents and interesting attractions. The architecture of Dar es Salaam is an extraordinary mix of African, Arab, Indian and German influences. And its location along 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.

Day 2: Mikumi Fly-in & Game Drive

Early morning breakfast at you lodge then depart to Mikumi Park with hot lunch upon arrival, this followed by checking into your rooms then a late afternoon game drive spot enough of a variety of animal species such as Elephants, Giraffes, Gazelles, Kudus, Impalas also amazing number of bird species and take in the scenery, having a chance to witness the golden hours from the bush until 6:30pm before driving back to your accommodation for dinner and your cozy overnight stay.

Day 3: Explore Mikumi & Udzungwa Mountains

The early morning is starts with the 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, zebras are highly seen from these corners of the park and  also wildebeests and buffaloes can be easily spotted here as much as in any park of Tanzania. This will leave you feeling amazed at the wonders of this less visited southern park of Tanzania. Then later you will drive to Udzungwa Mountain for dinner and overnight stay. On this day you can possibly visit a Masai village to experience their traditional way of living.

Day 4: Udzungwa Mountain Hiking & Transfer To Iringa Town

Leave the lodge after an early breakfast then transfer to Udzungwa Mountains National Park’s gate which takes about 10 minutes drive, register and head out to the Sanje waterfalls, which is 4 to 5 hours hike through the green forest. Expect to see monkeys, including rare indigenous Iringa red-colabus, and some ancient trees of which some of them are 200 years old! Explore tropical forests until afternoon then drive to Iringa town for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5:  Ruaha Game Drive & Sunset Safari

After morning breakfast at the hotel our guide will give you a quick briefing. 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 will reach the gate and you may have already had the chance to see some giraffes, elephant or some antelopes that are wandering outside the park. After the formalities to be carried out at the gate, you will start your game drive crossing the Ruaha River to see its Hippos and Crocs and various water birds. We will reach your accommodation where we will have our hot lunch before starting the late afternoon game drive. We will be back to our accommodation just before the sundown to have a shower and get ready for dinner, stargazing and cozy overnight stay.

Day 6: Full-day Ruaha Game Drive

The day begins with an early morning game drive, starting at sunrise and going through to breakfast. After a breakfast, a game drive continues through various habitats with various animals, birds and more stunning scenery of the Mwagusi Sand River as well as the Mdonya River. You will stop for some lunch in the bush followed by further game drive until the sunset before you drive back to the lodge to enjoy your dinner, stargazing and cozy overnight stay.

Day 7: Game Drive & Fly-out

After a cozy night in the bush hopefully disturbed by the sounds of wild animals, you will start your morning drive, having your elegant breakfast in the bush and continuing searching for all those animals that you have not seen before you will start your way out in order to exit the gate at the same time you entered according to the regulations of the park or be taken back to Msembe airstrip for your scheduled flight. On your way back driving 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 ethnic group. Our guide will drop you at your accommodation and later you can explore Iringa town with its quite nightlife.

• What to Pack:

  • Neutral-colored clothing (khaki, green, beige).

  • A warm jacket for early morning game drives.

  • Binoculars, a good camera with a zoom lens, and extra memory cards/batteries.

  • Sunscreen, hat, and high-quality sunglasses.

  • Sturdy, closed-toe shoes (especially for the walking safari).

• Health: Ruaha is a malaria zone; consult your doctor for prophylaxis.

From $ 5,850 pp

• Inclusions

  • Hot lunch & snacks
  • 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof for game viewing
  • All sightseeing and game drives as specified
  • Park fee
  • Roundtrip flights
  • Bottled mineral water, soft drinks, beers during the safari
  • Private professional driver guide
  • Government taxes and unlimited mileage during game drives 

    Exclusions

    • International and domestic flights
    • Personal expenses (e.g., telephone, laundry, additional beverages)
    • Tips for the safari guide
    • Travel insurance
    • Visa fees
    • Optional activities beyond the safari.