SAFARI ITINERARY – 13 DAY

 

Visiting four parks and reserves, this itinerary contains the main highlights of southern Tanzania. Private safari will combine game drives with mountain hikes, boat safaris and walking safaris. It offers the chance to see big cats hunting, watch elephants up close, and see big open savanna full of plains game. You will also hike up to waterfalls, and see primates and amazing bird life.

 

Day 1                        Dar es Salaam

On arrival in Dar es Salaam you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel overlooking the Indian Ocean. Enjoy cocktails at sundown as you have a safari briefing.

 

Day 2                        Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Leave Dar with picnic lunch and drive to the Udzungwas. You will arrive for an afternoon hike up to the Sanje Waterfalls. Cool off in the waters as you look over the savanna below. Your guide will point out the primates that populate this park, along with the amazing birdlife and butterflied. You can also learn more about Tanzanian culture and the plants used in traditional medicines. Overnight at a lodge.

 

Days 3 to 7            Ruaha National Park

You will leave after breakfast and then head onto the road for a picturesque drive through baobab filled valleys and up the Iringa escarpment to Ruaha National Park (5 hours). On arrival, you will be oriented to camp and have a safety briefing before lunch. Continue your game drive in the afternoon and on following days as you explore more of the park. See predators hunting, massive concentrations of antelope and plains game, breathtaking landscapes and magnificent elephant encounters. One day, go on a guided walking safari with a park ranger and your guide. Follow the tracks of animals and watch them graze from safe distances. Accommodation is provided at Authentic Tanzania Kilimatonge Camp.

 

Day 8                        Mikumi National Park

Drive from Ruaha to Mikumi National Park (5 hrs) with a picnic lunch. Explore the park in the afternoon and get close to the game for some amazing wildlife pictures as they are used to vehicles. Drive through the open savanna where you will see plenty of Impala, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Eland, Warthog, Elephant and big cats too! Watch the sun set over the hippo pools then return to your lodge accommodation.

 

Days 9-12              Selous Game Reserve

Drive from Mikumi with a picnic lunch into the Selous Game Reserve. Spend your days exploring this vast Game Reserve, following hunts as they develop and watching the game go about it’s business in this unspoilt and undiscovered wilderness. Visit WWI battle grounds and the ‘Maji Moto’ hot springs which our camp takes its name from. Go on a guided walking safari with a park ranger and your guide. Then explore the mighty Rufiji River by boat as you see hippos, crocs and wildlife coming down to drink. Accommodation is provided at Authentic Tanzania Maji Moto Camp, Selous.

 

Day 13                     Dar es Salaam

After breakfast and a final morning game drive, you will leave the Selous as you make your way back to Dar es Salaam. SAFARI ENDS.

 

Alternatively, you can fly out of the Selous to Mafia or Zanzibar for a few days relaxing on a beautiful Indian Ocean beach after your safari.