Sample Trip

Predators & Paradise Safari

“Combining exceptional wildlife in Ruaha & Selous with marine life on Mafia Island”

Budget level: High-End

Country

Tanzania

When to Go

Jun to Mar

Duration

11 Nights

Safari Type

Lodge

Location

Southern Tanzania

Kids Min Age

Safari Rating

adventure

wilderness

wildlife

comfort

photographic

guiding

This safari blends intense wildlife viewing and tropical island paradise together seamlessly. It offers access to incredible wildlife both land and marine based whilst staying off the tourist path – in high-end accommodation.

Itinerary in Brief

1 Night Das Es Salaam

3 Nights Kigelia Ruaha

3 Nights Sand Rivers Selous

4 Nights Pole Pole Mafia

A high-end safari combining fantastic land based game viewing in both Ruaha and Selous with an island retreat on Mafia Island, which has incredible marine life and water based activities.

The safari starts with a comfortable night’s accommodation in Dar es Salaam, where you can relax and settle after the travel. Then charter flight to Ruaha soon has you landing in this massive predator filled National Park. Explore Ruaha on exciting game drives and walking safaris for a full 3 nights before catching another charter to Selous Game Reserve. Spend another 3 nights in Selous taking full advantage of the variety of activities and the highly recommended fly camping option! The scenery and game viewing here is hard to beat! Then another series of flights has you landing on Mafia Island where you will spend 4-nights relaxing in a stunning resort by the ocean. With a multitude of water-based activities and adventures to choose from, you will wish you never had to leave!

This 11-night Predators & Paradise Safari in Southern Tanzania is aimed at the high-end or luxury travellers wanting exceptional quality and exclusivity. The accommodation and experience throughout is exceptional, but not over the top, ensuring an authentic and top quality safari.

The density of wildlife, exceptional predator sightings and varied game viewing activities combined with the paradise that is Mafia Island – makes this an outstanding safari in Southern Tanzania!

Detailed itinerary

1st Night: Das Es Salaam 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Nights: Kigelia Ruaha 5th, 6th, 7th Nights: Sand Rivers Selous 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th Nights: Pole Pole Mafia

1st Night: Das Es Salaam

A comfortable nights accommodation in a conveniently located hotel which allows you to relax and refresh after the long international flights.

2nd, 3rd, 4th, Nights: Kigelia Ruaha

The location of Kigelia Ruaha was chosen to provide an immersive wildlife and bush-camp experience. As such, they have chosen the location to rather have elephants and giraffes passing by, instead of being atop a hill with vast views. This is in keeping with the wild and remote feeling which Ruaha evokes and Kigelia Ruaha so beautifully presents, with their simple and understated camp which is right in the middle of all the action.

The camp has six large and cool canvas safari tents with thatched roofs. Each has a large veranda, comfortable beds, en-suite bathroom with flushing toilets and an outdoor classic bucket shower system which is prepared on request by the friendly camp staff. There is also one family tent on offer, which is a large tent with two en-suited bathrooms under one thatch roof.

Ruaha is Tanzania’s wildest national park and has some outstanding game viewing, particularly of lions as prides can often number over 20 individuals. The activities on offer are game drives in open safari vehicles, armed walking safaris with excellent guides, bush picnics and outstanding birding.

5th, 6th, 7th Nights: Sand Rivers Selous

The lodge is spread out along the banks of the wide Rufiji River in a remote section of the utterly massive Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania. Being the first lodge to be built in the area they had the privilege of choosing a truly special location in this vast wilderness.

Eight open-fronted river frontage cottages on raised concrete platforms are spread out along the river. Five of which are standard rooms and the other three are hillside suites. They all have stunning views out over the river with en-suite bathrooms, flushing toilets and hot and cold running water showers. The hillside suites have the addition of a lounge and private plunge pool.

The location is prime and offers a great diversity in activities such as: game drives in open safari vehicles, walking safaris with armed guides, boating, fishing, picnics and swimming in nearby hot springs.

One of the greatest experiences on offer is to include a night or two of fly-camping. Guests normally walk to a simple yet comfortable fly-camp setup where they are accommodated in insect proof mosquito netting with thick bedrolls and crisp linen. Read more on fly-camping here.

8th, 9th, 10th, 11th Nights: Pole Pole Mafia

Pole Pole blends in seamlessly with the natural surrounding whilst overlooking the breathtaking Chole Bay, the core of Mafia Island Marine Park. It is considered to be one of the most exclusive eco-resorts in the world and balances luxury with the respect for local culture and the environment. The ideal base for exploring the underwater wonders of Mafia Island, with a touch of style.

Included in the rate of Pole Pole is a range of complimentary excursions but they can also organize a host of other activities in the area. There is lots to see and do on Mafia and its waters so ensure you have ample time to enjoy it all!

One of the biggest attractions to Mafia, apart from its world class diving, is swimming with the gentle Whale Sharks. A seasonal activity that is no to be missed!