7 Days
7-Day Wild South Safari: Nyerere & Ruaha
A fly-in safari through the Southern Circuit — boat safaris and bush walks in Nyerere, then the lion prides, wild dogs, and baobab country of Ruaha, with short bush flights instead of long road transfers and almost no other vehicles in sight.
Tour Highlights
Boat Safaris on the Rufiji River
Drift past pods of hippos, sunbathing crocodiles, and elephants swimming the channels at sunset.
Guided Walking Safaris
Track animals on foot with an armed ranger in Nyerere and among the kopjes of Ruaha.
Ruaha’s Predators
Home to roughly 10% of Africa’s wild lions, plus leopards, cheetahs, and endangered African wild dogs.
Scenic Bush Flights
Fly Dar es Salaam to Nyerere to Ruaha and skip the long road transfers.
Day by Day
Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park
Board a 45-minute light aircraft flight from Dar es Salaam, soaring over the coast before touching down on a bush airstrip where your private guide meets you. After lunch and check-in at your tented camp, embark on a sunset boat safari on the Rufiji River as fish eagles call and elephants drink from the banks just meters away.
Nyerere National Park
A full-day game drive through the park’s maze of waterways, riverine forest, and open woodland, tracking resident lion prides, large buffalo herds, and plains game. Enjoy a private picnic lunch under a shady tree overlooking one of Nyerere’s lakes, then search for the elusive African wild dog in the afternoon.
Nyerere to Ruaha National Park
A guided sunrise bush walk with an armed ranger — reading fresh tracks, learning alarm calls, and discovering the medicinal uses of local plants. After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for a 90-minute scenic flight to Ruaha, landing among giant baobabs and rugged red earth, with an evening game drive en route to your lodge.
Ruaha National Park
A full-day predator tracking drive along the Great Ruaha River basin. As the river dries, herds of elephants dig for water in the sand while lions and leopards watch from the banks. Finish with baobab sundowners overlooking the endless plains.
Ruaha National Park – Walking Safari
A morning walking safari among ancient granite kopjes, in the crisp air that is best for tracking. In the afternoon, board the 4x4 to explore remote rocky valleys for species found mainly here, including lesser kudu, greater kudu, and sable antelope.
Ruaha National Park – Remote Valleys
A flexible full-day safari into Ruaha’s most remote corners, using tracking skills to find cheetahs, leopards, and nomadic packs of wild dogs. It is highly likely you will not see another vehicle all day.
Ruaha to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar
One final sunrise game drive while the predators are still active from their night hunts. Return to the airstrip for your afternoon flight, connecting to Dar es Salaam or straight on to the beaches of Zanzibar — end of safari service.
What's Included
- All internal charter flights (Dar es Salaam, Nyerere, Ruaha, then Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar), including airport taxes
- 6 nights at handpicked mid-range safari tented camps
- All meals as specified
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- All national park entry fees, concession fees, and conservation taxes
- Private game drives, Nyerere boat safari, and guided bush walks as per itinerary
- AMREF Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover to Dar es Salaam
- Bottled mineral water in the safari vehicle
What's Not Included
- International flights to/from Tanzania
- Tanzania tourist visa ($50 USD for most nationalities, $100 USD for US citizens)
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks at the lodges
- Tips and gratuities for guides and camp staff
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, phone calls)
