8 Days

Nyerere & Ruaha National Park – Flying Safari

8 Days Nyerere & Ruaha National Park – Flying Safari

The wild beauty of southern Tanzania on an exceptional 8-day luxury flying safari through Nyerere National Park and Ruaha National Park. Explore the Rufiji River by boat, venture into the wilderness on thrilling game drives and guided walking safaris, and encounter elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, and African wild dogs. Scenic light-aircraft flights connect these remote destinations, while intimate luxury camps provide comfort, privacy, and an authentic Tanzania safari experience away from the crowds.

Experience the ultimate Southern Tanzania Safari with luxury camps, river adventures, walking safaris, scenic flights, and exceptional wildlife encounters.

Duration

8 Days

Starting Price

On Request

Country

Tanzania

Destination

Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park

Trip Highlights

Explore two spectacular southern Tanzania parks with seamless luxury flights and exceptional wildlife experiences.
Cruise the Rufiji River and discover Nyerere’s diverse wildlife from a unique perspective.
Enjoy thrilling full-day game drives across Nyerere’s vast wilderness landscapes.
Experience guided walking safaris with professional guides and armed rangers
Discover Ruaha’s enormous elephant herds, ancient baobabs, and dramatic landscapes.
Search for lions, leopards, wild dogs, buffalo, and other wildlife.
Stay in intimate luxury camps surrounded by authentic African wilderness.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Nyerere National Park – Rufiji River Boat Safari

Nyerere National Park – Rufiji River Boat Safari

Your luxury southern Tanzania adventure begins with a scheduled light-aircraft flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park.

As you leave the coast behind, the landscape transforms into the vast wilderness of southern Tanzania. Flying directly into the park allows you to avoid lengthy road transfers and maximise your time on safari.

Upon arrival, you will be met by your safari guide for a warm meet-and-greet and transfer to Sand Rivers Selous, beautifully situated overlooking the Rufiji River.

After check-in and a short opportunity to settle in, begin your safari with an afternoon boat safari on the Rufiji River.

The river is one of Nyerere’s defining features and provides a unique perspective of the park. Cruise quietly through the waterways in search of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and abundant birdlife.

The late afternoon is particularly beautiful as the changing light illuminates the river and surrounding wilderness.

Return to Sand Rivers for dinner and your first night in the African bush.

Overnight: Sand Rivers Selous
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Activities: Flight, transfer and Rufiji River boat safari

Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Nyerere National Park

Game Drive in Nyerere National Park

Wake early to the sounds of the wilderness and enjoy breakfast before setting out on a full-day game drive.

Nyerere is one of Tanzania’s largest protected areas and offers a remarkable diversity of landscapes, from open grasslands and woodland to rivers, lakes and seasonal floodplains.

With a full day available, your guide can travel farther into the park and tailor the safari according to wildlife activity.

Look for elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala and other antelope species. Nyerere is also an important stronghold for African wild dogs, while lions and leopards can be encountered throughout the ecosystem.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your exploration through the afternoon.

As the temperature drops, wildlife often becomes more active. Continue your game drive into the late afternoon before returning to Sand Rivers. Enjoy dinner and an evening beside the Rufiji River.

Overnight: Sand Rivers Selous
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Activities: Full-day game drive

Day 3: Walking Safari with Armed Ranger – Afternoon Game Drive

Armed Ranger – Afternoon Game Drive

Today offers a completely different way to experience Nyerere.

After breakfast, set out on a guided walking safari accompanied by an armed ranger, subject to park regulations and local safety requirements.

Away from the safari vehicle, you will experience the bush at a much slower pace. Your guide will explain the smaller details of the ecosystem, including animal tracks, dung, plants, insects, birds and other signs of wildlife.

The armed ranger provides an additional safety element and forms part of the regulated walking-safari experience.

Return to camp after the walk for lunch and some time to relax.

In the afternoon, head out for another game drive. Explore a different part of the park while keeping an eye out for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, predators and other wildlife.

Return to Sand Rivers for your final evening in Nyerere. Enjoy dinner around the campfire and take in the sounds of the Rufiji wilderness.

Overnight: Sand Rivers Selous
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities: Walking safari with armed ranger and afternoon game drive

Day 4: Fly to Ruaha National Park – Afternoon Game Drive

Ruaha National Park – Afternoon Game Drive

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled light-aircraft flight from Nyerere National Park to Ruaha National Park.

The flight is an efficient and scenic way to travel between these two remote southern Tanzania destinations, providing spectacular aerial views of the wilderness below.

Upon arrival in Ruaha, you will be met by your safari guide and transferred to Asanja Ndembo Ruaha.

After check-in and lunch, head out for your first afternoon game drive in Ruaha National Park.

Ruaha is famous for its rugged landscapes, ancient baobabs and large elephant populations. The park also supports exceptional predator diversity, including lion, leopard, cheetah and African wild dog.

Explore the park during the cooler afternoon hours, when wildlife begins to become more active.

Return to camp around sunset for dinner and your first evening in Ruaha.

Overnight: Asanja Ndembo Ruaha
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities: Flight, transfer and afternoon game drive

Day 5: Full-Day Game Drive in Ruaha National Park

Game Drive in Ruaha National Park

Today is dedicated to a full-day game drive through Ruaha.

After an early breakfast, set out with your professional guide to explore the park’s diverse habitats.

Ruaha’s wildlife is closely connected to the Great Ruaha River and other seasonal water sources. During drier periods, these areas can attract impressive concentrations of elephant, buffalo and other wildlife.

The park is particularly famous for its large elephant herds, while greater kudu, giraffe, zebra, impala and other antelope add to the diversity.

Predator sightings can be exceptional, with opportunities to encounter lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena and African wild dog.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your game drive throughout the afternoon.

Return to Asanja Ndembo in the evening for dinner and a relaxing night beneath the African sky.

Overnight: Asanja Ndembo Ruaha
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner
Activities: Full-day game drive

Day 6: Walking Safari with Armed Ranger – Afternoon Game Drive

Armed Ranger – Afternoon Game Drive

Begin the day with an exciting walking safari with an armed ranger.

Walking through Ruaha gives you a deeper appreciation of the park’s ecosystem. Rather than focusing only on large animals, your guide will introduce you to tracks, plants, insects, birds and other signs that reveal what is happening in the bush.

The experience also provides an opportunity to learn about the traditional uses of plants and the interconnected nature of the Ruaha ecosystem.

Return to camp for breakfast or brunch and some time to relax.

In the afternoon, continue with another game drive.

Explore new areas of the park while searching for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, greater kudu and predators. The changing afternoon light creates excellent conditions for photography. Return to camp around sunset for dinner.

Overnight: Asanja Ndembo Ruaha
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities: Walking safari with armed ranger and afternoon game drive

Day 7: Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in Ruaha

Morning & Afternoon Game Drives in Ruaha

Enjoy your final full day in Ruaha with two game-drive opportunities.

Begin with an early morning game drive when temperatures are cooler and wildlife is often most active.

Your guide will choose the route based on recent wildlife sightings and your interests. This is an excellent time to search for predators, elephants and other wildlife.

Return to camp for breakfast and some relaxation during the middle of the day.

After lunch, head out once more for an afternoon game drive.

Explore the park’s beautiful landscapes as the sun begins to descend. The golden light across the baobabs and open plains provides excellent photographic opportunities.

Continue until sunset before returning to Asanja Ndembo for your final dinner in Ruaha. Spend your final evening around the campfire, reflecting on an unforgettable journey through southern Tanzania.

Overnight: Asanja Ndembo Ruaha
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities: Morning and afternoon game drives

Day 8: Breakfast – Flight to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar

Flight to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar

Enjoy your final breakfast at Asanja Ndembo while taking in the peaceful surroundings of Ruaha.

Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy some time to relax before transferring to the airstrip.

Board your scheduled light aircraft flight from Ruaha National Park to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar.

For guests travelling onward to Zanzibar, the safari can be followed by a few days of luxury beach relaxation on the Indian Ocean.

Your 8-day Nyerere and Ruaha flying safari ends upon arrival at your onward destination.

Meals: Breakfast
Activities: Breakfast and scheduled flight

Included & Excluded

Include & Exclude

Scheduled light-aircraft flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar to Nyerere National Park
Scheduled flight from Nyerere National Park to Ruaha National Park
Scheduled flight from Ruaha National Park to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar
Airport/airstrip and lodge transfers
Meet-and-greet service on arrival
3 nights at Sand Rivers Selous
4 nights at Asanja Ndembo Ruaha
Full board throughout the safari
Breakfast, lunch and dinner as specified
Professional safari guide
Morning and afternoon game drives
Full-day game drives with picnic lunch
Guided walking safaris with armed ranger, subject to park regulations
Rufiji River boat safari
Nyerere National Park entry and conservation fees
Ruaha National Park entry and conservation fees
Drinking water during safari activities

International flights
Tanzania visa fees
Travel and medical insurance
Personal expenses
Alcoholic beverages and premium drinks unless specifically included by the lodge
Laundry and personal services
Tips and gratuities for guides, rangers, lodge staff and boat crew
Accommodation before the safari

Luxury Lodge Options

Sand Rivers Selous – Nyerere National Park

Sand Rivers Selous is an iconic luxury safari camp located on a rocky peninsula overlooking the Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park.

The camp combines understated luxury with an exceptional wilderness setting. Its natural design and open-fronted accommodation allow guests to feel immersed in the surrounding landscape.

Its riverside location is particularly special, providing easy access to boat safaris, walking safaris and game drives.

Guests can enjoy spectacular river views while watching hippos, crocodiles and elephants, with the wider Nyerere ecosystem offering opportunities to encounter lion, leopard, wild dog and large herds of buffalo.

Best for: Understated luxury, river views, walking safaris, boat safaris, authentic wilderness and excellent guiding

Asanja Ndembo Ruaha

Asanja Ndembo Ruaha is an intimate luxury safari camp offering a peaceful and exclusive base for exploring Ruaha National Park.

The camp is designed to maintain a close connection with the surrounding wilderness while providing comfortable accommodation and personalised service.

Its intimate atmosphere makes it particularly appealing to travellers looking for privacy and an authentic safari experience. Days can be spent exploring Ruaha on game drives and guided walking safaris before returning to camp to relax.

Best for: Privacy, intimate safari experiences, authentic wilderness, personalised service and adventure

Why Choose the Nyerere & Ruaha Combination?

This itinerary is ideal for travellers who want to explore two of southern Tanzania’s most spectacular wilderness areas without spending long hours travelling by road.

Nyerere offers the unique experience of exploring the Rufiji River by boat, alongside traditional game drives and walking safaris. Ruaha provides a contrasting landscape of rugged hills, baobab-studded plains, river valleys and vast open wilderness.

The combination offers excellent opportunities to see elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, African wild dog, giraffe, hippo and a wide variety of antelope and birdlife.

The inclusion of walking safaris adds an adventurous dimension to the journey, while the small luxury camps provide privacy, personalised service and an authentic connection with the wilderness.

8 Days Nyerere & Ruaha National Park – Flying Safari

Mid Range

Luxury

Top Luxury

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