Southern Tanzania safari with highlands and islands

Itinerary in brief: 

• 1 night Dar Es Salaam 
• 3 nights Rufiji River Camp (Nyerere National Park)
• 3 nights Mufindi Highland Lodge (The Southern Highlands) 
• 3 nights Ruaha River Lodge (Ruaha National Park)
• 3 nights Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge (Swahili Coast) 

Day 1: Depart UK 

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. 

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Tanzania 

On arrival in Tanzania, you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel for the night in Dar Es Salaam. Get a good nights rest before heading off on your safari adventure tomorrow! 

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Fly to Nyerere National Park 

This morning, you'll enjoy a tasty breakfast before being met and assisted back to the airport, ready for the exciting bush flight to the spectacular Nyerere National Park. This scenic journey is only a 30 minute flight and is the beginning of your incredible safari. When you land, you'll be met and taken on a scenic game drive through the park, looking out for wildlife before checking in at camp. Later in the afternoon, you'll embark on your first proper game drive through the wilderness before returning at dusk to enjoy a refreshing sundowner around the campfire. 

Included: All meals, game drives and transport, Rufiji River Camp

Days 4 & 5: Nyerere National Park 

Each evening, you'll have the flexibility to tailor the next day's safari experience to your interests. Rise early for a guided nature walk to experience the bush on foot before returning for a tasty breakfast, or set off on an early bird game drive with a packed breakfast to make the most of the cooler morning hours. After breakfast, you might choose a traditional game drive in search of Nyerere's abundant wildlife or take to the waters of the Rufiji River on a boat safari, drifting past hippos and crocodiles. 

If you want to venture further afield, a full-day game drive allows you to explore deeper into the park with a picnic lunch in the bush or you could spend a relaxing few hours at the lodge before an afternoon game drive to enjoy the beautiful golden light and increased predator activity. 

Included: All meals and game drives, Rufiji River Camp

Day 6: Fly to the Southern Highlands

Enjoy an early morning game drive, before returning to camp for breakfast and heading to the airstrip for your next flight to the Southern Highlands. On arrival, you'll be met and driven past tea estates and tiny villages on the way to the lodge. Checking in for three nights, you can settle in for a relaxed lunch overlooking the hills and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the highlands. 

Included: All meals and game drives, internal flights, Mufindi Highland Lodge

Days 7 & 8: Southern Highlands 

Your time at Mufindi Highlands Lodge is the perfect place to slow down and relax during your holiday, as a little chill time between safaris. Spend your days walking through the emerald green tea fields, go horse-riding, flying fishing or canoeing or even just enjoy some lawn games like boules or croquet. If you'd rather relax, you can sip a cup of freshly brewed tea on your deck and read a book in the sunshine. 

Exploring the area further, we always recommend spending a day at the nearby village, where there are HIV/AIDS support programmes that have been developed in partnership with the lodge. By evening time, you'll be back at your snug cabin, or settled by the lodge's fireplace to enjoy the cool evenings of the highlands in cosy comfort. 

Included: All meals, Mufindi Highland Lodge

Day 9: Fly to Ruaha National Park 

Leaving the cool highlands behind, you'll be taken back to the airstrip for the flight to Ruaha National Park. On arrival, you'll be met and taken to your lodge in Ruaha, settling in and meeting the friendly staff who will welcome you to charming Central Tanzania. 

Included: Breakfast, internal flights, game drives, Ruaha River Lodge

Days 10 & 11: Ruaha National Park 

Enjoy a few days exploring the incredible beauty and vast wilderness from Ruaha River Lodge. This lodge was the only safari camp in the national park for two decades, giving it a coveted position on the river, far from the other lodges so you'll feel truly remote. Spend your days out on game drives, either in the morning and the evening or heading out all day, when you can explore deeper into the park with a picnic lunch. 

Discover landscapes of rocky kopjes and baobab-filled valleys, as you look for lion prides, cheetah and leopards in the savanna, as well as giraffes munching in the treetops and hippos lazing in mud pools. Back at the lodge, you can enjoy the river views as you tuck into lunch or join the Maasai escorts for a leisurely walk around the camp to learn about the flora and fauna nearby. We can also book you a sunrise hot-air balloon flight followed by breakfast in the bush - if you'd like to add this, just ask!

Included: All meals and game drives, Ruaha River Lodge

Day 12: Fly to Swahili Coast 

Enjoy one last game drive in Ruaha, soaking up the sights and sounds of the bush, before being taken back to the airstrip for your flight to the Swahili Coast. On arrival, you'll be met and taken on the 20 minute boat trip across the channel to the island, where your secluded beachfront escape awaits. Settle in for cocktails and dinner as the sun sets over the ocean. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge

Days 13 & 14: Swahili Coast 

A few days of relaxation at Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge can be spent entirely at your own pace. Whether you choose to find a peaceful spot on the beach to read your book or head out onto the water to swim, snorkel and kayaking through the turquoise waves. This region is so quiet compared to nearby Zanzibar, with unspoilt coastline and spectacular views. If you want to explore a little further, why not book a day excursion to Mwamba Kuni Sandbar, a stretch of white sand that appears at low tides, where you can snorkel, paddle board and enjoy a freshly prepared fish barbecue on the beach. 

If you'd like to learn more about East Africa's history along this coastline, you could take a guided tour to nearby Bagamoyo to explore the atmospheric Kaole Ruins and learn about some of Africa's most famous explorers who passed through this region. 

Included: All meals, Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge

Day 15: Depart Tanzania 

After breakfast, you'll be collected by boat and head over to the mainland to be driven over to Dar Es Salaam for your flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, boat transfers, international flights

Day 16: Arrive UK