Barefoot luxury: Nyerere and Ruaha safari with Fanjove Island

Itinerary in brief: 

• 3 nights Ruaha National Park 
• 3 nights Nyerere National Park 
• 5 nights Fanjove Island

Day 1: Depart UK 

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. 

Inclusions: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Tanzania 

On arrival in Tanzania, you'll be met at airport and assisted to your bush flight to Ruaha National Park. Here, you'll be met and driven into the park to your lodge, checking in for three nights. You'll be staying at Laba Jongomero, in the heart of Ruaha. Surrounded by lush landscapes and exceptional wildlife, you'll be immersed in the bush in your stylish tented suite. Spend your days exploring the park on game drives before returning to camp to relax and enjoy the wilderness. 

Included: Transfers, internal flights, dinner, Laba Jongomero 

Days 3 & 4: Ruaha National Park 

Enjoy a few days exploring the incredible beauty and vast wilderness of Ruaha from Laba Jongomero. 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. Look out for crocodiles on the riverbanks, as colourful birds flit through the air. Head back to the lodge each night to enjoy drinks around the fire and dinner beneath the starry sky. 

Included: All meals, game drives, Laba Jongomero 

Day 5: Fly to Nyerere National Park 

After breakfast, you'll leave Ruaha behind and take a bush flight south to Nyerere National Park, where you'll be met at the airstrip and driven into the park, checking in for three nights. You'll be staying at Laba Siwandu, right on the waters edge, where you'll be able to enjoy game drives and boat safaris in this huge national park. 

Included: Breakfast, internal flights, dinner, Laba Siwandu

Days 6 & 7: Nyerere National Park 

The vast expanse of the Nyerere National Park is almost the size of Switzerland. It has significant concentrations of elephants and lions, just some of the fascinating wildlife you’ll set out to spot on your twice daily game drives. It’s also a fantastic place to see African Hunting Dogs, which were almost extinct in the 1980s. The population is now growing steadily, so you should feel honoured if you spot one of these beautiful animals.

You’ll embark on a few different types of trip, including walking, boat and jeep safaris. The Selous is especially good for boat safaris – floating quietly along the river looking for yellow storks amongst the reeds or hippos lazing about in the shallow water. Nyerere is also a lot quieter than many of the more northern parks like the Serengeti, so you are much less likely to see other vehicles and people throughout your day. For a remote and wild safari, Nyerere is a great choice.

Included: All meals, game drives, Laba Siwandu

Day 8: Fly to Fanjove Island

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred back to the airstrip, where you’ll board a small Cessna plane for the flight to Songosongo (via a touchdown in Dar Es Salaam). This flight is an unforgettable scenic flight experience, giving you a bird’s eye view of the Serengeti Plains. On arrival in Songosongo, you'll be taken by boat to nearby Fanjove Island, where you'll settle into the relaxed vibe and check in for four nights. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, internal flights, boat transfers, Fanjove Island

Days 9 - 12: Fanjove Island 

Spend a few blissful days on Fanjove Island, a tiny tropical escape off the coast of Tanzania, where you'll find white sands, turquoise waters and swaying palms. Slow down and embrace island life, whether you fill your days with swimming, snorkelling or simply sinking your toes into the sand. This is the perfect place to switch off completely after your busy safari and gorilla trek, the perfect end to your idyllic African holiday. 

Included: All meals, Fanjove Island

Day 13: Depart Tanzania 

After breakfast, you'll be taken by boat back to Songosongo, where you'll hop on the short flight to Dar Es Salaam. From there, you'll catch your international flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights

Day 14: Arrive UK