Day 1: Dar-es-Salaam - Ruaha National Park

Set off for Ruaha National Park, a remarkable and undiscovered landscape dotted with spiky palms and bulbous baobab trees. You’ll arrive at your lodge in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive.

As you journey through the park’s scorched red earth and see lions skulking through the age-old baobabs, you’ll soon realize that to step into Ruaha is to step back into the ancient wonder of an Africa that has existed forever. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2: Ruaha National Park

As the sun rises over the magnificent Ruaha River, the lifeline of this vast park, you’ll set out on a morning game drive at a time when the park is at its most active: big cats finding their shade after their night prowl and other wildlife are emerging to catch the first rays of heat.

Enjoy a picnic lunch along the banks of the Ruaha River, watching as the animals come down to drink. As the sun sets return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Ruaha National Park

Enjoy a full day exploring the incredible wildlife and prolific birdlife, with morning and afternoon game drives. Dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Ruaha National Park - Selous Game Reserve

After breakfast, head to Msembe airstrip to catch your flight to Selous. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed and taken to your lodge for lunch while enjoying the spectacular river view.

A late afternoon boat ride takes you along the mighty Rufiji River, the bloodline of the reserve, where magnificent wildlife congregate along its banks - a wonderful contrast to the previous day’s game drives. As the sun sets, drift back to camp in time for sundowners, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 5: Selous Game Reserve

Wake up to the sunlight dancing on the meandering waters of Rufiji and head out on an all-day safari where you can explore vast plains and miombo woodlands. Stop at the hot springs for a refreshing dip in the natural plunge pools, working up an appetite for your picnic lunch.

As you head back to the lodge, the park comes to life once again, as animals rouse and set out to hunt in the coolness of the evening. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks around the bar, great food, and another overnight stay.

Day 6: Selous Game Reserve

Spend your morning back on the water for an early boat trip where you’ll go in search of a sandbar in the scenic Stiegler’s Gorge for a picnic breakfast. Return to your lodge for lunch and an afternoon siesta.

In the late afternoon, witness the true rhythm of the bush on an intimate walking safari. Take in the fresh scent of the woodlands and become one with nature. Return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Optional: After your safari walk, you can opt to spend the night fly-camping on a stunning lakeside site, where iced sundowners and a roaring campfire will be waiting to welcome you. Spend the night surrounded by the sounds of the wild - the perfect lullaby.

Day 7: Selous Game Reserve

Wake up to a delicious camp cooked breakfast (if you’re fly-camping) or to stunning river views from your lodge. This morning, set out on a game drive to explore the wildlife and birds of Lake Tagalala, a truly remote area of the park that promises your own private safari experience.

Enjoy lunch back at your camp or lodge, followed by a game drive in this vast and serene game reserve, to a magical sundowner spot for spectacular views of a true African sunset. This is followed by dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: Selous Game Reserve - Dar-Es-Salaam

A leisurely start this morning begins with a cup of tea enjoying the sunrise, followed by breakfast with a view of the mile-wide, meandering Rufiji River. A short game drive will take you to the airstrip, where you’ll board your flight to Dar-Es-Salaam.

Not ready for the magic to end?
Talk to a Let’s Go Travel Expert about adding a beach holiday to your safari itinerary, where you’ll be able to unwind and relax from your adventures on the pure white sands of Zanzibar.