Tanzania’s Wild Southern Parks with Zanzibar
Tour Introduction
In this sample tailor-made itinerary we suggest combining the two remote, little-visited parks of Ruaha and Selous in the south with exotic Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean to produce a well-rounded programme of big game safaris, sandy beaches, coral reefs, period architecture and a fascinating east African/Arabian cultural melange.
Simple yet comfortable and well run tented camps are used for the safari section giving a real feel of the great outdoors and bringing you into close contact with Africa’s classic wildlife. Your tour ends on a white sand beach on Zanzibar staying at a small, cosy boutique hotel with thatch-roof villas looking far out to sea.
Game drives, bush walking, snorkelling and boat excursions all add excitement to this enthralling holiday which is perfect for the more adventurous wildlife traveller who appreciates true wilderness and excellent value.
Full Itinerary
Arrive Dar es Salaam. Take flight to Selous Game Reserve. Afternoon game drive in the reserve. The Selous is the largest reserve in Tanzania and is composed of a vast unspoilt network of rivers, lakes, woodland and savannah. The reserve is home to the rare wild dog estimated at 4000 animals (half of the entire African population) as well as large populations of elephant, hippo, giraffe, zebra, antelope and buffalo. There is a large lion population and the terrain is particularly suited to leopards which are thought to exist in even greater numbers than the lions (although seen less often).
Staying at Lake Manze Tented Camp. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy safaris including walking tours and boat trips in Selous Game Reserve. Spend the evening dining under the African sky with the sounds of the bush all around.
Staying at Lake Manze Tented Camp. Includes All Meals.
Another day of game drives, bush walking and boat safaris in Selous.
Staying at Lake Manze Tented Camp. Includes All Meals.
Transfer to airstrip and take morning flight to Ruaha National Park. The park has to rank as one of the most unspoilt reserves in Africa. Large numbers of elephants can be seen here and the waterholes attract other game animals and corresponding carnivores including large prides of lions, leopards and cheetah. Other wildlife includes both roan and sable antelope, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, lesser kudu, large herds of zebra, healthy populations of wild dog and over 500 species of birds.
Staying at Mdonya Old River Camp. Includes All Meals.
Safari activities including game drives in open sided vehicles and walking tours in the pristine Ruaha National Park wilderness.
Staying at Mdonya Old River Camp. Includes All Meals.
Enjoy another day of safaris in the park, then sundowners and al fresco dinners back at camp.
Staying at Mdonya Old River Camp. Includes All Meals.
Another day of safaris in the park and al fresco dinners and sundowners at the camp.
Staying at Mdonya Old River Camp. Includes All Meals.
Transfer back to airstrip in time for the flight to Zanzibar. Met on arrival and transfer to Zanzibar’s beautiful east coast and check in to your hotel.
Staying at Pongwe Beach Resort. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
A day at leisure at the beautiful Pongwe Beach Resort. The white sand beach offers good swimming at high tide and there is superb snorkelling at the nearby Mnemba Atoll. Optional trips can also be taken to Kizimkazi where you can swim with turtles and dolphins.
Staying at Pongwe Beach Resort. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Another day at leisure with OPTIONAL activities available.
Staying at Pongwe Beach Resort. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Another day at leisure with OPTIONAL activities available.
Staying at Pongwe Beach Resort. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Early morning pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport. Take the flight to Dar es Salaam and connect with your international flight home.
Includes In-flight Meals.
Tour Accommodation
Pongwe Beach Resort
Overview
Pongwe Beach Resort is a charming guesthouse with a quiet and secluded location on one of the best beaches on the attractive east coast of Zanzibar. It is a 50 kilometre drive on a good tarmac road from Stone Town to reach the resort.
Pongwe offers just sixteen thatched cottages all just a stone’s throw from the warm Indian Ocean, each with a private terrace and simply furnished with traditional Zanzibari wooden doors, wooden beds and locally spun fabrics throughout.
The beach offers good swimming at high tide and there is superb snorkelling at the nearby Mnemba Atoll. Trips can also be taken to Kizimkazi where you can swim with turtles and dolphins. An infinity swimming pool is a welcome facility and the restaurant serves imaginatively prepared seafood as well as special dishes to cater for any dietary requirements. A wide variety of beverages and cocktails are always available at the bar.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, lounge, infinity pool, library, internet service, private bathrooms, mosquito net, fan and laundry service.
Optional Activities
Kayaks and mountain bikes are provided free of charge and other activities include scuba diving, snorkelling and jeep excursions.
Mdonya Old River Camp
Overview
With just twelve tents, Mdonya Old River Camp is understated and unobtrusive, blending perfectly with the surrounding bush in Ruaha National Park. The large and comfortable tents have en suite bathrooms with solar heated hot water and are spread out along the dry river bed of the Mdonya River.
Hearty meals are served communal-style, often under the stars, and a nearby escarpment is the perfect location for sundowners. The camp being unfenced, there is superb wildlife watching from your tent as well as on the shared game drives and walking tours.
Wildlife including elephants and lions sometimes pass close to the camp providing an exhilarating experience but meals are occasionally disrupted by these wild visitors.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, lounge, private bathroom with hot water showers,
Local Wildlife
The park is home to a vast array of typical east African mammals, birds and reptiles. It is notable for large numbers of elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog. The rare Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, lesser kudu and beautiful roan and sable antelopes are also present here. Birdlife is equally rewarding with over 500 species. Lions, elephants, buffalo and other large game are often seen in close proximity to the camp itself.
Optional Activities
Game drives and walking safaris.
Lake Manze Lodge
Overview
Lake Manze Camp is a great little lodge located on the banks of beautiful Lake Manze, well away from the main Selous lodges. It is a rich area for game, particularly during the long dry season when animals are drawn here to drink from the lake. A high quality of guiding and the lack of other tourists combine to create intimate wildlife encounters and a feeling of being truly in the wilds of Africa.
The twelve large safari tents are relatively simple yet come equipped with flushing toilets, open-air hot water showers, a small closet and some seating. The tents are slightly raised on earth mounds and have individual stone verandahs giving good views towards the lake.
Outdoor dinners complete the bush experience and being an open camp, you never know when your wild neighbours will wander through. The lodge does not have electricity in the rooms: storm lanterns provide more intimate lighting. There is also a small souvenir shop on site and a laundry service is available. Beside traditional game drives, boat safaris and walking tours are also available, which are fascinating ways to view wildlife.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, souvenir shop, private bathroom (no electricity in room) and laundry service (available at extra charge).
Local Wildlife
Selous is home to one of the largest population of carnivores in Africa including African wild dog, lion, leopard, cheetah, serval, caracal and spotted hyena. Large game such as elephant, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, eland and kudu are resident year round. The rare Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable antelope and black rhino also occur in the park but are rarely seen.
Optional Activities
Like most lodges in Selous, boat trips and walking safaris are also available alongside the usual 4x4 game drives.
Route Map
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Departure Dates
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Domestic flights within Tanzania are included.
Best Visited:
June to October
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
If you are not a beach person, drop Zanzibar and fly on from Ruaha to Mahale for some fantastic chimpanzee trekking in the forests on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
We had a superb holiday [in Tanzania]. I was particularly struck by the variety in the bush. I wasn’t expecting such diversity of trees and colours. Fabulous wildlife. The arrangements all went like clockwork making the whole holiday very relaxed. It worked very well with the children…they were welcomed everywhere.
