A Mikumi night only if we are road-transfering; most versions skip the highway and stay in the air.
Overview
If you already did the north, or you hate crowds more than you love famous names, this is the Tanzania we would take our own leave on. It starts in Dar es Salaam, not Arusha. The light aircraft are small. The tsetse are real. The boat on the Rufiji will be the bit you talk about in the pub.
We can add Mafia at the end instead of a second Ruaha night if you want whale-shark season. We can add Udzungwa if you want a waterfall hike between parks. We do not add Serengeti to this itinerary; that is a different holiday.
Airport hotel. We do not attempt a bush flight the same afternoon as a long-haul unless the clock is genuinely kind.
Day2Fly NyerereNyerere National Park
Strip landing, boat or drive to camp, afternoon on the river.
Day3NyerereNyerere National Park
Boat and drive mix. Wild dog if the radio is kind.
Day4NyerereNyerere National Park
Second full day. Fishing if you asked at booking.
Day5Fly RuahaRuaha National Park
Short hop, afternoon drive along the riverine woodland.
Day6RuahaRuaha National Park
Full day. Walk at first light if the camp is running walks.
Day7RuahaRuaha National Park
Another full day. Distances are large; we pick a sector and stay with it.
Day8RuahaRuaha National Park
Last full day in the park.
Day9Fly Dar, optional Mikumi if road-boundDar es Salaam
Standard version flies to Dar and uses a city or beach hotel. Overland version would have used Mikumi as a connector; we only do that when you refuse to fly.
Day10DepartDar es Salaam
International flight, or a hop to Mafia if we attached the marine park.
Photos from the trip
What’s included
Park fees for Nyerere and Ruaha as itinerary
Light-aircraft flights Dar-Nyerere-Ruaha-Dar as quoted
Nights in tented camps, full board, shared or private camp vehicle as per quote
Boat safari days in Nyerere
Walking safari in Ruaha where the camp runs it
AMREF cover while on safari
Not included
International flights, visa, Dar hotel if you arrive the night before
Drinks, laundry, tips
Fishing licences and tackle
Mafia or Udzungwa extensions
Prices by season
Per person in USD, 2026 rates, based on 2 travellers sharing.
Dry season
1 Jun – 31 Oct
$5,890
Green / selected camps
Best value
10 Jan – 15 Mar
$5,480
Travelling in a group? You save
Per-person price for the Green / selected camps rate.
1 traveller
$8,330
--52%
2 travellers
$5,480
-0%
3 travellers
$5,316
-3%
4 travellers
$5,206
-5%
5 travellers
$5,096
-7%
6 travellers
$4,987
-9%
7 travellers
$4,932
-10%
8 travellers
$4,877
-11%
Frequently asked questions
Is this good in April?
Usually no. Camps close and roads fail. We sell June to October, and we are honest about November storms.
Malaria and tsetse?
Prophylaxis, long sleeves, muted clothing. Tsetse are part of the woodland. They are not a crisis. They are a reason not to wear navy blue.
