11-Day Southern Tanzania Safari | Ruaha And Nyerere
11-Day Small Group Safari Tanzania: Walking, Boating & Wildlife in Ruaha and Nyerere National Parks
This 11-day Southern Tanzania safari combines the vast, wild landscapes of Ruaha National Park (4–5 days) with the water-based adventures of Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous, 4–5 days). It offers premier big game viewing, large lion populations, boat safaris, and walking tours. Best done via fly-in logistics to maximize time.
For the adventurous traveller, The Untamed Edition Small Group Tanzania safari is the perfect match. Far from the well-worn tourist tracks, this itinerary captures the raw and untamed beauty of southern Tanzania. This 11-day Southern Tanzania safari will quench your thirst for exploration.
Imagine the unadulterated excitement of seeing a lion hunt, an elephant clambering over a tree, or a pod of hippos playing in the shallows, all in complete peace and quiet, away from the madding throng. This is the unspoiled, tranquil, and awe-inspiring Africa that few ever get to visit.
Share the wonders of walking safaris, night drives, and stargazing with a small group of like-minded travellers at Usangu Expedition Camp in the southern Usangu Wetlands and Kokoko Camp in the middle of Ruaha, where the heavens seem to go on forever. End the day with a hearty meal shared around the campfire as the stars come out and the distant sounds of nature, like a lion’s roar and the wind, fill the air.
In Roho ya Selous, you may see the park’s diverse wildlife up close as you explore the wild and expansive Nyerere National Park. Discover an incredible variety of ecosystems brimming with life as you silently drift along the canals on a boating safari or track wildlife on foot.
This is the 11-Day Southern Tanzania Safari | Ruaha And Nyerere – one of deep connection, rich variety, and unforgettable moments in the wild.
A Detailed 11-Day Southern Tanzania Safari | Ruaha And Nyerere
Day 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam
You will be greeted with a warm welcome at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, the starting point of your East African adventure. A cosy and conveniently located hotel, the Four Points by Sheraton will provide you with a fantastic opportunity to relax before embarking on your adventure into the wilderness.
This is the perfect place to meet your personal safari guide and the other tourists who will be joining you on this incredible journey.
This first evening gives you the option to unwind by the pool, sip a cocktail, or explore the lively center of Tanzania’s capital on foot. Either way, it sets a pleasant and inviting tone for the rest of your adventure.
Accommodation: Four Points By Sheraton Dar Es Salaam
Board Basis: Dinner & Breakfast
Day 2-4: Your Wildlife Adventures Await
You will begin your safari today with a flight into Ruaha National Park. From there, you will go on a game drive to the untamed and secluded Usangu Wetlands. Hidden in the forest, Usangu Expedition Camp provides an unusually intimate safari experience with only six guest tents, allowing for a close relationship with the natural world and your fellow campers.
The camp is simple and functional, with an emphasis on exploration; guests enjoy sharing meals cooked over an open fire while lounging under the Ruaha sky. After a day of bushwalks, game drives, or boat safaris, set up a camera trap to catch a glimpse of any guests that may pop up after dark. Spend the night in the Star Cube, a one-of-a-kind sleeping under the boundless African sky, or go on a thermal imaging night drive with your knowledgeable guide.
Anyone in search of a more profound and untamed safari should come here.
Accommodation: Usangu Expedition Camp
Board Basis: Game Package
Day 5-7: An Immersive and Intimate Safari
Take a beautiful drive north to Kokoko Camp as you venture further into Ruaha National Park’s untamed interior. Set in one of the most inaccessible and unspoiled regions of Africa, Ruaha is well-known for its exceptional predator sightings, which include hyenas, wild dogs, leopards, cheetahs, and more.
Set on the banks of the parched Mwagusi River, the exclusive Kokoko Camp can accommodate a maximum of six people in an expedition-style setting, making for a remarkably personal and secluded safari. Walking safaris, night drives, and plenty of downtime to take in the scenery are all available to you here.
Dine under the stars in one of the camp’s specially-designed chambers with a retractable roof, and listen to the symphony of the African night as you light lanterns and enjoy your meal on the dry riverbed. Visiting Kokoko is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get back in touch with nature and other travellers.
One of the best ways to learn about this extraordinary area, become involved with conservation efforts, and immerse yourself in local culture is through the Southern Tanzania Elephant Program.
Accommodation: Kokoko Camp
Board Basis: Game Package
Day 8-10: Water Safari Adventures Await
Arrive at the airport in the middle of Nyerere National Park. Your guide will be waiting to take you to Roho ya Selous, a stunning camp perched on a peninsula with a view of Lake Nzerakera.
The expansive and unspoiled environment of Nyerere, the biggest protected reserve in Africa, is home to an abundance of wildlife, including wild dogs, elephants, hippos, buffalo, giraffes, hyenas, and more than 400 bird species. If you’re looking for a safari that’s both adventurous and peaceful, Roho ya Selous is the place for you.
Embark on boating safaris to discover the waterways, go on walking trips to explore the surrounding plains, or even give fishing a shot. After a long day of exploring, relax in the pool or take in some fresh air and wildlife noises from the open-sided lounge. Rest easy at the end of each day in one of the roomy guest tents, complete with an ingenious cooling system that takes use of the evening air and indoor and outdoor showers.
Accommodation: Roho ya Selous
Board Basis: Game Package
Day 11: Farewell
Your 11-Day Southern Tanzania Safari will end with a touching farewell meal at camp followed by a transfer to the airstrip for your flight to Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport, where you will connect with your subsequent flights.
As your adventure through East Africa’s wilderness winds down, you’ll take with you more than just wonderful memories—you’ll also carry the bonds you formed along the way and the awe you felt at the sights and sounds you encountered.
End of the 11-Day Southern Tanzania Safari