7 Day Southern Tanzania Fly-In Safari - Nyerere & Ruaha

Day 1 – Arrival at Dar es Salaam International Airport and Transfer to Nyerere National Park

Upon arrival at Dar es Salaam International Airport, meet the safari representative who will assist with the transfer to the domestic terminal for your flight into the heart of Nyerere National Park.

Covering more than 30,000 square kilometres, Nyerere is one of Africa’s largest and most pristine wildlife sanctuaries. Formerly part of the historic Selous Game Reserve, it offers vast, untouched landscapes and exceptional biodiversity, home to elephants, lions, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and one of the continent’s largest remaining populations of African wild dogs. Named after Tanzania’s founding father, Julius Nyerere, the park captures the spirit of authentic wilderness few places in Africa can match.

On arrival at the Nyerere airstrip, meet your guide and transfer to Lake Manze Camp, situated in a prime game-viewing area within the park. After check-in, enjoy a leisurely lunch while soaking up the sights and sounds of the surrounding bush.

In the afternoon, set out on your first game drive, exploring Nyerere’s striking contrasts — from open floodplains to miombo woodlands and riverine forests. Keep an eye out for elephants, giraffes, impala, and a variety of birdlife, including fish eagles and kingfishers along the Rufiji River.

Return to camp for a three-course dinner and relax by the campfire as the sounds of the African night unfold.

Accommodation: Lake Manze Camp
Board Basis: Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Approx. Drive Time: 30–45 minutes from airstrip to camp

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Day 2 – Full Day of Activities in Nyerere National Park

After an early breakfast at Lake Manze Camp, begin a full day of exploration in Nyerere National Park. The day’s activities may include a combination of game drives, walking safaris, and a boat safari along the scenic Rufiji River. Each experience offers a different perspective of the park’s rich wildlife — from elephants and lions on the plains to hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife along the waterways.

Lunch will be enjoyed either as a bush picnic in a shaded spot or back at camp, depending on the day’s schedule and wildlife movements.

In the afternoon, continue discovering the park’s varied landscapes, from open savannah to thick woodland and seasonally flooded wetlands. As the day cools, wildlife becomes more active, offering excellent photographic opportunities.

Return to camp in the evening to unwind before dinner, followed by another restful night surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.

Accommodation: Lake Manze Camp
Board Basis: Full Board
Approx. Drive Time: Flexible, based on chosen activities and wildlife viewing routes

Day 3 – Full Day of Activities in Nyerere National Park

After a hearty breakfast at Lake Manze Camp, begin another full day exploring Nyerere National Park, part of the vast UNESCO World Heritage–listed Selous ecosystem. Covering more than 30,000 square kilometres, the park is celebrated for its sweeping savannahs, flourishing wetlands, and the powerful Rufiji River, which together support one of East Africa’s most diverse wildlife populations.

Spend the day on game drives, searching for elephants, African wild dogs, lions, giraffes, and large buffalo herds. For a different pace, join a walking safari with an expert guide to discover the smaller details of the bush — tracks, insects, birds, and plant life that are often missed from the vehicle.

A boat safari along the Rufiji River is another highlight, offering close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife along the riverbanks. This water-based experience offers a contrasting and memorable perspective of the landscape.

Lunch will be enjoyed as a bush picnic or back at camp, depending on the day’s activities and wildlife sightings.

Return to camp in the evening to relax before dinner, followed by your final overnight stay at Lake Manze Camp.

Accommodation: Lake Manze Camp
Board Basis: Full Board
Approx. Drive Time: Flexible, depending on selected activities and game-viewing routes

Day 4 – Nyerere National Park to Ruaha National Park

Begin the morning with an early game drive in Nyerere National Park, a final chance to witness the dawn activities of the bush when wildlife is at its most active. Return to Lake Manze Camp for a late breakfast before transferring to the airstrip for your flight to Ruaha National Park.

On arrival in Ruaha, meet your guide and enjoy a scenic drive to Mdonyo Old River Camp, set in one of the most remote and untouched corners of the park. Arrive in time for lunch and settle into the camp’s rustic-luxury atmosphere, surrounded by the vast wilderness of central Tanzania.

Ruaha, the country’s largest national park, is renowned for its dramatic and varied landscapes — from towering baobab forests and rolling hills to rugged escarpments and wide, sand-filled riverbeds. The park is home to Tanzania’s largest elephant population, large prides of lions, and rare antelope species such as sable and roan. Its isolation ensures a rewarding and truly wild safari experience.

In the afternoon, venture out on a game drive to explore this striking terrain, where predator sightings are common and the sense of wilderness is unmatched.

Return to camp for a relaxed dinner and your overnight stay at Mdonyo Old River Camp.

Accommodation: Mdonyo Old River Camp
Board Basis: Full Board
Approx. Drive Time: 20–40 minutes from airstrip to camp

Day 5 – Full Day of Game Viewing in Ruaha National Park

After breakfast at Mdonyo Old River Camp, begin a full day of game viewing in Ruaha National Park, a vast wilderness celebrated for its rugged scenery and exceptional wildlife. Ruaha supports one of the largest lion populations in East Africa, as well as strong numbers of leopards, cheetahs, and the elusive African wild dog, making it a prime destination for predator sightings.

The park is equally famous for its impressive range of antelope species. Rare and striking sable and roan antelopes roam the more remote areas, while greater kudu — with their spiraled horns — are commonly seen weaving through the woodlands. Throughout the day, the landscape unfolds in dramatic variety, from towering baobab forests to rocky outcrops and expansive riverbeds shaped by the Great Ruaha River.

Spend the day exploring these diverse habitats, stopping for a picnic lunch in the bush or returning to camp for a restful midday break.

In the evening, return to camp for dinner and another overnight stay at Mdonyo Old River Camp, concluding another remarkable day in one of Tanzania’s most captivating wilderness areas.

Accommodation: Mdonyo Old River Camp
Board Basis: Full Board
Approx. Drive Time: Flexible, depending on wildlife movements and chosen game-viewing routes

Day 6 – Another Full Day of Game Viewing in Ruaha National Park

After breakfast at Mdonyo Old River Camp, continue your exploration of Ruaha National Park, a destination renowned for its remote wilderness and exceptionally rich wildlife. With its vast, untouched landscapes and minimal visitor numbers, Ruaha offers a truly authentic safari experience.

Spend the day searching for Ruaha’s impressive predator populations, including lions, leopards, and the highly sought-after African wild dogs. Large herds of elephants roam the park’s river valleys and baobab-dotted plains, while rare antelope species such as sable and roan move through the more secluded areas.

Bird enthusiasts will find Ruaha especially rewarding, with hundreds of recorded species ranging from colourful bee-eaters to raptors riding the thermals above the rocky escarpments. The park’s varied terrain — from woodlands and sand rivers to rugged hills — ensures an ever-changing backdrop throughout the day.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush or return to camp for a restful break before heading out again on an afternoon game drive.

Return to Mdonyo Old River Camp in the evening for a relaxed dinner and another overnight stay surrounded by the sounds of the African night.

Accommodation: Mdonyo Old River Camp
Board Basis: Full Board
Approx. Drive Time: Flexible, depending on wildlife sightings and chosen game-drive routes

Day 7 – Ruaha National Park to Dar es Salaam – Safari Concludes

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at Mdonyo Old River Camp, taking in the final views and quiet beauty of Ruaha National Park. After breakfast, transfer to the nearby airstrip for your flight back to Dar es Salaam Domestic Airport.

Upon arrival in Dar es Salaam, your safari comes to an end, with onward connections or international departures as scheduled.

Accommodation: —
Board Basis: Breakfast
Approx. Drive Time: 20–40 minutes from camp to airstrip