Welcome to Dar es Salaam! From the international terminal, you will take a transfer to the domestic terminal. (If you arrive at a different time, you will overnight in Dar es Salaam).
Your flight leaves Dar from the domestic terminal at 08h30. The flying time to Siwandu airstrip is about 45mins and there may be some stops in between. You will be met at the airstrip by a guide who will drive you the short distance to Selous Safari Camp.
Selous is Africa's largest Game Reserve, the size of a European country and one of the last great wilderness areas on the continent. Here you enjoy three unforgettable nights as well to take full advantage of the opportunities for wildlife viewing - either by boat, vehicle or on foot.
You will arrive in time for a traditional safari lunch which is then followed by a siesta! After siesta there will be the opportunity to take the first of the chosen activities and head out to explore this remote area, returning in time for sunset and dinner.
An early morning tea or coffee will be served in your tents. You have a choice of the following activities:
Boating - following the course of the mighty Rufiji River, weaving amongst the pods of hippo and crocodile lining the bank observing the game coming down to drink.
You can start the day earlier on a game walk, heading out on Selous' most privileged of experiences. Accompanied by an experienced guide and an armed ranger, you walk out into Africa's largest wilderness. You will learn about the complex eco-system and encounter the thrill and visceral contentment of being at the heart of Nature.
Or explore the game in the surrounding areas from your seat on an open-sided safari vehicle. This is a comfortable and privileged journey through the wild African bush. You can expect to see any of the major African mammals, including elephant, giraffes, lions, leopard and even the rare African Wild Dog.
Return to camp for a splendid lunch, then a difficult decision between a siesta and a dip in the swimming pool while waiting for the heat of the day to subside. The late afternoon is an excellent time to head out. After a cup of tea or cooling lemonade and scrumptious cakes you move onto your respective safaris for your late afternoon activity.
Selous Safari Camp also offers the opportunity to experience fly camping in this remote wilderness. This takes you back to the original 'Safari Style'. Leaving the main camp on a walk or drive in the late afternoon, you will arrive at a camp set up exclusively for you on the shores of the lake. Enjoy a hot bucket shower at the end of the day and when you ready meet by the fire for a sundowner and dinner.
Accommodation is in small dome tents, with a basin and hand towel outside each tent. The next morning you make your way back to the Main Camp having experienced a true African camping safari in the vast Selous. (This experience takes some planning and we advise you to pre-book, or you can book in camp subject to availability)
Depart Selous Safari Camp after breakfast for your flight to Ruaha National Park. The scheduled flight departs Selous at 09h30 and lands at 11:30 in Ruaha at the Jongomero Airstrip (there might be some stops in between). Here you will be met by your driver guide and taken back on a short safari to Jongomero Camp. You will arrive in time for lunch.
Jongomero is situated in the far South of the park and it feels like you have all of Africa to yourself as you roam the riverine areas and hills. Birding is quite spectacular, with the park boasting some 500 different species, including the Ruaha Red-billed hornbill which is unique to the park. Ruaha is an ecological convergence for Northern and Southern species of mammal and is also one of the few areas where Greater and Lesser Kudu can be seen. Game drives in Ruaha are unique and cater for the safari connoisseur, and with the bush luxury of Jongomero Camp as your base, you can enjoy a most exclusive and rewarding safari experience.
Enjoy full days in Ruaha National Park with either a morning walk or game drive and afternoon game drive that takes you into new territories of this remote Park. As in Selous there is the opportunity to fly camp. The set up is similar to Selous but it must be noted that they are very different experiences!!
After breakfast and a game drive you make your way to the airstrip for your charter flight. Flights leave Jongomero at 11h45 and land in Dar at 13h50. On arrival in Dar es Salaam you will have charter flight to Ras Kutani - the flying time is about 10 minutes.
Ras Kutani is a small coastal lodge of castaway luxury set on the shores of Tanzania. Set alone on a pristine beach of white sand it is cooled by the Indian Ocean. This will be your base for your last three nights. Here you immerse yourself in the spirit of relaxation and indulgence that is Ras Kutani's specialty.
You may wish to book one of the massages in a small room looking out over the Indian Ocean, or perhaps try something more challenging. With a choice of walks along the beach or through the coastal forest, the opportunity to surf or kayak or to watch turtles hatch, there is always plenty to do between relaxing. The tropical, coastal forest behind the lodge boasts some 132 different species of trees , and includes the spectacular black-and-white colobus monkey. You can also make a visit to the village nearby far a taste of Swahili life.
Day 11: Ras Kutani - Dar es Salaam
After breakfast you depart by charter flight to Dar es Salaam. You arrive in time for your international flight back home - Bon Voyage and Karibu Tena!
