This tailor-made excellent safari tour takes you into the little-visited Southern National Parks of Tanzania and offers an almost private safari experience. The safari takes you to the wild and romantic Julius Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous National Park), which today is one of the largest nature reserves in the world. In 1982, the Nyerere National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and placed under special protection because of its uniqueness. The heart of the Nyerere National Park with its beautiful landscape is the great Rufiji River where you will experience an unforgettable boat safari and it is home to over a million wild animals with unique species that can only be found there. In the enchanting Nyerere National Park of Tanzania you can still feel the original wilderness up close and feel transported back to the days of big game hunters.
Afterwards you will visit the relatively unknown Mikumi National Park, from which legend has it that the African researchers and explorers “Dr. Livingstone” and “John H. Speke” were impressed by the imposing beauty of the landscape while crossing. Mikumi National Park is the fourth largest national park in Tanzania and was established in 1964. And because of its high number of animals, it is also known as the "small Serengeti of the south" and gives a good impression of the African wildlife of Tanzania.
At the end of your dream safari in Tanzania, you will spend a bathing holiday on the Swahili coast on an island paradise with snow-white, fine sandy beaches directly on the Indian Ocean, which can only be reached by boat from the historic city of Bagamoyo. A visit to this idyllic island paradise is a "must" for anyone who wants to unwind and is looking for peace and elevation and will be rewarded with a unique "Robinson Cruso" flair in a private atmosphere. In addition, experience the pulsating and typically African metropolis of Dar es Salaam with its full life and its numerous sights.
Individual arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in the vibrant and typically African metropolis of Dar es Salaam with its blazing life. After completing the customs and immigration formalities, you will be welcomed by your personal guide (driver Malley Simon Gwandu/English speaking) with refreshments at the airport in Dar es Salaam.
This is followed by the transfer to the 5-star luxury hotel "The Kilimanjaro", which takes about 30 minutes depending on the traffic situation. The hotel is the premier address and landmark of Dar es Salaam. You spend the night in the historic luxury hotel where some famous actors and pop stars as well as important people from politics and society have already moved into their quarters.
The afternoon is at your leisure and you have time to recover from the journey. Explore the beautiful hotel and lively surroundings with the nearby Askari Monument and relax by the beautiful infinity pool with stunning views across the bay with Dar es Salaam Harbor overlooking the Indian Ocean. Overnight at Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam "The Kilimanjaro" ***** (luxury 5 stars) in Dar es Salaam
Drive to the city of Dar es Salaam
View of the port of Dar es Salaam at nightAfter an excellent breakfast in “The Kilimanjaro”, the first highlight of your safari tour awaits you. We leave lively Dar es Salaam and drive (4-5 hours) on the well-developed T1 road to Nyerere National Park in Tanzania, around 230 kilometers southwest of Dar es Salaam lies in which we will spend three nights. We will make a stopover on the way with our packed lunches and will probably reach the park entrance (Mtemere Gate) at around 3:00 p.m. After a short drive we reach the beautiful Rufiji River Camp in authentic safari style with its unique location directly on the impressive Rufiji River.
The Julius Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous National Park) in Tanzania is the largest game reserve in Africa with an incredible 51,500 km2 (corresponds to approx. 6% of the total area of ??Tanzania) and is home to over a million wild animals. The game reserve was partially protected by the German governor under the colonial government as early as 1896 and is now one of the largest nature reserves in the world. In 1982, the Nyerere National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and placed under special protection because of its uniqueness.
Nyerere National Park was recently renamed from Selous National Park after the world famous big game hunter "Frederick Courteney Selous", who served as the inspiration for writer Rider Haggard in the Hollywood adaptation Quartermain, starring in the adventure film played Richard Chamberlain.
Nyerere National Park borders Mikumi National Park to the north, which we will then visit for two nights, and allows for a diverse range of wildlife along the mighty Rufiji River. In the wild and romantic Nyerere National Park, 15% of the total area is open to tourists for game drives, photo safaris and wildlife observation.
Around 4:00 PM we head to the river bank for a boat safari on the Rufiji River. The large Rufiji River divides Nyerere National Park into two areas and during floods affects the national park so much that it closely resembles the Okavango Delta area of Botswana. On the impressive boat safari we observe hippos, crocodiles, monitor lizards, waterbuck, buffalo and various bird species up close on the water and experience a breathtaking sunset on the Rufiji River with its spectacular landscape. Meals (B, L/L, D = FB) and accommodation at Rufiji River Camp
Park entrance to Nyerere National Park
Boat safari on the great Rufiji RiverAfter breakfast we will explore the Nyerere National Park with its water areas and small lakes on a jeep safari. We drive north along the Rufiji with one of the most species-rich animal worlds in East Africa and its large herds of elephants with around 400 different bird species, a dream for all ornithologists.
During our safari we observe many other wild animals such as lions, zebras, spotted hyenas, giraffes, warthogs, various types of antelope, eland, impala, bushbuck and waterbuck, Thomson's gazelle, wildebeest, and with a bit of luck wild dogs, which are one of the main attractions of the nature reserve. We will have our lunch on the river bank and enjoy the scenery and pristine nature. In the late afternoon we are back at camp to enjoy the accommodation facilities and a dip in the beautiful swimming pool. Meals (B, L, D = FB) and accommodation at Rufiji River Camp
Hippo on the Rufiji River
Countless bird species on the Rufiji RiverWe will spend the whole day on game drives in Nyerere National Park with further wildlife viewing and optional walking safaris accompanied by a ranger. We explore the numerous tributaries of the Rufiji River with its islands, sandbanks and lagoons in search of other wild animals and the imposing African short-toed eagle, cattle egrets, pelicans, oryx weavers and kingfishers and experience the unique landscape of the Nyerere National Park with its borassus palms on which the Fish eagles like to stop to look for prey.
In the Julius Nyerere National Park you can also follow the traces of German colonial history, such as the leader of the German protection force Lettow-Vorbeck in the last battle in the Beho-Beho area against Frederick Courteney Selous, who unfortunately died here from a ricochet. The tomb of adventure and big game hunter "Frederick Courteney Selous" can be visited in the Beho-Beho area if desired. In the afternoon we will be back at the magnificent Rufiji River Camp and you can continue to watch the hippos and crocodiles from your terrace and lounge area and end the day around the open fire with breathtaking sunsets over the Rifiji River. Meals (B, L, D = FB) and accommodation at Rufiji River Camp
Lion in Nyerere National Park
Fantastic sunset at the Rufiji RiverAfter a rich piece of fruit we drive 176km through the Nyerere National Park with further wildlife observations to the park exit Matambwe and experience many unforgettable impressions on the eventful and longer drive around the Udzungwa Mountains, past quartz and quarries as well as the gold fields over serpentines and through different vegetation zones. We stop in the town of Morogoro, which lies picturesquely at the foot of the Uluguru Mountains, and will rest there and have our packed lunch.
In the evening we reach the park entrance to the relatively unknown Mikumi National Park, of which, according to legend, the Africa explorers Speke and Livingstone were amazed by its beauty. In the restaurant with its natural high thatched roof you can enjoy a 3-course meal served by the attentive and friendly camp staff and you can watch galagos (bush babies) and porcupines from the terrace. Meals (B, L ,D = FB) and accommodation at Vuma Hills Tented Camp
Giraffes driving through Nyerere National Park
Quarry on the way to MorogoroWe spend the whole day on safari in Mikumi National Park on game drives. The park entrance is not far from the camp. Mikumi National Park is the fourth largest national park in Tanzania and was established in 1964. The Mikumi National Park is also known as the "small Serengeti of the South" due to its high animal population and gives a good impression of the African wildlife of Tanzania. Occasional sightings of the rare African wild dog are even possible.
We will have lunch under an imposing baobab tree and observe the breathtaking landscape with its wild animals such as elephant, giraffe, hyena, baboon, jackal, vervet monkey, mongoose, python, bushbuck and reedbuck, impala, sable antelope, bustard, zebra and lion. In the afternoon there is the opportunity to rest and relax at the camp's beautiful pool after an exciting safari in Mikumi National Park. Meals (B, L, D = FB) and accommodation at Vuma Hills Tented Camp
Entrance to Mikumi National Park
Beautiful zebras because of the stripe patternIn the early morning we drive over the Tan Zam Highway, where further animal observations are possible and the Mikumi National Park is divided into two halves towards the historic city of Bagamoyo (approx. 300 kilometers) to your dreamlike beach stay on the offshore island in the Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge where you will spend three nights. In the early afternoon we will reach Bagamoyo pier where the boat will take you to the tropical island where you can recover from your exciting safari in one of the most beautiful national parks in Tanzania.
Pride of lions in Mikumi National Park
Five different animal species at a glance in Mikumi NPThe Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge is the perfect retreat for a relaxing stay. On the long "Barefoot Islands" with a snow-white fine sandy beach you will find unique "Robinson Cruso" flair in an extraordinary and private atmosphere. The small island paradise forms a private nature reserve is protected by a coral reef with miles of pristine sandy beaches surrounded by mangrove forests and a diverse ecosystem. If desired, historical excursions (optional) to Bagamoyo with a visit to the Kaole ruins, Dr. Livingstone house, German colonial cemetery, old fort, Litu house, observation tree, German Boma, Wissmann monument, old Arabic tea house, historical "Kaiserstraße", old German post office, Nasser Virji house, old Swahili wooden doors, old German customs office, traditional dhow wharf, old guard house possible and much more. Various water sports activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, sailing or romantic trips on the typical dhow are also offered. Meals (B, L/L, D = FB) and accommodation at Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge in Bagamoyo
We await you after breakfast at the pier in Bagamoyo to welcome you there and drive (approx. 70km) to the elegant Southern Sun, which is very quietly located next to the botanical gardens in the center of the fascinating city of Dar es Salaam. The afternoon is free for optional excursions to Alt Boma, Kariakoo Market, Nafasi Art Space (artist scene), Museum and House of Culture, Oyster Bay (beach). Meals (B, L/L) and accommodation at Southern Sun in Dar es Salaam
Bridge crossing on the way to Dar es Salaam
Bagamoyo to Dar es Salaam road signAfter breakfast (F) it's time to say goodbye. As this is the last day of your journey in beautiful Tanzania after your game and beach safari, we will accompany you to Julius Nyerere International Airport for your onward flight home with unforgettable impressions and countless stories to tell. Meals (B)
Rare wild dogs in Nyerere National ParkOur tip: After your exciting trip, extend it with one of our fantastic Tanzania safari round trips or short safaris. Visit the chimpanzees of Gombe Stream National Park on scenic Lake Tanganyika, the extraordinary rock art of Kondoa or spend time at Lake Victoria. Experience the Northern National Parks with the world famous Serengeti, Ruaha National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. If you would like to explore fascinating Tanzania actively and intensively outside of the classic routes, we recommend hiking to the beautiful Matertuni waterfalls or follow in the footsteps of Hans Meyer, the German first climber in 1889, on a day hike through the fairytale tropical ancient mountain rain forest with clear streams on the first section on the way to the top of Kilimanjaro. Experience the wildly romantic Mkomazi National Park with its incomparably beautiful and dramatic landscape with an almost private safari experience with guaranteed encounters with the rare wild dogs and the black rhino. We are happy to help with desired safari extensions and with the selection of accommodation.
Our individual and personal travel planning is a non-binding offer and is based on our contractual conditions. We refer to the relevant passages in our contract terms for the statutory limitation period for the assertion of claims, the statute of limitations for claims and other obligations to avoid loss of claims. We reserve the right to adjust the trip to equivalent hotels/lodges/camps etc. due to local changes.
