Southern Tanzania Circuit: Ruaha & Selous Game Drive
8 Days: Southern Tanzania Circuit
Dar Es Salaam, Selous Game Reserve And Ruaha National Park
Combining 1 night Serena Hotel Dar, 3 nights Roho ya Selous, and 3 nights Jabali Ridge
Day 1: Overnight at Serena Hotel, Dar – BB
On arrival in Dar es Salaam Airport you will be met by a personal driver who will transfer you to Serena Hotel a leading hotel renowned for comfort boosting services in Dar es Salaam. Enjoy the good night sleep before your safari.
Serena Hotel Dar
Southern Sun is located near the Botanical Gardens, Julius Nyerere ICC and the Zanzibar ferry in Dar es Salaam Tanzania. A perfect position and on the drive from Dar es Salaam Airport. The rooms are perfect for a safari stop over and every room features a large and comfortable bed, views overlooking the historic Botanical Gardens or the city.
Day 2: Overnight at Roho ya Selous Camp, Selous Game Reserve
You will be driven to Dar airport this morning for your light aircraft flight to the Selous, one of Africa’s greatest game reserves. You will be staying in the heart of the core game viewing area of Selous at Roho ya Selous and a guide from here will meet you at the airstrip and game drive you back to camp.
Settle in and soak up your new surroundings before enjoying a delicious, fresh lunch in a shady spot. There is time to relax for a couple of hours after lunch, before meeting for afternoon tea and freshly baked cakes and departing on an afternoon game-drive.
The reserve is home to a wide variety and high density of wildlife, making a safari here immensely rewarding.
Roho ya Selous
Located in the heart of the Selous Game Reserve, Roho ya Selous is tucked into a shady grove of trees, close to the northern end of Lake Nzerakera. There are eight spacious tented rooms, each with shade netting over the main canvas, and evening breeze cooling over the beds to keep you cool and comfortable even in the hotter months.
There is a swimming pool and open-sided mess area with plenty of space to relax during siesta time, or with a drink chatting to other guests after dinner. Expert guides lead guests on a variety of safari activities to explore this wildlife-rich reserve, with boat safaris, fishing, walking safaris, and game drives included in your stay.
Day 3 & 4: Overnight at Roho ya Selous, Selous Game Reserve
Your days on safari offer plenty of flexibility, with a range of safari activities to choose from each morning and afternoon. Walking safaris are entirely different here to those in Ruaha, exploring the miombo woodland environment with your guide.
In the early mornings, the light is particularly beautiful in the Selous, making for some great photography opportunities as you look for tracks of wildlife that have come near camp overnight.
The boat safaris are superb morning or afternoon, watching wildlife come to the water’s edge to drink and getting close to bird colonies, hippos and crocodiles. You can also enjoy a spot of catch-and-release fishing, too.
Game drives are the best way to travel further afield and see some larger game including the predators – the Selous is home to the largest populations of wild dog in Africa, which are a real highlight if you are lucky enough to encounter a pack.
Day 5: Overnight at Jabali Ridge, Ruaha National Park
After breakfast depart with your guide to Siwandu Airstrip for your Coastal Aviation flight to Msembe Airstrip in Ruaha National Park. On arrival at Msembe Airstrip you will be met by a guide from Jabali Ridge.
A welcome table will be set up for you with a brief introduction into the surrounding area before heading on a game drive en-route to Jabali Ridge. Once at camp you will have the opportunity to relax and acclimate to the change of scenery.
In the afternoon, you have the option of either relaxing in camp and soaking up your immediate surroundings or heading out on an afternoon game drive in an open safari vehicle.
As evening approaches, it’s time to prepare for drinks and dinner or, if pre- booked, the opportunity to search for the nocturnal residents on a night game drive.
Jabali Ridge
Hidden amongst 150,000 sq. km of pristine wilderness area, Ruaha National Park is home to one of the largest populations of elephant on the continent, vast herds of buffalo and super prides of lion.
Perched on a rocky outcrop in one of the best locations the park has to offer, Jabali Ridge is a sophisticated retreat with spectacular views of riverbeds studded with spiky palms and broad baobabs. It is an exclusive base from which to discover Ruaha whilst on day and night game drives and walking safaris.
Day 6 & 7: Overnight at Jabali Ridge, Ruaha National Park
Depending on your preference, there are a couple of options with regards to how your day is structured. Walking safaris are a great way to start the day, getting out early and exploring the environment on equal footing as the wildlife.
There are morning game drives with picnic breakfasts, or delicious breakfasts to be enjoyed in camp. Full day game drives with picnic lunches, or a relaxed lunch in camp with an afternoon game drive. Or spend the day in camp, enjoying the pleasures of the spa and unwinding in the swimming pool before venturing out on a night game drive.
Despite sharing vehicles on a Game Package basis, the camp will do everything it can to ensure that your ideal structure is met. For increased flexibility, book a private vehicle and structure your days exactly how you wish.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, pack your bags and say your farewells as you depart for Msembe Airstrip for your Coastal Aviation flight to Dar Es Salaam Airport. Wave goodbye to Ruaha and enjoy the delicious packed lunch from Jabali Ridge as you make your way to Dar es Salaam to connect with your onward travel.
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What people say
“The trip itinerary that Penwell Safaris put together for me was the perfect balance of cultural and environmental explorations. Each camp I stayed in, from the Ngorongoro Crater to Central and Southern Serengeti, to the island of Rubondo, had a team of knowledgeable and friendly staff who celebrated the natural beauty of their surroundings. Their love and respect for their country inspired me to take in every moment with complete awe and appreciation for the diverse, intelligent ecosystems and majestic wildlife that thrived in the Bowl of Plenty and endless plains of the bush. Driving through thousands of wildebeests and zebras while they fed on grass and instinctively migrated through the great Serengeti was an overwhelming sight to behold with muffled sounds of hoofs and grunts, yet deeply peaceful at the same time. It sometimes took my breath away. Even the industrious dung beetles rolling their dung balls were as exciting to observe as the the big five and scavenging hyenas. But the strikingly beautiful faces and welcoming attitude of the Tanzanian people were the icing on the cake. Pure joy and a sense of belonging came through every “Mambo” greeting they shared with each other and with us as we wandered through their vast, abundant land. My trip was a life-affirming adventure that I would recommend to anyone. And I plan to go back for more!”
— Sue Baile
“We traveled to Africa in August 2018 and visited Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. The tours were very well organized and could not have asked for a better experience or accommodations. Every guide and driver we had were knowledgeable, personable, and funny. They really wanted you to have the best Safari experience possible. In Uganda, it was such a great experience to see the gorillas in the rain forest. It was a hard trek but totally worth the experience. We got to see so much wildlife in Tanzania (lions, zebra, cape buffalo, hyena, jackals, cheetah, elephant and so much more), but most importantly we were lucky to see 5 Wildebeest migrations across the river!
We were really impressed with the food offerings and the chef at each camp was sensitive to the dietary needs of our party (vegetarian for one traveler and lactose sensitivity to another). From the early morning game drives and morning tea in the bush, to afternoon lunches at the camps, to beautiful sundowners in the evening, and delicious dinners we felt catered to at every stop. The staff at each camp was amazing! We look forward to our next trip over to Africa!”
— Marc Foreman
“I could not describe how magnificent my experience was on a 10 day safari through the Serengeti with Kathy. Of all of my world travels, this was the most memorable trip. From sundowners on top of beautiful rock structures, to an extraordinary lakeside breakfast watching the sunrise to the thrill of watching a cheetah hunt and kill. Every moment of the trip was memorable. Kathy brings a breadth of experience and opportunity that few other African safari companies can provide. I cannot plan my next trip soon enough! Happy Travels! Asante.”
— Michael Wilcox
“I met Kathy back in the late 1980s. One day 5 friends began talking about taking a trip together and Kathy mentioned Africa. How could anyone say “no” to tagging along with Kathy, since she was/is a world traveler and traveled to Africa tons of times. Kathy said she loved planning the trip and managed it all, from phone calls and tons of emails. She asked us if we wanted to rough it, go glamping or a bit of both. She arranged the entire trip and Oh Em Gee, WOW!! That was THE trip of a lifetime! We traveled to Arusha, where we met up with THE BEST safari guide (father, brother & uncle) there is, Jadim George Luangila. This was an amazing trip filled with wonderful people, 100% white glove customer care, the most beautiful animal kingdom you will ever witness, along with the most gorgeous night skies.
When you get that desire to travel to Africa, it’s a MUST you call Kathy Harvey!”
— Lisa Goldman