Nyerere National Park · Ruaha National Park
Southern Wilds: Nyerere and Ruaha in a Week
River boats, wild dogs and big lion country far from the northern crowds.
- Duration
- 7 days
- Destinations
- Nyerere National Park · Ruaha National Park
- Best months
- Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Group size
- 1 to 6 guests
- From
- $4,420 per person
Overview
River boats, wild dogs and big lion country far from the northern crowds.
Tanzania's south sees only a fraction of the visitors who go north. Between them, Nyerere and Ruaha protect 74,826 km² (28,891 sq mi), an expanse bigger than many countries, and crowds are rare across it. A single week links the two parks, starting with a night in Dar es Salaam so you can recover from your flight.
Plan: seven days and six nights, made up of one night in Dar es Salaam, two in Nyerere National Park and three in Ruaha National Park.
There are two ways to do it, each with its own character as well as its own cost. The second tier is a road expedition, with a private vehicle and guide covering the ground between Dar es Salaam and the first park. The third tier flies every leg, giving up road time for extra hours in camp and a clear step up in comfort.
- A pair of reserves that shelter 74,826 km² (28,891 sq mi) of untouched bush
- Nyerere, where African wild dogs persist in numbers among the biggest left anywhere on the continent
- Ruaha, thought to hold about 10% of the world's remaining lions
- Cruising the Rufiji River by boat, something Nyerere does especially well
- A walking safari in Nyerere led by an armed ranger
- Choose a road expedition or a fully flown version
- Among the least crowded protected areas in East Africa
Best forSolo travellersCouplesWildlife enthusiasts
Wildlife radar
What you can expect to see
June to October, the dry months, when the bush is thinner and animals gather at permanent water. The parks can be visited at other times, though afternoon rain becomes more likely.
- LionHigh
Ruaha is thought to hold about a tenth of the world's remaining lions
- African wild dogRare
- HippopotamusHigh
Seen on Rufiji River boat safaris
- African elephantHigh
- Cape buffaloHigh
- Sable antelopeRare
On the map
Your route
Follow the trip from the first night to the last, by road and by air.
- Start · Day 1Dar es Salaam
- Day 2-3Nyerere National ParkFlight from Dar es Salaam
- Day 4-6Ruaha National ParkFlight from Nyerere National Park
- End · Day 7Dar es SalaamDrive from Ruaha National Park
Day by day
Your itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Land in Dar es Salaam and take a private transfer from the airport to your hotel.
- Summit
- Hyatt Regency Dar
- Meals
- Dinner
Day 2
Into Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park
On the second tier, drive from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere, about four hours by road. On the third tier, fly instead. Both begin with a boat safari on arrival.
Nyerere, once known as the Selous Game Reserve, protects about 30,900 km² (11,930 sq mi), roughly the size of Belgium, which makes it the largest national park in Tanzania.
- Ridge
- Rufiji River Camp
- Meals
- Full board
Day 3
A full day in Nyerere
Nyerere National Park
A day for both a game drive and a walking safari.
Nyerere is home to one of the biggest remaining wild dog populations in Africa, along with plenty of hippos along the Rufiji.
- Ridge
- Rufiji River Camp
- Meals
- Full board
Day 4
Fly to Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park
A flight carries you from Nyerere to Ruaha.
Ruaha, at 20,226 km² (7,809 sq mi), is one of the biggest national parks in Tanzania, and it is thought to hold about 10% of the world's remaining lions.
- Ridge
- Ruaha River Lodge
- Summit
- Ikuka Camp
- Meals
- Full board
Day 5
Ruaha game drives
Ruaha National Park
A full day of game drives in Ruaha.
The Great Ruaha River anchors wildlife along the park's southeastern edge, and big herds of elephant and buffalo move through.
- Ridge
- Ruaha River Lodge
- Summit
- Ikuka Camp
- Meals
- Full board
Day 6
A second day in Ruaha
Ruaha National Park
Another full day of game drives in Ruaha.
Ruaha also offers some of Tanzania's best chances of seeing sable and roan antelope.
- Ridge
- Ruaha River Lodge
- Summit
- Ikuka Camp
- Meals
- Full board
Day 7
Departure
Ruaha to Dar es Salaam
Fly from Ruaha back to Dar es Salaam for your onward journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Gallery
Along the route
Where you stay
Choose your style of stay
Price per person
Choose a level of stay and see what each person pays for your group size.
| Travelling together | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 2 travellers | $5,245 |
| 3 travellers | $4,833 |
| 4 travellers | $4,626 |
| 5 travellers | $4,503 |
| 6 travellers | $4,420 |
- Prices are in US dollars, per person sharing a double or twin room. Vehicle and guide costs are shared, so the price per person changes with group size and does not always fall in a straight line.
- Park fees are set by the authorities and can change, so the quote you accept is the price that applies.
What's included
- Park and concession fees
- Full board throughout
- All the game drives and activities listed
- The internal flights specified for your tier
- Airport transfers
Not included
- International flights to Dar es Salaam
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
Good to know
- Rates are per person sharing a double or twin room; single supplements are available on request.
- Nyerere and Ruaha have no workable road between them, which means both tiers take a flight for that stage.
- Availability and rates can vary with the exact dates within a season.
- Government authorities fix the park and conservation charges, so these can shift at short notice.
Questions
Good to know
Mostly in how you travel and where you sleep. The second tier drives from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere and uses simple, well-placed camps. The third tier flies every leg, including that first one, and stays in more refined places throughout. The parks, the nights spent in each and the game drives and activities are identical on both.
The geography does not offer a practical road between the two parks within a week. The second tier drives wherever it sensibly can and flies only where it must, while the third tier flies throughout for comfort and consistency.
Game drives are done seated and need no special fitness. The walking safaris in Nyerere are optional, on established trails at an easy pace accompanied by an armed ranger. Adults of reasonable fitness cope easily, and these are not technical hikes.
The dry season, roughly June to October, gives the clearest viewing in both parks, with thinner vegetation and wildlife concentrated near permanent water. You can go at other times too, but afternoon rain is likelier.
Both parks have healthy numbers of lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo. Rhino are rare here compared with the Ngorongoro area, so the trip is better thought of around Nyerere's wild dogs and hippos and Ruaha's exceptional lion numbers than as a Big Five checklist.
Yes. On the second tier the vehicle, guide and fuel are shared, and on the third tier several fixed costs are shared too, so the amount per person falls as the group grows. We will quote your exact party size.
Your price covers park and concession charges, all meals, every game drive and activity in the itinerary, the domestic flights that belong to your tier and airport transfers. Left for you to sort out: flights into Dar es Salaam from abroad, visas, insurance, tips and spending money.
Yes, although rates are quoted per person sharing, so a single traveller pays a single supplement for lodging on either tier. Ask us for a solo quote.
Yes. The southern circuit pairs well with a Zanzibar beach stay, or with a northern circuit safari, which lets you experience the north and the south of the country on a single journey. Talk to us about adding days or joining trips together.
Keep exploring
Related safaris
Southern Wilds: Nyerere and Ruaha in a Week
Tell us your dates and group size and we will confirm availability and a personal quote.