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Safari plan · 6 days · Southern parks · Midrange

Ruaha & Nyerere, the Quiet Parks

Two big, quiet parks in the south in one short week — the Rufiji River by boat and on foot in Nyerere, then the baobab country of Ruaha — joined by light aircraft, so no day is spent on the road.

Dar es SalaamNyerereRuahaDar es Salaam
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Length6 days · 5 nights
ParksNyerere, Ruaha
Starts & endsDar es Salaam (DAR)
ComfortMidrange tented camps
Best monthsJune–October
OverviewThe routeDay by dayRatesWhere you sleepIncludedAdd-onsWhen to goFlights & extrasFAQEnquire
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IOverview

Two big parks, a river in each, and very few other vehicles.

The southern parks are big, remote and quiet. Nyerere, made from the northern part of the old Selous Game Reserve, is a park of water: the Rufiji River and a chain of lakes, best seen from a boat and on foot. Ruaha, one of the largest national parks in Tanzania, is dry baobab country cut by the Great Ruaha River, known for its big lion prides and for kudu.

It is a fly-in plan. You fly from Dar es Salaam to each park in a light aircraft, and at each camp you go out with the camp’s own guides — usually in the camp’s vehicles, shared with other guests unless you ask for your own. What it does not give you is one guide for the whole week; if that matters more than the flying, see ‘Make it yours’.

Major attractions · 4
  1. 01Nyerere National Park
  2. 02The Rufiji River and its lakes
  3. 03Ruaha National Park
  4. 04The Great Ruaha River
Trip detailsPrivate, fly-in
Tour length
6 days · 5 nights
Country
Tanzania
Start / end
Dar es Salaam (DAR), both ways
Accommodation
Midrange
Tour type
Fly-in safari, camp-guided
Group size
Maximum per camp vehicle
Meal plan
Full board at the camps
Best period
Jun–Oct
Activity level
Easy to moderate — one walk on foot
Request a free quote →Questions? WhatsApp +255 762 914 714
IIThe route

Three short flights, and no long roads at all.

6 days, 5 nights, 2 places to sleep. The solid line is this plan; the dotted lines are the other roads through the region. Point at a day to see its leg.

Route map: Dar es Salaam by light aircraft to Nyerere, on to Ruaha and back to Dar es Salaam Ruaha NP Mikumi NP Udzungwa NP N Nyerere (Rufiji) Ruaha (Msembe) Dar es Salaam
  1. 01Dar es Salaam → Nyerere~1 h flight · ~3 h game
  2. 02Around the camp~7 h game
  3. 03Nyerere → Ruaha~2 h flight · ~3 h game
  4. 04The Great Ruaha River~8 h game
  5. 05Around the camp~8 h game
  6. 06Ruaha → Dar es Salaam~2 h flight · ~2 h game
Overnight stopPassing throughSchematic, roughly to scale
IIIDay by day

Six days, one at a time.

Each day lands on top of the last as you scroll: honest road time, game time, meals and where you sleep. Times are door to door in a safari vehicle and move with the season and what you stop for.

Light aircraft on a dirt airstrip in Nyerere National Park, a camp vehicle waiting — 1600×1200
NyerereADD IMAGE · Light aircraft on a dirt airstrip in Nyerere National Park, a camp vehicle waiting
01/ 06

About an hour in a light aircraft, then an afternoon on the river.

07°43′S 38°00′EDay 1 · Dar es Salaam → Nyerere

Fly to Nyerere, out on the water

Travel
~1 h flight
Game viewing
~3 h
Meals
L · D
Sleep
Tented camp on the river or lakes
  1. Morning

    A light aircraft from the domestic side of Dar es Salaam airport. The flight is short and low enough to watch the coast give way to the Rufiji floodplain.

  2. Midday

    Met at the airstrip by the camp’s vehicle, and a game drive of sorts on the way in. Lunch and the heat of the day at camp.

  3. Afternoon

    Out by boat on the river or the lakes with a camp guide: hippos, crocodiles, elephants coming down to drink and a great many water birds. Back as the light goes.

Boat trips and the water

Where a boat can go depends on the season and the level of the river. We choose a camp that runs boat trips when you travel.

A walking safari in single file behind an armed ranger, Nyerere National Park — 1600×1200
NyerereADD IMAGE · A walking safari in single file behind an armed ranger, Nyerere National Park
02/ 06

A walk with an armed ranger in the cool of the morning, a drive later.

07°43′S 38°00′EDay 2 · Around the camp

Nyerere on foot, and by vehicle

Travel
No transfer
Game viewing
~7 h
Meals
B · L · D
Sleep
Same camp, second night
  1. Early

    A walk with an armed park ranger and a camp guide, at the pace of the slowest walker. It is about tracks, birds, plants and the small things a vehicle drives past, not about getting close to big animals.

  2. Midday

    Back to camp for brunch and the heat of the day.

  3. Afternoon

    A game drive along the lakes and woodland. Nyerere has lion, elephant and buffalo, and a chance — never a promise — of wild dog.

Walking, honestly

Walks are gentle and led by people who do it every day. Wear neutral colours and proper shoes, and do exactly what the ranger says.

Baobab trees above the dry sand bed of the Great Ruaha River, Ruaha National Park — 1600×1200
RuahaADD IMAGE · Baobab trees above the dry sand bed of the Great Ruaha River, Ruaha National Park
03/ 06

Roughly two hours in the air, longer if the flight stops on the way.

07°42′S 34°55′EDay 3 · Nyerere → Ruaha

Across to Ruaha

Travel
~2 h flight
Game viewing
~3 h
Meals
B · L · D
Sleep
Tented camp near the Great Ruaha River
  1. Morning

    A last early activity if the flight time allows, then to the airstrip. Scheduled light aircraft often call at other strips on the way, so the time in the air varies.

  2. Midday

    Into Ruaha, drier and hillier, with baobabs on every rise. Lunch at camp.

  3. Afternoon

    A first drive along the river with a camp guide.

A lion pride resting in the shade on a sandy riverbank, Ruaha National Park — 1600×1200
RuahaADD IMAGE · A lion pride resting in the shade on a sandy riverbank, Ruaha National Park
04/ 06

No transfer today. Out early, back at dusk.

07°42′S 34°55′EDay 4 · The Great Ruaha River

Ruaha, all day

Travel
No transfer
Game viewing
~8 h
Meals
B · picnic L · D
Sleep
Same camp, second night
  1. First light

    Out early along the river. In the dry months it shrinks to pools and sand, and everything comes to it.

  2. Midday

    A picnic or a return to camp, depending on where the morning ended.

  3. Afternoon

    Further along the river or up into the baobab country. Ruaha’s lion prides are large, and both greater and lesser kudu live here.

Where two regions meet

Ruaha sits where East African and southern African wildlife overlap, which is why some animals here are ones you will not see in the north.

Greater kudu bull among dry combretum woodland, Ruaha National Park — 1600×1200
RuahaADD IMAGE · Greater kudu bull among dry combretum woodland, Ruaha National Park
05/ 06

A full day, shaped by what the guides have seen.

07°42′S 34°55′EDay 5 · Around the camp

Ruaha, your way

Travel
No transfer
Game viewing
~8 h
Meals
B · L · D
Sleep
Same camp, third night
  1. Morning

    A long drive, or a walk with a ranger if the camp offers one and you want it.

  2. Midday

    Time at camp. Many Ruaha camps overlook a riverbed, and the animals come past.

  3. Afternoon

    A last evening drive. Distances in Ruaha are long, so the guides go where the news is.

A light aircraft taking off over the Ruaha bush in the morning — 1600×1200
Dar es SalaamADD IMAGE · A light aircraft taking off over the Ruaha bush in the morning
06/ 06

An early drive if the flight allows, then roughly two hours to Dar.

06°52′S 39°12′EDay 6 · Ruaha → Dar es Salaam

Back to Dar es Salaam

Travel
~2 h flight
Game viewing
~2 h
Meals
B
Sleep
Homeward
  1. Morning

    A short drive on the way to the airstrip, depending on the flight time.

  2. Midday

    Light aircraft to Dar es Salaam, sometimes via another strip. You land around the middle of the day; leave a few hours before an international flight.

Not flying home today?

Zanzibar is a short hop from Dar es Salaam, and some light aircraft from the south fly straight there.

IVRates

Priced by group size, because the vehicle is shared.

Park fees, accommodation, vehicle, guide and meals as listed — per person, no booking fees. Rates move with the month and lodge availability; your quote is fixed once you book.

Midrange · price per person, sharing
Group size1 person2 people3 people4 people5 people6 people
From yearraterateraterateraterate
Single supplementamount
Children

Child policy: ages, sharing discount, lodge minimum ages

What moves the price

What changes itHow much

  • The month you travel

    June to October and the Christmas weeks are peak rates. The green season is lower, and many camps close in April and May.

  • The flights

    Light-aircraft seats are priced per person, so on a fly-in plan the flights do not get cheaper as the group grows.

  • Where you sleep

    The same night can cost several times more at one camp than at another on the same river.

  • A private vehicle

    Sharing the camp’s vehicles is included. Your own vehicle and guide at each camp is an extra per day.

  • Park fees

    Fixed per person per day by the authorities, and the same whoever you book with. We show them as their own line.

Not sure which level suits you? Tell us your dates, group and budget and we will send an itemised quote with named properties.

Request a free quote →
On request
On request
VWhere you sleep

Two camps in five nights, each by its own river.

Each night is described by type first, because the right camp depends on your month. The properties we normally use at each level are listed below; your quote confirms them against availability.

Nights 1–22×

Nyerere

Tented camp on the river or lakes

On the water, so the boat leaves from camp and the hippos keep you company at night.

Midrange here means
En-suite tent, hot shower, solar or generator power, no fence.
Step up
A smaller camp in a more private stretch of the river.
Nights 3–53×

Ruaha

Tented camp near the Great Ruaha River

Three nights, because Ruaha is big and the best of it takes time to reach.

Midrange here means
En-suite tent, hot shower, solar power, meals shared or at your own table.
Step up
A remoter camp away from the central area, with walking and fewer vehicles.

The properties we use

WhereMidrangeLuxury
Nyerere, on the river or lakespropertyproperty
Ruaha, near the Great Ruaha Riverpropertyproperty

What ‘midrange’ means on this trip

  • En-suite everywhere. Your own bathroom in both camps.
  • Shared activities. Drives and boat trips are usually with other guests; a private vehicle is extra.
  • Power. Solar or generator in both parks, sometimes only in the main area. Bring a power bank.
  • Food. Full board. Tell us about diets early — supplies come in by air and road days ahead.
VIThe fine print

What is in the price, and what isn’t.

✓Included

  • Scheduled light-aircraft flightsDar es Salaam → Nyerere → Ruaha → Dar es Salaam, seats on shared flights
  • The camps’ game activitiesDrives, boat trips and walks with the camps’ guides, shared with other guests
  • All park and conservation feesItemised on your quote
  • Five nights’ accommodationAs described above
  • Meals as listed each dayFull board at the camps
  • Airstrip transfersThe camp meets every flight
  • Drinking water on activities

–Not included

  • International flights
  • Tanzanian visaApply online before you travel
  • Travel insuranceRequired. It must cover medical evacuation
  • Tips for guide and camp staffWe send guidance with your booking
  • Drinks at lodges and campsUnless the property includes them
  • A private vehicle at the campsOn request, at extra cost
  • Excess baggageLight aircraft take soft bags only, with a weight limit
VIIAdd-ons & changes

The plan is a starting point, not a package.

The changes people ask for most, each with what it costs you in days or hours. Not in the standard price — arranged on request, and most can be combined.

+3–5 nightsprice

Finish on Zanzibar

Fly from Ruaha or Dar es Salaam to the island. The beach after the bush, with no long transfers.

Makes senseEveryone, most of the year
Zanzibar →
+1 nightprice

Longer in Nyerere

A third night gives time for a full boat day on the lakes as well as the walk.

Makes senseIf water is what you came for
Boat safaris →
Same lengthprice

More walking in Ruaha

Swap a drive for a longer walk with a ranger, where the camp offers it.

Makes senseAnyone fit who wants to be on foot
Walking safaris →
+1 nightprice

More of Ruaha

Four nights in Ruaha rather than three, for the predators and the far reaches of the river.

Makes senseSecond-time visitors
Ruaha’s Predators →
−2 nightsprice

Nyerere only

Drop Ruaha and stay three nights on the Rufiji. Cheaper and simpler, with less variety.

Makes senseShort on time or budget
Nyerere by Boat and on Foot →
VIIIWhen to go

Rated for this route, not for the country.

June to October is the time for this plan. The bush thins, the rivers shrink and animals gather at the water; October is very hot, especially in Ruaha. In April and May the long rains close many camps in both parks. The green months either side are quieter and cheaper, but some boat trips and walks depend on water levels and the grass is long.

Jan
Hot, green, quiet
Feb
Hot, some rain
Mar
Rains building
Apr
Long rains, many camps shut
May
Camps reopening
Jun
Dry season begins
Jul
Dry, cool nights
Aug
Dry, animals at water
Sep
Dry, hot
Oct
Hottest, best game
Nov
Short rains
Dec
Green, quiet
Three bars — the route at its bestTwo — good, with trade-offsOne — possible, and quiet
IXFlights & extras

Getting there.

Arrive

Julius Nyerere International, Dar es Salaam (DAR)

The gateway for the southern parks. Light aircraft to Nyerere and Ruaha leave from the domestic side, usually in the morning, so a late arrival means a night in Dar first.

Depart

Julius Nyerere International (DAR)

The return light aircraft lands in Dar around the middle of the day. Leave a few hours before an international departure; the schedules are not guaranteed to the minute.

Via Zanzibar

Abeid Amani Karume International (ZNZ)

Several scheduled light-aircraft routes to the southern parks also touch Zanzibar, which makes beach-then-bush easy.

What else to budget.

Not part of the safari price, in order of how much they matter.

  • Tanzanian visaApply online before travel
    Current fee
  • Travel insuranceMust cover medical evacuation
    Typical cost
  • TipsGuide and camp staff, per day
    Guideline
  • DrinksAt lodges and camps
    Typical range
  • Personal spendingLaundry, crafts, extras
    Varies
  • Private vehicleAt each camp, if you want one
    Rate per day
XWhy book with us

Only what we can prove.

01

Arusha, since 2010

A Tanzanian company, locally owned, running safaris and climbs from Arusha for more than fifteen years.

02

Licensed and registered

TALA-licensed through the Tanzania Tourist Board and registered with BRELA. Ask us for the numbers; we will send them.

03

Guided by people who live there

On a fly-in trip your drives, walks and boat trips are with each camp’s own guides and the park’s rangers, who know their stretch of river better than any visitor. A private vehicle can be requested at each camp, at extra cost (Rate per day).

04

Every fee on its own line

Park, conservation and concession fees are shown separately on your quote, so you can see exactly what goes to the authorities.

XIQuestions

The ones we are asked most.

The parks are far apart and far from Dar es Salaam. By road this plan would lose at least two full days to driving. The flights are the reason it fits in six days.

Not in the sense of one vehicle and guide all week. At each camp you go out with the camp’s own guides, usually with other guests. You can ask for a private vehicle at each camp, at extra cost.

Light aircraft take soft bags only, with a weight limit per person. Ask us for the current limit; anything extra can usually be left in Dar es Salaam.

Walks are led by an armed park ranger with a camp guide, on rules they follow every day. They are gentle, and the aim is the detail of the bush, not close encounters.

Perhaps. Both parks have them and they are seen more often here than in the north, but they range widely. Treat a sighting as luck, not a promise.

Yes. Ruaha first and Nyerere last suits some flight schedules better. Tell us your dates and we will say which way works.

Begin here

Send us your dates. We will send you the real version.

Named camps, the right direction of travel for your month, every fee on its own line — and a straight answer if another plan would suit you better.

Rather talk it through?WhatsApp us+255 762 914 714
Safari request Ruaha & Nyerere, the Quiet Parks 6 days · 5 nights · private, fly-in
01When, and what for?
How fixed are the dates?
What do you want from it? Pick any
02Who’s coming?
Travelling as
03How you like it
Style of camp

Not a commitment. It lets us send something realistic instead of something you have to reject.

04Where to reach you
We need a name to write back to.
That email address does not look complete.
Step 1 of 4
Other safari plans
4 days · Southern parksNyerere by Boat and on FootRead the plan →
5 days · Southern parksRuaha’s PredatorsRead the plan →
4 days · Southern parksMikumi & Udzungwa by RoadRead the plan →
7 days · Northern circuitThe Great Midrange JourneyRead the plan →
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