Ruaha · Nyerere · 6 days

the southernWilderness

Three nights in Ruaha among its big lion prides, baobabs and the Great Ruaha River, then two nights on the Rufiji in Nyerere, where the safari happens by boat and on foot as much as by vehicle. Light aircraft do the travelling, so almost every daylight hour is spent in the parks.

6days
5nights
2parks
Fly-inboat & walks

01 · Overview

The route, and why it runs this way

Ruaha and Nyerere are too far apart, and too far from anywhere, to drive between on a short trip. Flying turns them into one clean loop from Dar es Salaam: west to Ruaha first, east to Nyerere, and back to the coast.

Ruaha comes first because it is the harder park to reach and rewards the extra night: rocky hills, baobab forest and a river where lions wait for buffalo, with very few other vehicles. Walking is part of the plan here, with an armed ranger on the Mwagusi sand river. On day four a light aircraft takes you east to Nyerere, Africa’s largest national park, built around the Rufiji River and its lakes. There the days mix game drives around the lakes with a boat safari among hippo and crocodile, before a short flight back to Dar es Salaam, or on to Zanzibar.

Starts

Dar es Salaam, day 1

We meet you at the airport in Dar es Salaam for the morning flight to Ruaha.

Ends

Dar es Salaam, day 6

Back in Dar by early afternoon, or fly straight on to Zanzibar.

Style

Fly-in, mid-range

Tented camps by the rivers, game drives, walks and a boat trip with each camp’s own guides.

Pace

No long drives

Three short flights. Everything else is time in the two parks.

Arrival · fly-in · L D

West by light aircraft to Ruaha

We meet you in Dar es Salaam and see you onto the morning flight west. For an hour and a half the land below turns from coastal green to dry hills and woodland, and the plane lands on a dirt airstrip where your guide is waiting with the vehicle.

The drive to camp is already a game drive: giraffe in the baobabs, impala in the riverbeds and, often, the first elephants. After lunch and a rest, you head out again in the late afternoon along the Great Ruaha River.

Meals: Lunch, dinner
Highlight: The flight over the interior
Sleep: Tented camp, Ruaha named when you book

Walking safari · game drive · B L D

On foot along the sand river

The morning starts on foot. With an armed ranger in front you walk in single file along the Mwagusi sand river, reading tracks, dung and termite mounds, and seeing giraffe and impala at their own level.

After a slow lunch in camp, the afternoon is a game drive. Ruaha is known for lion prides that are among the largest anywhere, and for antelope you rarely see further north: greater and lesser kudu, sable and roan.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlight: Walking with an armed ranger
Sleep: Tented camp, Ruaha named when you book

Full game drive day · B L D

A whole day by the Great Ruaha River

A day with no fixed plan, only the river. In the dry months it shrinks to pools, and everything comes to it: elephants digging for water in the sand, buffalo herds, and the lions that follow them.

A packed lunch means you can stay out as long as the sightings last. Late in the afternoon your guide finds a rocky hill above the river for a sundowner, and you may drive back to camp without having met another vehicle all day.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Highlight: Lions hunting along the river
Add-on: A night fly-camping by the river

Game drive · flight · B L D

East across the country to the Rufiji

A last early game drive in Ruaha, then back to the airstrip for the flight east. Depending on the day’s schedule the plane may stop at another airstrip on the way.

Nyerere feels different the moment you land: lower, greener and built around water. After lunch at camp, the afternoon game drive heads for the lakes, where wild dog, lion and big buffalo herds come to drink.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlight: First drive around the lakes
Sleep: Tented camp by the river, Nyerere named when you book

Game drive · boat safari · B L D

A morning on the lakes, an evening on the river

The morning is a game drive around the lakes, the best place in the park to look for wild dog. Waterbirds line the shallows, and giraffe and buffalo come down to the shore as the day warms up.

In the afternoon you board a small motor boat on the Rufiji. Your guide keeps a careful distance from the hippo pods while crocodiles bask on the sandbanks and elephants drink at the water’s edge. The boat stops for a sundowner as the light goes.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highlight: Boat safari on the Rufiji
Sleep: Tented camp by the river, Nyerere named when you book

Walk or drive · departure · B L

A last walk, then back to the coast

Your last morning is your choice: a guided walk from camp with an armed ranger, or one more drive to the lakes. Either way you are back for brunch before the short transfer to the airstrip.

The flight to Dar es Salaam takes about 45 minutes, in time for most evening flights home. Carrying on to Zanzibar? Flights from Nyerere reach the island just as easily.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Ends: Dar es Salaam airport
Next: Zanzibar is a short flight away

When to go

Dry season or green?

The southern parks are all about water: when it dries up, animals crowd the rivers. Choose a season to see what the south is like, and what that means for your week.

Early dryJun – Jul

Best for this trip

the dry begins

June and July

The grass dies back, the air cools and game starts to gather along the Great Ruaha and Rufiji rivers.

On this tripCool mornings for the walk on day 2, and game starting to gather on the Great Ruaha and the Rufiji.

Peak dryAug – Oct

Best for this trip

the rivers

August to October

The driest months: elephants, buffalo and the big cats all work the last water. Hot by October.

On this tripThe best months for this trip: lions at the last river pools on day 3, and calm water for the boat safari.

Short rainsNov – Dec

Good

first rains

November and December

The first storms turn the bush green and bring the migrant birds. Game spreads out but is still good.

On this tripThe bush turns green and game spreads out, but the boat safari and the lakes stay good; fewer planes and vehicles.

Green seasonJan – Mar

Good

the green south

January to March

Lush, quiet and full of young animals and birds. Some roads and camps become harder to reach.

On this tripHot, lush and full of birds. We check which camps and airstrips are open for your dates before you book.

Long rainsApr – May

Green season

the long rains

April and May

The heaviest rain of the year. Many southern camps close until June.

On this tripMost camps in both parks close. We suggest other dates, or a northern safari for these months.

Best for this trip
Good
Green season, fewer vehicles

Some southern camps close during the long rains. We tell you which are open for your dates.

What it costs

Fill the vehicle, pay less each

Scheduled light-aircraft flights from Dar es Salaam to Ruaha, on to Nyerere and back, five nights full board, park fees, game drives, a guided walk and the boat safari, priced per person. No booking fees.

Mid-range fromUS$3,150per person sharing

Important information

All prices are per person and exclude international flights. Final rates depend on your travel dates, seasonal park fees and availability; we confirm them in writing with your quote.

Mid-range

Luxury

Mid-range

Tented camps by the rivers

Mid-range prices, Southern Wilderness

Single supplement to confirm

Group size	1 person	2 persons	3 persons	4 persons	5 persons	6 personsbest value
Per person, 2026	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm
Rooms	1 single	1 double	1 double, 1 single	2 doubles	2 doubles, 1 single	3 doubles

Luxury

Small owner-run camps, private boats

Luxury prices, Southern Wilderness

Single supplement to confirm

Group size	1 person	2 persons	3 persons	4 persons	5 persons	6 personsbest value
Per person, 2026	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm	to confirm
Rooms	1 single	1 double	1 double, 1 single	2 doubles	2 doubles, 1 single	3 doubles

Your selection · click a group size2 guests · Mid-range1 double

Travelling with children

Children are welcome in both parks, but some activities have minimum ages: the boat safari from about 6, walking and fly-camping from 12. Many southern camps also set their own minimum ages, so tell us who is coming and we will choose camps that suit your family.

in the price

Light-aircraft flights Dar es Salaam, Ruaha, Nyerere, Dar es Salaam
Five nights as described, full board
Park and conservation fees
Game drives with each camp’s guides
A guided walking safari with an armed ranger
Boat safari on the Rufiji River
Airstrip transfers in both parks

not in the price

International flights and visa
Hotel nights in Dar es Salaam
Travel and medical insurance
Tips for guides and camp staff
Drinks at the camps
Optional activities such as fly-camping

Make it yours

Add to the week

Tick anything you like the sound of. It goes straight into your enquiry, and we will price it with the trip.

Day 3 · RuahaA night fly-campingA bedroll under a net beside the river.Add

Day 4 · RuahaAn extra night in RuahaMore time on the river and a second walk.Add

Day 5 · NyerereA second boat trip at dawnThe river is at its quietest first thing.Add

After day 6Zanzibar beach daysA short flight from Nyerere to the island.Add

Send my enquiry →

Before you go

The practical part

Flights

Other costs

Why Simba Pride

Flights

Other costs

Why Simba Pride

Questions

Why fly rather than drive?

Ruaha is about ten hours by road from Dar es Salaam, on mixed roads. Flying saves two full days and puts you on a game drive the afternoon you arrive.

Is the south as good as the Serengeti?

It is a different trip. There is no great migration here, but there are big lion prides, wild dog, rare antelope, boats and walks, and far fewer vehicles.

Is the walking safari safe?

An armed ranger leads, and you follow simple rules: single file, quiet, stop on a raised hand. Walks avoid dangerous game rather than look for it.

When should we go?

June to October is the best time, when game gathers at the rivers. Most camps close in April and May, and we will not send you then.

Can we add Zanzibar?

Yes. Nyerere is the easiest southern park to link with Zanzibar, and a short flight on day 6 puts you on the island the same afternoon.

ready when you are

Two wild parks, no long roads

Tell us when you would like to travel and who is coming. We check which camps and flights are open for your dates and reply with a day-by-day plan and an exact price.

Admit

guests

SPS · 06

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