15 days Northern Safari, Usambara & Zanzibar
The northern parks, then two days in the East Usambara forest at Magoroto, then the island — a route that puts a mountain forest between the bush and the beach.
Wildlife & Hiking
Southern Tanzania & Mafia Island
Four southern parks over twelve days, then the boat to Mafia — a marine park where whale sharks feed off the north coast in season.
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At a glance
- Destinations
- Ruaha · Mikumi · Udzungwa · Nyerere · Mafia Island
- Best for
- Wildlife safari, Hiking, Beach & marine
- Travel style
- Mid-range · Drive, Ferry/boat
- Activity level
- Moderate — walking days on forest and mountain paths
- Best time to travel
- June to October usually gives a good balance for Ruaha and Nyerere game viewing, Udzungwa walking and the Mafia coast. If whale sharks are a priority, discuss later dates and the safari trade-off separately; sea crossings depend on weather.
- Start and end
- Starts and ends in Dar es Salaam
Why this journey
- Four days at Ruaha, longer than any other route we run
- A full day of boat safari on the Rufiji at Nyerere
- Udzungwa on foot between the two savannah parks
- The boat crossing to Mafia from Nyamisati
- Three days on Mafia, in a marine park with reefs still in good condition
Day by day
An extended journey through Southern Tanzania followed by a genuine stop rather than a beach afterthought. Mafia is a marine park, not a resort island, and the crossing from Nyamisati by boat is part of the point.
Day 1 — Arrival in Dar es Salaam
Hotel transfer for overnight rest, allowing time to relax after your journey, settle into your surroundings, and prepare for the exciting safari adventure ahead.
Stay Chelsea Hotel
Days 2–5 — Ruaha National Park
Fly to Ruaha for three nights, with daily game drives through open country, with wildlife including lions, elephants, and a rich variety of bird species.
Stay Asanja Ruaha Ndembo
Day 6 — Journey to Mikumi National Park
Drive from Ruaha to Mikumi. On arrival, guests check in at your lodge or camp and relax for an overnight stay surrounded by nature.
Stay Vuma Hill Tented Camp
Day 7 — Mikumi National Park game drive
A day on a game drive in Mikumi National Park, exploring its vast savannahs and rich wildlife, with chances to spot zebras, giraffes, elephants, and many other animals with the Mkata floodplain open around you.
Day 8 — Udzungwa Mountains hiking
A full-day excursion in Udzungwa Mountains National Park, hiking through lush tropical forests rich in biodiversity, discovering unique flora and fauna along the trails and rewarded with waterfalls and stunning panoramic views.
Day 9 — Transfer to Nyerere National Park
Drive from Mikumi to Nyerere and check in to Rufiji River Camp, one of Tanzania's most wilderness areas.
Day 10 — Full day game drive in Nyerere National Park
After breakfast, a full-day game drive in Nyerere National Park, exploring its vast wilderness and rich wildlife. The park hosts large herds of elephants and buffalo, as well as rare wild dogs, along with commonly seen species such as lions, giraffes, zebras, impalas, bushbucks, elands, kudus, baboons, crocodiles, and hippos.
Day 11 — Full day boat safari
A boat journey on the Rufiji River with a light breakfast as you cruise along the tranquil waters, observing the lush landscapes and wildlife. Through the morning, observe hippos, crocodiles, and various bird species along the riverbanks, continuing through Nzelekea, Siwandu, and Mzizi Mia lakes where elephants and buffalo come to drink. A picnic lunch on the boat or at a scenic spot along the shore, then explore lesser-travelled channels, rich in unique ecosystems before returning at sunset.
Day 12 — Wilderness walking safari and Maasai visit
Begin before dawn for a 4–5 hour guided wilderness walking safari in Nyerere National Park, tracking birds and small-to-medium mammals through miombo woodlands and floodplains with expert ranger interpretation. Return midday, then visit Mloka Maasai village in the late afternoon for a 2–3 hour cultural experience of song, dance, homestead tours, beadwork demonstrations and sunset views.
Day 13 — Road trip to Nyamisati
Drive to Nyamisati, a charming coastal village, where you will prepare for your boat transfer to Mafia Island. Enjoy the scenic journey as you transition from the mainland to this peaceful island paradise.
Day 14 — Mafia Island
Transfer to Mafia Beach Lodge.
Days 15–16 — Relaxation on Mafia Island
Arrive at Mafia Island and check in to your beachfront accommodation. Spend your days relaxing on white-sand beaches, snorkelling or diving among vibrant coral reefs, and enjoying the island's peaceful atmosphere. Optional boat trips to explore secluded beaches or visit local villages for cultural experiences.
Day 17 — Mafia Island to Dar es Salaam
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Dar es Salaam, then check in at terminal 3 for your international flight ready for your journey back home.
Stay and travel
Comfortable mid-range lodges and tented camps, inside the parks wherever the route allows.
A 4×4 with a roof hatch and a window seat for everyone, driven by your guide throughout.
Camps fill, and roads change with the rains. Where something has to change we substitute at the same level and tell you before you travel, not after.
Included and excluded
What is included
- Every activity named in the day-by-day
- Accommodation as listed, or a similar alternative if a camp is full
- Meals as noted against each day
- Transfers between the agreed pick-up and drop-off points
- Park, reserve and conservation area fees
- An English-speaking Tanzanian driver-guide
- A 4×4 with a roof hatch, or the vehicle the route calls for
- Drinking water through the day
- Government taxes
- Boat safari and transfers
- TANAPA armed ranger where the park requires one
Not included
- International flights, airport taxes and visa fees
- Travel, medical and baggage insurance
- Personal spending — drinks, laundry, telephone
- Tips for your guide and crew
- Anything not listed as included
Practical information
- Activity level
- Walking days on forest and mountain paths, some of them steep and often wet underfoot. Ordinary walking fitness is enough.
- Visas, insurance and tipping
- A visa is arranged before travel or on arrival. Travel and medical insurance is a condition of booking. Tipping is customary and we will suggest a range rather than set one.
Related journeys
Every route here can be changed
Tell us what you would keep, what you would drop and how long you have. We will send back a version that is yours.