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Great Landscapes of Southern Tanzania Nyerere National Park , Mufindi Highlands, Ruaha National Park and Swahili Coast

A Journey Through Southern Tanzania
Great Landscapes of Southern Tanzania Nyerere National Park , Mufindi Highlands, Ruaha National Park and Swahili Coast image

14 Night Southern Tanzania Safari

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Southern Sun Hotel

1 night Dar es Salaam
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Rufiji River Camp

3 nights Nyerere National Park
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Mufindi Highlands Lodge

3 Nights Southern Highlands
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Ruaha River Lodge

3 Nights Ruaha National Park
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Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge

4 Nights The Swahili Coast
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Bush Flights

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Cultural Excursion

Mufindi Highlands Lodge
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Game Drives

Ruaha River Lodge
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Boat Safari

Rufiji River Camp
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Walking Safari

Rufiji River Camp
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*Hot Air Ballooning

Ruaha River Lodge

*Optional Extra

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*Night Game Drives

Ruaha River Lodge and Rufiji River Camp

*Optional Extra

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Map

1. Southern Sun Dar Es Salaam, Garden Avenue

Garden Ave, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

2. Rufiji River Camp

Hippo pool road Selous National Park, Tanzania

3. Mufindi Highland Lodge

Off A104 Road Ruaha National Park Igoda, Tanzania

4. Ruaha River Lodge

Ruaha National Park Ruaha, Tanzania

5. Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge

Lazy Lagoon Island, Bagamoyo, Tanzania

Day 1

Arrival in Tanzania
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Arrival to the Dar es Salaam hustle and bustle

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Meet and Greet

Upon landing at Dar es Salaam Airport, a representative from Foxes Safari Camps will greet you with a warm welcome. You'll then be on your way to the Southern Sun Hotel for a good night's rest before embarking on your safari.

The next day, you will be warmly greeted by one of our dedicated team members after enjoying a tasty breakfast. They will assist you as you prepare for your return to the airport, where you will embark on an exciting onward bush flight to the stunning Nyerere National Park. This scenic journey is a quick 30-minute flight, providing you with breathtaking views of the landscape below, setting the perfect tone for your adventure ahead in this incredible national park.

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Day 2

Nyerere National Park - Tanzania's largest National Park
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Game Drives, Boating and walking

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Flight

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from the Southern Sun Hotel at 08:45 and transferred to the airport for your Safari Air Link flight to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous).
Flight No. 01Departure: 10:30 | Arrival: 11:15
(Times may vary slightly depending on the day’s flight schedule.)

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Rufiji River Camp

Nyerere National Park (Selous)

At the airstrip, a guide from Rufiji River Camp will be waiting to greet you and take you on a scenic game drive through the park, ending with check-in at camp. That afternoon, set out on your first proper safari adventure in Nyerere, returning at dusk to enjoy a refreshing shower and sundowners around the campfire.

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About Nyerere National Park:

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and Tanzania’s largest national park, Nyerere was once the northern photographic zone of the vast Selous Game Reserve, which is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife. It’s named in honour of Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s founding president, who played a pivotal role in the country’s history. The park is defined by the mighty Rufiji River, a lifeline of lakes, channels, and open water that supports an incredible diversity of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and rare bird species. Uniquely, it’s the only place in Tanzania where you can enjoy boat safaris alongside the classic vehicle and walking experiences, offering an immersive way to connect with nature.

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Days 3 and 4

Safari your way - Explore Nyerere National Park
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Tailor-Made Safari Adventures in Nyerere

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Activities

The night before, the manager will have discussed the options for today's safaris. Here's what you would be able to choose from and turn your bucket list into a reality:

Safari Options Include:

  • Early Morning Nature Walk
    A guided walk to experience the bush up close, returning for a late breakfast.

  • Early Bird Game Drive
    Depart with a packed breakfast for a morning of wildlife tracking in the cooler hours.

  • Morning Game Drive
    Set off after breakfast and return in time for lunch.

  • Morning Boat Safari
    Drift along the Rufiji River to observe hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife.

  • Full-Day Game Drive
    Spend the entire day exploring with a picnic lunch and afternoon tea upon return.

  • Afternoon Game Drive
    Perfect for catching the golden light and predators on the move.

  • Afternoon Boat Safari
    A peaceful way to end the day, with sundowners as the sun dips below the horizon.

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Day 5

A Refreshing Highland Retreat of Nature, Culture, and Community
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Mufindi Highlands: Cool Air, Green Hills, and Genuine Connections

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Flight

After an early morning game activity, return to camp for breakfast before heading to the airstrip for your flight to the Southern Highlands.

Flight No. 02Departure: 11:00 | Arrival: 12:20
(Times may vary depending on the flight schedule.)

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Mufindi Highlands Lodge

The Southern Highlands

Upon arrival, a host from Mufindi Highlands Lodge will meet you and guide you through a scenic drive past tea estates and rural villages on the way to the lodge. There, you’ll check in and enjoy a relaxed lunch overlooking the stunning highlands.

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About The Southern Highlands

Upon arrival at the airstrip in the Southern Highlands, you’ll immediately notice the refreshing change in climate. At an altitude of around 2,000 metres, the cool, crisp air is a welcome contrast to the dusty, humid lowlands.

From the airstrip, it’s approximately a one-hour drive to Mufindi Highlands Lodge. The journey takes you through pine plantations and into the village of Sawala, the highest point in the Southern Highlands at 7,000 feet. The road then winds through a scenic patchwork of tea estates and montane forest, with shades of deep and light green spreading across the slopes. Much of the tea is still picked by hand due to the steep terrain.

Mufindi is a place to unwind and immerse yourself in nature or take advantage of the cool climate for more active pursuits. You can enjoy varied walking trails or try your hand at horse riding, fishing, tennis, or more leisurely activities like croquet, badminton, snooker, canoeing, or boules.

A highlight for many guests is a visit to Igoda village, offering a genuine cultural experience rarely encountered elsewhere. With no other tourism in the area, a strong and long-standing relationship has developed between the local community and the Fox family.

Days 6 and 7

Life in the Highlands
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Gentle exploration and cultural encounters in Tanzania’s cool heartland

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Activities

During your stay at Mufindi Highlands Lodge, spend your days exploring the lush landscape and walking through tea fields and montane forest in the crisp highland air. The cool climate is ideal for outdoor activities, with a variety of options to choose from each afternoon, including:

  • Horse riding

  • Fly fishing

  • Canoeing

  • Swimming

  • Visiting the farm animals

  • Lawn sports: tennis, badminton, boules, croquet

You may also choose to spend a full day on a guided tour of the nearby village, meeting members of the local community and learning about the impactful HIV/AIDS support programmes developed in partnership with the lodge. These visits offer a genuine insight into rural Tanzanian life and the long-standing relationship between the Fox family and the surrounding villages.

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Day 8

Into the Heart of Ruaha
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From Misty Highlands to the Vast, Untamed Wilderness of Ruaha

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Flight

After breakfast, enjoy one final activity in the highlands before departing for the airstrip for your flight to Ruaha National Park.

Flight No. 02Departure: 12:30 | Arrival: 13:00
(Times may vary depending on flight scheduling.)

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Ruaha River Lodge

Ruaha National Park

Upon arrival, a guide from Ruaha River Lodge will meet you at the airstrip and take you to the lodge, assisting with check-in and welcoming you to the wild charm of central Tanzania.

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About Ruaha National Park:

As Tanzania’s second-largest national park, Ruaha is a remarkable and diverse ecosystem located in the centre of the country. It lies at the ecological crossroads where East and Southern African species converge, creating a rich mix of wildlife with over 530 bird species, 1,400 plant varieties, and a vast array of mammals. The Great Ruaha River, the park’s only permanent water source, attracts life in abundance.

Game drives in Ruaha follow scenic routes over granite kopjes—favoured by Greater kudu, Roan antelope, and elephants—and along riverbanks and open plains, where you might spot cheetah, jackals, warthogs, bat-eared foxes, and Tanzania’s largest lion population, famed for their unusual hunting of giraffe.

Above the escarpment, the more elusive Sable Antelope roam, rewarding adventurous travellers. The park also boasts a well-developed road network, offering plenty of variety for morning and afternoon drives.

Back at camp, the wildlife never feels far away—elephants, antelope and other animals often pass in front of your veranda on their way to drink from the river. Wind down with an afternoon game drive to the hippo pool and enjoy sundowners as the African sun sets over the plains.

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Days 9 and 10

Wild Encounters in Ruaha
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Explore Tanzania’s untamed interior with varied game drive options

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Activities

During your stay at Ruaha River Lodge, you’ll have the freedom to choose between half-day shared game drives or full-day excursions with a picnic lunch—each promising memorable wildlife sightings in one of Africa’s most untouched wilderness areas.

Game Drive Options:

  • Early Morning Game Drive – Depart at 06:30 with a picnic breakfast, return at 11:30

  • Morning Game Drive – Depart after breakfast at 08:30, return in time for lunch

  • Afternoon Game Drive – Depart at 16:00, return at dusk for sundowners

  • Full-Day Game Drive – Depart at 08:30 with a picnic lunch, return at 16:00 for afternoon tea

Each drive offers a different perspective of Ruaha’s diverse terrain, from rocky kopjes and baobab valleys to wide, open plains and the wildlife-rich riverbanks. Whether you’re tracking lion prides, spotting kudu, or simply enjoying the stillness of the bush, your time here is sure to be filled with extraordinary moments.

Walking with the Maasai:
For something a little different, take a leisurely 2km walk around camp with our Maasai escorts, who will share their deep knowledge of the surrounding flora, fauna, and traditional uses of natural resources. This immersive walk offers a cultural insight and a chance to connect more closely with the landscape around you.

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There’s also the opportunity to experience hot air ballooning over Ruaha, offering a breathtaking perspective of the park at sunrise. The flight is followed by a scenic bush breakfast served in the heart of the wilderness.
This activity operates seasonally from July to October and must be booked in advance. A supplementary fee applies.

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You can also opt for private game drives, which provide the flexibility of your own exclusive vehicle and guide. These drives can be arranged to suit your schedule, with departure times available anytime between 06:30 and 18:00.

Please note that private game drives must be booked in advance and are subject to a supplementary fee.

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Day 11

From Bush to Beach
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A final game drive and a tranquil arrival on the Swahili Coast

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Flight

After lunch, savour one last game drive through Ruaha, soaking in the sights and sounds of the bush as you make your way to the airstrip for your onward journey to Lazy Lagoon

Flight No. 03Departure: 13:15 | Arrival: 15:45
(Times may vary slightly depending on the flight schedule.)

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Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge

Upon arrival, a member of the Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge team will meet you at the airstrip and transfer you to the Lazy Boat collection point. Enjoy a scenic 20-minute boat ride across the channel to the island, where your secluded beachfront escape awaits - just in time for cocktails and dinner as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean.

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Welcome to The Swahili Coast

This 9km-long private island is home solely to the lodge—no other habitation exists. You’ll share the island with a few wild residents, including suni antelope, bush pigs, monkeys, and bush babies. At low tide, vibrant starfish in shades of red, orange, and green reveal themselves on the rocky shoreline—an extraordinary natural display.

Unlike many coastal spots, the island's offshore position allows for swimming at all tides from the lagoon side, and there’s also a small swimming pool to enjoy. For the adventurous, you can explore the island on foot—though no one has yet made it to the far end and back, so the challenge is yours! Alternatively, take a kayak out into the mangroves for a peaceful paddle surrounded by nature.

Across the water lies Bagamoyo, Tanzania’s original port town. Once the starting point for famous explorers and the end point of inland slave caravans, Bagamoyo has a history similar to Zanzibar’s Stone Town, featuring Arab-style buildings, a former slave market, and the oldest Catholic mission on mainland Tanzania. Guided tours of the town and surrounding areas are available for those wishing to explore further.

Days 11, 12, 13 and 14

Island Time at Lazy Lagoon
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Included Activities

During your time staying at Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge you can do as little or as much as you like. Here are some activities to look forward to with some best suited for the adventurous souls amongst us:

  • Snorkelling

  • Swimming

  • Kayaking

  • Paddle Boarding

  • Beach Walks

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*Mwamba Kuni Sandbar Excursion

For a more relaxed outing, set off by traditional dhow to Mwamba Kuni, a magical tidal sandbar that emerges from the turquoise waters for just a few hours each day. Spend your time snorkelling, swimming, paddle boarding, or simply sunbathing while a fresh fish BBQ is prepared on the open fire.

*Supplement applies (price varies by group size)

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*Bagamoyo Historic Tour

Step back in time with a guided half-day tour of Bagamoyo, a town steeped in East African history. Once the capital of German East Africa and a key port in the Arab slave trade, Bagamoyo was the gateway for explorers like Richard Burton, Henry Morton Stanley, and David Livingstone. Visit the atmospheric Kaole ruins, the old mission, and learn about the town’s layered past.

*Supplement applies (price varies by group size)

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Day 15

Farewell to the Island
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Depart Lazy Lagoon and begin your journey home

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Transport

Depending on the departure time of your international flight, a boat and vehicle transfer will be arranged to take you from Lazy Lagoon Island Lodge back to Dar es Salaam Airport. Take in the last glimpses of the Indian Ocean as you leave the tranquillity of the island behind and begin your journey home - refreshed, inspired, and filled with memories of wild Tanzania.