Tanzania: Off The Beaten Track

You will fly from Dar es Salaam to the Selous Game Reserve (approximately a 30-minute flight). As you arrive at Siwandu airstrip, you will be met by your safari guide, and will start your safari en route to the camp! The Selous has fantastic wildlife sightings – particularly with elephant, lion, and wild dog. The Selous is home to more than half of Tanzania’s elephant population and over 120,000 buffalo. On a game drive, you will definitely come across large herds, and on the river, you will likely see elephants swimming or drinking from the river banks. Siwandu Camp includes all of your safari activities including game drives, bush walks, and boat safaris. An average day on safari includes a morning game activity, some time to relax in camp during the day, and then another safari activity in the afternoon.

This morning you will be transferred to the airstrip to fly to Ruaha National Park. This is a park famous for its red soil, large baobab trees, and huge lion populations. On arrival, you will be met by your safari guide and will spend the next three nights in Mwagusi Camp. This camp is located in one of the best game-viewing regions in the park, and many other camps come to this area for sightings. The best time to visit Ruaha is the July to October period when the park is at its driest. A typical day on safari in Ruaha begins with an early morning game drive. You will be on safari from around 6 am – 11 am, during which you will have a bush breakfast and coffee overlooking a beautiful view. You will head back to the camp around 11 am where you will enjoy a few hours to rest at Mwagusi. You will then head back out on safari around 3 pm to 7 pm, where your safari guide will find a beautiful view to enjoy sundowners.

After six nights on safari, you will finish your trip on a breathtaking private island named Fanjove. Because of its seclusion, you will fly from Ruaha to Dar es Salaam, and then from Dar es Salaam to Songo Songo. From here you will take a one-hour boat across to Fanjove – a place you will call home for the next three nights. There are six bandas which all offer undisturbed views of the ocean. Enjoy time relaxing on the white-sand beaches, snorkeling the archipelago, or kayaking around the beautiful island. You can also do excursions like dolphin boat trips and dhow sunset trips. The best thing about Fanjove Island is that, whilst you feel completely secluded and remote, you also feel very welcome and looked after. The staff live on the island too (in the staff quarters) and are always around to make sure you have everything you need to make your time there memorable. It’s a very special place with stunning views and a completely magical location.

On the final day you will fly back to Dar es Salaam to connect onto your international flights home.