8-Day Flying Safari in Southern Tanzania

Day 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam

Your adventure begins as you arrive in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s bustling coastal city. Upon landing at Julius Nyerere International Airport, you’ll be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax after your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you might choose to unwind at the hotel, take a short city tour, or enjoy dinner at a beachside restaurant. Overnight at a comfortable lodge or boutique hotel in Dar.

Day 2: Fly to Nyerere National Park (Selous) & Boat Safari

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the domestic terminal for your short scenic flight to Nyerere National Park, formerly part of the Selous Game Reserve. As you land on a remote airstrip, the safari begins right away with a game drive en route to your camp. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy your first activity—a peaceful boat safari along the Rufiji River. You’ll drift past pods of hippos, basking crocodiles, and an array of birdlife, all while soaking in a gorgeous African sunset. Return to your luxury camp for dinner and your first night in the wild.

Day 3: Walking Safari & Game Drive in Nyerere

Today starts with an exciting walking safari, led by an experienced guide and armed ranger. This is a chance to experience the bush up close, learning about tracks, plants, and smaller creatures often missed from a vehicle. After lunch and some time to relax at camp, head out for a classic afternoon game drive, where you might encounter elephants, lions, giraffes, or even the elusive African wild dog. As evening falls, enjoy a fireside dinner under the stars.

Day 4: More Safari Activities & Leisure Time

You’ll have time for one final morning activity in Nyerere—either another game drive, a boat safari, or a walk, depending on your interests. Return to camp for a leisurely afternoon; take a dip in the pool, read on the deck, or indulge in a spa treatment if available. For something extra special, opt for a night game drive to spot nocturnal wildlife like genets, civets, and hyenas. Tonight is your last night in this beautiful park, so enjoy the tranquility and the sounds of the wild one more time.

Day 5: Fly to Ruaha National Park

After breakfast, you’ll board a bush plane and fly westward to the magnificent Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest and one of its most scenic reserves. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you for a game drive transfer to your lodge or camp. Ruaha’s landscapes are striking—dotted with ancient baobabs, rolling hills, and winding rivers. In the afternoon, you can either relax or take a short game drive to get acquainted with the area. Enjoy a quiet evening at your camp, nestled deep in the wilderness.

Day 6: Full Day Safari in Ruaha

Today is devoted to exploring Ruaha’s vast and untamed beauty. With both morning and afternoon game drives, you’ll have a chance to track predators like lions and leopards, search for elephants and buffalo, and admire some of the park’s 570+ bird species. Ruaha is also one of the best places in East Africa to see African wild dogs. Between game drives, enjoy a hearty lunch back at camp and perhaps a nap or time to journal your sightings. End the day with drinks around the fire and another delicious dinner in the bush.

Day 7: Another Day of Exploration in Ruaha

Your second full day in Ruaha offers the chance to dive even deeper into the park’s wildlife and landscapes. You can opt for two shorter game drives or head out on a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch in the bush. Every game drive offers something different—maybe a pride of lions on the hunt, elephants at a waterhole, or a leopard lounging in a tree. The terrain itself is breathtaking, with rocky hills and the Great Ruaha River winding through the valleys. Tonight, celebrate your final night on safari with a special dinner under the stars.

Day 8: Final Safari & Fly Back to Dar es Salaam

Enjoy a final early morning game drive if time permits, soaking in one last magical sunrise over the savannah. After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Dar es Salaam, arriving in time to catch your international flight or to continue your journey with a beach holiday in Zanzibar. With your heart full of memories and your camera full of wildlife shots, your Southern Tanzania safari comes to a close.