About the the Tour
This 12-Days Safari and Mafia Island tour will be a unique and exclusive opportunity to explore the wild side of Tanzania. Instead of following the typical tourist routes, this safari will take you to less frequented and lesser-known destinations, giving you a chance to truly connect with the natural beauty and wildlife of the African bush.
Embark on an authentic safari adventure in southern Tanzania’s Nyerere National Park and Ruaha National Park on this unforgettable Tanzania holiday. Your exclusive safari trip will be followed by five nights on the tropical and remote Mafia Island.
Day 1: Transfer to Nyerere National Park
A Laba Africa Expeditions safari guide will meet you at the Dar es Salaam Airport, after your arrival, and transfer you to the domestic terminal as soon as you arrive. It is now time to board your scheduled light aircraft flight to Nyerere National Park in the southern part of Tanzania. Upon arrival at the airstrip, a representative will meet you and drive you to your lodge where you will stay for 3 nights
Day 2 & 3 : Transfer to Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National park formerly known as Selous National park is the largest Nature reserve in Africa covering an area of 50,000sq but it is one of the least known parks in the region and it recieves much lower numbers as compared or other parks in Northern Tanzania
Several spectacular animals can be seen on the rivers and lakes in Nyerere National Park, including the largest hippo and crocodile populations in Africa. The Rufiji River is teeming with elephants, especially in the dry season (June to November) when the river is full of elephant herds. The park is also home to several buffalo, giraffe, zebra, impala, eland, wildebeest, baboon, hyena, lion, leopard, and endangered African wild dog, all of which can be found in good numbers.
Since Nyerere National Park was previously a game reserve, your guide can go off-road in your safari vehicle, and you can get much closer to wildlife than in national parks. You can also enjoy bush walks, boat safaris, and morning and afternoon game drives at Nyerere National park
Accomodation: Lake Manze Tented Camp
Day 4: Flight to Ruaha National Park
After an early breakfast, you can enjoy one last game drive before being transferred back to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Ruaha National Park with a light aircraft. Upon arriving at the airstrip, you will be greeted by a team member and taken to the lodge, where you will spend three nights.
Day 5 & 6 : Explore Ruaha National Park
Enjoy 2 safari days in Ruaha National Park.
Ruaha is one of the most significant national parks outside of the Serengeti because of its incredible concentration and diversity of wildlife. During the dry season, animals are attracted to the Great Ruaha River, the park’s main feature.
Ruaha National Park is an incredible place to see wildlife because it is home to large herds of elephants, a pride of lions and endangered African wild dogs, and many other wildlife species. There are also several less-known animals found in the park, such as the kudu, roan, and sable antelopes, which live in the open woodland areas of the park
Accomodation: Mdonya Old river
Day 7: Flight to Mafia Island
After lunch, you’ll be driven back to the airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft flight to Mafia Island. After arriving at Kilindoni on Mafia Island, you will be met by a driver and taken to your accommodation for the next five nights.
Accommodation: Butiama Beach
Day 8-11 : Explore Mafia Island
Among the activities you can try are diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding on Mafia Island Marine Park. You can also explore Mrora Forest, Ras Mbizi Coconut Plantation, or Ras Mkumbi Lighthouse.
Whale Sharks can be seen between October and March on Mafia Island, and humpback whales can be seen between July and October. Visit from June to September to see hundreds of baby turtles scramble to the warm Indian Ocean from sandy beaches.
All the mentioned activities are at your own cost.
Accommodation: Butiama Beach
Day 12 : Flight to Dar es Salaam and end of the Tour
After breakfast, you will be transfered to the airstrip for your outward flight to Dar es salaam and back home and that will be the end of this 12-Days Safari and Mafia Island tour
- Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
- You’ll be dropped off at the airport.