Ruaha

After a warm welcome from your tour guide, you will be transferred from Dar es Salaam airport to your hotel. Along the way, you'll get a glimpse of the unofficial capital, often simply called Dar. Put your feet up, enjoy the magnificent sea views, and celebrate your arrival in Tanzania.

The journey covers approximately 20 km.

You start your day with an early breakfast, and then you're off! The road leads along the Tan-Zam Highway towards Mikumi National Park. There's plenty to see along the way. First, the drive takes you through the hilly hinterland of Dar es Salaam, then on to the Ruvu River plain, a vast floodplain where rice is also cultivated. The journey continues towards Mikumi, past sisal fields, through wooded and shrubby areas, and then you see the towering Uluguru Mountains. You drive towards this panorama and then reach the gate of the national park. The adventure begins immediately; the eagerly anticipated first game drive starts in the afternoon. The heart of the park is the vast savannah of the Mkata Plains, a floodplain where the park's inhabitants refresh themselves at waterholes and streams. Large herds of buffalo are the main attractions of this park and, with a bit of luck, can be observed at close range. Elephants and lions also live in the park. There is much to see; it's not for nothing that the park is affectionately called the "little Serengeti of the South".

The included meals consist of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The route covers approximately 320 km.

Surely you couldn't get enough of the animals yesterday. That's why you set off again right after breakfast for a full-day safari. You follow in the animals' footsteps and roam the park like the many four-legged creatures that are frequently encountered here: giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, waterbuck, and eland – the largest antelope species. But it's not just the animals that are worth seeing. Keep an eye out for the Borassus palm, after which the Mikumi Park is named, as Mikumi is the Swahili word for this type of palm. A welcome change of scenery in the savanna, otherwise dominated by baobabs and acacias. You'll be back at your accommodation in time for dinner and can relax after an eventful day on safari.

Breakfast , a picnic, and dinner are included in the price.

Today you will go on a full-day game drive in the park.

On the way to Ruaha National Park, you'll pass through many small villages and get your first glimpse into the daily life of the locals. You'll see that a lot of life takes place along the roadside. The passing landscape is also a sight to behold: the green river valleys of the Great Ruaha, the dense mountain rainforest of the Udzungwa Mountains, and the sparse bush savannah. In Iringa, you'll make a short stop for lunch, and then the journey continues to your next accommodation. This is just a tiny taste of the amazing region you'll be exploring in depth over the next few days.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the price.

The route covers approximately 290 km.

Ruaha National Park awaits you! You'll be amazed, as this park is considered one of Tanzania's best-kept secrets for good reason. Experience it for yourself today on a full-day game drive. As Tanzania's second-largest national park, it boasts breathtaking landscapes. More than twice as many plant species as the Serengeti call this place home. Its size and the rivers that crisscross it make it a paradise for large elephant herds. You're sure to spot some. Unique to East Africa is the population of greater and lesser kudu, which can be observed in many parts of the park. Sable antelope, African wild dogs, and Grant's gazelles also call this place home. Ornithologists will be in their element, too. The national park is a bird paradise par excellence, home to 450 species. Listen to the sounds of nature during a picnic in the park and look forward to encountering all the four-legged creatures along the way. In the afternoon you will return to your accommodation, where you can conclude your experiences of the day.

Breakfast , a picnic, and dinner are included in the price.

Today you will go on a full-day game drive in the park.

Can't get enough? Our additional recommendation:

• Experience a hot air balloon ride over Ruaha at sunrise, followed by a champagne breakfast amidst nature. The price for the approximately one-hour hot air balloon ride with breakfast is €550 per person.
  Other international guests will also participate. The minimum number of participants is six. The duration and route of the flight depend on the weather and wind conditions.
  This excursion is only offered between June 15th and October 31st.
  Please book this excursion with Afromagic Adventures well in advance of your trip.

Early the next morning, the animals are active. Watch the park slowly awaken and begin a new day. Crocodiles and hippos can be observed along the Ruaha and Mwagusi rivers. Especially during the dry season, when the riverbeds almost completely dry up, the animals congregate in the last remaining waterholes. When hunger finally sets in, it's time for breakfast amidst nature – experience Tanzania up close! Afterwards, continue your wildlife exploration, learn more about the flora and fauna, and simply soak it all in. Filled with impressions, you'll return to your accommodation in the late afternoon, where you can relax and enjoy the evening.

The included meals consist of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast and lunch will be served at Ruaha.

Today you will spend the entire day on game drives in the park.

Today we leave the national park and immerse ourselves in Tanzanian city life. But before diving into the urban landscape, we'll visit a Hehe village. There, you'll receive a warm welcome and gain insights into the culture and traditions of this ethnic group. These semi-nomadic people have barely changed their way of life over time and maintain their traditions much as they have for centuries. Our journey then takes you to Iringa, a city of 100,000 inhabitants perched at an altitude of 1,600 meters and known as the gateway to the southern highlands. Named by the Hehe people of this region, its name translates to "fort" or "wall," and it was established as a military station by the Germans in 1890. Your first stop is your accommodation. Then, you'll experience the hustle and bustle of the city, where a diverse range of cultural influences are evident. There's plenty to admire: the lively shopping streets, a church or mission, a market with an old-fashioned market hall, the basketry for which the region is known, and the general bustle of the streets. Look around carefully; you're sure to discover a relic or two from the German colonial era. Back at the guesthouse, a guided tour will tell you more about the Neema Crafts project.

Breakfast and lunch are included in the price.

The route covers approximately 110 km.

Today's journey takes you to the Isimilia archaeological site, one of the most important Stone Age sites in East Africa. An entire valley has been carved out by erosion, revealing thousands of Stone Age tools. You can see this for yourself before the journey continues to the Udzungwa Mountains. En route, you'll stop at a Tanzanian restaurant in Kitonga for lunch, where you'll be treated to local cuisine and gain further insight into Tanzanian traditions. Refreshed, you'll then continue to your accommodation.
 

The included meals consist of breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The route covers approximately 355 km.

Your day begins with an early breakfast. First, we'll visit Msolwa Ujamaa Primary School and gain insight into the local school system. We'll plant a tree on the school grounds as a memento of our visit. Next, we'll travel to Udzungwa Mountains National Park, which was established in 1992 with the help of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to protect the last remaining intact mountain rainforests in this region. These rainforests reach altitudes of over 2,000 meters and are home to many unique tree and plant species found nowhere else. You'll embark on an approximately four-hour circular hike through the forests to the impressive Sanje Waterfall. The water cascades down in stages, plunging more than 300 meters. Enjoy the majestic view; it's a reward for your efforts, and you'll be treated to a delicious lunch amidst nature. Afterward, we'll continue on to the large sugarcane and rice plantations. You'll be amazed at how versatile these raw materials can be used and processed.

Breakfast , lunch and dinner are included in the price.

The journey covers approximately 40 km.

We recommend sturdy footwear for the approximately four-hour hike .
Those who do not wish to participate in the hike can alternatively take a short hike near the lodge and return for lunch.

After yesterday's hike, today's drive is a leisurely one. You'll be traveling by car, heading towards Nyerere National Park. As one of the oldest wildlife reserves, it's also the largest in Africa, covering approximately 30,000 square kilometers. Hard to imagine? That's twice the size of the Serengeti. You absolutely have to go! So you'll set off shortly after sunrise. Along the way, you can observe the wildlife and the stunning scenery. There will be time for a stroll and a picnic in Kiponza. Stretch your legs a bit, and then continue on to the northwestern edge of the national park, not far from the Matambwe gate.

Breakfast , a picnic, and dinner are included in the price.

The route covers approximately 380 km.

Let's go! Look forward to unique nature experiences, picture-perfect Tanzania, and close encounters with wildlife. You'll spend the entire morning searching for the park's animals. After a warm welcome at your accommodation, a two-and-a-half-hour boat trip awaits you on the Rufiji River. Here, you can see for yourself that this region boasts one of the most biodiverse animal habitats in East Africa. And with a little luck, you might spot some magnificent hippos and crocodiles. African fish eagles, Goliath herons, and giant kingfishers are also frequently seen along the banks, searching for fish.

The included meals consist of breakfast, a picnic lunch, and dinner.

Today you will go on a game drive and a boat trip in Nyerere.

This morning, you'll embark on a safari in Nyerere National Park. Home to approximately 1,000 of the extremely rare African wild dogs, they roam the area in large packs, primarily hunting antelope and gazelle, but they won't hesitate to take on large buffalo or eland. Perhaps you'll be one of the lucky ones to spot this rare species. Enjoy the safari and afterwards a delicious lunch at your accommodation. This afternoon, you'll have time to reminisce about the adventures of the past few days with your fellow travelers. If you're in the mood for more relaxation, you can, of course, enjoy the breathtaking view of the river from your private terrace. Take your vantage point and simply wait to see who strolls past or takes a leisurely dip in the Rufiji River. All this right before your eyes – you're right in the middle of it! As a grand finale, after a magnificent farewell dinner, you'll embark on what is perhaps the most unforgettable of all safari experiences: a nighttime game drive in an open safari jeep provided by your accommodation. We are certain that these unique images at the end of your journey will be etched in your memory and heart forever.

Breakfast , lunch and dinner are included in the price.

Today you will go on a game drive and a night safari in the national park.

Enjoy one last breakfast under the warm African sun on this trip. Sadly, it's time to say goodbye; you'll be traveling towards the Indian Ocean and transferred to Dar es Salaam airport for your flight home.

Breakfast is included in the price.

The journey covers approximately 250 km.