Accommodation: Rufiji River Camp – tented camp, Ruaha River Lodge – thatched bandas, Lazy Lagoon Island – beach bandas

Destinations: Selous Game Reserve – South Tanzania, Ruaha National Park – South Tanzania, Lazy Lagoon Island - Swahili Coast

Activities: Game drives, guided nature walks, fishing, motorboat excursions, snorkelling, swimming

Arrive: Dar es Salaam International Airport
Depart: Dar es Salaam International Airport

What to expect from this 11 day Big Five and Beach Safari:

Tanzania is the ultimate destination for combining a wildlife Tanzania safari with some pristine beach relaxation. On this Tanzania safari you will experience the spectacular Selous Game Reserve on walks, game drives and boating safaris. See the Big Five in their natural environment in pristine remote Tanzanian wilderness.

The combination of stunning scenery, rugged landscapes, and animal variety is unmatched in Ruaha National Park. Watch a local fishing boat while waking up to another day of snorkelling over coral reefs, sailing on the Indian Ocean breezes, visiting historical sites, or just soaking up the sun on Lazy Lagoon Isand – a perfect end to your Tanzanian safari.

Days 1 - 3: Selous Game Reserve

You will depart at 10.30 from Dar es Salaam domestic terminal for your flight to Selous Game Reserve. Created in 1896 and gazetted in 1905, Selous Game Reserve is named after the British explorer and conservationist Frederick Courtney Selous and a small grave stone marks the spot where he is buried in the reserve.

A short road transfer to Rufiji River Camp where on arrival, friendly staff will welcome you for the start of your Tanzania vaaction. Depart on an afternoon game drive in Africa’s largest Game Reserve – Selous Game Reserve.

Rufiji River Camp is built on a high bank with excellent views across the Rufiji River and the grassy plains. Facilities at the camp consist of a restaurant, lounge areas, bar, library and swimming pool. Twenty ensuite tents, all boasting a private balcony, offer magnificent views of the wildlife coming down to the river to drink.

The Selous is unique among Tanzania's more well known wildlife areas because it is a reserve, not a national park, and therefore a larger range of activities are permitted. Boating safaris, escorted walks and hiking safaris all add adventure to your Tanzania safari.

The Selous Game Reserve is four times the size of the Serengeti and possesses a diverse landscape from volcanic springs, sporadic lakes, channels from the Great Ruaha and Rufiji rivers. Walking is permitted, with an armed ranger, and with over 400 species of bird and 2,000 species of plants to see makes this the most incredible wilderness to explore.

The park has a broad range of game: buffalo - the largest population in Africa; elephant, hippopotamus, Nyasaland gnu; hartebeest; greater kudu; sable antelope; eland; reedbuck; bushbuck; waterbuck; warthog; zebra; giraffe and wildebeest. Lion, leopard and the spotted hyena are in abundance; reptiles include crocodiles and various snakes and lizards.

Days 4 - 7: Ruaha National Park

After breakfast and a short game drive, you will fly to Ruaha National Park. You will have time to relax at Ruaha River Lodge, before your afternoon game drive on your Tanzania vacation.

Ruaha River Lodge is built from stone and blends in beautifully with the surroundings. Built on a hill, the lodge has excellent views of the Great Ruaha River. Twenty bandas with screened windows, ensuite bathrooms and private verandas ensure your comfortable stay. Ruaha River Lodge is divided into three camps – each with a dining area and bar, so guests can enjoy their own exclusive camp.

Ruaha's unique ecosystem is shaped by a wide range of climatic types, from dry, hot, rift valley zones and riverine forests along the Great Ruaha River, to sweeping savannahs and mountain forests. Located at the convergence zone of northern and southern species, Ruaha National Park is an extremely diverse ecological area that is home to several endemics, including the Ruaha Red-Billed Hornbill. An important habitat for endangered species such as the African Wild Dog, Ruaha is also the southern limit of the ranges of Grant's Gazelle and Striped Hyena.

Your adventure in Ruaha will be facilitated by highly trained guides that will lead you on morning and evening game drives. You might choose to enjoy a full day game drive with picnic lunch. Ruaha River Lodge offers guided walks along the Ruaha River.

Days 7- 10: Swahili Coast

After a morning game drive ending at the airstrip (picnic lunch provided) you will fly back to Dar es Salaam and transfer up the coast road to Bagamoyo. Bagamoyo was recently designated as Tanzania’s seventh world heritage site and is the oldest town in Tanzania. Bagamoyo was the major slave trading post in East Africa and it was not uncommon to see hundreds of slaves walking through the streets of Bagamoyo chained together by the neck.

You will take a boat transfer across 2km stretch of water to the private Lazy Lagoon Island.

Lazy Lagoon Lodge is built at the tip of the eight kilometre long private island of sand, bush and mangrove, still inhabited by wildlife. Twelve individual self contained 'beach bandas' offer visitors the most exclusive beach holiday in Tanzania.

The bandas are spaced along the beach to provide privacy and an uninterrupted view of the Indian Ocean. The beach bandas have spacious rooms and big windows. Keeping with local tradition, the bandas are constructed from palm leaf thatch and boast a wooden panelled interior. A large veranda is the ideal place to watch the sun rise over Zanzibar and set across the sea on mainland Bagamoyo.

The swimming pool, bar and restaurant are on the tip of the island with panoramic views of Lazy Lagoon, the mainland and the open sea.

Swimming in the clear azure blue water, at all tides, is perfect. The water is ideal for snorkelling – explore the coral gardens with their shoals of iridescent tropical fish. You can kayak to explore the lagoon and mangrove forest or enjoy a sunset dhow safari to nearby sand islands and the coral reef.

The island is home to Bush babies, Wild pigs, Genets, Baboons, Duiker and Suni antelope. You can find these animals on nature trails provided by the lodge.

A morning guided tour around Bagamoyo is an optional excursion from Lazy Lagoon.

Days 11: Return Flight to Dar es Salaam

You will depart Lazy Lagoon Island in time for your international flight departure.

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