Stunning elevated view of the river with a small hill in the back ground and greenery on the river banks

Home / All Tours / Tanzania – 7-day Ruaha & Katavi Safari – Private Fly-in

Tanzania – 7-day Ruaha & Katavi Safari – Private Fly-in

7 days / 6 nights
Ruaha National Park • Katavi National Park

Country

Tanzania

Duration

7 days

Highlights

Ruaha National Park

Katavi National Park

Rated 4.9/5

See reviews

Tanzania – 7-day Ruaha & Katavi Safari – Private Fly-in

From $4,820
Ruaha River Lodge
Ruaha River Lodge
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha River Lodge
Ruaha National Park
Katavi National Park

Includes

Light aircraft flights Dar es Salaam – Ruaha - Katavi - Dar es Salaam, includes a baggage allowance of 23kgs per passenger in soft bags including hand luggage 
Road transfers from/to airstrips
6 nights' accommodation on a full-board basis
2 daily, shared game drives
Park fees

Excludes

International Flights
Drinks
Any activities not mentioned
Gratuities - we recommend US$ 10 per person/day for lodge staff & guides
Entry visa
Travel insurance
Increase in government tax and park fees

Itinerary

Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Following its recent expansion, Ruaha is currently East Africa’s biggest national park and the second-largest on the African continent. It is also Tanzania’s most sizeable elephant haven and home to a profusion of around 570 bird species, including kingfishers, plovers, egrets, hornbills and sunbirds. Crocodiles and hippos thrive in the Great Ruaha River, which flows along the sanctuary’s eastern border in the rainy season. In the dry season between July and November, animals flock to the last remaining water sources, presenting an exceptional wildlife spectacle.
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park
+23
  • Ruaha River Lodge

    Day 1 - 4

    Situated right on the banks of the Great Ruaha River, our location offers unrivaled views in Ruaha National Park.
    Ruaha River Lodge
    Ruaha River Lodge
    Ruaha River Lodge
    Ruaha River Lodge
    Ruaha River Lodge
    Ruaha River Lodge
    +17

Day 1

Day Notes:

Depart from Dar es Salaam Airport with a scheduled light aircraft flight to Ruaha National Park. You will be met at the local airstrip and transferred to Ruaha River Lodge, where you will spend the next 3 nights. Enjoy your first shared afternoon game drive.

  • Charter Flight from Julius Nyerere International Airport [DAR] to Msembe Airstrip

  • Check-in to Ruaha River Lodge

  • Transfer from Msembe Airstrip to Ruaha River Lodge

  • Shared afternoon game drive

Day 2 - 3

Day Notes:

Head out on an early morning game drive and then come back to the lodge for a hot breakfast, after which you can relax. After lunch, you will go out on a shared afternoon game drive and then come back to the lodge for dinner.

The lodge also offers morning walks, night drives and hot air ballooning at additional costs. Please enquire if you should be interested.

 

  • Shared morning and afternoon game drives

Katavi National Park, Tanzania

Located in western Tanzania, the remote Katavi National Park is a captivating stop along the western tourist route. Encompassing Lake Katavi, the Katuma River, and picturesque Lake Chala, Katavi National Park encompasses roughly 4500 square kilometres of unspoiled Tanzanian woods, savannah and wetlands. This park is the third-largest in the country and is home to the world’s largest herds of buffalo. Katavi boasts a wide array of bird and animal life, including leopards, elephants, zebras, lion,s and the densest hippo and crocodile populations in the country.
Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park
Katavi National Park
  • Katavi Wildlife Camp

    Day 4 - 7

    Experience the sight of lions observing vast herds of buffalo on the sweeping Katuma Plains, making it a must-visit destination for the discerning African enthusiast.
    Katavi Wildlife Camp
    Katavi Wildlife Camp
    Katavi Wildlife Camp
    Katavi Wildlife Camp
    Katavi Wildlife Camp
    Katavi Wildlife Camp
    +6

Day 4

Day Notes:

After a shared morning game drive (time permitting) and breakfast in Ruaha, you will be transferred back to the local airstrip for your flight to Katavi National Park. Once you land in Katavi, you will be met by your new guides and transferred to the lodge. Enjoy your first shared afternoon game drive in this new environment.

  • Shared morning game drive (time permitting)

  • Check-out from Ruaha River Lodge

  • Transfer from Ruaha River Lodge to Msembe Airstrip

  • Charter Flight from Msembe Airstrip to Ikuu Airstrip

  • Transfer from Ikuu Airstrip to Katavi Wildlife Camp

  • Check-in to Katavi Wildlife Camp

  • Shared afternoon game drive

Day 5 - 6

Day Notes:

You will have a shared early morning game drive and then come back to the lodge for a hot breakfast, after which you can relax or read.

After lunch, you will go out on a shared afternoon game drive and then come back to the lodge for dinner.

  • Shared morning and afternoon game drives

Day 7

  • Check-out from Katavi Wildlife Camp

  • Transfer from Katavi Wildlife Camp to Ikuu Airstrip

  • Charter Flight from Ikuu Airstrip to Julius Nyerere International Airport [DAR]

  • Departure flight to Dar es Salaam

End of Itinerary

Destinations

Ruaha National Park
Tanzania
Day 1-2

Ruaha National Park

Following its recent expansion, Ruaha is currently East Africa’s biggest national park and the second-largest on the African continent.
Katavi National Park
Tanzania
Day 4-5

Katavi National Park

Located in western Tanzania, the remote Katavi National Park is a captivating stop along the western tourist route.

Accommodations

Ruaha River Lodge
Ruaha National Park
Day 1-4

Ruaha River Lodge

Situated right on the banks of the Great Ruaha River, our location offers unrivaled views in Ruaha National Park..
Katavi Wildlife Camp
Katavi National Park
Day 4-7

Katavi Wildlife Camp

Experience the sight of lions observing vast herds of buffalo on the sweeping Katuma Plains, making it a must-visit destination for the discerning African enthusiast..

October 2025

  • Per person sharing: US$ 5,270
  • Single/Solo* traveller: US$ 6,130
  • Per child sharing, age 5-14 years**: US$ 3,570

June 2026

  • Per person sharing: US$ 4,835
  • Single/Solo* traveller: US$ 5,435
  • Per child sharing, age 5-14 years***: US$ 3,400

July - October 2026

  • Per person sharing: US$ 5,395
  • Single/Solo* traveller: US$ 6,255
  • Per child sharing, age 5-14 years**: US$ 3,680

*An additional flight supplement might apply if the minimum number of 4 passengers per flight segment is not met.

**Families travelling with children aged 10 or below are required to book a private vehicle in High Season

***In low season, families travelling with children aged 10 or below are subject to a charge of 50% of the private vehicle rate but game drives will be scheduled times only

Tanzania – 10-day Selous & Ruaha Safari – Private Fly-in

For my first-time safari experience in Tanzania, I could not have chosen a more professional and yet friendly travel agent to work with. Ines Moosman with Indigo Safaris, covered all areas of fly-in safari life, and explained in detail every aspect of my travel requirements and experience. Ines also quickly responded to my questions, and explained how my choices would affect my travel--something that was particularly important for a first-time solo traveler. Thanks to Ines and Indigo Safari's efforts, it looks like I may be rearranging my future trips list, and taking a look at Botswana next after all.

Excellent game drives with knowledgeable guides in both Rufiji River Camp in Selous (Nyerere National Park ) and Ruaha River Lodge in Ruaha National Park. I can't say enough about the attentive camp managers, comfortable accommodations and exceptional food in both camps.

Heloise Price
First-time safari experience in Tanzania

Adam Beach & Safari, Tanzania

3 weeks in Tanzania including safari and time on the coast on Pemba and Zanzibar. Ines really worked well with us suggesting a great trip outline.

Adam
Switzerland

Honeymoon Safari in Tanzania

I cannot recommend this experience enough. Indigo Safaris went above and beyond to make sure our trip was special and they certainly achieved just that. We went to some of the most breath taking places and stayed in some incredible accommodation. Our driver Dickson was fabulous, we learned so much from him and thoroughly enjoyed spending a few days with him. This was all made possible because of indigo safaris professional and knowledgeable approach and we are so grateful to them. They were happy to work with our budget and tailor make an experience to our exact needs. The whole process was completely seamless and we would certainly book with them again!

Nicola Rusted
Rrofessional and knowledgeable approach