Tanzania - 8-day Selous & Ruaha Discoverer Safari - Tailored Fly-in

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Tanzania – 8-day Selous & Ruaha Discoverer Safari – Tailored Fly-in

8 days / 7 nights
Nyerere National Park • Ruaha National Park

Country

Tanzania

Duration

8 days

Group Size

2 (min)

Highlights

Nyerere National Park

Ruaha National Park

Rated 4.9/5

See reviews

Tanzania – 8-day Selous & Ruaha Discoverer Safari – Tailored Fly-in

From $3,880
Ruaha River Lodge
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha River Lodge
Ruaha National Park

Includes

Flights from Dar es Salaam to Selous to Ruaha to Dar Es Salaam*,  includes a baggage allowance of 20kgs per passenger in soft bags, including hand luggage 
Airstrip transfers
7 nights' accommodation on a full-board basis
2 daily, shared game activities
Fees

Excludes

International Flights
Drinks
Gratuities - we recommend US$ 10 per person/day for lodge staff & guides
Entry visa
Travel insurance
Increase in government tax and park fees

Itinerary

Nyerere National Park, Tanzania

Formerly the northern part of Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park is Tanzania's largest National Park. Stretching over an impressive 30,893 square kilometres, the park is home to some of the world’s largest concentrations of wildlife, and the incredible diversity and sheer volume of animals draw visitors from around the globe. Travellers can look forward to spotting a wide collection of common and rare species including the famous Big Five, some rare species of antelopes like Roan Antelope, and large concentrations of elephant and hippos. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a boating safari on the exquisite Rufiji River, spot the endangered African wild dog, and enjoy a guided walking safari with a highly knowledgeable guide.
Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park
  • Selous Wilderness Camp

    Day 1 - 5

    Selous Wilderness Camp is nestled on the southern shores of the Rufiji River within the vast Nyerere National Park in southeastern Tanzania. The camp features well-appointed safari tents equipped with comfortable beds, solar-powered electricity, and ensuite bathrooms. Guests can enjoy exquisite dining experiences in various scenic spots around the camp, including a fireside area. Additionally, guests have access to a refreshing plunge pool, a shaded bar and lounge area, and a range of safari activities such as game drives, boat safaris, and bush walks.
    Selous Wilderness Camp
    Selous Wilderness Camp
    Selous Wilderness Camp
    Selous Wilderness Camp
    Selous Wilderness Camp
    Selous Wilderness Camp
    +2

Day 1

Day Notes:

Depart from Dar es Salaam Airport by scheduled flight to Selous Game Reserve. Once you land, you will be met and transferred to Selous Wilderness Camp. Settle in and then enjoy a shared afternoon game drive.

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

  • Transfer from Mtemere Airstrip to Selous Wilderness Camp

  • Check-in to Selous Wilderness Camp

  • Shared afternoon game drive

Day 2 - 4

Day Notes:

Activities included at Selous Wilderness Camp are the following:

  • Shared morning and afternoon or full-day game drives
  • Walking safari 
  • Boat Safari

 

  • Shared morning and afternoon safari activities

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 5 - 8

    Ruaha River Lodge was the only safari camp in the national park for two decades, before Tanzania opened to international tourism. As a pioneer of its time this allowed for its prime position along the river and far from any other safari lodges. The lodge’s remoteness is its defining feature and greatest selling point, leaving guests feeling that they have Ruaha National Park seemingly all to themselves.
    Journey to Ruaha River Lodge, on the banks of the mighty Ruaha River, to discover why Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s best-kept secret – as you immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes dotted with baobabs, venture in search of untamed wilderness, and witness a vast array of African wildlife species in this global biodiversity hotspot.
    Ruaha River Lodge
    Ruaha River Lodge
    Ruaha River Lodge
    Ruaha River Lodge
    Ruaha River Lodge
    Ruaha River Lodge
    +17

Day 5

Day Notes:

After your shared morning safari activity (time permitting) and breakfast, you are transferred back to the local airstrip for your scheduled flight to Ruaha National Park. In Ruaha National Park, you will stay for three nights at Ruaha River Lodge. After lunch and a short rest, you will go on a shared afternoon game drive.

  • Shared morning safari activity

  • Check-out from Selous Wilderness Camp

  • Transfer from Selous Wilderness Camp to Mtemere Airstrip

  • Charter Flight from Mtemere Airstrip to Msembe Airstrip

  • Transfer from Msembe Airstrip to Ruaha River Lodge

  • Check-in to Ruaha River Lodge

  • Shared afternoon game drive

Day 6 - 7

Day Notes:

Head out on an early morning shared 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 are interested.

  • Morning and afternoon game drive

Day 8

  • Shared morning game drive

  • Check-out from Ruaha River Lodge

  • Transfer from Ruaha River Lodge to Msembe Airstrip

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

End of Itinerary

Destinations

Nyerere National Park
Tanzania
Day 1-2

Nyerere National Park

Formerly the northern part of Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park is Tanzania's largest National Park.
Ruaha National Park
Tanzania
Day 5-6

Ruaha National Park

Following its recent expansion, Ruaha is currently East Africa’s biggest national park and the second-largest on the African continent.

Accommodations

Selous Wilderness Camp
Nyerere National Park
Day 1-5

Selous Wilderness Camp

Selous Wilderness Camp is nestled on the southern shores of the Rufiji River within the vast Nyerere National Park in southeastern Tanzania.
Ruaha River Lodge
Ruaha National Park
Day 5-8

Ruaha River Lodge

Ruaha River Lodge was the only safari camp in the national park for two decades, before Tanzania opened to international tourism.

STAY A 5TH NIGHT FREE AT SELOUS WILDERNESS CAMP & ONLY PAY AN EXTRA CHARGE OF USD 70 PER PERSON, VALID ALL YEAR ROUND 

5 January - February 2026, June & 1 November - 23 December 2026

  • Per person sharing: US$ 3,880
  • Single/Solo traveller*: US$ 4,480
  • Child, age 6-11 years**: US$ 2,125

24 December 2025 - 4 January 2026

  • Per person sharing: US$ 4,090
  • Single/Solo traveller*: US$ 4,765
  • Child, age 6-11 years**: US$ 2,230

MARCH - MAY 2026, AIRSTRIPS CLOSED

July - October & 24 December 2026 - 4 January 2027 

  • Per person sharing: US$ 4,120
  • Single/Solo traveller*: US$ 4,795
  • Child, age 6-11 years**: US$ 2,265

*An additional flight supplement might apply to solo travellers if the minimum number of 2 passengers is not met per flight segment.

**At Ruaha River Lodge, families travelling with children aged 10 or below are required to book a private vehicle in High Season

 

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

Southern Tanzania Safari

As a first-time, solo, female traveler for a fly-in Tanzania safari, I could not have chosen a more professional and easy to work with travel company. Ines proved to be knowledgeable in all aspects of my trip, from securing a Tanzania eVisa, to light aircraft flights within the country, to detailed descriptions of the camps I would visit.
Ines also quickly responded to my questions regarding game drives/vehicles, dining and, in general, what I could expect at the lodges She also listened to what I had to say--something I consider vital in traveler-tour agent relationships.

Thanks to the efforts of Ines and Indigo Safaris, I'm determined to take another safari next year.

Heloise Price
Professional and easy to work