Duration
11 days / 10 nights
Starts and ends
Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam (DAR)
Visiting
Usangu · Ruaha National Park · Nyerere National Park
Best for
Couples, small private groups, walkers and return safari travellers
From US$10,500Per person sharing, for travel until 31 December 20262027 rates on requestEnquire about this safari
DestinationTanzania
Length11 Days
ExperiencesBoat SafarisBush WalksNight DrivesWalking SafariWildlife Viewing

Overview

A flying safari through Tanzania's wild south, with a different way of exploring at every camp: night drives and boating in the Usangu wetlands, walking from a private camp in central Ruaha, and boat safaris on Nyerere's lakes.

Southern Tanzania sees a fraction of the visitors of the northern parks, and this trip goes to the quietest corners of it. After a night in Dar es Salaam you fly west into Usangu, the wetland heart of the Ruaha ecosystem, where the Great Ruaha River begins. Then you drive north through the park to Kokoko, a three-tent camp on the Mwagusi Sand River that is booked by one group at a time. The safari ends on the lakes of Nyerere National Park, one of Africa's largest protected areas, at Roho ya Selous.

Each camp offers something the others don't: night drives with thermal cameras and a night under the stars at Usangu, walking with your own guide at Kokoko, and boat safaris among hippo and crocodile at Roho ya Selous. Days are flexible, with activities planned around the wildlife and what you most want to see.

Usangu and Kokoko open from June to November, so this is a dry-season safari, when wildlife gathers along the rivers and the walking is at its best.

Highlights

  • Remote, uncrowded southern parks
  • Night drives with thermal cameras at Usangu
  • A night under the stars in a star cube
  • Private camp for up to six guests at Kokoko
  • Walking safaris in Ruaha
  • Boat safaris on Lake Nzerakera
  • Sable and roan antelope
  • Wild dog country in Nyerere
  • Light-aircraft flights between parks

Experiences

  • Day game drives
  • Night drives
  • Guided bush walks
  • Boat safaris
  • Star bed sleep-out
  • Birdwatching

Route at a glance

Nyerere NPSelous GRMikumi NPRungwa GRTANZANIAKENYAUGANDALake VictoriaIndian OceanLake TanganyikaLake MalawiDodomaZanzibar TownMbeyaDAR ✈1Dar es Salaam2Usangu3Ruaha4Nyerere200 km
Approximate route; flights and transfers are confirmed with your quote. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, Natural Earth.
  1. 1 nightSerena Hotel, Dar es Salaam
  2. 3 nightsUsangu Expedition Camp, Ruaha National Park
  3. 3 nightsKokoko Camp, Ruaha National Park
  4. 3 nightsRoho ya Selous, Nyerere National Park
  • Day 2 Fly from Dar es Salaam to Usangu, Ruaha National Park
  • Day 5 Game drive north through Ruaha to Kokoko Camp
  • Day 8 Fly from Ruaha to Nyerere National Park
  • Day 11 Fly from Nyerere to Dar es Salaam

Starts and ends: Julius Nyerere International Airport, Dar es Salaam (DAR)

Day by day

Day 1Serena Hotel, Dar es Salaam
You are met on arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport and driven to the Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel in the city centre. Rest by the pool after your flight, or explore the city's markets and the National Museum if you arrive early.Overnight: Serena Hotel, Dar es Salaam
Days 2–4Usangu Expedition Camp, Ruaha National Park
A morning light-aircraft flight takes you west to Usangu, once a separate game reserve and now the wetland source of the Great Ruaha River. The game drive from the airstrip to camp is your introduction to the area.Usangu Expedition Camp has just six tents, and meals are cooked over an open fire. Over three days you can search for sable and roan antelope on game drives, take a boat out to watch elephant along the water's edge, walk with your guide in the dry season, and head out after dark with thermal cameras to find the animals of the night. If the weather allows, spend a night sleeping out in the camp's star cube.Overnight: Usangu Expedition Camp (3 nights)
Days 5–7Kokoko Camp, Ruaha National Park
Game drive north through Ruaha National Park to Kokoko, on the banks of the Mwagusi Sand River in the heart of Ruaha's best wildlife country. With only three tents, the camp is reserved for your group alone, each tent with its own outdoor shower and a roof that opens to the stars.Plan your days with your guide: walking safaris along the dry riverbeds, long game drives in search of Ruaha's big prides of lion, night drives, and evenings around the fire under the southern sky.Overnight: Kokoko Camp (3 nights)
Days 8–10Roho ya Selous, Nyerere National Park
Fly east to Nyerere National Park and transfer from the airstrip to Roho ya Selous, on the shores of Lake Nzerakera. The camp's eight tents are cooled by an evening-breeze system, a welcome comfort in the lowland heat.Nyerere is a park of rivers, lakes and palm-fringed channels. Take boat safaris past hippo pods and basking crocodiles, look for wild dog and lion on game drives, and cool off in the pool in the heat of the afternoon. Evenings end around the campfire.Overnight: Roho ya Selous (3 nights)
Day 11Fly to Dar es Salaam
After a final morning activity, transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Dar es Salaam to connect with your international flight home, or continue to Zanzibar for a few days on the beach.

Where you'll stay

Serena Dar es Salaam front viewSerena Dar Es Salaam$ 155 (Per adult sharing per night, excluding fees)View lodgeUsangu Expedition Camp Tent ExteriorUsangu Expedition Camp$ 860 (Per adult sharing per night, excluding fees)View lodgeKokoko Camp Main Lounge AreaKokoko Camp$ 1,850 (Per night for 1–2 guests, private camp, excluding fees)View lodgeRoho ya Selous - Exterior view of double roomRoho ya Selous Price range: $ 950 through $ 1,260 (Per adult sharing per night, excluding fees)View lodge

Lodge prices are per night and exclude park fees. Your quote covers the whole trip, including flights and transfers within Africa.

Price & inclusions

From US$10,500Per person sharing, for travel until 31 December 20262027 rates on request

Every safari is priced for your dates, group and choice of camps. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will send a detailed quote within 24 hours.

Request a quote

Included

  • Airport transfers in Dar es Salaam
  • 1 night at the Serena Hotel, Dar es Salaam, with breakfast
  • 9 nights on safari with all meals, local drinks and camp activities
  • Light-aircraft flights between Dar es Salaam, Ruaha and Nyerere
  • Road transfers between camps and airstrips
  • Game drives, guided walks, night drives and boat safaris as described
  • Exclusive use of Kokoko Camp

Not included

  • International flights
  • Tanzania visa
  • Park and conservation fees
  • Travel and cancellation insurance
  • Premium wines, champagne and spirits
  • Gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature

Optional extras

  • Extend to Zanzibar or Mafia Island for time on the beach

Good to know

  • Available from June to November, when Usangu and Kokoko are open
  • Kokoko Camp is booked by one group at a time, for up to six guests
  • Light-aircraft flights allow 15 kg of luggage per person, in soft bags
  • Walking safaris are subject to age limits and the season

Make this safari your own

Change the length, swap a camp or add the coast. We have planned safaris in East Africa for over 35 years and will tailor 10 Nights Usangu, Ruaha and Nyerere to you.

Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and we will reply within 24 hours.