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13-Day Southern Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar

13-Day Southern Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar

Tour Overview

A southern Tanzania alternative to the classic northern bush-and-beach route. Nyerere and Ruaha give a quieter wilderness experience before five nights on Zanzibar. Flight schedules between Ruaha, Dar and Zanzibar must be checked before confirmation.

Route: Nyerere -> Nyerere / Ruaha -> Ruaha -> Zanzibar

Travel Style: Southern fly-in safari and beach

Best For: Travellers seeking quieter parks before Zanzibar

Website Publishing Notes

Publish this package as a tailor-made southern fly-in safari and beach with the price shown as a planning 'From' benchmark. Named accommodation is a recommended working example and is only guaranteed after written confirmation. Driving times, air schedules, border procedures and wildlife sightings remain subject to real operating conditions. Typical inclusions: safari vehicle and professional guide on road-safari sectors, accommodation and meals as stated, park/conservation fees included in the final quote, airport/airstrip transfers and domestic flights explicitly listed, plus drinking water during applicable safari sectors. Typical exclusions: international flights, visa/entry costs, insurance, tips, optional balloon/walking/marine activities, premium drinks and personal purchases.

✦Route: Nyerere -> Nyerere / Ruaha -> Ruaha -> Zanzibar
✦Southern fly-in safari and beach
✦Travellers seeking quieter parks before Zanzibar

Safari Packing List

Tanzania safari packing inspiration

Practical travel preparation

Pack simply, travel comfortably

Your final packing guidance depends on season, route and accommodation. Begin with these essentials and we will share a tailored checklist before departure.

  • Neutral, light layers for game drives
  • A warm layer for early mornings
  • Sun protection and reusable water bottle
  • Binoculars, camera and spare batteries
  • Personal medication and travel documents
  • Comfortable closed walking shoes

Safari Tour Pricing

Private safari · USD

Prices are planning guides per person and vary with season, availability, accommodation and group size. We confirm the exact quote in writing before you book.

Indicative private group pricing

Tailored to your dates
1 person $ 4,850
2 people $ 4,170
3 people $ 3,785
4 people $ 3,490
5 people $ 3,345
6 people $ 3,200

Price per person. International flights, visa costs and personal purchases are not included unless expressly listed in your confirmed quotation.

Itinerary

13 planned days

Day 1

Fly to Nyerere National Park

Fly to Nyerere National Park

Destination: Nyerere Take a scheduled or charter flight from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar to the airstrip serving your confirmed Nyerere camp. Meet the lodge or safari guide and begin an afternoon wildlife activity after check-in. Flying is the most efficient way to protect safari time on a short southern itinerary. Exact airstrip, flight time and baggage allowance are confirmed once the accommodation is booked.

Night accommodation: Rufiji River Camp or Siwandu

Tonight's accommodation Rufiji River Camp View accommodation details
Rufiji River Camp Rufiji River Camp
Day 2

Full Day in Nyerere National Park

Full Day in Nyerere National Park

Destination: Nyerere Explore Nyerere's mix of woodland, floodplains, lakes and river systems on a full game-drive day. The park's scale rewards patience and a flexible route, with opportunities for elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion, hyena and, with luck, African wild dog. Vehicle density is generally lower than on the northern circuit, creating a more remote safari rhythm. Wildlife remains natural and no species is guaranteed.

Night accommodation: Rufiji River Camp or Siwandu

Tonight's accommodation Rufiji River Camp View accommodation details
Rufiji River Camp Rufiji River Camp
Day 3

Rufiji River Safari and Nyerere Wildlife

Rufiji River Safari and Nyerere Wildlife

Destination: Nyerere Combine land-based wildlife viewing with a boat activity on the Rufiji River or connected waterways where the camp's operating program allows. From the water, the safari perspective changes to hippos, crocodiles, riverbank elephants and rich birdlife. Boat activities are subject to water levels, weather, park rules and the confirmed lodge program, so the final sequence is set close to travel.

Night accommodation: Rufiji River Camp or Siwandu

Tonight's accommodation Rufiji River Camp View accommodation details
Rufiji River Camp Rufiji River Camp
Day 4

Fly from Nyerere to Ruaha

Fly from Nyerere to Ruaha

Destination: Nyerere / Ruaha Transfer to the Nyerere airstrip and take the scheduled or charter connection to Ruaha National Park. On arrival, meet the Ruaha guide and continue with an afternoon game drive if the flight schedule allows. The bush flight is important because the overland distance between these major southern parks is substantial and would consume too much of a short itinerary.

Night accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge or Jabali Ridge

Tonight's accommodation Ruaha River Lodge View accommodation details
Ruaha River Lodge Ruaha River Lodge
Day 5

Full Day in Ruaha National Park

Full Day in Ruaha National Park

Destination: Ruaha Spend the day exploring Ruaha's broad river valleys, baobab country, rocky hills and seasonal sand rivers. The park is known for elephants, buffalo, lion and a strong predator ecosystem, but its greatest strength is the feeling of space. The guide can move between riverine areas and drier interior habitats according to season and recent sightings.

Night accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge or Jabali Ridge

Tonight's accommodation Ruaha River Lodge View accommodation details
Ruaha River Lodge Ruaha River Lodge
Day 6

Full Day in Ruaha National Park

Full Day in Ruaha National Park

Destination: Ruaha Spend the day exploring Ruaha's broad river valleys, baobab country, rocky hills and seasonal sand rivers. The park is known for elephants, buffalo, lion and a strong predator ecosystem, but its greatest strength is the feeling of space. The guide can move between riverine areas and drier interior habitats according to season and recent sightings.

Night accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge or Jabali Ridge

Tonight's accommodation Ruaha River Lodge View accommodation details
Ruaha River Lodge Ruaha River Lodge
Day 7

Fly from Ruaha to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar

Fly from Ruaha to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar

Destination: Ruaha Enjoy a final activity if the flight time permits, then transfer to the airstrip for the scheduled flight to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. A fly-out keeps the final day efficient and allows the safari to connect naturally with a beach extension or international departure. Exact destination and flight sector must be written into the final quotation.

Night accommodation: No overnight - flight to Zanzibar when scheduled

Day 8

Zanzibar Beach Day

Zanzibar Beach Day

Destination: Zanzibar Enjoy an unhurried day on Zanzibar with time for the beach, pool and hotel facilities. Optional activities such as a reef excursion, spice experience, Stone Town walk, sunset cruise or cultural visit can be added according to interests, tides and weather. Keeping genuine free time after safari is part of the design; the island section should feel restorative rather than like another tightly scheduled tour.

Night accommodation: Breezes Beach Club & Spa or Zanzibar Bay Resort

Tonight's accommodation Zanzibar Bay Resort View accommodation details
Zanzibar Bay Resort Zanzibar Bay Resort
Day 9

Stone Town and Zanzibar Coast

Stone Town and Zanzibar Coast

Destination: Zanzibar Combine a guided Stone Town experience with relaxed time on the coast. The historic centre introduces Zanzibar's Swahili, Arab, Indian and African layers through narrow streets, markets and old buildings, while an optional spice-farm visit can be added if desired. Activities are paced around heat, tides and transfer time so the day remains enjoyable rather than overloaded.

Night accommodation: Breezes Beach Club & Spa or Zanzibar Bay Resort

Tonight's accommodation Zanzibar Bay Resort View accommodation details
Zanzibar Bay Resort Zanzibar Bay Resort
Day 10

Zanzibar Beach Day

Zanzibar Beach Day

Destination: Zanzibar Enjoy an unhurried day on Zanzibar with time for the beach, pool and hotel facilities. Optional activities such as a reef excursion, spice experience, Stone Town walk, sunset cruise or cultural visit can be added according to interests, tides and weather. Keeping genuine free time after safari is part of the design; the island section should feel restorative rather than like another tightly scheduled tour.

Night accommodation: Breezes Beach Club & Spa or Zanzibar Bay Resort

Tonight's accommodation Zanzibar Bay Resort View accommodation details
Zanzibar Bay Resort Zanzibar Bay Resort
Day 11

Zanzibar Beach Day

Zanzibar Beach Day

Destination: Zanzibar Enjoy an unhurried day on Zanzibar with time for the beach, pool and hotel facilities. Optional activities such as a reef excursion, spice experience, Stone Town walk, sunset cruise or cultural visit can be added according to interests, tides and weather. Keeping genuine free time after safari is part of the design; the island section should feel restorative rather than like another tightly scheduled tour.

Night accommodation: Breezes Beach Club & Spa or Zanzibar Bay Resort

Tonight's accommodation Zanzibar Bay Resort View accommodation details
Zanzibar Bay Resort Zanzibar Bay Resort
Day 12

Zanzibar Beach Day

Zanzibar Beach Day

Destination: Zanzibar Enjoy an unhurried day on Zanzibar with time for the beach, pool and hotel facilities. Optional activities such as a reef excursion, spice experience, Stone Town walk, sunset cruise or cultural visit can be added according to interests, tides and weather. Keeping genuine free time after safari is part of the design; the island section should feel restorative rather than like another tightly scheduled tour.

Night accommodation: Breezes Beach Club & Spa or Zanzibar Bay Resort

Tonight's accommodation Zanzibar Bay Resort View accommodation details
Zanzibar Bay Resort Zanzibar Bay Resort
Day 13

Zanzibar Departure

Zanzibar Departure

Destination: Zanzibar Enjoy breakfast and free time according to your flight schedule, then transfer to Zanzibar International Airport. Travellers connecting internationally should keep a sensible buffer between separate tickets or domestic services and the long-haul departure. The package ends after the confirmed airport transfer.

Night accommodation: No overnight

Inclusions

What's included in this safari

The final inclusions are confirmed in your written quotation.

  • Services confirmed in your tailor-made quotation
  • Guiding, transport and stays only where expressly listed
What's not included

Anything not expressly listed in the final quotation remains your responsibility.

  • International flights and travel insurance
  • Visa costs, gratuities and personal purchases
Expert support before departure

Our team will confirm the daily flow, recommended packing, meeting arrangements and any practical details relevant to your specific travel dates.

Visa & Travel Documents

Plan your entry requirements

Visa requirements and entry conditions can change and depend on your citizenship and travel route. Select your citizenship to note it in your enquiry; we will help point you to the appropriate official guidance.

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