Embark on the ultimate wilderness experience, travelling off the beaten track to Tanzania's southern reserves, Ruaha and Selous National Parks. Explore these vast frontiers on foot - there is no better way to connect with nature and better yet, away from the crowds. Expert guides who know these areas intimately will show you their hidden treasures, from exciting wildlife encounters, iconic trees to life bearing waterways and waterfalls. From giraffes and elephants, to wild dogs and mega prides of lions, there is no shortage of things to see here. Travel onwards to the majestic Mahale Mountains, reachable only by air and boat, and hike the forests alongside researchers in search of Mahale's chimpanzees.
A few of the many incredible things you'll see and experience while on this journey.
Day 1: Arrival - Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Flying in from Dar es Salaam, land in the vast wilderness that is the Selous, where your guide will meet you and drive you to your first camp - Sand Rivers. Arrive in time for lunch while enjoying the spectacular river view. The Selous - four times the size of the Serengeti - is a watery wonderland with historical significance. Pay homage to the extraordinary here, and exploit the wonders of this rich and varied habitat with random acts of wilderness.
Days 2 - 4: Sand Rivers Camp, Selous National Park
Days at Sand Rivers are about exploring. Game drives are possible, but in our opinion, often the best way to see things, to avoid scattering animals from the lakeshore, or spooking a herd of elephant as they feed, is to quietly work your way into a good position on foot. And the same goes for boating! It's not about box ticking, or endless driving in search of the next animal. It's a sense of gradual absorption in this corner of the natural world that we'd love you to feel.
Breakfast on a sandbar in a crocodile-crowded river; swim, but under palm trees in hot spring rock pools, or we go boating, but up the spectacular Steiglers Gorge.
Days 5 - 8: Kigelia Camp, Ruaha National Park
Onwards today to Ruaha - a beautiful flight, passing over the vast wilderness of Selous and the Udzungwa Mountain range. Ruaha is home to 10% of the world's lion population, split into mega prides, and 1000-strong herds of buffalo. In custom built open game viewers, traverse the varied habitats of Ruaha or better still, get out on foot and tread the game trails with your guide. Get up close and personal to Ruaha's iconic Baobab trees or go birding to try and find the 570 bird species in the area.
Days 9-11: Greystoke Mahale, Mahale Mountains
It's time to swap the plains for the Mahale Mountains! Land on the banks of Lake Tanganyika and travel the rest of the way by Dhow, skimming along the shoreline of the impossibly clear Lake Tanganyika. Hike the wild chimpanzees of Mahale, swim in pools up in mountain waterfalls, take a kayak for a dawn paddle and enjoy the sunrise coming up over the mountains. Have sundowners in an old wooden dhow, stopping to fish along the way, or just relax on the warm sands of the beach with a drink in hand. There is no better place to end your Tanzanian walking safari!
Day 12: Departure - Arusha, Tanzania
Twelve magical days in Tanzania... you may never want to leave! If you have to though, fly back to Arusha where you will connect with onward international flights home.
Optional: Meet the team from Ruaha Carnivore Project and learn about their efforts to conserve carnivores in one of Tanzania's most remote wilderness areas.
We've carefully selected local projects that are doing amazing work for conservation in the area. You can add a visit on to your itinerary which will automatically include a direct donation to their work. Note: Some of these projects may already be included in your itinerary!
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