Tanzania - Ruaha and Selous 10th - 22nd November 2008		For a printable version of itinerary click here Download Adobe Reader(pdf)
This tour will visit the vast game reserves of the Mikumi Natonal Park,  Ruaha and the Selous. The smaller park of Mikumi based on the Mkata River flood-plain is the transition area between the North and South of Tanzania and has a variety of bird life spanning both areas in addition to some more rare species of game. Ruaha,  famous for its large populations of elephant, greater and lesser kudu amongst many other species spans 5000 square miles of rugged and beautiful landscape ranging from woodland to mountains, and intersected by the Great Ruaha River running for a hundred miles with deep pools and rapids and impressive gorged environment encompassing grassland, flood-plains, marshes and forests. The park benefits from the highest game density of the entire conservation area.  The vast Selous Game Reserve covers 21000 square miles, and is the largest and least-known park in Africa, this Park is mostly uninhabited and unexplored, there are massive herds of elephant and buffalo and an abundance of every kind of game in this truly wild environment.    Accommodation will be in luxury camps and lodges set in fabulous scenery and the safari programme will give the traveller a unique view of an environment that has only recently become accessible.
The Itinerary
Monday 10th November Assemble at London Heathrow for the evening flight to Dar-es-Salaam Tuesday 11th November On arrival at Dar-es-Salaam our local representative will greet you and after a pause for refreshments escort you to the charter flight to take you to Mikumi for a three night stop at Foxes Safari Camp in the Mikumi National Park set on a rocky hill overlooking the fertile Mkata flood plain and Mwanambogo waterhole, which has the highest concentration of game in the park.  Not only is Mikumi a great place for 'getting your eye in' on game drives, but it is also a fantastically colourful place. The open grasslands stretching out before you change through the spectrum of orange and yellows throughout the day. There are high concentrations of game, with large herds of Nyasa Blue Wildebeest, (not found in Ruaha National Park), buffalo, impala, zebra and giraffe. Overnight: Foxes Safari Camp Wednesday 12th November & Thursday 13th November Enjoy a further 2 days and nights at Foxes Safari Camp Friday 14th November Take the charter flight today from Foxes Safari Camp to Ruaha National Park for 3 nights at Ruaha River Lodge.   After the welcome refreshments, there will be an afternoon game drive. This magnificent Lodge overlooks the Great Ruaha River and offers a panorama of magnificent views and diverse environments to explore, from rolling grasslands to mountains, escarpment plateau and the river. Views from the Lodge are spectacular as great numbers of game are drawn from the hills to the river for water. Your hosts are Peter and Sarah Fox who have lived in and managed Ruaha River Lodge for nearly twenty years and have unparalled knowledge of the area.                                                             Overnight: Ruaha River Lodge Saturday 15th November & Sunday 16th November Two more days to enjoy the Ruaha National Park from the Ruaha River Lodge. Monday 17th November Leave Ruaha to take the charter flight to Rufiji where there will be a welcome by the staff with refreshments and time to settle in and relax before an afternoon game drive followed by dinner. Rufiji River Camp is located on the banks of the Rufiji river in the Selous National Park.  There is a constant flow of animals coming down to drink at the river offering a permanent show to visitors of the camp. The water is usually full of hundreds of hippos as well as groups of crocodiles that laze in the sun on the sandbanks in the river.  Activities include game drives accompanied by highly experienced rangers, and boat safaris with a multitude of destinations, ranging from the main course of the river to the many lateral canals and various lakes. The boat trip normally last a half-day, and at least one should be made at sunset. Overnight: Rufiji River Camp Tuesday 18th November & Wednesday 19th November  Enjoy a further 2 days and nights at Rufiji river Camp Thursday 20th November Enjoy a morning game drive before departure in the afternoon to return to Dar-es-Salaam for an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn, or depart for an extension to your holiday at either Lazy Lagoon or Mufindi. Dinner is on your own tonight. Overnight: Holiday Inn Dar-es-Salaam Friday 21st November Transfer to the airport for flights to Zanzibar and Mbweni Ruins Hotel for those on the extension tour, or for those who are returning home, to connect with the flight to London.      Arrive in London in the early evening. Main Tour Cost Price per person Twin/Double £2,995.00 Single Supplement £180.00 Cost Includes Flights: Scheduled flights London-Dar-es-Salaam return. Personalised charter flights Dar-es-Salaam-Mikumi, Mikumi-Ruaha, Ruaha-Rufiji, rufiji-Dar-es-Salaam 6 nights tented safari on full board basis all with en-suite facilities  beverages and laundry 3 nights lodge accommodation on full board basis 1 night hotel accommodation on bed and breakfast basis   Extension Tours - from Saturday 22nd November   Option 1 - Zanzibar Saturday 22nd to Tuesday 26th November  (4 nights) Fly from Dar-Es-Salaam to Zanzibar and transfer on arrival to the Mbweni Ruins Hotel for either 3 or seven nights on half board basis. This historic hotel, a former haven for freed slaves, is built in the grounds of the first Anglican Christian Missionary Settlement in East Africa c1871 in the time of the great explorers such as Livingstone and Stanley. The hotel grounds are beautifully landscaped, they contain many spice plants of great interest and a swimming pool which overlooks a pleasant beach fringed by mangroves which attract a rich variety of birdlife. The comfortable rooms are well appointed with bath and shower, and the dining area overlooks the Indian Ocean. There are many opportunities for sightseeing and excursions to be had both in Zanzibar and the surrounding waters, in addition to fishing, swimming, diving snorkeling and sailing. Overnight: Mbweni Ruins Hotel Wednesday 26th November Transfer to the airport at Zanzibar for the return flight to Dar-Es-Salaam for an overnight at the Holiday Inn. Overnight: Dar-es-Salaam Thursday 27th November Transfer to the airport in time to check in for the flight to London. Arrive in London in the late afternoon. Option 2 -   Mufindi Saturday 22nd to Monday 24th November (3 nights) Depart from Ruaha to drive to Mufindi, on the edge of the Rift Valley, to the Highland Fishing Lodge to enjoy some of the most stunning scenery in Tanzania, with its combination of thick forest, bushland, lakes and rivers, and pristine tea estates. Mufindi is a working farm enabling this and the other Foxtreks camps to be self-sufficent with organically-produced fresh meat, fish vegetable and dairy products. Here in the cooler air, you can see the farm enterprises, fish, explore the area either by horse, bicycle or car, and visit the local village and school. Yours hosts are Geoff and Vicky Fox who have lived in the area since the 1950's and will ensure that their extensive knowledge of the area will enable you to make the most of your visit. Overnight: Highland Fishing Lodge Tuesday 25th  November Scenic drive to Dar-es-Salaam to the Holiday Inn for the overnight prior to the flight home. Dinner is on your own tonight. Overnight: Dar-es-Salaam Wednesday 26th  November Transfer to the airport for the morning return flight to London. Arrive in London late afternoon. Option 3 -  Lazy Lagoon Saturday 22nd to Monday 24th November  (3 nights) Enjoy some time to relax on the beach at this luxury resort, or explore the historic sites of Bagamoyo, the old capital of German East Africa. Bagamoyo was the gateway to the interior for explores such as Speke, Stanley and Grant. Lazy Lagoon Island lies in the Zanzibar Channel offshore from mainland Bagamoyo, there are just 12 rooms on the 9 km of white sandy beach. Swimming in the channel is safe and the snorkelling spectacular. The island itself is home to bushbabies, wild pigs, genets, baboons and antelope. Overnight: Lazy Lagoon Tuesday 25th November Transfer back to the airport at Dar-es-Salaam for the return flight to London. Arrive in London in the late afternoon.   Extension Tour Costs Zanzibar Price per person Twin/Double £395.00 Single Supplement £99.00 Cost Includes Flights Dar-Es-Salaam/Zanzibar return 3 nights accommodation in twin room accommodation at the Mbweni Ruins Hotel on bed and breakfast basis 1 night Holiday Inn Transfers airports/hotels return. Mufundi Price per person Twin/Double £655.00 Single Supplement £80.00 Cost Includes 3 nights accommodation in twin room accommodation on full board 1 night Holiday Inn on bed and breakfast basis. Transfers Dar-es-Salaam/Mufindi/Holiday Inn/airport Lazy Lagoon Price per person Twin/Double £419.00 Single Supplement £85.00 Cost Includes 3 nights accommodation in twin room accommodation on full board Transfers to/from hotel and airport How to Book To make a booking, please call us on 01242 515 712 or click on our Booking Details.