A tour that allows you to savor the landscapes of southern Tanzania. It’s a great mix of nature, culture, history, and daily life in a thriving Tanzanian town. Seamstresses are in contact with authentic areas that are not yet known by mass tourism and live mainly from agriculture.
The road is in excellent condition, even if it is a little busy and the speed limits slow down travel. The landscapes to cross are decidedly surprising with mountains, sisal plantations, baobabs, escarpments, and plains that make the journey by car ideal for enjoying every single moment.
The interaction with the locals is genuine. The full immersion in Ruaha National Park is total because it is a vast park that seems to enclose several parks in one. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the wildest nature and spot the most amazing wildlife.
A strong spirit of adaptation is not necessary even if it should always be kept in mind that the culture is different here and our priorities and attention to detail do not always coincide with local habits. In any case, total safety, cleanliness, and hygiene are guaranteed. You can use this tour as a basis for organizing an extension to a beach resort like Zanzibar or Mafia.
You will end this tour with a better understanding of what Southern Tanzania is all about, and although itinerant, you will have enough time to rest and enjoy yourself..
Dar es Salaam (Google Map)
Based on the Scheduled Flight Time
When embarking on a 10-day Safari and Mafia adventure in Tanzania, you can expect a mix of thrilling wildlife experiences and serene beach relaxation. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Arrive at Nyerere International Airport in Dar Es Salam where you will meet your guide who will help you with the arrival formalities and accompany you to your hotel where you can work off the fatigue of the long flight.
About the Dar es Salaam:
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s former capital, her largest city and main port. The distinctly African, colorful markets are well worth a visit and both German and British influences can still be seen in the architecture around the city. Conveniently positioned amidst some of the most important sea routes in the world, the city is the transport and economic hub of the country as well as a center for arts and culture. It serves as an excellent jumping-off point to explore the surrounding area including Pemba, Mbudya, Unguja islands, a variety of national parks, and countless pristine beaches. Visitors can look forward to a number of other activities including: learning about Tanzanian culture at the National Museum and House of Culture, visiting the eclectic Oyster Bay, and taking a stroll through the city’s lush Botanical Gardens.
Overnight at Hotel Slipway
Meal(s): Bed & Breakfast
About Hotel Slipway
Hotel Slipway is ideally located on the Msasani Peninsula in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, offering stunning views of the Indian Ocean. The hotel features air-conditioned rooms equipped with TVs, minibars, and Wi-Fi access. Guests can enjoy fresh seafood and wood-fired pizzas at the Waterfront Restaurant. Additional amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a spa. The hotel is integrated into the Slipway complex, providing easy access to shopping, dining, and nightlife destinations.
Check-out from Hotel Slipway. You will be escorted to catch your flight to Iringa according to your flight schedule. Once in Iringa, you can enjoy a small walk around the town to continue towards an active farm. On the way, you will stop to admire an amazing site made of erosion which is dated back to the Stone Age time.
About Iringa:
Set above the Ruaha River in the lush mountains of southern Tanzania, Iringa is a picturesque stopover en route to Ruaha National Park. The town features German colonial buildings, a lively market, and a collection of fascinating historical sites. Roughly 20 kilometers southwest of the town is the Isimila archaeological site, where an array of Stone Age tools and relics have been uncovered. It serves as a gateway to the beautiful Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest park. Visitors can enjoy a visit to the Boma Cultural Museum and the Neema Crafts Centre.
Overnight at The Old Farm Kisolanza
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About The Old Farm Kisolanza
The Old Farm House Kisolanza, located in Iringa, Tanzania, offers a unique blend of rustic charm and modern comfort on a working farm. Guests can choose from a variety of accommodations, ranging from bush camping to cozy cottages. The on-site restaurant, set within the ruins of an old mud building, serves fresh farm-to-table meals featuring produce grown on the farm. Additional amenities include a bar, a picnic area, and massage treatments, making it an ideal stopover for travelers exploring the Southern Highlands.
A visit to Isimila Stone Age Site
The Isimila Stone Age Site is a remarkable archaeological site dating back to the Middle Pleistocene era, located in the Iringa District of Tanzania. The site features an extensive collection of Acheulean tools, including hand axes, cleavers, and scrapers. Discovered in the late 1950s, the site also features fossilized remains of ancient mammals, such as an extinct hippopotamus. Visitors can explore the scenic canyons, view the impressive rock formations, learn about the site’s history at the on-site museum, and go on a guided tour of the site.
After breakfast, take a 2 h 50 min (136 km) towards Ruaha National Park. At the entrance to the Park, you will complete the formalities relating to permits to then be able to immerse yourself in an enchanting panorama. The lodge guide, who is waiting for you on board a car suitable for safaris, will accompany you to the camp.
You will find yourself inside a natural and uncontaminated habitat, populated by wild animals: Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, Leopards, Hippos, Antelopes, and many others no less admirable than their bigger brothers, including thousands of species of birds.
The camp staff will be waiting for you to give you a warm welcome and all the information necessary to help you appreciate this exciting experience to be lived in complete safety. If conditions permit, you would also have the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic dinner under the stars.
Overnight at Mwagusi Safari Camp
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a wake-up call at dawn, you will leave to explore other areas of the park. Ruaha National Park extends in the central-southern part of the country and is considered a pristine ecosystem. At 13,000 square kilometers, it is the third largest nature reserve in Tanzania and yet one of the least known areas.
Overnight at Mwagusi Safari Camp
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
A day dedicated to a safari that will drive to different areas of this huge park. Safaris in Ruaha offers intense experiences. Around 1,600 species of plants grow here, a decidedly significant number compared to other parks in the country. The landscape and vegetation vary continuously: from giant baobabs to acacias, from mountainous and hilly landscapes to endless, expanses of plains crossed by several rivers (Mwagusi, Mdonya, Jongomero, Great Ruaha).
Overnight at Mwagusi Safari Camp
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you will be escorted to the airstrip where you can catch your flight to drive back to Dar es Salaam and continue toward Mafia Island. Mafia is known as a pearl of the Indian Ocean, famous for fishing and diving. Marine life is very abundant with many fish and corals thanks to the protection of the Marine Park (Mafia Island Marine Park).
About Utende
Situated just off the coast of Tanzania, in the heart of the Mafia Island Marine Park on Mafia Island, Utende serves as an excellent base from which to explore the scenic surroundings. The shores of Utende Beach boast white sand lapped by crystalline turquoise waters. Visitors can relax on pristine beaches, soak up the laid-back island-style atmosphere, and enjoy world-class snorkeling through abundant coral reefs. Other popular activities include: deep-sea fishing, scuba diving, and hiking. Don’t miss the opportunity to spot a variety of marine life in the protected waters surrounding the island including whale sharks, humpback whales, sea turtles, and even dugongs.
Overnight at Mafia Island Lodge
Meal(s): Bed & Breakfast
Description
Mafia Island Lodge, located in Utende, Mafia Island, Tanzania, offers a serene escape with stunning sea views. Guests can choose from various room types, including sea view rooms and garden rooms, all equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning and a ceiling fan. The lodge features an expansive infinity pool, lush gardens, and a restaurant serving local and international cuisine. Guests can enjoy activities such as diving, snorkeling, and whale shark watching, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
Relax on the Mafia beach, surrounded by a dream sea and unspoiled nature.
Activities: Sea, beach, and relaxation.
Mafia is known as a pearl of the Indian Ocean, famous for fishing and diving. Marine life is very abundant with many fish and corals thanks to the protection of the Marine Park (Mafia Island Marine Park).
Overnight at Mafia Island Lodge
Meal(s): Bed & Breakfast
After breakfast, enjoy the last hours of relaxation on the beach and then transfer to the Mafia airport from where we fly to Dar Es Salaam. Transfer to the international airport.
**** End of the Itinerary****