Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Dar Es Salam - Nyerere National Park - Nyerere National Park - Fanjove Island
100% customisable for you
Your adventure to the exotic landscapes of Tanzania begins today with a 14-hour flight to Dar es Salaam, with a brief layover in a major airport on the Arabian peninsula. A member of our team on the ground will be waiting to welcome you and assist with airport formalities before whisking you off to a modern hotel in the waterfront neighborhood of Kivukoni. The rest of this evening is yours to spend as you please. We recommend simply kicking back and enjoying the facilities at your hotel, ready for the adventure to truly begin tomorrow.
After a hearty breakfast at your hotel this morning, a private driver will take you back to the airport in time for a short flight to Nyerere National Park. Your home for the next three nights here is a classic safari tent on the edge of Lake Nzerakera. This is a great spot to wildlife watch from a safe distance, as elephants are known to frequent the waters for a refreshing drink. Spend the rest of today settling into the serene way of life in the heart of savannah. Take a stroll around the grounds and cool off in the swimming pool, before tucking into a delicious meal at the camp’s restaurant. Sunsets here are quite the spectacle, so make sure to kick back with a glass of bubbly as you savour the end of your first full-day in Tanzania.
Nyerere National Park covers the northern part of the immense Selous reserve, the perimeter of which is twice that of Belgium. This makes it the largest park in Tanzania and one of the most varied in terms of geography and wildlife. Varied relief and acacia savannah give way to the wetlands and mangroves of the Rufiji River. In order to see as much of the park as possible, we’ve arranged for you to head out for two game drives per day, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon, in the company of a skilled ranger and driver. The list of animals that you’re in for a chance to see is extensive; the savannah elephant, the Masai giraffe, the blue wildebeest, the black antelope, the African black buffalo, the Nile crocodile, the African vulture, wild dogs and cheetahs are just some of the creatures that form the park’s rich ecology. On one of the next two days you’ll also have the opportunity to embark on a nature walk with a knowledgeable guide. This is a great way to slow down and focus on the details of the flora and smaller fauna that surrounds you, from the bushy-tailed galago to the Angolan colobus and Nile monitor lizard.
Get ready for another full day in the heart of Attenborough country. Alongside your two game drives, today we’ve also organised a boat trip through the luscious landscapes of the wetlands. This is a great way to not only get close to the amphibians that call this neck of the woods home, but also to admire the creatures that come to quench their thirst. From the comfort (and safety) of a flat boat, your guide will point out the hippos and crocodiles that instil fear in all those that cross its path. After a foray into the backyards of these mighty creatures, a delicious waterside lunch is all the more rewarding.
Wave goodbye to the vast savannah of Nyerere Park as you take a short flight followed by a boat crossing to Fanjove Island, in the idyllic Songo Songo archipelago. As your boat pulls into the shore you’ll notice a smattering of tropical bungalows bordered by dense greenery to one side and powdery white sand the other. Set down your trunks for three nights in one of these rustic yet elegant bandas (there are only six here) and spend the rest of today settling into the rhythm of island life. As for dinner, the local Fanjove Lighthouse has been skilfully converted into a restaurant and cocktail bar. The chef concocts a celebrated cuisine that fuses together the ingredients of the Indian Ocean with the flavours of the Spice Coast.
The next two days are yours to spend living out your Robinson Crusoe fantasies. With nothing but sea, sand and palm trees, life here is lived at a slower pace and always in rhythm with nature. When you’re ready for a bit of action, there are over six miles of pristine coral reef to turn your attention to. Head out with a mask and snorkel to fill your eyes with the multicoloured marine life that call these waters home. Offshore, there are bigger fish, such as spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, who are known to swim up close to eager visitors. From August to October, humpback whales make enormous splashes in the surrounding areas, while grey herons, curlews, Antarctic skuas, didrik cuckoos and Madagascar bee-eaters can be easily spotted roaming the skies. For the more adventurous, kite surfing is a popular option, as are outings on traditional dhow boats.
Alas, the time has come to hang up your sunhat and embark on the journey home. Savour the delights of the vast Indian Ocean during your crossing back to Songo Songo Island. Here, a private driver will be waiting to drive you back to the airport in Dar es Salaam. Flight time back to the UK is around 16+ hours, including a layover in a major airport hub, so you’ll spend tonight on board and touchdown on home turf tomorrow. If you have a little extra time on your hands then we certainly recommend extending this itinerary with a few days spend exploring the natural gems of Ruaha National Park.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
