You wake to the thunderous sound of hooves in full gallop and sit up with a start, then cock your head to listen. It sounds like a whole lot of something is going on outside. The morning has a chill as you grab a jacket, unlace the tent fly and peek out.
The water hole is loaded with lions asleep on rock outcroppings above the ground fog to receive the sun’s first rays. A movement in the distance catches your eye. You glass the area as the lions instinctively wake up.
A dust cloud rises behind a herd of elephants trekking toward your water hole. The stragglers at the end are blinded by dust and trumpet to communicate in the poor visibility. The herd quickly approaches the water. They are safe for the moment as the lions focus on a small bull with a limp.
Lightning flashes in quick succession in the gathering dusk and lights up the water hole as the air brims with trumpeting and electricity.
Ten lions warily circle the bull, ready to leap onto his back. The bull charges and with one swipe of his trunk, cuffs a lioness into the side of a tree with a sickening thud. She dies before her body slumps to the ground. The predators briefly scatter and regroup.
Are you prepared for the circle of life?
Formerly called Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park is bisected by Tanzania’s largest river, the Rufiji, the centerpiece of the “southern circuit,” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most people come away from it, acknowledging it is Africa’s best.
Birders will enjoy the rich variety of 400 different bird species, including the Malagasy squacco heron.
Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha (JRO) and be met by one of our owner guides. They will handle your luggage and escort you to Legendary Lodge, an Arusha luxury boutique hotel.
Your adventure begins in this timeless sanctuary within the tropical gardens of a historic coffee plantation in the foothills of Mt. Meru. Your garden cottage offers a secluded haven for readjusting from long international flights and multiple time zones.
Luxuriate in a 1-hour massage per person and relax fully into your African surroundings.
Your pilot, Ryan Outram with Rift Valley Aviation, is at your beck and call. His extensive knowledge of the bush will take you to extraordinary places that only an African bush pilot can deliver.
After breakfast, your scenic flight with Captain Ryan is over the Maasai Steppes, a dry plateau of 7,400,000 acres. The landscape is dominated by small isolated mountains and kopjes with extensive stands of Acacia trees, woodlands on high plateaus, and seasonal swamps. Many elephants wintering in Tarangire National Park move into the Maasai Steppes during the rains.
Your flight destination is Sand River Selous Lodge. Situated on the banks of the Rufiji River in Selous Game Reserve, you have “exclusive use” of this lodge.
When Richard Bonham built Sand Rivers, he was offered any area in the Northern Selous. There were good reasons why he chose this site on the mile-wide Rufiji River; it was the only place he wanted to be.
At the heart of an intricate network of sand river channels, oxbow lakes, and open plains, Sand River opens a window into the private lives of Africa’s big mammals. The property has exceptional food, a luxurious pool, Wi-Fi, and stunning river views from your chalet.
Boat safaris on the Rufiji River are unique to this Park and cannot be done in the Serengeti or the rest of the “northern circuit.” Float by hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, carnivores, rare birds, and watch elephants cool off, drink, and play in the water.
Afternoon game drives get you close to wildlife congregating along the river system.
An armed guide escorts you on a bush walk, where you may see the “big 5,” elephants, leopards, lions, Cape buffalos, and rhinos. This is a thrilling experience. If you’re an avid angler, your guide will accompany your fishing trip.
An early morning boat safari on the Rufiji includes a picnic breakfast.
After lunch and a rest, the Captain planned a sightseeing flight around the Udzungwa mountains, an extensive, diverse range with enormous mountains covered with dark forests and magnificent waterfalls. It’s known as the Eastern Arch Mountains, the African Galapagos, for its treasures of rare plants and animals.
After dinner, a nighttime game drive shows a different side of safari. When a carnivore’s eyes sparkle in the headlights, your adrenaline spikes with each sighting.
Ruaha National Park is the largest national park in Tanzania and rarely visited due to its remoteness. The scenery is spectacular as the great Ruaha River courses through it, which draws a high density of predators, elephants, and Cape buffalos to her bosom. This is serious bush country!
Ruaha is also home to 10% of the world’s lion population. As for bird watching, it is one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets, with over 500 species of birds thriving in this protected area. Ruaha was originally part of the Saba Game Reserve, formed in 1910.
Take a scenic flight to your next “exclusive use” camp, Asanja Ndembo Luxury Camp, overlooking the Great Ruaha River within Ruaha National Park. Their Chef will delight you with exceptional cuisine, and their service is outstanding!
The camp is set in a miombo forest surrounded by magnificent ancient Baobab trees that Ruaha is famous for. The luxury guest suites and private plunge pools were designed by renowned safari camp architect Neil Rocherm, and no expense was spared to ensure your utmost comfort and privacy.
A late afternoon/early evening game drive is planned with sundowners in the bush.
Captain Ryan planned a special flight along the shores of Lake Tanganyika and over the mountainous Katavi game park and Mahali Reserve’s plains and forests.
He’ll land at a scenic airstrip for a picnic lunch before returning to camp by a different route.
An early morning balloon flight with Serengeti Balloon Safaris in Ruaha includes sparkling wine and a full English breakfast in the bush. If you spot some cool wildlife action from the air, let us know, and we’ll head that way.
Ruaha is one of the best parks for foot safaris, which will get you close to elephants or other big game. A picnic lunch follows.
Your game drive along the Ruaha river is loaded with wildlife coming to its life-giving waters.
A dawn flight along the shores of Lake Rukwa flies over the Rukwa and Lukwati Game Reserves. You will get some good wildlife photos from above, and when the Captain lands at an airstrip, it’s time for morning high tea or coffee with Amarula.
Your last game drive hunts for that perfect photographic light before dusk when the other half of the bush awakens. Hopefully, the most extraordinary sunset will occur to toast it with sundowners.
We planned a special bush breakfast for your last morning. Afterward, Captain Ryan has a surprise location he’s flying over on your way to Kilimanjaro International for your return flight home.*
* If you want to finish your holiday on Zanzibar Island in the Indian Ocean, we can arrange it with Captain Ryan.
