Ultimate Nyerere vs Ruaha vs Zanzibar Itinerary Travel Guide

A journey encompassing Nyerere National Park (previously Selous), Ruaha National Park, and Zanzibar provides a multifaceted Tanzanian experience. Nyerere is renowned for its vast expanse, boating safaris, and diverse fauna, featuring elephants and wild dogs. Ruaha features varied landscapes, encompassing baobab trees and substantial elephant populations. Zanzibar offers a tranquil coastal retreat with options for aquatic activities and cultural discovery. An optimal plan may encompass many days in each destination, utilizing flights for efficient transit.

This premium Nyerere vs Ruaha vs Zanzibar holiday concept merges two safari regions with a week on the Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar. Capture images of lions and elephants, then unwind beneath the palms on a pristine sandy beach.

This plan, termed the Turaco break, provides excellent value by meticulously integrating a safari in Tanzania’s secluded southern parks with a week in Zanzibar. Your journey commences in Nyerere National Park, where you will spend three nights at Lake Manze, a primitive bush camp situated in a wildlife-abundant lakeshore region along a tributary of the Rufiji River. A variety of activities is available, including safari drives, bush walks, and afternoon boat safaris – an enjoyable means to savour a sundowner.

Subsequently, you will proceed westward to Ruaha National Park, which is a 90-minute flight from Nyerere National Park. Your accommodation will be at the tranquil Mdonya Old River Camp, where you may observe the elephants that often frequent the area, and traverse the parched terrain in pursuit of leopards and lion prides, as Ruaha boasts the largest lion population in Africa.

Following the safari, you will fly east to Zanzibar, where you will spend six nights on the island. Reside in an eccentric hotel in the centre of Stone Town and explore its intriguing past. Your concluding destination on this sample itinerary is the Zanzibar Pearl Hotel, situated on the picturesque eastern coast of Zanzibar, where you may engage in snorkeling amidst vibrant coral reefs or just unwind on the beach while basking in the sun.

A Detailed Nyerere vs Ruaha vs Zanzibar Itinerary

Comprehensive details regarding the daily itinerary and the diverse accommodations during the Nyerere vs Ruaha vs Zanzibar Itinerary. All our services are entirely customized; therefore, while this concept is effective, we will always create a personalized itinerary for you.

Day 1: Starts: Dar es Salaam International Airport

Upon retrieving your luggage, a local representative will greet you for a five-minute shuttle trip to the Domestic Terminal.

Day 1: Dar es Salaam to Lake Manze: air & 4WD

Your light aircraft journey from Dar es Salaam, lasting around 45 minutes, proceeds southwest towards the expansive Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park. Upon arrival at Siwandu Airstrip, the journey to Lake Manze Adventure Camp takes around one hour, contingent upon the wildlife encountered en route.

Days 1-4: Lake Manze Camp

3 nights Full Board & Activities – Nyerere National Park, Tanzania

The traditional, uncomplicated Lake Manze Camp, situated on the lakeshore beneath murmuring palms, is a place where wildlife comes to you. The camp is punctuated by wildlife footpaths and is surrounded by doum and barossa palms, which provide a picturesque view of the serene Lake Manze. Private, shaded verandas observe the giraffe as they amble past 12 basic shelters. Visitors to the primary thatched structure dine in close proximity to elephants. Genet cats are invited to participate in a convivial dinner under the stars with their visitors.

Lake Manze, which is advertised as an eco-conscious adventure camp, provides all the necessary safari amenities. There is a welcoming, pleasant, and relaxed atmosphere. Electricity is replaced by paraffin lanterns to create a more pleasant atmosphere during the evening. The tents are uncluttered and comfortable, featuring rustic yet vibrant décor. Open-air en-suite facilities are equipped with hot showers and flush toilets. Vegetarian lunches are a gesture towards balancing the environmental cost of livestock husbandry, while meals are straightforward yet delectable.

The environment and fauna encounters are the primary focus of the experiences. Safari drives are typically restricted to four guests and are conducted by a charismatic guide and a vehicle. These excursions encompass open plains, lakeside, and woodland environments. The peaceful, solar-powered craft glides gently by wildlife without arousing it, making a boat safari an absolute must.

Day 4: 4WD & flight from Lake Manze to Mdonya

Your 4WD voyage to the airstrip follows the Rufiji River’s banks from Lake Manze. After a flight that takes approximately 1½ hours to Ruaha, the journey concludes with a leisurely two-hour drive to Mdonya Old River Camp, where game viewing opportunities are available.

Days 4-7: Mdonya Old River Camp

3 nights Full Board & Activities – Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

The ethos of Mdonya Old River Camp is to be immersed in the wilderness and to concentrate on the fauna. It is a refreshing approach that reinvigorates the safari experience by eliminating the frills that are common in many modern lodges.

First and foremost, the location of Mdonya in the centre of Ruaha National Park provides an unparalleled sense of spaciousness. Walk-in tents that are both simple and airy are protected by acacia trees, which assist in maintaining a comfortable temperature without the use of air conditioning or fans. Electric lights are replaced by candles, provided that a torch is available in the event that the matches fail to ignite in the dark.

However, there is still ample room for creature comforts, such as deckchairs on the veranda to enjoy the sights and noises of the bush, as well as large, comfortable beds and an abundance of hot water in the en-suite showers.

The lounge and dining areas are located in open-sided tents, which are adorned with natural artefacts such as a gently furled feather and fragments of gnarled wood. Sofas and chairs are adorned with vibrant fabrics that priorities comfort over fashion.

Although animals occasionally enter the site, the majority are observed during game drives in open-top four-wheel drive vehicles, with a driver and guide monitoring for wildlife throughout the journey.

Day 7: Ruaha to Zanzibar by road & air

Upon departing Mdonya, take a final, leisurely game drive to the aerodrome. From there, you will board a light aircraft for the 2–3-hour flight to Zanzibar, occasionally via Dar es Salaam. Your voyage concludes with a 15–30-minute drive to Stone Town, where you may be able to take a brief stroll to the Zanzibar Coffee House.

Days 7-9: Zanzibar Coffee House

2 nights Bed & Breakfast – Stone Town, Zanzibar

Zanzibar Coffee House is a charmingly unpretentious haven that is nestled in a maze of quintessentially narrow Stone Town streets. Zanzibar Coffee House, which was once the extravagant residence of one of Zanzibar’s wealthiest merchants, has maintained its allure. It is an exceptional value and one of the kindest locations in Stone Town, with a delightfully low-key and atmospheric atmosphere.

The quaint hotel is situated above the most renowned coffee store in Stone Town. The inviting aroma of roasting beans permeates the entire hotel and emanates outward. The owner’s fair-trade estates in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands provide all of the coffee, which is roasted, ground, and made into creamy cappuccinos and delightful chilled coffees by the award-winning baristas on a daily basis.

An eclectic blend of locals, travellers, and expats populates this delightful café, which serves as an ideal destination for respite amid sightseeing trips. Eight well-proportioned guest rooms are located on the upper level. They are modestly furnished and decorated in the traditional Swahili manner, featuring polished concrete floors, four-poster beds, and antique lamps. Modern hotel amenities are scarce: there are no telephones, no televisions (although Wi-Fi is available), and no swimming pools. Nevertheless, they are all easily accessible in the event that they are required.

Day 9: Stone Town to eastern Zanzibar by road

Before departing the labyrinth of streets in air-conditioned comfort, you may need to walk a short distance to your vehicle in Stone Town. The Zanzibar Pearl Boutique Hotel, situated on the northeast coast of Zanzibar, overlooks the Indian Ocean and is accessible via a 1–1½ hour journey through rural Zanzibar.

Days 9-13: Zanzibar Pearl

4 nights Half Board – East Coast Zanzibar, Zanzibar

Matemwe Beach Village was the previous name of Zanzibar Pearl Boutique Hotel. Since its reopening in 2019, the property has been under new management and has undergone extensive renovations.

Day 13: Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam by road & air

From the east coast of Zanzibar, the airport is a comfortable hour’s journey across the spice island. You will check in for your scheduled flight to the mainland at this location. You will arrive in Dar es Salaam approximately 30 minutes later, in time to make your onwards connections.

Day 13: Ends: Dar es Salaam International Airport

Upon your arrival at the Domestic Terminal, you will be escorted to a shuttle that will transport you to the International Terminal. The journey will take a mere five minutes.

End of the 13 Days Nyerere vs Ruaha vs Zanzibar Itinerary