Mto na Nyika — Nyerere & Ruaha Explorer (6 Days / 5 Nights)

6 Days | 5 Nights | Fly-in Safari | The Core Southern Circuit

Wake to the sound of hippos grunting on the Rufiji River, and end your day watching the sun drop behind Ruaha's baobabs — this is the itinerary Tanzania's most experienced safari-goers ask for by name. A Mufindi representative meets you at your Dar es Salaam hotel or the airport for your short scheduled flight into Nyerere National Park, where the wilderness feels immediate: no long transfer, no waiting, just a game drive to camp as the light softens. Over the next two days you'll glide along the Rufiji by boat, close enough to hear crocodiles slide off the banks, then step down onto the earth itself for a guided walking safari at dawn, when tracks and birdcalls tell the story as much as the animals do.

A scenic light-aircraft hop carries you on to Ruaha — Tanzania's largest national park — where the terrain turns dramatic and rugged, and lion, leopard, cheetah, and African wild dog sightings come without another vehicle in sight. Both parks see a fraction of the visitor numbers of the Serengeti, so what you're buying here isn't just wildlife — it's the space to experience it undisturbed. Flexible by design: extend a night in either park, or continue on to Zanzibar for guests who want safari and sand in one trip.

SIGNATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Boat safari on the Rufiji River — hippos, crocodiles, and prolific birdlife from the water

Scenic light-aircraft transfer between parks with aerial views over the Rufiji floodplain

Ruaha's baobab-dotted wilderness — home to one of East Africa's largest elephant populations

High predator density: lion, leopard, cheetah, and African wild dog sightings

From

$5,290

/ Solo Traveler

Tour starts on any date

SAFARI COMFORT TIERS

Every Mufindi safari is built around genuine comfort and a skilled guide — the difference between our three tiers comes down to where you stay and how close to the wild you want to be. Whether you're taking your first safari or your fifth, there's a tier here built for exactly the experience you're after.

Comfort Tier

Standard

Signature

Premium

Accommodation Style

Comfortable en-suite lodges & tented camps

Premium tented camps in

prime locations

Luxury owner-run camps, exclusive-use vehicles

What to Expect

Warm hospitality, private en-suite rooms, and full board throughout — everything you need for a genuinely great safari, without paying for extras you may not need. Our most popular tier, and a favorite with first-time safari travelers.

Smaller camps set closer to — or inside — the parks themselves, so you spend less time driving and more time in the wild. Enhanced activities, a higher guide-to-guest ratio, and a noticeably more personal feel.

Boutique camps run by the people who built them, with an exclusive-use vehicle for your party alone. This is safari at its most intimate — thoughtful design, elevated dining, and a pace set entirely by you.

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Dar es Salaam – Fly to Nyerere National Park

A Mufindi representative meets you at your Dar es Salaam hotel or the airport for a short scheduled flight into Nyerere. On arrival at the airstrip, your camp vehicle collects you for the transfer to camp, with a game drive en route as light allows. Afternoon at leisure to settle in before dinner under the stars.

DAY 2

Nyerere – Full Day: Boat Safari & Game Drive

An early game drive followed by a leisurely boat safari on the Rufiji River after breakfast, where hippo pods, basking crocodiles, and fish eagles are a near-certainty. Afternoon game drive through the lake circuit as the light turns gold — this is when Nyerere's wildlife photography comes alive.

DAY 3

Nyerere Walking Safari – Fly to Ruaha

A guided walking safari at dawn, when the bush is at its coolest and quietest — tracks, dung, and birdcalls become the story rather than just the animals. Mid-morning flight to Ruaha, arriving in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive into the park's dramatic, rugged terrain.

DAY 4

Ruaha – Full Day Game Drive.

A full day exploring Ruaha's river system and baobab plains, tracking the park's healthy lion prides and searching for the elusive African wild dog. A picnic lunch is taken in the bush, with the option to return to camp for a midday rest during the hottest hours.

DAY 5

Sunrise Game Drive & Leisure

An early start for the best light and predator activity, followed by brunch at camp. The afternoon is left open — relax at camp, take an optional short walk near the river, or join a second game drive for guests keen to maximise sightings before departure.

DAY 6

Fly Back to Dar es Salaam – Departure

A final relaxed morning before your scheduled flight back to Dar es Salaam, connecting onward to your next destination or international departure.