Pori na Pwani — Southern Safari & Zanzibar Escape
Wild mornings on safari, unwound afternoons on the coast.
9 Days / 8 Nights | Fly-in Safari + Island | Wilderness and Coast
Wild mornings, unwound afternoons — this itinerary pairs the Southern Circuit's signature Nyerere and Ruaha safari with a week's worth of Zanzibar's powder-sand beaches, and it's consistently one of the best-value combinations in the region. The first half unfolds exactly as the Southern Circuit's biggest fans expect it to: a boat safari on the Rufiji River, a dawn walking safari through miombo woodland, and big-cat game drives across Ruaha's baobab plains, tracking lion prides and elephant herds along the Great Ruaha River. Then, instead of retracing your steps through Dar es Salaam, you fly directly from Ruaha to Zanzibar — no backtracking, no wasted travel day.
A guided walk through Stone Town's winding alleys and spice-scented markets eases you into island time, before the rest of your stay opens up: swim, snorkel, join a sunset dhow cruise, or simply do nothing at all on a beach that earns every bit of its reputation. Choose your beach area — Stone Town's old-world charm, Nungwi's nightlife, Paje's water sports, or Michamvi's quiet seclusion — and Mufindi will tailor the second half of your trip around it.
SIGNATURE HIGHLIGHTS
The full Nyerere & Ruaha safari experience — boat safari, walking safari, and big-cat game drives
Stone Town's historic old city and spice-trade heritage
Direct fly-in connection from Ruaha to Zanzibar, no backtracking through Dar es Salaam required
Powder-sand beach time on the Indian Ocean to unwind after the safari
Price:
On Request
Tour starts on any date
Group Size: 1 – 6+ People
Private Tour Type
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.
Scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam into Nyerere, with a game drive en route to camp as light allows.
DAY 2
Nyerere – Boat Safari & Game Drive.
Morning boat safari on the Rufiji River, afternoon game drive through the lake circuit.
DAY 3
Nyerere Walking Safari – Fly to Ruaha.
Dawn walking safari, then a midday flight to Ruaha and an afternoon orientation game drive.
DAY 4
Ruaha – Full Day Game Drive.
A full day tracking Ruaha's lion prides, elephant herds, and resident birdlife along the Great Ruaha River.
DAY 5
Ruaha – Sunrise Game Drive, Fly to Zanzibar.
An early final game drive, then a flight (via Dar es Salaam) to Zanzibar, arriving in time to settle into your beach accommodation by evening.
DAY 6
Zanzibar – Stone Town & Spice Tour.
A guided walk through Stone Town's winding alleys and historic sites, followed by an optional spice farm tour in the afternoon, then transfer to your chosen beach area for the remainder of the stay.
DAY 7
Zanzibar – Beach Leisure.
A free day to relax on the beach, with optional add-on activities such as snorkelling, a sunset dhow cruise, or a sandbank picnic.
DAY 8
Zanzibar – Beach Leisure.
A further free day at leisure — ideal for a second optional excursion or simply unwinding after the safari.
DAY 9
Departure.
Transfer to Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for onward or international departure.
WHAT'S INCLUDED & WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN
INCLUSIONS
EXCLUSIONS
International flights, visa fees, and travel insurance
All national park entry & conservation fees
Tips and gratuities for guides, camp staff, and boat crew
Accommodation as specified for the selected tier
Personal expenses, souvenirs, and laundry
Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) throughout the safari
Alcoholic beverages and premium/imported drinks (unless noted for Premium tier)
All scheduled domestic flights between parks/airstrips listed in the itinerary
Optional activities not listed (e.g. specialist birding guide, fly-camping, extra walking safaris)
Private game drives with a professional English-speaking driver-guide (and camp-based guides for walking/boat activities)
Boat safaris and walking safaris where specified
Airstrip transfers at each park
Flight Ruaha–Zanzibar (via Dar es Salaam)
Guided Stone Town walking tour
Zanzibar accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis (Days 5–8)
9 Days / 8 Nights
Safari paired with Island time
This package pairs the core Nyerere & Ruaha safari with a week's worth of Zanzibar unwound into the second half of the trip
