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Selous and Rufiji River Classical Tours, 7 Days

Itinerary Briefing

7 days safari Selous Game Reserve: The Selous is Africa’s largest game reserve, a wilderness area bigger than Denmark or Switzerland. The park covers more than 5% of Tanzania’s total land area. Selous is still an uninhabited, untamed slice of ‘Old Africa’. In 1982 the Reserve’s unique ecosystem was recognized internationally and the area designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations.

The Rufiji River: an outstanding water system the wide, meandering Rufiji River is one of the largest water systems in East Africa. With its associated wetland, lakes and swamps it is one of the most outstanding ecological systems in the whole eastern Africa.

Boat trips and longer safaris down the spectacular River offer visitors a chance to see hippos, bird life and even crocodiles up close.

See a pack of African Wild Dog! During a game drive or walk one might be lucky enough to see a pack of African Wild Dog disappearing throughout Africa but thriving in the Selous. These complex and fascinating mammals show little fear of vehicles and it is often possible to observe their intense social life from close proximity.

In the tourist area the density of dogs is higher than anywhere else in Africa. Walking and boat safaris are on offer to visitors to the small and remote camps and lodges with little chance of bumping into any sign of human life. Fly camping or mobile walking safaris are becoming popular.

Itinerary Day Description

Day 1:             Depart Dar-es-Salaam to Selous Game Reserve

Early after breakfast, you will depart from Dar es Salaam city center by 4 x 4 safari vehicle to the Selous Game Reserve. Enjoy a late lunch at the Sand Rivers Selous Camp.

Embark on an afternoon game drive in the reserve, and then return to Sand Rivers Selous Camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2:             Full day Game drive in the Selous Game Reserve 

Enjoy a full day game viewing in the reserve. Participate in some classic – style game drives – exploring the bush in open 4x 4 vehicles. Waterbuck, southern reed buck and bush back are common in the Selous.

Rare sable antelopes, lion, and greater kudu are also frequent in this area. Meals and overnight stay at the Sand Rivers Selous Camp

Day 3:             the Walking Safari in Selous Game Reserve

After breakfast, accompany an armed ranger on a walking safari in the reserve. The sights and sounds (and smells) of a walking safari are a special treat that will live long in your memory. The thrill of creeping up to animals to “shoot” them with your camera is a great experience. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari where you will explore the different channels and lakes of the Rufiji River System, surrounded by hippos and crocodiles.

A large variety of herons, storks, ducks, stilts, and other water birds may be seen. And you also get to see land mammals such as giraffes and elephants. Meals and overnight stay at Sand Rivers Selous Camp

Day 4:             the boating safari in Selous Game Reserve on the Rufiji River

There are two types of boat safari we offer from camp, afternoon boat trips and full day boat safaris.

The afternoon boat trip usually leaves camp at 4pm and returns at 6.30pm. It is an ideal trip if you have an afternoon free and would like to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Rufiji River with its many hippos, crocodiles and beautiful birdlife. The sunset can also be stunning from the boat- there is nothing quite like the serenity of the river while the sun dips below the horizon.

Our full day boat safari is quite a unique experience – the Selous is one of the very few game reserves in Africa where you can view game from the water and you have a much higher chance of seeing a larger variety of wildlife inside the Reserve than outside. Because the boat safari is carried out in the Game Reserve, entry fees must be paid. Usually the boats are shared by guests unless a private trip is requested. We like to tailor our activities to your requirements, so please get in touch if you would like to discuss options. Dinner and overnight at Sand Rivers Selous Camp

Day 5:             Depart Selous to Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Part of an ancient group of mountain ranges which stretch across Tanzania and Kenya, known as ‘The Eastern Arc’, the Udzungwa are the most extensive mountain range in Tanzania. They were formed at least 100 million years ago and many endemic species have evolved here, making them something of ‘an African Galapagos’. Local taboos have helped to preserve the wildlife, and now this national park protects almost 20% of the Udzungwa Mountains.

 Amongst the larger attractions are 10 species of primate, three of which are endemic: the Uhehe (aka Iringa) red colobus, the Matunda galago and the Sanje crested angabey. The last of these is amongst the world’s 25 most threatened primates. With a day to explore slowly, you’ll usually see the red colobus, along with the black and white Angola colobus. Blue and vervet monkeys and yellow baboons are also common.

More than 400 species of birds live here, including many regional endemics like the Udzungwa forest partridge, which was new to science in 1991. With more scientific research, further new species are bound to be discovered.

A quarter of the plants here are endemic, including some Saitpaulia species, closely related to African violets. There are also endemic amphibians, reptiles, and butterflies. Dinner and overnight at Udzungwa forest Tented Camp (Hondo Hondo)

Day 6:             Udzungwa Mountains to Mikumi National Park

After your leisurely breakfast at Udzungwa Mountains Tented Camp, you will drive visiting to Mikumi National Park.  You will enjoy an afternoon game drives in Mikumi National Park till sunset.

You will have dinner and overnight at Vuma Hill Tented Camp or Kikoboga Tented Camp.

Day 7:             Depart Mikumi National Park to Dar-es-Salaam City

Wake up at 0600hrs for early morning game drives where you will be able to view Sunrise while in Mikumi National Park.

Take some nice photos and then return back to the Lodge or camp for breakfast around 0900hrs. After breakfast check out and drive while sporting game enroute back to Dar-es-Salaam where you will arrive in the late afternoon.

—- End of service — *** routing subject to changes if necessary ****