Off the Beaten Track Tanzania Safari and Beach

Lion, Ikuka Safari Camp, Ruaha, Tanzania

Trip designed by

This off-the-beaten-track safari combines romance with full-blown adventure. Walk amongst giant baobabs in Ruaha National Park, see huge lion prides, and experience the ultimate sleep-out set-up. Then retreat to the secluded forest-fringed beaches of Pemba Island and the barefoot luxury of Fundu Lagoon – our pick for a diving and snorkelling paradise.

Nights

Low season

AU$10,989

High season

AU$12,678

Guide price (pp)

Ruaha National Park

Areas

Tanzania

Country

Trip Highlights

A combination of romance and adventure in two beautiful, secluded settings
Plenty of activities, including game drives, walking safaris, scuba diving, mangrove kayaking, and more
Spend a night beneath the stars in a truly unique sleep-out setting with incredible views
Experience the mix of safari and beach adventures
Enjoy high levels of comfort while keeping things informal, laidback, and friendly

Beach Suite, Fundu Lagoon, Pemba Island, Tanzania

Trip Itinerary

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Arrive at Ruaha National Park for a four-night stay at one of our favourite spots in the area, Ikuka Safari Camp. The camp is set high on the Ikuka escarpment, and we love the views from here that stretch across the park from every angle. Ikuka has all the comforts, but it’s also full of warmth and character thanks to owners Mark and Chloe Sheridan Johnson, who make it feel like an extension of their own home. Mark also happens to be an exceptional guide, so don’t miss the chance to head out with him on a drive or walk if he’s available. Your time will be spent on 4×4 game drives around the Mwagusi River, where the landscape is home to all the key species, including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, antelope, hyena, wild dog, and hippo. Walking safaris leave straight from camp, providing a different perspective on the land’s giant baobab trees and extraordinary birdlife. Last but not least, spend a night at the Rock House sleep-out, which is an amazing set-up on a raised platform. You’ll dine by candlelight and fall asleep to the sounds of the Ruaha bush – truly magical!

The next part of your journey transitions from wild bush to a “feet in the sand hideaway”, with five nights at Fundu Lagoon on Pemba Island. Here, the jungle meets the ocean in a mix of mangroves, laid-back village life, and the Indian Ocean shoreline. The fact that you can only reach the lodge by boat adds to the secluded, castaway feel. Fundu feels impossibly romantic while retaining a sense of rustic, barefoot remoteness that instantly appeals to the adventurous. The real beauty here is that you can choose to do as little as you like, whether unwinding at the pool bar with a cocktail or sinking into a sunlounger with a book. There’s also plenty to fill your days, from mangrove kayaking and night snorkelling to dolphin safaris and scuba diving in Pemba’s famously vibrant reefs. The spa is the perfect place for a therapeutic massage or holistic treatment in an idyllic setting. In the evening, you can dine at your own private table on the beach, with a dedicated chef and waiter.

Talk to someone who’s been there

Real expertise doesn’t come from a few trips to Africa. All our specialists have either been guides, run the camps, or grown up and lived in Africa. That’s over 600 years of genuine safari experience.

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+61 1800 841 726

Enjoy a night under the stars while experiencing Ikuka's take on a sleep out.
View from one of the bedrooms at Ikuka Safari Camp.
Dine al fresco at Ikuka Safari Camp.
Game drive from Ikuka Safari Camp.
Embark on privately guided walking safaris during a stay at Ikuka Safari Camp in Ruaha.
Views from Fundu Lagoon's Beach Suite.
Grab a drink at Fundu Lagoon's beach bar.
Enjoy the remote, beachside setting at Fundu Lagoon.
Access to Fundu Lagoon is by boat only, really capturing the remote, adventurous feel from the start!
Fundu Lagoon is the ideal remote, post-safari escape.

Good to Know

01.

Who is this trip for?

This itinerary is designed for two adults and priced with couples and honeymooners in mind, but please view it as merely a starting point. We tailor each of our journeys from scratch. If you are travelling as a family or a larger group, we might select different accommodations, change the activities, and change the pace to suit your particular requirements.

02.

Overview & Activities

This 9-night itinerary is the ultimate contrast between bush and beach. You’ll begin with the remote wilderness of Ruaha National Park and one of our favourite owner-run camps, followed by the tropical Indian Ocean shores of Pemba Island. Ikuka Safari Camp has some of the most dramatic views of any camp in Tanzania. It’s small, relaxed, and homely, with a focus on expert guiding and immersion in the wild through game drives and walks straight from camp. Next is Fundu Lagoon, an island hideaway reachable only by boat, where you can relax with spa treatments and a dip in the pool, or choose from a full menu of land- and water-based activities, including world-class scuba diving. One minute you’ll be tracking lion prides in one of Tanzania’s wildest national parks, the next kayaking through mangroves and dining on fresh seafood by the ocean.

03.

Pricing

These 2027 prices should be considered a per-person guide based on two guests sharing. Please view this as a starting point, but do get in touch with our team for an accurate quote based on your dates and group size. Seasons and room categories vary, so we’ll need to adjust accordingly. Prices include all internal flights, transfers, park fees, accommodation, and meals specified in the itinerary. Excluded are international flights, tipping, visas, and any extra meals.