Tanzania: Off the beaten track (11n) – Value

Days 1–3 : Selous Game Reserve
Days 4–6 : Ruaha National Park
Days 7–11 : Zanzibar
Guide Price : £4,245 per person
Duration : 11 nights
Best Months : Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Countries : Tanzania

This trip is highly recommended for experienced safarists who would like to explore Tanzania’s lesser-known Southern Circuit! You’ll start in the Selous Game Reserve, continue to Ruaha National Park, and end with a beach break on Zanzibar.

The adventure begins at Lake Manze Camp, an authentic permanent property in the Central Selous. Next up is Ruaha’s Mdonya Old River Camp, offering outdoorsy accommodation in the heart of the national park. Finally, you’ll fly out to Pongwe Beach, a comfortable hotel on the beautiful east coast of Zanzibar!

While you’re in the Selous, you’ll enjoy vehicle, walking, and boating safaris – and you can go fishing too! Ruaha is another dream destination for guided game drives, with its wealth of wildlife. And activities at Pongwe Beach include watersports, land sports, excursions around Zanzibar, and simply relaxing on the island’s pristine white sands.

*Please note, this is just one example of a trip we could design for you. We tailor-make safari holidays that take you to the real Africa – no readymade tours or set departures. Do get in touch with one of our experts today to start creating your bespoke itinerary!*

All Of Our Holidays Are Tailor Made

The prices below are provided per person, and please note that the prices are approximate. Please contact us for accurate costings for the time of year you are considering for your holiday. There are multiple season changes across the year and numerous room categories that can change the price of any trip.

From approx £4,245 per person in low season

From approx £4,727 per person in high season

Prices include all internal flights, transfers, reserve fees, accommodation, and meals as specified in the day-to-day itinerary. Prices exclude international flights, tipping, visa, and any meals not included.

Days 1–3 Selous Game Reserve

On Day 1 of your holiday, you’ll fly from Dar es Salaam’s international airport to the Selous’ Siwandu Airstrip (45 mins) and have a shared road transfer to Lake Manze Camp. Owned and run by Essential Destinations, this property boasts one of the best locations in the reserve! Its comfortable lounge and dining areas are set up within a classic timber-and-thatch lodge, with lovely lake views. Guests can also dine al fresco, and enjoy a few gatherings around the campfire. You’ll stay in one of the camp’s 12 walk-in tents, each of which offers a well-appointed bedroom with en-suite facilities including a step-up shower. Activities available comprise expertly guided game drives, walking safaris, boating safaris, and fishing! The Central Selous is home to all Big Five, in addition to numerous smaller mammals and over four hundred types of bird.

Board basis and activities:
All-inclusive accommodation, featuring three meals daily, two half-day game drives or one full-day game viewing with picnic lunch, and transfers between the camp and Siwandu Airstrip. One of the half-day game drives can be a boat trip instead.

View Lodge
View Park

Days 4–6 Ruaha National Park

After three nights at Lake Manze Camp, you’ll return to Siwandu Airstrip and fly to Msembe Airstrip (1 hr 40 mins). From here, you’ll have a shared transfer to Mdonya Old River Camp. This property is also operated by Essential Destinations. It’s situated at the heart of Ruaha, surrounded by acacia woodlands. The lounge and dining areas occupy one tent apiece, both open sided to provide excellent opportunities for watching wildlife! There’s also a fire-pit, where travellers enjoy swapping their safari stories. In common with Lake Manze Camp, Mdonya Old River has 12 guest tents, equally well presented. The camp specialises in vehicle safaris, in the company of a knowledgeable and experienced guide. Wildlife highlights here include plenty of big cats, huge herds of elephant and buffalo, and a lot of smaller predators and herbivores. And there are over six hundred bird species!

Board basis and activities:
All-inclusive accommodation, featuring all three meals daily, two half-day game drives or one full-day game viewing with picnic lunch, and transfers between camp and Msembe Airstrip.

View Lodge
View Park

Days 7–11 Zanzibar

Come Day 7, it’s time for your beach break! From Mdonya River Camp you’ll return to Msembe Airstrip and fly out to Zanzibar’s international airport (3 hrs 5 mins). A private road transfer from the airport brings you to Pongwe Beach Hotel. This property has a lovely location about halfway up Zanzibar’s palm-fringed east coast. A large timber-and-thatch structure houses a pleasant lounge, as well as a restaurant and bar. In the grounds of the hotel there’s an infinity pool, close to the beach. You’ll spend four nights in a beachfront room, enjoying a comfy bedroom, smart shower room, and shady veranda with gorgeous ocean vistas! Days are spent relaxing on the beach or, if you feel like it, getting active with all sorts of watersports and land sports. Fishing can also be arranged, as can an exciting variety of excursions (for examples, see below).

Board basis and activities:
Half-board accommodation, including breakfast and dinner. Activities at an additional cost include scuba diving, snorkelling, day trips to Stone Town, and visiting a spice farm and Jozani Forest.

On the last day of your trip, you’ll transfer privately from Pongwe to Zanzibar’s international airport, in time for your flight/s home.