Wildlife Safaris · 5 days / 4 nights · 🇹🇿 Tanzania

Ruaha — Wild Heart of Tanzania — 5 Days

Remote southern flagship — 10% of the world's lions, 12,000 elephants, baobab canyons.

⚡ Instant confirmation Only 5 seats left on next departure 📅 Next departure 29 Jul 2026 🏷 Save 15% early-bird ✓ Free cancellation up to 45 days
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Overview

Ruaha is Tanzania's second-largest park at 20,226 km² — and its wildest. Only ~5,000 tourists reach Ruaha each year compared to 200,000+ for the Serengeti. The reward: 10% of the world's remaining wild lions, 12,000 elephants, both greater and lesser kudu in the same park, and utterly empty game-drive roads. Fly-in only.

Route: Dar es Salaam → fly Ruaha → 4 nights → fly Dar

Itinerary

Your day-by-day adventure

Tap into the rhythm of each day — locations, drive times, activities, and where you'll sleep.

  1. Day 1

    Fly Dar → Ruaha

    Highlight: Morning bird-walk in Ruaha National Park

    Morning 2-hour bush flight. Afternoon Ruaha River game drive.

    📍 Ruaha National Park 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 80 km ⏱ ~1 hrs 🍽 L, D 🏨 Jabali Ridge or Mdonya Old River
    • Visit local market
    • Hot-spring soak
    • Morning bird-walk
    • Bush breakfast
  2. Day 2

    Full day Ruaha

    Highlight: Morning bird-walk in Ruaha National Park

    Dawn + afternoon drives — lion prides, kudu, elephant breeding herds.

    📍 Ruaha National Park 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 120 km ⏱ ~2 hrs 🍽 B, L, D 🏨 Jabali Ridge
    • Photography stop
    • Hot-spring soak
    • Morning bird-walk
    • Visit local market
  3. Day 3

    Full day Ruaha

    Highlight: Guided nature walk in Ruaha National Park

    Mwagusi River sector for leopard + wild dog. Sundowner in baobab country.

    📍 Ruaha National Park 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 80 km ⏱ ~1 hrs 🍽 B, L, D 🏨 Jabali Ridge
    • Morning bird-walk
    • Hot-spring soak
    • Boat cruise
    • Guided nature walk
  4. Day 4

    Walking safari + drive

    Highlight: Guided nature walk in Ruaha National Park

    Morning walking safari with armed ranger. Afternoon drive.

    📍 Ruaha National Park 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 300 km ⏱ ~5 hrs 🍽 B, L, D 🏨 Jabali Ridge
    • Hot-spring soak
    • Sunrise tracking
    • Game drives & sundowner
    • Guided nature walk
  5. Day 5

    Fly Ruaha → Dar

    Highlight: Morning bird-walk in Ruaha National Park

    Dawn drive, brunch, bush flight back.

    📍 Ruaha National Park 🚙 4x4 Land Cruiser 📏 300 km ⏱ ~5 hrs 🍽 B, L
    • Morning bird-walk
    • Photography stop
    • Bush breakfast
    • Cultural visit
Budget options

Choose your style of safari

Same itinerary, different comfort levels. Lock in the tier that fits your budget.

Budget
Budget — Comfort basics
$1,946 / pp
Single supp. +$120

Clean mid-range lodges and tented camps with reliable hot showers.

  • Shared 4x4 game drives
  • Full-board meals
  • English-speaking driver-guide
Book Budget
Premium
Premium — Upgraded lodges
$3,092 / pp
Single supp. +$250

Premium lodges and luxury tented camps (4–5★) in prime locations.

  • Private guide & vehicle
  • Sundowner setup
  • Laundry service
  • Airport meet & greet
Book Premium
On this safari

What's onboard

local_bar Bar / Lounge
spa Spa & Wellness
directions_car Game Drives
air Hot-Air Balloon
pets Pet-Free Zones
favorite Honeymoon Setup
bedtime Star Beds / Decks
Your route
Interactive map · OpenStreetMap
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Live forecast · Ruaha National Park
32°C Clear sky · 12 km/h wind
Updated 2026-05-18T17:30
  1. 32° 18°
  2. 33° 19°
  3. 🌤 33° 20°
  4. 33° 21°
  5. 🌤 33° 21°
  6. 🌤 33° 20°
  7. 33° 20°
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Where you'll sleep

Hotels & lodges on this tour

Hand-picked properties — swap any for an upgrade at booking.

★★★★★ 9.1/10
Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge
Safari Lodge · Serengeti National Park
From $395 / night · +$65 upgrade
Free Wi-FiAir-conditioningSwimming PoolBush BreakfastHot-Air Balloon
412 verified reviews
★★★★★ 9.2/10
Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge
Safari Lodge · Ngorongoro Crater
From $425 / night · +$65 upgrade
Free Wi-FiRestaurantSpa & WellnessHot-Air BalloonAirport Transfers
318 verified reviews
★★★★★ 9.2/10
Park Hyatt Zanzibar
Beach Resort · Zanzibar & Stone Town
From $395 / night · +$180 upgrade
Swimming PoolGame DrivesCultural VisitsLaundry ServiceSolar Powered
287 verified reviews
★★★★★ 9.0/10
Lake Manyara Serena Safari Lodge
Safari Lodge · Lake Manyara National Park
From $320 / night · +$65 upgrade
Free Wi-FiSwimming PoolRestaurantBar / LoungeLaundry Service
234 verified reviews
Getting here

Flight schedules to your gateway

Indicative fares from key hubs — our team can hold seats while you decide.

AirlineRouteDepartsArrives DurationDaysFrom
Turkish Airlines
TK1063
IST → JRO
Istanbul · Kilimanjaro · Non-stop
20:00 05:00 8h 00m Daily $700 Book on Turkish Airlines ↗
Ethiopian Airlines
ET817
ADD → JRO
Addis Ababa · Kilimanjaro · Non-stop
10:25 12:50 2h 25m Daily $420 Book on Ethiopian Airlines ↗

Fares are indicative round-trip economy and shift with demand. We rebook fare drops within 24 hrs.

In the price

What's included & what's not

check_circleIncludes

  • Return flights Dar ↔ Ruaha airstrip
  • 4 nights full-board tented camp
  • All game drives + park fees
  • House wines + local beers

cancelExcludes

  • International flights
  • Visa
  • Premium spirits
  • Tips
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