A safari in the south is all about experience – the game rich plains of Ruaha National Park and the endless wilderness of Nyerere National Park is pretty hard to beat.

By 4x4, by boat, on foot or in a fly-camp, it is freedom like no where else in Tanzania.

Start your journey
Kigelia

Kigelia

Kiba Point

Kiba Point

Sand Rivers

Sand Rivers

Expeditionary walking camp

Expeditionary walking camp

About the area

Ruaha is wild, expedition country – it is home to huge herds of elephants and abundance of predators; leopard, lion, wild dog and hyena. Ruaha is a vast landscape. You get a tremendous feeling of anticipation when you’ve grabbed cameras and shades, and left bush camp with your Nomad guide in an open vehicle. Who knows what will be encountered, but for sure there’ll be moments of excitement, fascination and peace amongst the great beasts and herds of Ruaha.

Ruaha

Kigelia is our bush camp at the heart of the action

This understated little bush-camp has been in the beating eastern heart of the park for years, where the wildlife is most concentrated. Sorties from it, encountering the great mammals of Africa, can be thrilling and hard to tear yourself away from. So, in this camp retreat, with Nature up very close, you will find a quiet, canvas refuge, only disturbed by our elephant visitors.

Recommended stay: 3 nights

Expect to pay: $675 - $720 per person per night

About the area

Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) holds a special place in Nomad’s heart, ever since Richard Bonham, together with Lizzie and Bimb Theobald created what is now the most iconic camp in the park, Sand Rivers.

Nyerere is only a few hundred feet above sea level, and this is very much revealed in the climate and landscape. It is typical of Nyerere to encounter a varied terrain with woodland, flood plains, sand rivers, lakes and the remarkable Rufiji River.

Nyerere

On the banks of the Rufiji sits Sand Rivers

Some safaris can be predictable, game drive after game drive. This is simply not the case when you stay at Sand Rivers. The camp location combined with our mission to keep hold of our adventurous spirit gives many ways to enjoy the bush. Whether its lying on a sandbar watching eagles or creeping up on grunting hippos – every day will be different.

Recommended stay: 4 nights

Expect to pay: $750 - $1,120 per person per night

Explore safari itineraries

We tailor all our safaris to your particular requirements, but we understand that it's useful to have an idea of what works best, what’s available and a ballpark cost. Have a flick through our safari itineraries and get in touch to get the ball rolling.

Reviews

S. Casey / D. Parry

Review for kuro

Amazing Experience

Nomad Kuro was an amazing experience. The tents are comfortable and spacious and the staff is welcoming and warm. The food was delicious and we ate well at every meal. The best part is being in the park and going out early in the morning to see all the wildlife. It has been a truly amazing experienc...

K. Ho

Review for entamanu

Hidden Gem

It is such a hidden gem surrounded by beautiful scenery. Wonderful staff with excellent service, a trip of a life time.

B. Randall

Review for sand rivers

Magical Wildlife Experience

This was an amazing way to experience Tanzania’s wilderness! Seeing wildlife from hides, boats, and during walking or night safaris was a magical experience. The staff and setting at Sand Rivers are superb and not to be missed.

J. Ratcliffe

Review for entamanu

Close to Nature

Nomad outdo themselves here- so close to the crater for early morning access and some of the most awesome authentic and knowledgable guides. The rooms were rustic, sustainable and yet hugely comfortable ( comfy beds!) everything was immaculately clean and the service was considerate , excellent and ...

FAQs

How many days is enough for a Tanzania safari?

Many people underestimate how immersive a safari experience is. Time in the bush can be tiring – most mornings you will be up before sunrise as the wild wakes up your day continues into long evenings spent under the stars. If you’re travelling with children, we always recommend a private guide and exclusive vehicle (included as standard with Nomad) that means a lie in here and there is always possible. 

There is no rule for the number of days on safari but we would recommend taking your time in each location and not rushing through safari parks. Give yourselves time to stop and immerse yourself in the area. Many travellers consider a pit stop at the beaches of Zanzibar or Mafia Island to re-charge post safari and before they head back to the real world.

When is the green season?

From late November to May. It's a gorgeous time to be in Tanzania - expect dramatic skies, lush landscapes and superb wildlife. Also, less people.

What is the difference between a lodge and a tented camp?

Lodges are more permanent, often with solid walls and more amenities available. Tented camp are light touch, with canvas walls, open air and the sounds of bush throughout!

What are sundowners?

Sundowners are a wonderful part of safari life. At the end of your day in the bush, its time to kick back and celebrate the sightings, the adventures and time with your loved ones. All with something cold in hand!

Do lodges offer honeymoon packages or upgrades?

Many do, yes - private dinners, spa treatments or surprise sundowners that add thoughtful moments to the trip. Occasionally, there are discounts for one spouse and it can be worth researching.

What is a typical daily schedule on safari?

Early starts with golden light as the bush awakens, and a fresh cup of coffee by the morning camp fire. Either breakfast in camp or take a bush breakfast to go. Enjoy early morning game drives to observe wildlife before the day gets too hot. In the heat of the day, find a shady spot for a siesta go. After tea, its time for an afternoon foray and sundowners with a view. Evenings are quiet, firelit, and full of stars.

How do you get to your safari lodge?

The transport networks in Tanzania are very good with internal flight schedules across the country. It is possible to fly into the parks and land at one of the bush airstrips. From there, most lodges will arrange for a transfer journey from airstrip to the lodge. Depending on the lodge location, this can vary in journey time. Or, if you opt for a driving safari in northern Tanzania, your guide (included as standard with Nomad) will transport you from location to location.

What is the luggage weight limit for internal Tanzanian flights?

Usually it is 15kg per person in a soft-sided bag. This is not a hard and fast rule so do check with your tour operator or aviation company. These are small bush planes, and is a good way of making sure you pack light.

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