Maasai and Hidden Gems of Ruaha & Katavi
A beautiful blend of culture and wildlife experiences like no other combined destinations in Tanzania. We bring this to from day 2. A short scenic drive out from Arusha the safari capital of the Northern Safari circuit will open up a changing world from the lushness of Arusha to a landscape so vast in size one is lost by its extremity and raw beauty. Further step back in time to fit into the daily rhythm of the nomadic Maasai tribes with several days being amongst and around this colorful people.
Before changing your compass heading a visit to the infamous Ngorongoro Crater with the chances of seeing the rare black rhino along with taking in the stunning beauty of this truly dynamic natural feature filled with a staggering 25,000 varying plains games wildlife, not forgetting the big cats and tuskers that have come to call Ngorongoro home . Southward bound into a land that has stood the test of time, modern trends and popularity lays Ruaha tucked away in the south west corner. Diverse in every angle the park has something different around every corner; all the big cats can be seen here along with the impressive sentry like posture of the Greater Kudu. If you’re lucky Ruaha also holds a good population of African wild dogs which are a site to behold either at rest or on the move. As triangles all have three sides so with North and South now complete we bring your imaginary line of travel across to the west where we drop you in to the heart of a brooding expanse of Katavi National Park. Now to begin to explain how remote this Tanzanian National Park is, only 1,500 foreign visitors managed to take the journey to the west out of a total 900,000 registered in the whole Tanzania National Parks this senses was taken in 2013!! – but like all hard to reach destinations it still remains un-spoilt with the main focus and game drives being conducted around the Katuma River and associated floodplains such as the seasonal Lakes Katavi and Chada. If you are looking for something different with the biggest and richest wildlife areas in Tanzania that are guaranteed to blow the national geographic channel out of your flat screen then we encourage you to look and learn a little more about this diverse flying safari that the bush2beach team have carefully laced together.
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Below, we go through the adventure day-by-day, giving you a better feel of the adventure.
Day 1: DUE TO FLIGHT SCHEDULING THIS TRIP STARTS ON A TUESDAY
After arrival at Kilimanjaro international airport you will be transferred to your overnight accommodation.
O/n Karama Lodge (D)
Day 2: WEDNESDAY
After breakfast leave Arusha and drive 2 hours to the Maasai community of Esilalei. Meet with your local Maasai guide who will introduce you to his village. Get a better understanding of the natural medicines still used on a daily basis with a Maasai medicine walk of the surrounding area. Then continue down to a Boma (mud dwelling) for an introduction into the Maasai way of life, beliefs and rituals. Freshen up and enjoy a real cultural experience around the fire place with traditional song and dance.
O/n Isoitok Manyara Camp (B, L, D)
Day 3: THURSDAY
Early morning leave camp and head to Ngorongoro. Descend into the crater for game drives. There are 25,000 large mammals residing in the park. The elephants are mainly bulls, females stay out of the park due to it boasting the largest predator population in Africa. Black Rhino also make their home on the grassy plains, their numbers make up for almost half of what can still be found in East Africa; about 20 in total.
O/n Isoitok Manyara Camp (B, L, D)
Day 4: FRIDAY
After breakfast you will be drive back to Arusha domestic airport for your flight to Ruaha National Park at 1300 operated by Coastal Air – you will be collected on arrival and transfered to Ruaha River Camp with game drives en route.
O/n Ruaha River Camp (B, L, D)
Day 5: SATURDAY
Ruaha national park is one of the few Tanzania’s famous wilderness area where one can have a rare experience of game viewing spiced up by the fascinating landscape. The park boasts of her almost untouched and unexplored ecosystem, making visitors’ safari experience very unique. Plan your game viewing activities together with the camp management as they will best advice you when and where to head out. Note that game viewing activities can be shared with other guests.
O/n Ruaha River Camp (B, L, D)
Day 6: SUNDAY
Ruaha national park is one of the few Tanzania’s famous wilderness area where one can have a rare experience of game viewing spiced up by the fascinating landscape. The park boasts of her almost untouched and unexplored ecosystem, making visitors’ safari experience very unique. Plan your game viewing activities together with the camp management as they will best advice you when and where to head out. Note that game viewing activities can be shared with other guests.
O/n Ruaha River Camp (B, L, D)
Day 7: MONDAY
After a early breakfast (or packed breakfast) you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight to Katavi National Park at 0700 operated by Safari Air link. On arrival you will be transferred to the camp.
O/n Katavi Wildlife Camp (B, L, D)
Day 8: TUESDAY
Isolated, untrammeled and seldom visited, Katavi is a true wilderness, providing the few intrepid souls who make it there with a thrilling taste of Africa as it must have been a century ago.
Tanzania's third largest national park, it lies in the remote southwest of the country, within a truncated arm of the Rift Valley that terminates in the shallow, brooding expanse of Lake Rukwa. The main focus for game viewing within the park is the Katuma River and associated floodplains such as the seasonal Lakes Katavi and Chada. During the rainy season, these lush, marshy lakes are a haven for myriad water birds, and they also support Tanzania’s densest concentrations of hippo and crocodile. Plan your game viewing activities together with the camp management as they will best advice you when and where to head out - note that game viewing activities can be shared with other guests.
O/n Katavi Wildlife Camp (B, L, D)
Day 9: WEDNESDAY
Isolated, untrammeled and seldom visited, Katavi is a true wilderness, providing the few intrepid souls who make it there with a thrilling taste of Africa as it must have been a century ago.
Tanzania's third largest national park, it lies in the remote southwest of the country, within a truncated arm of the Rift Valley that terminates in the shallow, brooding expanse of Lake Rukwa. The main focus for game viewing within the park is the Katuma River and associated floodplains such as the seasonal Lakes Katavi and Chada. During the rainy season, these lush, marshy lakes are a haven for myriad water birds, and they also support Tanzania’s densest concentrations of hippo and crocodile. Plan your game viewing activities together with the camp management as they will best advice you when and where to head out - note that game viewing activities can be shared with other guests.
O/n Katavi Wildlife Camp (B, L, D)
Day 10: THURSDAY
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight to Dar es Salaam at 11:20 with Safari Air Link. Arrival approximately 1645hrs in time to connect with your evening departing international flight. Or you could extend your time in Tanzania with an overnight in Dar or an extension to Zanzibar.
(B)
Note: O/N = Overnight, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
| Amount of persons: | Price p.p. (usd): |
| 2 people sharing | 6500.- |
| 4 people sharing | 6200.- |
| 6 people sharing | 6070.- |
| Note: prices are based on two adults and indicative. Single supplement is $ 795 | |
- Included:
- Complimentary mineral water x1.5 liters per person in the safari vehicle
- Meals as stipulated |B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner
- 4x4 game viewing vehicles plus driver guide (window seat guaranteed)
- Emergency Evacuation Cover
- All transfers and activities as mentioned above
- Park fee, Conservation fees and Community Development Fees
- Accommodation as stipulated
- Domestic flight(s) as stipulated
- Excluded:
- Tips suggested: Driver guide $8-$10 per person sharing the vehicle per day
- Drinks apart from 1,5 liter mineral water during the safari
- Visa and airport departure tax
- Items of personal nature and not mentioned in the above itinerary
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Through our Community Development foundation, the African Roots Foundation, Bush2Beach Safaris actively supports rural communities in Tanzania's Bush and Beach.