Tanzania · A private journey
The Southern River & Spice Horizon
From the baobab country of Ruaha to the great Rufiji River, deep in Tanzania’s untouched south.
Dar es Salaam · Ruaha · Nyerere · The Rufiji River
The Journey
The Essence of the Journey
From the baobab country of Ruaha to the great Rufiji River in Nyerere. Two of Africa’s least visited wildernesses, explored by vehicle, on foot and by boat with Nomad’s guides, far from the crowds of the north.
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Dar es Salaam
Straight Into the Wild
Light aircraft from Dar es Salaam to remote bush airstrips, with your guide waiting as you land.
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Ruaha
Ruaha’s Untamed Horizon
Baobab country and some of Africa’s largest lion prides, explored by vehicle and on foot from Kigelia.
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Nyerere
Wilderness on the Rufiji
Sand Rivers sits above the river in a sector day visitors never reach, with walks and drives in search of wild dog.
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The Rufiji River
Life at Water Level
Quiet hours by boat among hippo, crocodile and elephant, with evenings ending on the river.
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On foot
The Bush, Up Close
Guided walks along the game trails in both parks, reading tracks and approaching wildlife quietly.
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In camp
The Art of Bush Seclusion
Small camps, breakfasts out in the bush and sundowners as the light fades over the river.
Why Hayah Reserve
Why choose a Hayah Reserve journey?
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Planned around you
Every journey is built from scratch, around how you like to travel, eat and rest.
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Handled end to end
Flights, transfers, guides and timings, arranged so the days run without friction.
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Quiet access
Private visits and experiences that are hard to arrange alone, often before the crowds arrive.
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Chosen with care
Hotels, lodges and villas we know well, picked for character rather than star ratings.
The Journey
Dar es Salaam
Where the journey south begins
You are met on arrival and settled in on the coast for the night. The southern parks see a fraction of the visitors of the north, and the early morning flight carries you inland over the miombo woodland to the heart of the country.
Light aircraft inland to the Msembe airstrip in Ruaha, met by your guide
Ruaha
Kigelia, Ruaha
Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park and one of its least visited, a dry landscape of baobabs, rocky kopjes and sand rivers. Kigelia is a small tented camp in the quiet eastern sector, tucked among the trees. The park is known for its big prides of lion, and the days are spent on game drives, walks along the game trails with Nomad’s guides, and breakfasts and sundowners out in the bush.
Light aircraft east to the Kiba airstrip in Nyerere, met by your guide
Nyerere
Sand Rivers, on the Rufiji
Nyerere, once the Selous, is one of the largest protected wildernesses in Africa. Sand Rivers sits high above a bend of the Rufiji River in a remote sector the day visitors never reach, with open-fronted rooms looking straight out over the water. Game drives and walks take you through palm-fringed lakes and woodland in search of lion, wild dog and elephant.
By boat from camp onto the Rufiji with your guide
On the river
By boatLife on the Rufiji
The river is what sets Nyerere apart. You drift between sandbanks lined with crocodile and pods of hippo, with elephant coming down to drink and fish eagles calling overhead. Evenings end on the water as the sun goes down behind the palms.
Light aircraft back to Dar es Salaam · about 45 minutes
Departure
Dar es Salaam, for your flight home
A short flight returns you to Dar es Salaam in time to connect with your flight to the Gulf.
The Field Sanctuaries
Kigelia Ruaha
An intimate canvas outpost nestled among ancient, predator-heavy baobab groves.
Sand Rivers Selous
An architectural riverfront sanctuary featuring private pools and water safaris.
The Investment & Inclusions
A Note on Design & Tariff: Expeditions of this scale are custom-priced based on your seasonal travel window and private party requirements.
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All private circuit light-aircraft flights from Arusha; luxury accommodations at Chada Katavi and Greystoke Mahale; private 4x4 game drives and lake dhow excursions; mandatory chimpanzee tracking permits, National Park conservation fees, and 24/7 remote tracking support by Hayah Reserve.
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International flights to and from Tanzania; medical visas; personal travel insurance; discretionary gratuities for local guides/camp staff; premium imported cellar wines or vintage champagnes.
SPEAK TO AN EXPERT
Connect with our Travel Experts to begin planning your personalized Egyptian getaway.
Our Destinations
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