TANZANIA’S TRUE WILDERNESS

Day 1 Fly from London Heathrow via Nairobi to Dar es Salaam.

Day 2 Arrive into the coastal city and former capital, a vibrant community whose architecture is a mixture of African, Arab, Indian and German, much of which is now dwarfed by towering high-rises. Transfer to the Serena Hotel for an overnight stay. Relax and enjoy the hotel facilities or travel into Dar es Salaam and encounter the city’s eclectic cultural mix and languid vibe.

Day 3 Fly by privately chartered aircraft to Msembe and transfer to Jabali Ridge, possibly the finest lodge in Tanzania, set high on a rocky kopje overlooking a landscape dotted with spiky palms and bulbous baobabs. Ruaha is a verdant landscape of enormous stretches of miombo woodland bordering a dramatic escarpment. This varied topography combined with the dry, hot climate creates a rich, fertile land for the abundant wildlife of the park, including kudu found only in Ruaha. Spend the next two days exploring the remarkable beauty of Ruaha, with a combination of game drives, bush picnics, walking safaris and night drives. Experience the allure of Ruaha found not only in the landscape and diversity of flora and fauna, or the impressive big game, but also in the feeling of isolation, in having the wilderness to yourself, providing an exceptional safari experience. Enjoy an afternoon game drive with our expert guide. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Ruaha is home to over 10% of the world’s lion population, known especially for its large prides, 13 of which are within roaming range of Jabali. It is also home to the largest population of elephants in Tanzania and the third largest population of wild dog in Africa. Also common are black-backed jackal, hyena, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, greater and lesser kudu, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, waterbuck, bushbuck and impala, and of course, the 580 recorded species of birdlife. Enjoy a game drive, walking tour and night drive. Nighttime is when Africa truly comes alive; deep, throaty roars echo through the night, when spotlights may illuminate a pride of lions on a fresh kill, these same lions that were lolling under a tree in the midday heat are suddenly alive, alert and magnificent – safari at its most exciting! (B, L, D)

Day 5 This morning there is the opportunity for a hot air balloon ride over Ruaha. (Bookable in advance at £450). Fly by privately chartered aircraft to Ikuu and transfer to Mbali Mbali Lodge in Katavi National Park; a wildlife haven not on the typical tourist trail, so remote that it has become something of a Holy Grail for safari buffs. An untouched wilderness with spectacular natural scenery, home to huge herds of buffalo and zebra. Elands and impalas gather with elephants, waterbucks and duikers around the drying water reserves while vultures stand guard watchfully, and lions and leopards search for prey. Katavi boasts an array of bird species including pelicans, storks and fish eagles, whose cry is synonymous with African water-wildernesses. After lunch we take a game drive out into the bush to begin our exploration. (B, L, D)

Days 6 & 7 The next two days are dedicated to exploring the park. Katavi boasts a wonderful diversity of habitats from reeded floodplains to open grasslands, dense forests, clear rivers and seasonal lakes. The floodplain is teeming with exquisite wildlife that make for spectacular game viewing; large pods of hippos cram the pools and crocodiles retire to caves in the mud walls of the riverbanks to wait for the rains. Explore the magnificent landscapes in search of wildlife in a safari vehicle, or set off on foot to discover the finer details of the bush. Enjoy a sundowner and listen for the sound of buffaloes crossing the savannah followed by the rumble of the lion pride in pursuit; just one of the highlights in this exclusive arena that engulfs you in wildlife theatre. (B, L, D) 

Day 8 Fly by privately chartered aircraft to Mahale. Transfer by boat to the golden beach along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, sheltered by the lush forest of the Mahale Mountains and be welcomed to Mbali Mbali Lodge. After lunch enjoy a guided nature walk. The verdant, untouched forests of this region are home to the chimpanzee and Mahale Mountains National Park is one of the best places in the world to see our closest relatives. The park is a chimpanzee sanctuary; to spend a few days searching the dense vegetation for these remarkable creatures is a captivating experience. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Begin your trek at the sandy shores of Africa’s deepest lake and follow your guide through the forest paths into the Mahale Mountains. Wind your way through ancient trees with your expert guide, it can be steep on occasion, so go prepared with a sense of humour and a good pair of walking shoes! Listen out for the whoop of chimpanzees as they dash through the canopy – you will almost certainly hear them before you see them. Once discovered you can sit quietly for an hour with them, watching their daily life as they groom, wrestle and forage across the leafy floor. An encounter with man’s closest relative is an incredible experience and one that will last long in the memory. Return to the lodge for lunch, and later, enjoy a relaxed boat safari to see the river hippos and try the local method of fishing. (B, L, D)

Day 10 After breakfast, take our second trek into the forest in search of chimpanzees. The guides and researchers know every chimpanzee by name and will tell you their history and position within the social hierarchy in their troop. Spend a further precious hour with these fascinating creatures before heading back to camp. Whilst the chimps are often not far from camp they travel quickly and on occasion the trek could be a couple of hours each way. The treks will keep you intrigued as the forest is also home to a multitude of birds and butterflies, and an array of fauna and flora including red colobus and red-tailed monkeys, vervets, warthogs, bushbucks, bushpigs and even leopards are present. The afternoon is at leisure at the lodge; you may choose to lounge on the deck or explore the waters by boat or kayak. Paddle along the sand-lined shore of Lake Tanganyika, enjoying the tranquillity and dramatic scenery around you. Look across the lake to the shores of Congo and admire the steep, forested Mahale Mountains which drop dramatically into the lake and scan the crystal clear waters for colourful cichlid fish. On the horizon, you’ll see boats sailing from Zambia at the southernmost section of the lake to Burundi in the north. (B, L, D) 

Day 11 Today we say goodbye to the bush and transfer to the airstrip for the flight to Dar es Salaam. Free time and dinner in the city before the homeward flight via Amsterdam to London. Alternatively, you may choose a different way home and extend for a further four nights, relaxing on the paradise island of Zanzibar. (B, D)

Day 12 Arrive London.

• Key
• B - Breakfast
• L - Lunch
• D - Dinner