Day 1London
You leave the UK today for your overnight flight to Dar es Salaam with British Airways
On arrival, you will be transferred around to the domestic terminal for your light aircraft transfer to the Selous Game Reserve. The flight takes around forty five minutes and you'll get some great views of the Rufiji River and tall borassus palms as you come in to land. A driver-guide from Selous Safari Camp will meet you at the airstrip and will drive you back to the camp where you can settle in and relax after your long journey. You can spend the heat of the day chilling out by the pool, or in the privacy of your luxury tent overlooking Lake Nzerakera, before enjoying a late afternoon activity - I think a boat safari is the perfect way to start your safari, floating on the lake watching the hippos and crocodiles which often get breathtakingly close, enjoying a drink at sunset!
You can choose from safari activities today - I'd highly recommend a walking safari - you get a totally different safari experience, focussing more on the smaller details and can practice your skills tracking some of the larger animals such as elephant and giraffe which have wandered close to camp overnight. The boat safaris are beautiful in the afternoons, taking a drink to enjoy on the boat or on the lake's sandy shore at sunset, and watching the larger animals come down to the water to drink.
Today you could perhaps do a full-day game drive, which would give you a great final day on safari, and means you can explore the varying landscapes of this very beautiful reserve more thoroughly. Hopefully you will see more of the lion prides, and possibly some of the rarer creatures such as the wild dogs, or leopard which are both fascinating to watch and would really finish off your safari part of your holiday nicely. You would take a picnic lunch with you, and your driver will stop in a shady spot under a giant baobab tree for lunch and a stretch of your legs at midday. Equally, if you just want to spend part of your day relaxing and enjoying the privacy of the camp, that's fine too!
This morning you will be taken to the Siwandu airstrip after breakfast for your Coastal Aviation light aircraft flight to Ruaha National Park. The flight takes around two hours, and on arrival at the Msembe Airstrip, you'll be met by a driver from Kwihala Camp to take you to the camp, doing a game drive on the way. You can take it easy this afternoon, or go on a game drive to explore this very different park!
Today you can go on morning and afternoon game drives with Kwihala Camp in shared vehicles, returning to the camp for lunch. The Ruaha National Park has abundant wildlife, including lion, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and kudu, most of which you're likely to find not far from the camp.
You can choose from morning and afternoon game drives today or perhaps you'd like to do a full day game drive, taking a packed lunch with you to enjoy in a shady spot at midday and giving you more of a chance to explore this very beautiful and wild national park. I found the birdlife here amazing and my personal favourites are the lilac-breasted rollers, who light up the skies as they fly from tree to tree, often right alongside your safari vehicle.
You will game drive to the airstrip today for your light aircraft transfer to Mafia Island. As you come in to land on the main island, you can enjoy some great views of the pristine coral reefs which surround the islands. A driver from Kinasi Lodge will meet you at the airstrip and will transfer you back to the lodge, which is located on the east coast in the marine conservation area. You can have some lunch and spend the rest of the day chilling out on the beach, by the pool or from the comfort of your balcony.
You have today completely free to relax and unwind after your safari! If you need a bit of pampering, you can make the most of the new spa at Kinasi, or just sit on the beach or by the pool for the day.
Today is free for your choice of activities or relaxation. Kinasi Lodge has its own dive centre with brand new equipment and its well worth a trip out on a traditional dhow boat to some of the untouched reefs nearby which are bursting with marine life.
Today is free for more activities or relaxing by the beach. You could visit the swahili ruins at Chole Island which is opposite Kinasi Lodge, or take a guided village walk to meet some of the residents of Mafia and see how they live.
Today is free to do as you choose, you can either relax by the pool with a good book or perhaps take advantage of the amazing marine life by doing a spot of snorkelling.
I've recommended you take a day trip to the Marimbani sandbank today - or one of your other days in Mafia - which is a beautiful stretch of white sand exposed at low tide where you can sunbathe, enjoy a picnic lunch, and snorkel. It's a lovely, peaceful way to spend a day and would be a nice way to end your trip!
You will have most of the day at leisure before being taken to the airstrip in the afternoon for your return flight to Dar es Salaam. From here you will continue on your overnight flight to London.