Day 1 & 2 Selous Game Reserve

Covering an area of 50,000km2 Selous Game Reserve is Africa’s largest and oldest game reserve and its habitats include grasslands, typical Acacia savanna, wetlands and extensive Miombo woodlands. One of the more interesting features of the reserve is the Steigler Gorge, a canyon 100 meters deep and 100 meters wide. Selous Game Reserve is also considered to be the last true stronghold for the African wild dogs and arguably you’ll find nowhere else on the planet with greater numbers of buffalos, lions and elephants.

The Northern section of Selous is home to a grid of conduits and inlets that run off the Rufiji River. It is only on this section of the reserve that the Tanzanian government permits game driving and photographic tourism, while the rest of the reserve remains set aside for game hunting. Even during the dry season, the concentration of animals around these water sources is phenomenal.

Day 3 & 4 Ruaha National Park

The name Ruaha is derived from the Hehe word “Ruvaha” which means river. Within the park flows the Great Ruaha River that flows along a southeastern margin that is reputed for its diverse reptiles including massive crocodiles and its excellent for game viewing. The park is characterized by semi-arid type of vegetation, baobab trees, Acacia and other species. Its ecosystem supports a high diversity of plants and animals including, antelopes, buffalos and it’s believed to have the highest concentration of elephants than any other park in East Africa. Within Ruaha’s Miombo woodlands one can easily spot magnificent mammals such as the Sable and Roan antelopes and the Greater and Lesser Kudu. The park is also well known for the large packs of the endangered African Wild Dogs. Other animals in the park include lions, leopards, cheetah, giraffes, zebras, elands, impala, bat eared foxes and Jackals.

With over 571 migratory bird species recorded in the park, Ruaha is considered a bird paradise and an Important Bird Area (IBA). The dominant bird species being the Ruaha Red-billed hornbill, endemic only to central Tanzania.

The park also has a long cultural and historical significance dating back to the 1830s and 1894. Back when it was part of trade routes used by the Arab traders, European explorers (Burton and Speke), and Chief Mkwawa.

Furthermore, the park serves as a water shade for wildlife, supports agriculture downstream, and contributes to Tanzania’s hydroelectricity at Mtera and Kidatu dams.