9 Day Tanzania River Safari

On this 9-Day Tanzania River Safari you will experience the awe of the Nyerere National Park (formerly the Selous National Park) and the Ruaha National Park. The Nyerere National Park is the largest game reserve in Africa with some of the most untouched areas of nature, the Ruaha National Park is set along the Great Ruaha River and is home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa.  Experience the beauty of the remoteness that makes these two destinations some of the best safari destinations in Tanzania.

9 Day Tanzania River Safari

Itinerary at a Glance:

  • Day 1

    Arrive in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Day 2

    Transfer to Rufiju River Camp, Nyerere National Park

  • Day 3 & 4

    On Safari in the Nyerere National Park

  • Day 5

    Transfer to Ruaha River Lodge, Ruaha National Park

  • Day 6 & 7

    On Safari in the Ruaha National Park

  • Day 8

    Transfer to Dar es Salaam

  • Day 9

    Departure from Tanzania

Day 1

Arrive in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Today your Tanzania safari begins, you will arrive at Dar Es Salaam International Airport where a representative will await your arrival.  You will be transferred to a selected hotel for the night on a bed-and-breakfast basis before embarking on your safari the following morning.

Day 2

Transfer to Rufiju River Camp, Nyerere National Park

After breakfast this morning you will be transferred back to the airport to board your scheduled charter flight to the Nyerere National Park. Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting to collect you at the airstrip and transfer you to Rufiji River Camp where you will spend the next three nights. Rufiji River Camp is set along the banks of the Rufiji River, the safari tents are tastefully furnished and positioned to make the most of the river views right from your own private veranda.  The main lounge and dining area are situated along the riverbank under the beautiful trees, the perfect place for a romantic dinner or to relax and watch the sunset.

Relax in the beautiful safari tents at Rufiji River Camp
Gorgeous views of the Nyerere National Park right from the deck

Day 3 & 4

On Safari in the Nyerere National Park

The Nyerere National Park (formerly the Selous National Park) spans an area of 50,000 square kilometres making it the largest National Park in Africa, with the Big 5, Little 5, plains game and some of the most stunning scenery you are sure to have an exciting time in the Nyerere National Park.  Rufiji Rover Camp offers a range of activities to keep you busy during your stay, from boating safaris to game drives and guided walking safaris.  A boating safari is a great way to explore the park and get up close to the animals you wouldn’t usually see on a game drive.  Relax by the swimming pool during the heat of the day and enjoy a decadent dinner around the boma with the sounds of the bush surrounding you.

A great way to see the Nyerere National Park is on a boating safari

Day 5

Transfer to Ruaha River Lodge, Ruaha National Park

Today you will enjoy a last morning activity and a delicious breakfast before your transfer back to the airstrip.  You will then catch your light aircraft transfer to Ruaha National Park. Upon arrival, your guide will be waiting for you and will transfer you to Ruaha River Lodge where you will spend the next three nights.  Ruaha River Lodge is situated high on the banks of the Great Ruaha River lending to some stunning views of the landscape below right from camp.  Each stone chalet is furnished with all you could need for a comfortable stay and stunning views right from your deck.  The main area has two dining areas, both overlooking the breathtaking scenery perfect for that sundowner and a cosy lounge area to relax in after dinner.

The sun streaming into your luxury chalet at Ruaha River Lodge
Dine with a stunning view of the Ruaha River

Day 6 & 7

On Safari in the Ruaha National Park

The Ruaha National Park is another large national park in Tanzania and is a great area to spot a large variety of predators.  Ruaha is home to around 10% of the world’s lion population and is the focus of many conservation efforts.  In addition to lions, you will be likely to see leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and so much more.  Ruaha is a quieter tourist destination which means the areas are truly unspoilt and remote ensuring an exhilarating safari experience.  At Ruaha River Lodge you can head out on foot with a professional guide or if you prefer a more relaxed game-viewing experience game drives are a good way to do some game-viewing.  Afternoons are spent in camp escaping the heat of the day before heading out on your late afternoon/evening activity, you return to camp in time for a delicious dinner around the campfire.

Elephant climbing the banks of the Ruaha River, Tanzania

Day 8

Transfer to Dar es Salaam

Today after breakfast and a relaxing morning in camp or one last game drive it will be time for your transfer back to the airstrip.  You will hop on your light aircraft transfer back to Dar es Salaam.  Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel for the night, enjoy your last night in Tanzania by heading out for dinner at one of the restaurants and reminisce over your incredible Tanzania safari.

Soak in the views from your private deck at Ruaha River Lodge
Light aircraft transfers will get you to Nyerere National Park and Ruaha National Park

Day 9

Departure from Tanzania

This morning or afternoon (depending on your departure flight times) you will be transferred back to the airport for your onward flight.

Tour Costs

2025
$4,850 per person sharing (1 – 4 Jan)
$4,460 per person sharing (5 Jan – 31 March)

$5,160 per person sharing (July – Oct, 24 – 31 Dec)
$4,755 per person sharing (June, 1 Nov – 23 Dec)

2026
$5,160 per person sharing (1 – 4 Jan)
$4,755 per person sharing (5 Jan – 31 March)

Price Includes

6 nights accommodation on a full board basis (Rufiji River Camp, Ruaha River Lodge)
All meals
Tea and coffee
Two daily game activities per day
All air and road transfers as per itinerary
Parks and Concession Fees
Laundry
2 nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis (A selected hotel in Dar es Salaam)

Price Excludes

International flights
Visas
Airport taxes
Items of a personal nature
Gratuities
Beverages
Meals not stated

Your Safari Planning starts here.

Learn from our experience.

Expert advice on safaris & logistics.

Supportive ‘one on one’ service.

Quick Enquire

Read Why Our Clients Love Us

Jim Campbell
Jim Campbell
01 May 2025
We asked for a holiday of a lifetime for my wife's birthday ... and Lize Enderstein and ATG certainly delivered!!! We could not have experienced such a magnificent trip without all Lize's organisation and planning. It was an absolute dream! So much so, we're looking to visit again and will certainly be using Lize for our next adventure. Nothing was too much trouble and all the planning made everything work so very smoothly. We felt like royalty throughout our trip with all sorts of birthday surprises already booked at every location. Incredible!!! We are so very grateful for everything Lize arranged and can't thank her enough and would heartily recommend Lize and ATG. Jim and Melanie xxx
Teresa Harrison
Teresa Harrison
29 January 2025
I have been using African Travel Gateway for about 30 years and not once have they let me down. My travels have been varied, visiting different countries and cultures in Africa, but with their help, it is always a magic carpet ride. Lize has been my contact for many years, and the intineries devised have been spectacular. She really understands our requirements and goes the extra mile to ensure all is OK. This time, we visited South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Everything was amazing. Our highlights, however, were La Fontaine in Franshoek and Camp Xakanaxa in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We HIGHLY recommend African Travel Gateway
Debbie Isaacs
Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
Daniel Stewart
Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!
Hilda Stanfliet
Hilda Stanfliet
27 December 2024
Amazing hotel booked by Lize of African Travel Gateway, the most attentive service leading up to holiday
Zoe Heelas
Zoe Heelas
27 November 2024
ATG were fantastic from start to finish organising our trip 3 week trip in South Africa.Communication with Debbie was excellent before and during our trip. All accommodation and trips chosen by ATG was fantastic. This is our third trip with ATG and we are already thinking about our next.
Harrison Shore
Harrison Shore
09 November 2024
We used African Travel Gateway to plan our honeymoon, and it was incredible! Putting together the itinerary was really smooth and fun - Lize sent us a few options, and was really quick to make the changes we wanted and let us know what made the most sense. The planning portal had a lot of really useful information so we knew what to expect and made the whole thing very comfortable (this was our first trip to Africa!) The itinerary we ended up with was spectacular, and very well structured. We spent most of our trip in the greater Kruger area (Kapama River Lodge then Walkers Plains Camp) and then finished in Victoria Falls (Vic Falls River Lodge) - each stop was both nicer and more wild than the last, which made for a very cool trip. Some real gems - Walkers and the camp at Victoria Falls had both been open less than a year, and were super luxurious, no way we would have found places like that on our own! And starting at Kapama, which is a bigger operation and a little more controlled (fully fenced, very close to the Hoedspruit airport) was a great way to ease into the trip. The animal viewing at all three locations was amazing - we saw the Big 5 at both camps in South Africa, plus wild dogs and a cheetah at Walkers, and not just from a distance - we were able to get up pretty close at several of the viewings. The guides were excellent at all three, same with the staff, and the other guests! Logistics were seamless - all of our transfers were easy, the lodges knew our schedule and drivers were where they needed to be exactly on time. I would absolutely recommend African Travel Gateway, and hope to work with Lize on our next safari!
Hamdan nazarudin
Hamdan nazarudin
28 September 2024
Contacted Lize to get assistance with our trip. Her help has been really great! Enquiries are replied within a short period. Even asking for last minute arrangement of extra baggage and early hotel check-in. Itinerary are also seamless at every transition of camps and location.
Archie B
Archie B
16 August 2024
Travelled across South Africa with ATG. They picked the most amazing places to stay where we felt like royalty. The planning was efficient and there was regular communication during the booking process. The knowledge of Lize was excellent and so we knew what to expect at each stage. Would we use them again? YES, of course, and we are!!! - Already planning our next trip across Namibia for next year!
yvonne omer
yvonne omer
07 August 2024
We chose African Travel Gateway because of their awesome reviews and they did not disappoint! Bianca created a fabulous itinerary combining a luxury private reserve experience, a trip to Victoria Falls, a riverboat stay viewing the animals from a different perspective, ( and BTW the best scrambled eggs we have ever tasted) and a stay at a lodge where we saw different animals and a ride on a bush plane landing in what seemed the middle of nowhere! Every connection was seamless, no stress traveling at its best.Our hosts and guides were excellent, and lovely people. The food was wonderful and of course loved the sundowner drinks and our first” Bush Bar! Would definitely go back for more adventure, thank you ATG for a lovely experience!
Jennifer Morawiecki
Jennifer Morawiecki
06 August 2024
We've just returned from an incredible two-week holiday across Botswana and Zimbabwe with African Travel Gateway. The arrangements made by Bianca were perfect, the documentation provided was extremely thorough, and every detail of our journey was meticulously planned. Communication was excellent throughout. Coming from North America, we felt it best to work with a travel agent located in Southern Africa and it was absolutely the right choice. Highly recommended!
Maria Lohan
Maria Lohan
01 August 2024
Lize helped us find accommodation in Kruger when there was practically none to be got - and t was the best place. The tours she booked were tremendous and the people she booked were great and we are very grateful and glad we had the opportunity to book with Lize. Maria & family form Belfast
Arishana Riek
Arishana Riek
03 July 2024
Tailormade itinerary with knowledgeable guides (Apartheid Museum and Cradle of Humankind).
Sivan Debeljakovic
Sivan Debeljakovic
03 July 2024
Petru, of African Travel Gateway, planned our 12-day South Africa-Zimbabwe itinerary for three of us (arriving from two continents). Her expertise, keen insights, and care in arranging the most perfect accommodation for us, prompt and efficient transfers/drivers, and booking all internal flights, meant this was the smoothest, most enjoyable holiday experience, ever! We covered a lot of ground in a short time, but the precision-timing with transfers, and Petru's choice of such knowledgeable and personable tour guides really made all the difference. Huge thanks to Natasha (Afrifriends) and Chris (Paradise)! Highlights were: The Peech Hotel in J'burg (delightful boutique hotel with a fabulous breakfast - thank you, Oliver!); Ilala Lodge in Zimbabwe; Nkorho Bush Lodge in Sabi Sand (if you want up close & personal experiences with the wildlife, this is where you need to go!); Rickety Bridge Manor House in Franschhoek (perfectly appointed and beautiful accommodation); Boschendal Winery (try the pinotage; farm shop is a must!); Woodstock Markets in Cape Town (so much to see and buy here!). We had the most exceptional holiday – we will definitely return to SA in the future, and will be utilising the expert services of Petru at ATG. Thank you again, Petru.
Sergio Santini
Sergio Santini
03 June 2024
Petru has been our reference person at African Travel Gateway: she organised our self-drive travel through South Africa during April 2024. The itinerary has been tailored according to our wishes and her suggestions. She did a great job , fully meeting our requirements and tacking care about us in real time even during the trip. We really enjoyed the safaris she proposed and we saw what has to be seen in this beautiful country for a 3 weeks visit. The TravelKey App was new for us; it is an efficient tool and has been a very positive experience, having everything filed in the HP.
Recommended on