SOUTHERN AND WESTERN TANZANIA

Day 1 Dar es Salaam

On arrival in Dar es Salaam you will be met and transferred by 45-minute drive to the Hyatt Regency Hotel where you can relax and gather your senses after your overnight flight. This modern and comfortable hotel offers a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of Dar where you can relax by the 23-metre lap pool, overlooking the harbour and Indian Ocean, and get your bearings before heading off on safari. Rooms have city or sea views.

Overnight: Oyster Bay

Day 2 - 4 Nyerere National Park

Early this morning you will be transferred to Dar Airport before flying to the Nyerere National Park. On arrival you will be met and driven to Sand Rivers, located on the banks of the Rufiji River in one of the largest, protected wildlife areas in Africa. The camp's stunning location affords unparalleled views over this impressive waterway from eight, innovatively-designed cottages. Each cottage is open-fronted to take full advantage of your natural surroundings while spacious, en-suite bathrooms with showers provide all the comforts of home.

Spend your days exploring one of the prettiest reserves in Africa and take advantage of the opportunity to make guided walks and go game viewing by boat as well as by 4WD. The game viewing here is phenomenal while the varied landscape makes for a refreshing change from savannah grasslands.

Overnight: Sand Rivers Selous

Day 5 - 7 Ruaha National Park

Today you will be flown from Nyerere to Ruaha. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Jabali Ridge, the park's latest luxury addition. Set on a rocky kopje to take advantage of stunning views, each of the eight suites nestles between boulders and there are also various places to relax including the infinity pool and spa. Spend the next two days exploring extraordinary Ruaha National Park with its arid, palm and baobab-strewn landscape, home to vast herds of buffalo and elephant as well as high densities of lion and leopard. As well as day and night game drives, guests can also enjoy wildlife viewing on foot.

Overnight: Jabali Ridge

Day 8 - 10 Mahale National Park

Today you fly to the far western edge of Tanzania and Mahale National Park.

Greystoke Mahale is set on a pristine, white sandy beach on Lake Tanganyika with a stunning backdrop of the 8000 foot Mahale Mountains rising behind it. The main mess building is the only structure that is actually on the beach and the six wood and thatched bandas are set on the edge of the forest line at the base of the mountains. Each banda comes equipped with a dressing area, an upstairs chill-out deck, as well as an en-suite bathroom with cold running water, hot bucket showers on demand and flush loos. The main activity on offer at Greystoke Mahale is the chimpanzee trekking, which is second to none and led by experienced guises, many of whom have grown up around the park. Other activities include forest walks, birding, boating on Lake Tanganyika, as well as fishing and swimming excursions. Sea swimming off the beach is not permitted and there is no pool.

Overnight: Greystoke Mahale

Day 11 Depart

Depart Ruaha and fly to Kilimanjaro where you will connect with your international flight home.