The Quiet South

Picked up in Dar es Salaam for the roughly five-hour drive down the Kilwa Road to Mtemere Gate — one of the largest conservation areas in the world, protected since 1896 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Lunch on arrival, then a two-hour sunset boat safari on the Rufiji River for hippo, crocodile and river birds. Day two is a full day of game driving in a pop-up-roof Land Cruiser, picnic lunch included, tracking elephant, buffalo, lion, giraffe and zebra. Two nights at Rufiji River Camp.

An early two-hour walking safari in Nyerere before breakfast, then the long 7–8 hour drive north to Mikumi through mountain scenery and village roads. A full day of game driving follows — baboon, zebra, impala and the local Mikumi giraffe, a reticulated–Maasai cross, with lion frequently sighted, buffalo on the Mkata floodplain, and the hippo pool best visited in late afternoon. Two nights at Vuma Hills Tented Camp.

An hour's drive to Udzungwa, then a guided trek to the Sanje Waterfalls — a 200-metre drop through rainforest with views over the Kilombero floodplain, two further pools for swimming, and a picnic lunch at the top before the escarpment trail back down. Overnight at Udzungwa Falls Lodge.

Drive through Iringa and the Kitonga Hills, with views of the Great Rift Escarpment and the Great Ruaha River, arriving with a game drive en route to Ruaha River Lodge. Ruaha is nearly the size of the Serengeti and sits where several vegetation zones meet — greater and lesser kudu, sable and roan antelope, and over 350 bird species, with lion, leopard, hyena and wild dog hunting the riverbanks. A full second day to explore at will. Two nights at Ruaha River Lodge.

A final sunrise game drive to Msembe Airstrip for the 10:45 flight back to Dar es Salaam, landing 13:15, with a complimentary transfer on to your hotel or the international airport.