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FROM US$7,350-US$9,360

Spotted Hyena Fly-in Safari

Stay in one of Nyerere National Park's best safari camps before experiencing a truly authentic tented camp in Ruaha. Remote locations, superb guiding and a range of activities await guests during this comfortable fly-in safari.

Spotted Hyena Fly-in Safari: Summary

Spotted hyena safari in a nutshell

This fly-in safari includes two contrasting camps within two of southern Tanzania’s spectacularly diverse wildlife havens. Each camp offers a high standard of comfort from different styles of accommodation, boasting beautiful views over Nyerere National Park's Rufiji and Ruaha’s Ifuguru rivers.

Sand Rivers Camp is renowned as one of the best safari camps in Nyerere National Park. Here, guests will benefit from a classic, luxurious design and enjoy exclusivity from a particularly wild and remote part of the reserve. After returning from the available drives, bush walks and boating trips, guests may also observe the local wildlife and spectacular range of birds from the comfort of a marshland hide or opt for a night of fly-camping.

Kigelia then offers an authentically traditional tented safari, where full game drives are available to explore the expansive open plains and rolling hills of Ruaha. With dramatic scenery, varied wildlife and considerably fewer camps than most national parks, Ruaha’s safari experience is one to remember.

Polarised in style, both camps are run by the same supplier, renowned for its excellent-quality guiding. Guests will enjoy a consistency in comfort from two contrasting camps, each situated in wonderfully remote and wild locations and may also benefit from seasonal long-stay discounts. This is a perfect safari for those seeking first-rate guiding, a range in scenery and wildlife and a multitude of activities.

At a glance

Starts: Dar es Salaam International Airport
4 nights Sand Rivers Camp - Nyerere National Park, Tanzania Full Board
3 nights Kigelia Camp - Ruaha National Park, Tanzania Full Board
Ends: Dar es Salaam International Airport

Sand Rivers Camp

Days 1-5

Sand Rivers was founded by safari legend Richard Bonham, famous for pioneering walking safaris in the Selous. Its site, deep inside Nyerere National Park (previously known as the Selous Game Reserve) and overlooking a wide curve of the Rufiji River lined with sand banks and girdled by rocky outcrops, was spotted when he explored this region with writer and traveller Peter Matthiessen. The camp, now owned by one of Tanzania's – in fact Africa's – very best camp owners and safari logistics companies, has a well-deserved, long-standing reputation as one of Tanzania's top safari camps.

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Kigelia Camp

Days 5-8

Set on the banks above the Ifuguru sand river in Ruaha National Park, Kigelia is a tented camp that takes its name from the grove of sausage trees, Kigelia africana, where it nestles. With only six well-positioned tents, the camp aims to blend in with the surrounding bush, causing minimal environmental impact.

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Sand Rivers Camp

Sand Rivers Camp

Nyerere National Park, Tanzania

Kigelia Camp

Kigelia Camp

Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Spotted Hyena Fly-in Safari.

  • Taking a dip in the hot springs of Lake Tagalala
  • Watching for 400+ bird species from a marshland hide
  • Learning from top-quality guides during bush walks
  • Experiencing the bush by night during moonlit drives
  • Counting the numbers in Ruaha's large lion prides

Activities

Some activities which can be included in the Spotted Hyena Fly-in Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.

  • 4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

  • Fishing

  • Fly-camping

  • Guided walking safari

  • Hot air ballooning

  • Night drive

About image

Key species to see on the Spotted Hyena Fly-in Safari

Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Spotted Hyena Fly-in Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.


Buffalo

100% chance

Elephant

100% chance

Giraffe

100% chance

Hippo

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Lion

99% chance

Eland

95% chance

Spotted Hyena

95% chance

Wildebeest

89% chance

Leopard

67% chance

Wild dog

46% chance

Sable antelope

18% chance

Roan antelope

17% chance

Striped Hyena

12% chance

Cheetah

10% chance

Aardvark

0% chance

Black Rhino

0% chance

Pangolin

0% chance

Side-trips whilst on this safari

We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Spotted Hyena Fly-in Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.


Balloon Safari over Ruaha

Balloon Safari over Ruaha

Three hours - one hour flight

Varied and scenically stunning, Ruaha National Park features rolling hills, woodlands, open plains and two wide meandering rivers: the Ruaha and the Mwagusi. What better way to view it than from the air, at sunrise? A balloon safari offers just this, the landscape unfolding below your basket as you float almost silently above.

More about Ballooning in Ruaha

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