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Southern Tanzania and the sea at Pemba, 12 days

Tanzania 12 days Safari Private, not in a group

from €6,210

per person, incl. flights from Italy Not flying from Italy? We quote flights from your airport. Request a quote

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  • Elephant on a sandy track among the acacias, in the dry season
    Elephant on a sandy track among the acacias, in the dry season
  • Coconut palms seen from below against a blue sky
    Coconut palms seen from below against a blue sky
  • Giraffe in Ruaha National Park
    Giraffe in Ruaha National Park · Photo: Richard Mortel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
  • The Sanje waterfalls in the Udzungwa Mountains
    The Sanje waterfalls in the Udzungwa Mountains · Photo: Erasmus Kamugisha · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
  • Beach on the island of Pemba
    Beach on the island of Pemba · Photo: Marcel Oosterwijk from Amsterdam, The Netherlands · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Duration
12 days, 11 nights
Departures
On request, November 2026 – December 2027
Best time
June – October
Flights and insurance
Included in the price (flights from Italy)
Guide
Italian on request
Format
Private, not in a group

The Tanzania few people see: a boat safari in Nyerere, a trek to the Sanje waterfalls in the Udzungwa Mountains, a walking safari in Ruaha. Then four nights on Pemba, the least touristy island of the Zanzibar archipelago.

Why it is unique

Three different ways of going on safari in a single journey: by boat, on foot in the forest and on foot in the savannah. Nyerere, at 30,893 km², is Tanzania’s largest national park: it was created in 2019 from the northern part of the Selous reserve, and the boat safari on the Rufiji River passes among hippos and crocodiles. Udzungwa Mountains National Park has no roads and can only be explored on foot: the Sanje waterfalls drop 170 metres, and the forest is home to two primates found nowhere else, the Udzungwa red colobus and the Sanje crested mangabey. Ruaha, over 20,000 km², is known for its great herds of elephants and its baobab landscapes.

Pemba

The second island of the Zanzibar archipelago, far less touristy than the first: clove plantations, villages and a protected coral reef around the islet of Misali.

When to go

The dry season, from June to October, is the best for sightings. During the long rains, between March and May, several camps in the south close.

What the journey is like

Distances between the southern parks are long and vehicles are few. The trek to the Sanje waterfalls takes around 4 hours with a ranger and requires good fitness.

Good to know

A visa for Tanzania and the compulsory NIC insurance (US$44) are required. For Pemba, which is part of Zanzibar, we check at booking whether Zanzibar’s mandatory insurance is also needed. The domestic flight to Pemba is to be confirmed in the quote.

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. 1Day 1Nyerere and a boat safari

    Arrival in Nyerere National Park, one of the largest in Africa, and a first boat safari on the Rufiji River. Among channels and lakes, the boat draws close to hippos, crocodiles and elephants coming down to drink.

  2. 2Day 2Nyerere

    A full day of photo safari in the park, among savannah, lakes and palm groves, in one of the best areas in Africa for encountering the African wild dog.

  3. 3Day 3Udzungwa Mountains

    Transfer to Udzungwa Mountains National Park, montane forests rich in species that live nowhere else, such as the Udzungwa red colobus.

  4. 4Day 4Trek to the Sanje waterfalls

    A walk through the rainforest to the Sanje waterfalls, some 170 metres high, with views over the Kilombero plain. A reasonable level of fitness is needed.

  5. 5Day 5Towards Ruaha

    A long transfer west to Ruaha National Park, one of the largest and least crowded in Tanzania.

  6. 6Day 6Ruaha and a walking safari

    A walking safari accompanied by a ranger, to read the tracks and observe up close what escapes you from the jeep; in the afternoon, a photo safari along the Great Ruaha.

  7. 7Day 7Ruaha

    A full day in the park, among baobabs, riverbeds and great herds of elephants. Ruaha is also home to one of the largest lion populations in East Africa.

  8. 8Day 8Flight to Pemba

    Domestic flight to the island of Pemba, in the Zanzibar archipelago: greener and far less touristy than the main island.

  9. 9Day 9Pemba, beaches and reef

    First day by the sea, among quiet beaches and coral reef, to explore with mask and fins.

  10. 10Day 10Pemba and Misali islet

    A day by the sea. On request, a boat trip to Misali, the islet at the heart of the protected coral reef: the waters of the Pemba Channel are among the richest in East Africa for snorkelling.

  11. 11Day 11Pemba, villages and cloves

    Last day on the island. On request, a visit to the villages and the clove plantations that have been Pemba’s wealth for centuries.

  12. 12Day 12Return home

    Transfer for the return flight.

What you might see

  • Elephant Very likely

    Numerous along the Rufiji and the Great Ruaha.

  • Hippo and crocodile Very likely

    In the rivers and lakes, also seen from the boat.

  • Lion Very likely

    Ruaha is home to one of the largest populations in East Africa.

  • Giraffe, zebra, impala Very likely

    Common in the southern parks.

  • African wild dog Likely

    Southern Tanzania is one of the best places to see them.

  • Leopard Likely

    Above all in Ruaha, among the baobabs and riverbeds.

  • Reef fish Very likely

    On snorkelling trips.

  • Sea turtles Likely

    On the north coast and on boat trips.

  • Dolphins Likely

    More often seen off the south coast.

Indicative estimates. Nature can’t be booked: your guide knows where to look, but can’t guarantee a sighting.

When to go

Departures on request, November 2026 – December 2027

ideal good low season not recommended

Best time: June – October. Also good in November. Tap a month to use it in your quote request.

The climate, season by season

Southern Tanzania and the coast

Jun–Oct · Dry season
Dry heat, 25–32 °C by day with cooler nights. Animals concentrate along the rivers: this is the time for boat and walking safaris in Nyerere and for Ruaha.
Nov–Mar · Hot and humid
Between 30 and 35 °C with high humidity and rain increasing from December. Dense vegetation, harder sightings.
Apr–May · Long rains
The heaviest rain of the year: many camps close and some tracks become impassable.

Zanzibar and Pemba

Jun–Oct · Dry and breezy
Between 27 and 29 °C, low humidity and a steady breeze. It is also high season.
Dec–Feb · Hot with calm seas
Between 30 and 32 °C, calm seas and very clear water.
Mar–May · Long rains
Heavy rain, especially in April: many resorts close for a few weeks.
Nov · Short rains
Brief showers, often followed by sunshine.

Indicative figures, averaged over recent years: with every quote we give you the latest picture.

Compare with other destinations and months

What the price includes

Included

  • Return international flight from Italy
  • Medical, baggage and cancellation insurance
  • Private safari by jeep with pop-up roof
  • Professional guide, Italian-speaking on request
  • Full board in upper-mid-range accommodation
  • Park entry fees, boat safari and walking safari as per the itinerary

Not included

  • Tanzanian entry visa and compulsory NIC insurance (US$44) · how to get it
  • Domestic flight to Pemba, to be confirmed with the supplier
  • Zanzibar’s mandatory insurance for Pemba, if required in addition to the NIC policy: we check this at booking · how to buy it
  • Tips and personal expenses

Before you go

Visas and documentsPassport, visas and eTA: what you need, where to apply and how far in advance.Health and safetyVaccinations, malaria, health insurance and practical advice.Your protectionWhat package travel law provides if something goes wrong.

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