Suggested Itinerary
HIGHLIGHTS
- Relax in barefoot luxury on the beaches of the Swahili Coast
- Snorkel to a shipwreck under clear blue waters
- Stay in a tree house stilted above the shore of a river
- Spot cats, antelopes, giraffes, elephants and buffalo in their habitats
- Gain exclusive views of wild, unspoiled wilderness
Day 1: Dar es Saalam – Swahili Coast
Ras Kutani
Welcome to Dar es Salaam! Start your honeymoon with a short 25km journey to Ras Kutani – a slice of paradise on the Swahili Coast. Choose between an easy 10-minute flight from the domestic terminal to a private airstrip or a fascinating 90-minute drive through the outskirts of bustling Dar es Salaam on roads lined with mango and coconut trees down to the haven of Ras Kutani.
Land in the tranquil Indian Ocean shores of Tanzania. The beach camp is sympathetically designed to blend into this wonderful environment and allow guests to feel they are truly in Africa. Ras Kutani is pure castaway luxury, set alone on a pristine beach of white sands, cooled by the Indian Ocean, and encased in coastal forest with fluttering butterflies, colorful bird life, and chattering monkeys. Shake off any tension and immerse yourselves in the spirit of relaxation and indulgence that is Ras Kutani’s specialty. Take the opportunity to enjoy the natural nirvana of Ras Kutani by taking long walks along the beach or through the coastal forest, watch turtles hatch, or catch a glimpse of a passing humpback whale. There is always plenty to do between relaxing!
Days 2-3: Swahili Coast
Ras Kutani
Truly relax your body after a long flight by indulging in a massage, facial, or beauty treatment – available at the onsite spa. Acclimatize to Tanzanian living with effortless days under beach sunshades. Explore the shipwreck just off the shores by snorkeling or kayaking in the lagoon. Snorkel equipment, boogie boards, and kayaks are all freely available for guests to use.
Nature lovers will find their pleasure close to home. The tropical, coastal forest behind the lodge boasts some 132 different species of trees, in which one can watch the antics of four species of monkey, including the spectacular black-and-white colobus. Enjoy cocktails and sunsets at the beach bar, followed by dinners in unique locations.
Days 4-5: Saadani National Park
Saandani River Lodge
After 3 days of relaxation, get ready for the safari portion of your trip. You will fly a short flight to Saadani National Park to Saadani River Lodge, your home for the next 2 nights.
The 17 stilted suites of Sanctuary Saadani River Lodge are the epitome of ‘luxury, naturally’, built for rest and relaxation on the southern shore of the Wami River close to the Saadani National Park. The guest tree houses blend into the natural scenery on their stilts with traditional thatched roofs. In addition, for the ultimate secluded escape, River Lodge’s Wami Suite is a private villa with its own infinity pool, two bedrooms and bathrooms, a living room and dining room. The lodge offers guests a range of activities including game drives and river excursions. The in-house spa provides indulgent massages to enjoy between activities.
Saadani National Park is one of the last remaining protected coastal areas in Africa, allowing native plants and abundant wildlife to flourish. Guests are likely to catch sight of cats, antelopes, giraffes, elephants and buffalo. Lions and leopards enjoy relaxing in cooler spots waiting for the sun to set. Encounters with other vehicles during game drives are uncommon and game drives occur in the early morning and late afternoon/evening when the temperature is most agreeable to both guests and the wildlife.
A great place to encounter the local wildlife is the Wami River. Bird watchers are in for a treat with the overwhelming abundance of birds in their natural habitat. Our river excursions start right from the lodge and journey down towards the mouth of the river encountering hippos and crocodiles whilst the monkeys and birds watch from the trees lining the water. There’s so much wildlife in the area, no river excursion is quite the same as another.
Days 6-7: Selous Game Reserve
Sand Rivers Lodge
Take a short flight to your first stop in Selous National Park. Each room at Sand Rivers Lodge has panoramic views out over the great Rufiji River. The only noises you will hear are those of the wildlife.
The Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest faunal reserves of the world, located in the south of Tanzania. The Selous was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 due to the diversity of its wildlife and undisturbed nature. Larger numbers of elephant, hippo, lion, wild dog, cheetah, cape buffalo, giraffe and crocodile can be found in this park than in any other African game reserve or national park.
Become absorbed in this exceptional corner of the world in game drives, walking and river excursions. At the end of the day, the drinks are cold and there’s always good stories to be told.
Days 8-10: Selous National Park
Beho Beho Camp
A five-minute flight takes you to another jewel in the Selous crown: Beho Beho. The first camp to be built in Selous, Beho Beho sits in the cooling highlands above a beautiful valley and has the atmosphere of a very private home situated in the middle of the African bush. Its special location designates it as one of the most magical places to visit whilst on safari.
Your spacious and airy “banda” has been designed as a comfortable home away from home. Take in the view from huge comfy chairs big enough to curl up in, a truly ‘king-sized’, mosquito netted double bed or a Zanzibari day bed. The verandah itself reveals what must be one of the most magnificent views in Africa – a wild, unspoilt wilderness stretching out to the far horizon liberally sprinkled with a wide variety of ‘big game’!
All meals at Beho Beho are taken ‘family style’ with guests and guides sitting together. Dinner is always the main event of the day, either under the stars, on the ‘parade ground’, by the pool, or even in the bush – you can rest assured that wherever it is it will be a memorable experience.
Day 11: Departure
Today take your leave from the wilderness and embark on a short flight back to Dar to connect with your international departure.
Interested in booking this itinerary or customizing a trip to Tanzania? Get in touch with a private travel designer!
