Epic Southern Tanzania

Selous, Ruaha & Fanjove Island
12 nights private tour from $11,900 per person

Get ready to dive into the wilderness of southern Tanzania on an off-grid safari and beach getaway. We’ve handpicked the most stylish camps and lodges so you can immerse yourself in this barely touched land in luxury, with some extraordinary experiences along the way. Explore the Selous by river and wander through the baobab dotted landscapes of Ruaha. Journey across the azure ocean to a private island retreat, which promises days filled with tranquillity, indulgence and a dose of adventure.

Epic Southern Tanzania
At a glance
  • Siwandu’s lakeside location means you’ll be spoiled with wildlife sightings, as you laze on your private veranda gazing out with a gin and tonic in hand.

  • Ruaha is Tanzania’s best kept game viewing secret. With very few visitors, you will experience an exclusive and rewarding safari.

  • Sink into serenity on Fanjove Private Island and enjoy this exquisite natural setting all to yourself.

  • Delight your taste buds with a grilled seafood dinner under a blanket of star constellations on your private island.

Journey highlights
  • Siwandu’s lakeside location means you’ll be spoiled with wildlife sightings, as you laze on your private veranda gazing out with a gin and tonic in hand.

  • Ruaha is Tanzania’s best kept game viewing secret. With very few visitors, you will experience an exclusive and rewarding safari.

  • Sink into serenity on Fanjove Private Island and enjoy this exquisite natural setting all to yourself.

  • Delight your taste buds with a grilled seafood dinner under a blanket of star constellations on your private island.

  • Epic itinerary:Our Epic Journeys offer unforgettable cutting-edge hotels, experiences and restaurants with a focus on design, fashion and innovation
Our tailor made journeys include:
  • Your dedicated Travel Expert who will take care of arrangements
  • Private international airport transfers in destination
  • Your own private, English-speaking local guides
  • Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
  • Entrance to must-see local sites
  • Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
  • Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support

When to visit

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Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit

Tanzania is a large country, with a varied climate. Generally, the long rains run from March to May - the temperature is warm and the humidity is high. June to October is the long dry season, and the short rains are in November and December, much lighter than the long rains. January and February are again dry (the short dry season) so this is another good time to visit. The wildebeest migration happens most of year in Tanzania's Serengeti, and is linked to the rainfall.

Itinerary

Fly to Dar es Salaam
Day 1-4

Selous Game Reserve

Arrive into Dar Es Salaam, where you will be met by an airline representative and assisted to the domestic terminal, to hop onboard a light aircraft flight to the Selous Game Reserve. Flying over this labyrinth of waterways, wetlands and vast, verdant forests you will arrive at the airstrip and meet your guide. Your safari begins now as you pass towering giraffes in the late afternoon sun and arrive at Siwandu Camp. The camp has a remote location on the shores of Lake Nzerakera and has a luxurious simplicity about it. After a revitalising welcome drink, unwind on the decking of your elegant tent and in the distance, watch a herd of elephants drinking at the riverside, kicking up the dust in the glow of the evening sun. As the sky darkens, join the campfire with a glass of wine in hand and listen to the sound of hyenas cackling in the distance. Siwandu pride themselves on the dining experience and you will relish in this gourmet cuisine before sinking into your king size bed for the night.
The following days will be spent exploring this unspoiled region, mostly in an open game vehicle, tracking animals such as lions and leopard and seeing an abundance of giraffe in between. One of the huge draws to the Selous are the waterways teeming with birdlife; take a boat out onto Rufiji River and observe the vibrant colors of kingfishers and African skimmers as you float past pods of hippos.

Accommodation: Siwandu ( 3 nights )
Day 4-8

Ruaha National Park

This morning, rise early to the sounds of exotic bird calls and watch the glow of the sun peeking through your tent, illuminating your bed. Enjoy a cup of roasted coffee before heading out on your final game drive in the Selous, before you board your light aircraft flight to Ruaha National Park.
Landing in this unadulterated wilderness dotted with acacia and baobab trees, your guide will game drive you to Jongomero Camp, your home for the next three nights.  Blending in beautifully with the natural surroundings, this camp exudes elegance and style. Jongomero’s expert guides will take you out on full day explorations, so not to miss out on any action; follow a lioness and wait in anticipation for a hunt without the disturbance of other vehicles. Engage all of your senses as you embark on a walking safari; learn about the intricacies of termite mounds and track big game on foot, then spend the night under a net of star constellations, as you camp out in the depths of the wild. Let your excitement wander.

Accommodation: Jongomero ( 4 nights )
Day 8-13

Zanzibar and the coast

Exotic, beach-bliss awaits.  Catch your light aircraft flight back to Dar Es Salaam and then connect on to a flight to Songo Songo Island. From here you will board a traditional wooden dhow boat and sail across the brilliant blue ocean to Fanjove Private Island, with pods of dolphins zipping past you along the way. As you step out on the talcum-soft sand, you will be greeted by the lodge staff with drinks and cold towels in hand, eager to welcome to you into their tropical island home. This Robinson Crusoe style lodge encased with palms trees and lush vegetation is the ultimate place to totally switch off from the outside world. For the next 5 nights, activities will be at your own pace.  Take a kayak and glide along the reefs surrounding the island, spotting marine life along the way. At low tide snorkel around a secluded sand bank before enjoying a delicious grilled fish lunch, cooked for you by your private chef. Take to the waters on a traditional dhow boat in search of bottlenose and spinner dolphins. Or sink into pure tranquillity on the beach. The choice is yours.

Accommodation: Fanjove Private Island ( 5 nights )
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you.
Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday.

Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and excludes international flights)

Departing Price from*
  • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
  • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
  • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
Deposit from * Enquire
June 2024 $11,900 $3,000 plan your trip
July 2024 $11,000 $2,800 plan your trip
August 2024 $11,000 $2,800 plan your trip
September 2024 $11,000 $2,800 plan your trip
October 2024 $11,000 $2,800 plan your trip
November 2024 $11,900 $3,000 plan your trip
December 2024 $11,500 $2,900 plan your trip
January 2025 $11,000 $2,800 plan your trip
February 2025 $11,900 $3,000 plan your trip
March 2025 $11,900 $3,000 plan your trip
  • June 2024
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $11,900
    Deposit from*
    $3,000
  • July 2024
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $11,000
    Deposit from*
    $2,800
  • August 2024
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $11,000
    Deposit from*
    $2,800
  • September 2024
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $11,000
    Deposit from*
    $2,800
  • October 2024
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $11,000
    Deposit from*
    $2,800
  • November 2024
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $11,900
    Deposit from*
    $3,000
  • December 2024
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $11,500
    Deposit from*
    $2,900
  • January 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $11,000
    Deposit from*
    $2,800
  • February 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $11,900
    Deposit from*
    $3,000
  • March 2025
    Price from *
    • Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
    • Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
    • Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
    $11,900
    Deposit from*
    $3,000
  • plan your trip

Top Things to Do Nearby


Your Hotels


When to visit

  • J
  • F
  • M
  • A
  • M
  • J
  • J
  • A
  • S
  • O
  • N
  • D
Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit

Tanzania is a large country, with a varied climate. Generally, the long rains run from March to May - the temperature is warm and the humidity is high. June to October is the long dry season, and the short rains are in November and December, much lighter than the long rains. January and February are again dry (the short dry season) so this is another good time to visit. The wildebeest migration happens most of year in Tanzania's Serengeti, and is linked to the rainfall.

Epic Southern Tanzania
Epic Southern Tanzania

We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itineraryis a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your vacation.

Plan your trip

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