Selous safari & Mafia Islands diving holiday

This itinerary combines a four night safari in the stunning Selous Game Reserve in southern Tanzania, with six nights on the Mafia Archipelago which is a diver’s paradise.

The Selous stretches for over 45,000km2 and is Africa's largest game park. There is abundant game in the reserve with Africa's largest buffalo and lion populations, together with one of the best chances on the continent of seeing the incredibly rare and fascinating wild dog packs.

Wildebeest, zebra, impala, hartebeest, greater kudu and eland are all common. In the heat of the afternoon herds of over fifty giraffe drink from the lakes whilst elephant herds cross the channels to the lush islands.

The bird life is exceptional and offers bird enthusiasts a great opportunity to learn about the country's colourful and exotic species. The reserve can be reached via a 40 minute flight from Dar es Salaam.

Safari activities include morning and evening game drives, walking safaris and boat trips on the Rufiji River and extensive lake systems, all with an expert wildlife guide. You can choose each day which activities you'd like to do and all are included in the price.

From the Selous you will then fly to Mafia. The Mafia Islands lie quietly in the Indian Ocean, just forty minutes flight from Dar es Salaam. Virtually unknown, these islands make up the most beautiful archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Covered in rich rainforest, thick grasslands and big baobabs, the islands are dotted with tiny villages and surrounded by barrier reefs. Much of Mafia Island itself is a Marine Park and its protected bio-diversity is fascinating to explore, from snorkelling and scuba diving to coastal forest walks and bird watching. Mafia is also rich in traditional culture and by visiting its villages you can learn about Swahili village life.

The best time of year to do this itinerary is mid June to late October. This is the dry season in East Africa and in the Selous this means game viewing is better and the climate is more comfortable. In the dry season the vegetation dies down so general game viewing is far easier. Water levels also start to drop and so wildlife tends to congregate riverside to drink. From November onwards the short rains arrive and the climate becomes more humid. The long rains arrive around late March and continue through to early June and camps and lodges in the Selous Game Reserve close down over this period as roads and airstrips are inaccessible.