Tanzania expedition, Rufiji River descent

Over 15 days this expedition will penetrate deep into the African bush in the truly immense Selous Game Reserve. For the first week we will explore on foot – by far the most exciting and rewarding safari experience.

Guided by our knowledgeable and professional team, we will witness the bountiful wildlife and enjoy splendid wilderness camps.

Upon reaching the Rufiji river and our permanent luxurious safari camp we will explore the surrounding rivers, lakes and forest by four wheel drive vehicles and boats.

After we leave the interior we shall drive east to the coast and down to the island of Kilwa Kisiwani where we will see the ancient ruins, swim at quiet sandy beaches, dive or snorkel the coral gardens or simply relax at our unique resort.

Expedition highlights include:

• Walking in the African bush – the most rewarding way to experience safari
• Luxury fly camps under huge starry skies surrounded by the sounds of the night
• Observing the animals in the river and at the lakeside on a boat safari
• Fascinating ancient ruins and spectacular marine life of the Indian Ocean at our island resort

Tanzania is a wild, adventurous and naturally diverse country. It contains Africa’s biggest mammal population, three quarters of east Africa’s plant species and the continent’s second largest number of bird species. A totally compelling destination for lovers of the outdoors and the natural world, its mainly undiscovered coastline bordering the warm clear waters of the Indian Ocean boasts superb beaches, unexplored offshore islands, beautiful coral reefs, large sea mammals and exotic tropical fish. With its rich seafaring history and ancient ruins, Tanzania’s coastline is a fascinating cultural experience as well as being a diver’s and snorkeller’s paradise.

The Selous, home to 750,000 mammals, is considered by safari connoisseurs to be one of the finest reserves for viewing game, not least because of the very few other guests whilst on safari; the amount of visitors to the reserve is severely limited by the relatively small number of camps within the boundaries of the park and the sheer immensity of the area - equivalent to the size of Switzerland.

Walking safaris are the most rewarding and unobtrusive way to observe the surrounding wildlife. We shall follow spoor, detect the unusual insects, hear the sounds of beasts and birds, notice the indigenous fauna and sight magnificent mammals from ground level. Always under the protection of an armed ranger and with the benefit of a local crew added to the unparalleled experience of camping in the bush, this is a thrilling, inspiring and magical expedition.

We expect to see lions, elephants, giraffe, hippopotamus, zebra, crocodiles, wildebeest, warthog, buffalo, kudu, impala, hyena, baboon, colobus and vervet monkeys, plus a myriad of bird life. We also hope to see leopards, cheetah and African wild dogs and many of the other numerous African animals found in the Selous.