4-Day Ruaha Fly-in Safari from Dar es Salaam
Fly from Dar es Salaam to Ruaha National Park, one of Tanzania's largest parks, for three nights in a tented camp with all meals and the camp's game drives included.
Ruaha covers more than 20,000 square kilometres of bush, rocky hills, baobab trees and river valleys. It receives far fewer visitors than the northern parks, so you may well have a sighting to yourself.
In the dry season much of the life gathers along the Great Ruaha River, where elephants, buffalo, giraffes and many antelope come to drink. The park is known for its lions, and greater kudu, which you are unlikely to see in the north, live here too. With luck you may also see leopards, cheetahs or wild dogs.
You stay in a tented camp in the park, and the camp's own guides take you on game drives in its vehicles, usually shared with other guests.
Highlights
- Return scheduled flights between Dar es Salaam and the Msembe airstrip in Ruaha
- Three nights in a tented camp, full board
- Morning and afternoon game drives with the camp's guides
- Elephants, lions and giraffes among baobabs and river valleys
- Far fewer vehicles than in the northern parks
What to bring
- Your passport
- A soft bag (about 15 kg per person on the plane)
- Neutral-coloured clothes and a warm layer for early mornings
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sun cream
- Binoculars and a camera
Route Map
- By air
- Day of the trip
Lines show the order of travel, not the exact roads.
You fly from Dar es Salaam to the Msembe airstrip in Ruaha on a scheduled light aircraft. The flight takes about 2 to 2½ hours, depending on the route and any stops on the way. The camp's vehicle meets you at the airstrip, and after settling in you go out on your first game drive in the afternoon.
Overnight: Tented camp in Ruaha National Park
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to be out, so the day follows the rhythm of the bush: a game drive after an early coffee, back to camp for brunch or lunch and a rest in the heat of the day, then out again until the light fades.
Your guide reads the tracks and the alarm calls of other animals, and knows where the elephants come down to the river to drink.
Overnight: Tented camp in Ruaha National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Another day of game drives. Depending on the camp and the season, you may take a picnic lunch and go further into the park, or come back to camp between drives.
Overnight: Tented camp in Ruaha National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depending on your flight time, you have a last morning game drive or a relaxed breakfast before the camp takes you to the airstrip for your flight back to Dar es Salaam.
Meals: Breakfast
Price Per Person, By Group Size
| Group Size | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $2,790 |
| 2 People | $2,450 |
| 3 People | $2,390 |
| 4 People | $2,390 |
| 5 People | $2,350 |
| 6 People | $2,350 |
Price per person in US dollars, based on the number of people travelling together and sharing tents. Groups of 7 or more: price on request.
The price includes our current estimates of the flight costs and the camp rate. We confirm the final price in writing before you book.
Light aircraft usually allow about 15 kg of luggage per person, in a soft bag. Flights can be delayed by the weather or by air traffic; if that happens, we adjust the day.
Trip Notes
- Start and end: Dar es Salaam airport
- The tented camp is named after booking
- Game drives are run by the camp and are usually shared with other guests
- Light aircraft allow about 15 kg per person in a soft bag
Includes
- Return scheduled flights between Dar es Salaam and the Msembe airstrip in Ruaha
- Transfers between the airstrip and the camp
- 3 nights in a tented camp, full board
- The camp's game drives with its own guides
- Ruaha National Park entry fees
- Drinking water on game drives
Excludes
- International flights
- Accommodation and transfers in Dar es Salaam
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania's compulsory inbound travel insurance for foreign visitors (44 US dollars per person, from 1 October 2026)
- Tips for the camp staff and guides
- Drinks not included in the camp's meal plan
- Optional activities that the camp charges extra for
- Any government increase in park fees or taxes after booking
Questions Travellers Ask
How long is the flight from Dar es Salaam to Ruaha?
About 2 to 2½ hours on a scheduled light aircraft, depending on the route and any stops on the way. We send you the exact times when we confirm your booking.
Are the game drives private?
Not usually. The camp's guides run the game drives in the camp's vehicles, which are normally shared with other guests. Ask us if you would like a private vehicle, at extra cost.
When is the best time to visit Ruaha?
June to October is the dry season, when the grass is short and animals gather near the rivers, so they are easier to find. Some camps close during the wettest months, so ask us about your dates.
What animals can we see in Ruaha?
Elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, impalas, hippos and crocodiles are common, and Ruaha is known for its lions. Greater kudu live here too. Leopards, cheetahs and wild dogs are seen more rarely, and no sighting can be guaranteed.
Is the price per person or per group?
Per person, for the number of people travelling together. For example, two people pay $2,450 each, $4,900 in total.
