46 F O R R E S E R V A T I O N S C A L L U S O N 0845 130 6982 Ruaha National Park Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s second largest and one of its wildest. Only the area around the Ruaha River has been developed for tourism, and because of its remote location even this sees relatively few visitors, thus preserving a massive chunk of raw African wilderness in a totally unspoilt state. Activities centre on the river, which during the dry season is very low, with the remaining rock pools swarming with huge crocodiles and grunting Hippos fighting for space. The park protects a wide variety of habitats because it is an important transition zone where eastern and southern species of flora and fauna overlap and in all some 1,650 plant species and over 450 bird species have been recorded within the park itself. The birdlife is amazing here and includes ibises, herons, stilts, kingfishers and owls are regularly sighted. The varying habitats of the park are home to numerous eagle species including Martial, Black, Long-crested, and of course Bateleur. Shrikes, weavers, waxbills, fire-finches, and both Palebilled, and Von der Decken’s Hornbill are found in the dry bushland. Ruaha is known for its large Elephant and Cape Buffalo herds, Greater, and Lesser Kudu, Sable, and Roan Antelope. There are high numbers of predators including Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and the increasingly rare Wild Dog. Ruaha has an excellent all-weather road network which makes it particularly stunning in the green season with huge numbers of migrating birds. The south-western area of the country where Ruaha is located has the lowest rainfall in Tanzania. June to November is driest with the focus of wildlife viewing around the river courses and permanent waterholes. Ruaha River Lodge was the first permanent camp to be built in Ruaha. It occupies a unique position on the banks of the Ruaha River cleverly built around a rocky outcrop and melts into the environment more or less unnoticed. Every effort is made to ensure that the lodge has little impact on the surroundings environment. Each thatched cottage is constructed from local stone. Mwagusi a small tented camp on the banks of the dry Mwagusi river. There are just nine tents, each within a thatched banda, in keeping with a traditional Tanzanian style and blending with the surrounding bush. Food is freshly prepared and delicious. Mdonya Old River Camp is one of the parks newest camps and is located in the west. It has just 11 tents. The camp has cleverly constructed hides at both ends of the camp, where you can sit and watch the game pass by. The dining and lounge tents are located under shady trees overlooking the dry riverbed. Jongomero Camp is the only camp in the remote southwestern corner of the park, with just eight spacious safari tents. The ceilings are vaulted and traditionally constructed to ensure a cool breeze. There is also a small swimming pool that looks a little like a rock pool ideal for cooling off in the heat of the day. Gombe Stream National Park Gombe Stream National Park lies just north of Kigoma Town in Western Tanzania. The park occupies just 52 square kilometres of land making it the smallest park in Tanzania. Despite its tiny size the park is magnificent and was made world-famous by the British researcher of primates, Jane Goodall. In this park without roads all game-viewing is enjoyed on foot. The biggest attraction is the highly habituated Chimpanzees, which number around 100, but there are also large numbers of Olive Baboons and other monkeys including both as Red Colobus, and Blue Monkeys. The birdlife is extraordinary with more than 200 species of birds recorded. Gombe receives visitors throughout the year but the best times to visit are during the dry season, which is between May to October and during the short rains of January and February. Suggested itineraries The Best of the South Day 1. Depart London for Dar-es-Salaam Day 2. Selous Game Reserve, 3-nights [B, L, D] Day 5. Ruaha, 3-nights [B, L, D] Day 8. Depart for the UK via Dar-es-Salaam [B] Day 9. Arrive home Highlights of Tanzania & Zanzibar Day 1. Depart the UK for Arusha via Nairobi Day 2. Lake Manyara, 1-night [B, L, D] Day 3. Serengeti, 2-nights [B, L, D] Day 5. Ngorongoro Crater, 1-night [B, L, D] Day 6. Tarangire, 2-nights [B, L, D] Day 8. Fly to Stone Town, Zanzibar, 1-night [B] Day 9. Zanzibar Beach, 3-nights [B, D] Day 12. Depart for the UK via Dar-es-Salaam [B] Day 13. Arrive home Ruaha & Katavi Special Day 1. Depart UK for Dar-es-Salaam via Nairobi Day 2. Dar-es-Salaam, 1-night [B] Day 3. Ruaha, 3-nights [B,L,D] Day 6. Katavi, 4-nights [B,L,D] Day 10. Dar-es-Salaam, 1-night [B,L] Day 11. Depart for UK via Nairobi [B] Day 12. Arrive home Cost per person: From £2,850 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, transfers, meals as indicated & guided activities Accommodation: Safari lodges Departure dates: Saturdays, May to October Cost per person: Jan to Mar, 28 May to 10 Jul, 22 Aug to Oct £2,250 Apr to 27 May £1,895 11 Jul to 21 Aug £2,595 Nov to 8 Dec £2,095 9 to 24 Dec £2,495 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, transfers, meals as indicated & guided activities Accommodation: Hotels & lodges Departure dates: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, throughout the year (Supplements apply for departures during Christmas & Easter) Cost per person: Jan to 21 Mar, Nov to 8 Dec £2,195 Jun to 10 July, 22 Aug to Oct, 25 to 31 Dec £2,295 11 Jul to 21 Aug £2,695 9 to 24 Dec £2,595 21 Mar to 31 May Selous Game Reserve closed Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, transfers, meals as indicated & guided activities Accommodation: Lodge & camps Departure dates: Daily, throughout the year [We have based our prices on Rufiji River Camp in the Selous and Ruaha River Lodge in Ruaha. Supplements apply for stays at the other properties - do please ask us for details.] Ruaha River

S E E U S O N T H E W E B AT wildlifeworldwide.com Katavi National Park Katavi is one of the upcoming tourist attractions in Tanzania and has become part of the new western circuit. It is unspoiled, raw and with unique attractions. Like the other western parks, Katavi's remoteness results in low visitor numbers and is ideal for those who prefer game-viewing in peace and solitude. This undiscovered wilderness is awash with plains game including Elephant, Leopard, giraffe, Lion and zebra. This is a place for the wildlife connoisseur to see Sable, Roan Antelope and Puku. Birdwatching is also excellent, with over 400 species recorded. The tents at Katavi Wilderness Camp are set on large wooden decks craftily hidden amongst the trees, providing both shade and camouflage. It is not a luxurious camp and has simple, comfortable décor. Chada Camp is a simple tented camp in a stunning location. There are just six large safari tents here with big gauze windows and great views. Mahale National Park Mahale National Park is located on the shores of enormous Lake Tanganyika 120 kilometres south of Kigoma and takes its name from the chain of mountains that bisects the park north to south. With more than 700 Chimpanzees, Mahale is considered one of the best parks in Africa for viewing them. The area is inhabited by a wide range of mammals including Elephants, giraffes, Cape Buffalos and Lions. It is also one of Africa’s best beach locations and offers superb swimming, sailing, snorkelling and fishing on the vast blue freshwater lake. Charter flights to and from Mahale operate several times a week. Greystoke Camp has only six rooms. The camp has recently been refurbished and rebuilt using recycled timbers from abandoned dhows. A tremendous amount of ingenuity has gone into the construction and it is a great place to stay. The rooms have open decks reached by ladders. The food is all fresh (often fish from the lake) and meals are regularly served on the beach. Mikumi National Park Mikumi National Park is a protected area of outstanding natural beauty and high biodiversity. It is the closest park to Dar-es-Salaam, nestled between the Uluguru and the Rubeho mountains. As part of the Selous ecosystem, it benefits from a high game density and supports a wide range of large mammals including Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, jackal, giraffe, Sable Antelope, Burchell’s Zebra, Eland, Litchtenstein's Hartebeest and Cape Buffalo. Like Ruaha or Selous it is still possible to spend a day in the park without seeing another tourist vehicle. At the southern end of the flood plain, in the Kikoboga area, live families of Yellow Baboon. Hippos wallow in the waters of the hippo pools and are frequently joined by flocks of Open-billed Storks. Over 300 species of birds have been observed in the park. Foxes Safari Camp has a definite feel of Africa about it. The tents are the traditional canvas tents set on wooden plinths with a makuti roof, and all mod cons. The dining area, located on a hill above the rooms, is an ideal spot to view the animals passing by on their way for a drink. Vuma Hills Lodge has a colonial ‘Out of Africa’ feel to it. The tents are huge with a decking verandah on which to sit and watch the sun set over the Mkata plains. Udzungwa Mountain National Park Udzungwa is a remnant of the eastern arc rainforest that stretched along the eastern rift 165 million years ago. At this time Madagascar separated from mainland Africa so the forests there have similarities to the Udzungwa rainforest. Six million years ago it was also isolated from the West African rainforests so there is a high degree of endemism – 25% of the plants here are unique to Udzungwa. Much of the wildlife is also unique, and of the 10 primates found here four are endemic to Udzungwa including Hehe Red Colobus and the Sanje Crested Mangabey. There are also a couple of endemic bushbabies, several endemic birds including the Rufouswinged Sunbird and Udzungwa Partridge, and the forest is so diverse that the scientists are still finding new species. 47 Africa / Tanzania Suggested itineraries The Best of Tanzania Day 1. Depart the UK for Arusha via Nairobi Day 2. Lake Manyara, 1-night [L, D] Day 3. Serengeti, 2-nights [B, L, D] Day 5. Ngorongoro Crater, 1-night [B, L, D] Day 6. Tarangire, 2-nights [B, L, D] Day 8. Selous, 3-nights [B, L, D] Day 11. Ruaha, 3-nights [B, L, D] Day 14. Depart for the UK via Dar-es-Salaam [B] Day 15. Arrive home Ultimate Tanzania Day 1. Depart the UK for Arusha via Nairobi Day 2. Fly to Lake Manyara, 3-nights [B,L,D] Day 5. Fly to Serengeti, 3-nights [B,L,D] Day 7. Fly to Ngorongoro Crater, 2-nights [B,L,D] Day 9. Fly to Arusha and depart for the UK via Nairobi [B,L] Day 10. Arrive home Timeless Tanzania Day 1. Depart the UK for Arusha via Nairobi Day 2. Mount Meru, 2-nights [L,D] Day 3. Visit Arusha National Park [B,L,D] Day 4. Tarangire, 2-nights [B,L,D] Day 6. Lake Manyara, 2-nights [B,L,D] Day 8. Ngorongoro Highlands, 1-night [B,L,D] Day 9. Ngorongoro Crater, 1-night [B,L,D] Day 10. Serengeti, 3-nights [B,L,D] Day 13. Fly to Arusha and depart for the UK via Nairobi [B,L] Day 14. Arrive home Cost per person: Jan & Feb, 1 to 10 Jul, 22 to 31 Aug, Oct £3,495 Mar, Jun, Sep, Nov to 8 Dec, 25 to 31 Dec £3,195 Apr & May £2,995 11 Jul to 21 Aug £3,925 9 to 24 Dec £3,595 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, transfers, meals as indicated & guided activities Accommodation: Safari lodges Departure dates: Daily, throughout the year Cost per person: From £4,595 Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, transfers, meals as indicated & guided activities Accommodation: Safari lodges Departure dates: Daily, throughout the year Cost per person: Jan Feb, Nov to 8 Dec £3,595 Mar £3,495 Jun to 10 July, 22 Aug to Oct £3,725 11 July to 21 Aug £4,125 9 to 24 Dec £3,950 21 Mar to 31 May Selous Game Reserve closed Single supplement: Available on request What is included: Flights, transfers, meals as indicated & guided activities Accommodation: Safari lodges & camp Departure dates: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays, throughout the year Chimpanzee Ruaha River Lodge, Ruaha