Dwarf Mongoose Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Dwarf Mongoose Fly-in Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.
Starts: Dar es Salaam International Airport
After collecting your luggage, you’ll be met by a local representative for the five-minute shuttle transfer to the Domestic Terminal.
Dar es Salaam to Lake Manze: air & 4WD
From Dar es Salaam, your light-aircraft flight of around 45 minutes takes you south-west towards the wide Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park. After landing at Siwandu Airstrip, it's about an hour's drive to Lake Manze Adventure Camp, depending on the wildlife you see along the way.
Lake Manze Camp
Nestled under rustling palms on the lakeshore, the traditional, simple Lake Manze Camp is where wildlife comes to you. Shaded by doum and barossa palms framing views of tranquil Lake Manze, the camp is dissected by wildlife trails. Giraffe amble past 12 simple tents, watched from private, shaded verandas. Elephant browse cheek by jowl with visitors dining in the main thatched building. Genet cats join guests for a sociable dinner under the stars.
Nestled under rustling palms on the lakeshore, the traditional, simple Lake Manze Camp is where wildlife comes to you. Shaded by doum and barossa palms framing views of tranquil Lake Manze, the camp is dissected by wildlife trails. Giraffe amble past 12 simple tents, watched from private, shaded verandas. Elephant browse cheek by jowl with visitors dining in the main thatched building. Genet cats join guests for a sociable dinner under the stars.
Billed as an adventure camp with an eco-conscious outlook, Lake Manze offers just the safari essentials. The ambience is relaxed, warm and welcoming. Paraffin lamps replace electricity to enhance the balmy night. The tents, with rustic but colourful décor, are uncluttered and comfortable. En-suite bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers are open air. Meals are simple but tasty, with vegetarian lunches a nod towards balancing the environmental cost of livestock farming.
Experiences concentrate on wildlife encounters and the environment. Safari drives led by a personable guide and a driver take in open plains, lakeside and woodland settings, and are usually limited to four guests. A boat safari is a must, the quiet, solar-powered craft gliding gently by wildlife without startling it.
"We liked Lake Manze Camp very much. "
The JS FamilyfromSwedenArrived 30 Jul 2024, 2 nights
No frills means a sandy floor in the main area, candlelit rooms and instant coffee, yet the convivial atmosphere and wilderness setting make a visit to Lake Manze a romantic and magical experience. See our full report on Lake Manze Adventure Camp
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Guided walking safari
4WD & flight from Lake Manze to Mdonya
From Lake Manze, your 4WD journey to the airstrip follows the banks of the Rufiji River. It’s then a flight of around 1½ hours into Ruaha, finishing with a leisurely drive of two hours or more to Mdonya Old River Camp, stopping to observe game during the trip.
Mdonya Old River Camp
Out in the wilds, focused on the wildlife: this is the ethos at Mdonya Old River Camp. With none of the frills of many contemporary camps, it’s a refreshing approach that puts the heart back into a safari.
Out in the wilds, focused on the wildlife: this is the ethos at Mdonya Old River Camp. With none of the frills of many contemporary camps, it’s a refreshing approach that puts the heart back into a safari.
For starters, the setting – in the heart of Ruaha National Park – gives Mdonya the sheer luxury of space. Simple but airy walk-in tents are sheltered beneath acacia trees, helping to keep them cool without the aid of fans or air con. Candles take the place of electric lights – albeit with a torch on hand should the matches fail to materialise in the dark!
Yet even here there is space for creature comforts, from large comfy beds and hot water aplenty for the en-suite showers, to deckchairs on the veranda to take in the sights and sounds of the bush.
Open-sided tents host the lounge and dining areas, their décor enhanced by natural artefacts: bits of gnarled wood here; a softly furled feather there. Colourful fabrics adorn sofas and chairs whose comfort takes precedence over style.
While animals do find their way into camp, most are spotted on game drives in open-topped 4WDs, with a driver and guide checking for wildlife all the way.
"The camp is exceptionally well run...many excellent photo opportunities."
Steve HfromCumbriaArrived 27 Feb 2024, 2 nights
In the evening, a campfire invites pre-dinner conversation to mull over the day’s sightings, before dinner around long wooden tables, usually laid out under the stars by the light of storm lanterns. See our full report on Mdonya Old River Camp
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Hot air ballooning
Mdonya to Dar es Salaam via 4WD & air
The 4WD game drive from Mdonya to the airstrip will take around two hours, watching out for wildlife along the way. Your light aircraft will depart Ruaha and fly over the forested slopes of Mikumi and Udzungwa national parks, arriving at Dar es Salaam after around 45 minutes.
Ends: Dar es Salaam International Airport
On arrival at the Domestic Terminal, you’ll be escorted to a shuttle for the International Terminal, taking just five minutes.
Experiences you can add to this trip.
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.
Balloon Safari over Ruaha
Three hours - one hour flight
Varied and scenically stunning, Ruaha National Park features rolling hills, woodlands, open plains and two wide meandering rivers: the Ruaha and the Mwagusi. What better way to view it than from the air, at sunrise? A balloon safari offers just this, the landscape unfolding below your basket as you float almost silently above.
More about Ballooning in Ruaha