Topi Fly-in Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Topi 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 to Nyerere National Park by light aircraft & 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, you'll be met by a guide from Siwandu for the 15-minute drive by to camp, watching for wildlife on the way.
Siwandu
Personal and professional service make Siwandu Camp stand out – plus a lakeside location, beautiful rooms and delicious food. Miombo bush, a grove of palms and a lakeside setting give a park-like feel to the camp, where plenty of thought underpins each visit. From the professional but warm welcome on arrival to the banter with the staff and guides, Siwandu sets out to make its guests feel special.
Personal and professional service make Siwandu Camp stand out – plus a lakeside location, beautiful rooms and delicious food. Miombo bush, a grove of palms and a lakeside setting give a park-like feel to the camp, where plenty of thought underpins each visit. From the professional but warm welcome on arrival to the banter with the staff and guides, Siwandu sets out to make its guests feel special.
Thirteen spacious tented rooms overlooking Lake Nzerakera boast views from every aspect. Separated to maximise privacy, their large lounging decks front and back invite you to relax and savour the surrounding bush, watching wildlife graze along the lakeshore.
Interiors are cool and stylish with sizeable beds and overhead fans, whilst outdoors, open-air solar powered showers wash away the day’s dust.
The service is exceptional, from the delicious meals taken either as breakfast in the bush, lunch on the lake, or beautifully laid out under the stars, to the expert guiding where you are subtly taught more than you realise.
"Siwandu was absolutely amazing!"
Mr & Mrs. HfromTorontoArrived 16 Jun 2024, 4 nights
Drive through woodlands and across open plains in well-thought-out open-sided vehicles, take a slow-paced walk to immerse yourself in nature, or boat past crocodile-heaped islands and wading storks, all in the company of a knowledgeable and engaging guide. Siwandu is truly a place to appreciate. See our full report on Siwandu
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Nyerere National Park to Ruaha by 4WD & light aircraft
Today, after a short game drive from Siwandu, you'll board a light aircraft for the 1½-hour flight to Ruaha National Park, heading west over the Udzungwa Mountains and the Great Ruaha River. A guide from Jongomero will meet you at the airstrip, ready for the 2km drive to camp.
Jongomero Camp
Stylish and with a slightly colonial edge, Jongomero Camp is similar to its sister camp Siwandu. It has smooth and seamless service and plenty of luxury, but despite this, Jongomero has retained a real sense of wilderness. Located in the far south of Ruaha National Park, Jongomero is a long way from any other camp. This part of Ruaha is both quiet and spectacular − it's a real wilderness experience. It is extremely unlikely that you will come across any other vehicles while on safari around Jongomero.
Stylish and with a slightly colonial edge, Jongomero Camp is similar to its sister camp Siwandu. It has smooth and seamless service and plenty of luxury, but despite this, Jongomero has retained a real sense of wilderness. Located in the far south of Ruaha National Park, Jongomero is a long way from any other camp. This part of Ruaha is both quiet and spectacular − it's a real wilderness experience. It is extremely unlikely that you will come across any other vehicles while on safari around Jongomero.
"The staff took good care of my well-being. "
ChrisfromGermanyArrived 14 Jan 2024, 4 nights
Jongomero's standards of service, food and comfort are very high, and you can certainly expect very good guiding. Its game densities aren't quite as high as some of the areas further east, but there is still very good wilidlife here. So if you're looking for a wilderness experience, this could be a good choice – especially when combined with the option to fly-camp. See our full report on Jongomero Camp
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Fly-camping
Guided walking safari
Hot air ballooning
Ruaha to Dar es Salaam by 4WD & light aircraft
You may have time for a last activity at Jongomero before boarding your light aircraft for the journey back to Dar es Salaam. During the 2½-hour flight, there should be plenty of time to take in the changing landscape below, before landing in time to make your onward connections.
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.
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