Most safari-and-beach trips pair the Serengeti with Zanzibar. This one stays south and stays quiet: a fly-in safari in Ruaha — Tanzania's largest national park, huge elephant and buffalo herds, big lion prides, and hardly another vehicle — followed by a light-aircraft hop to Mafia Island for four nights on Chole Bay. Dive or snorkel the marine park, swim with whale sharks if the season is right (October to March), or simply unwind on a beach with almost no one on it.
Both halves are reached by small plane, so there are no long road transfers. Eight days is comfortable; ten lets both halves breathe.
Scheduled flight from Dar es Salaam or Arusha to Ruaha. Transfer to camp and an afternoon game drive along the Great Ruaha River.
A full day of game viewing — elephant, buffalo, lion, and the park's big prides — with a picnic lunch in the bush.
A morning walking safari with an armed ranger, and an afternoon or night drive.
Light-aircraft flights via Dar es Salaam to Mafia. Transfer to your lodge on Chole Bay.
Diving or snorkelling trips into the Mafia Island Marine Park.
In season, a boat to snorkel with whale sharks off Kilindoni; otherwise diving on the outer walls, or a dhow to Juani Island.
Dive, snorkel, sail or rest.
Flight from Mafia back to Dar es Salaam for your onward connection.
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