HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
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Estimated price range for 2–7 travellers with midrange accommodation outside the park:
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From Dar es Salaam: $1,658–$2,037 per person
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From Zanzibar: $1,699–$2,078 per person
The lower end of each range applies to seven travellers sharing the private safari costs.
The upper end applies to two travellers. Prices for three to six travellers are shown in the
tables below. Ruaha River Lodge inside the park is available at a higher price.
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All prices are estimates. Every quotation is personalised according to your dates, group size,
room configuration, flight availability and accommodation preferences.
Fly directly to Ruaha and spend more of your trip on safari instead of losing two days to long road transfers.
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This private four-day safari includes return domestic flights from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, three nights near or inside Ruaha National Park, a private safari vehicle, an English-speaking guide, park fees and meals according to the itinerary.
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Choose the more affordable Ruaha Hilltop Lodge outside the park or stay inside the wilderness at Ruaha River Lodge.
DAY 1
DAY 1: FLIGHT TO RUAHA + GAME DRIVE
Your Ruaha adventure begins with an early scheduled flight.
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From Dar es Salaam: departure around 07:40
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From Zanzibar: departure around 07:00
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Arrival in Ruaha: around 10:05
Your English-speaking private guide will meet you at the airstrip. From there, your first game drive begins immediately.
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Spend the afternoon exploring Ruaha National Park’s vast landscapes and searching for its diverse wildlife. Because this is a private safari, your guide can adapt the route and pace to the sightings and interests of your group.
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Game drives are permitted between 06:00 and 18:00. At the end of the afternoon, you will travel to your selected accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge outside the park or Ruaha River Lodge inside the park.
Meals included: lunch and dinner.
DAY 2
DAY 2: FULL DAY GAME DRIVE
After breakfast, enjoy a full day of wildlife viewing in your private safari vehicle.
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If you are staying at Ruaha Hilltop Lodge, you will take a picnic lunch and remain inside the national park throughout the day. This allows you to explore farther from the entrance without returning to the lodge.
Guests staying at Ruaha River Lodge can choose how to structure the day. You can take a picnic lunch and continue game driving, or divide the safari into morning and afternoon sessions and return to the lodge for a warm lunch and some rest.
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Your guide will help plan the day according to recent wildlife sightings and the interests of your group.
Optional balloon safari: You can add a balloon safari on Day 2 or Day 3 for an additional USD 550 per person. Let us know when requesting your quotation if you would like us to include this experience.
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Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
DAY 3
DAY 3: FULL DAY GAME DRIVE
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Today you have another full day to discover Ruaha National Park.
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No two game drives are the same. You can explore a different area of the park, spend longer at special sightings or focus on the wildlife and landscapes that interest you most.
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Guests at Ruaha Hilltop Lodge will again enjoy a picnic lunch in the park. Guests at Ruaha River Lodge may choose between a picnic lunch or returning to the lodge for a warm lunch and a break between the morning and afternoon game drives.
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Because the vehicle and guide are private for your group, the day can be adapted within the park’s permitted driving hours of 06:00 to 18:00.
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Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
DAY 4
DAY 4: HALF DAY GAME DRIVE AND FLIGHT BACK
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After breakfast, enjoy one final game drive before travelling to the Ruaha airstrip.
This last morning gives you another opportunity to revisit a favourite area or search for wildlife you have not yet encountered.
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The scheduled return flight departs Ruaha at approximately 13:15.
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Arrival in Dar es Salaam: around 16:45
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Arrival in Zanzibar: around 16:15
Lunch is included and will be arranged around the flight schedule.
Airport or hotel transfers after arrival in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar are not included in the standard price, but they can be added to your personalised itinerary.
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Meals included: breakfast and lunch.
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All flight times are indicative and may change according to airline schedules and operating conditions.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Choose between two carefully selected midrange options: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge outside the park or Ruaha River Lodge inside the park. Other accommodation options can be included in your personalised quotation on request.
ESTIMATED PRICES FROM DAR ES SALAAM
Return domestic flights from Dar es Salaam are included.
RUAHA HILLTOP LODGE
2PAX: $2,037 p.p.
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3PAX: $1,860 p.p.
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4PAX: $1,771 p.p.
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5PAX: $1,718 p.p.
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6PAX: $1,683 p.p.
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7PAX: $1,658 p.p.
RUAHA RIVER LODGE
2PAX: $2,661 p.p.
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3PAX: $2,484 p.p.
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4PAX: $2,396 p.p.
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5PAX: $2,343 p.p.
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6PAX: $2,308 p.p.
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7PAX: $2,282 p.p.
ESTIMATED PRICES FROM ZANZIBAR
Return domestic flights from Zanzibar are included.
RUAHA HILLTOP LODGE
2PAX: $2,078 p.p.
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3PAX: $1,901 p.p.
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4PAX: $1,813 p.p.
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5PAX: $1,760 p.p.
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6PAX: $1,725 p.p.
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7PAX: $1,699 p.p.
RUAHA RIVER LODGE
2PAX: $2,702 p.p.
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3PAX: $2,526 p.p.
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4PAX: $2,437 p.p.
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5PAX: $2,384 p.p.
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6PAX: $2,349 p.p.
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7PAX: $2,324 p.p.
IMPORTANT PRICE INFORMATION
The prices above are estimated starting prices, not fixed offers. Your final quotation depends on:
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exact travel dates and availability
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current domestic flight fares
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lodge and room availability
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group size
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single, double, twin or shared room configuration
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any additional transfers or services requested.
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Twin rooms can sometimes cost more than double rooms. Single rooms are usually more expensive per person.
We price every trip according to your group’s actual needs and confirm the final cost before booking.
INCLUDED
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Return domestic flights
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Private safari vehicle for your group
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English-speaking safari guide
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Game drives described in the itinerary
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Ruaha National Park fees
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Three nights at the selected lodge
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Meals according to the itinerary
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Drinking water in the safari vehicle
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Transfers between the Ruaha airstrip, park and lodge
EXCLUDED
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Airport or hotel transfers in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar*
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Drinks at the lodges
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Tips
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Additional activities or services not included in the confirmed quotation
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* Airport and hotel transfers can be added on request.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Is this a private safari?
Yes. The safari vehicle and guide are private for your booking group. The domestic flights are scheduled shared flights.
Can I start the safari in Zanzibar?
Yes. The four-day programme can start and end in Zanzibar. Return domestic flights are included in the Zanzibar prices shown above. Hotel-to-airport transfers can be added separately.
Are the prices fixed?
No. They are estimated starting prices. Flight fares, accommodation availability, travel dates and room configuration can change the final amount. You receive a personalised quotation before booking.
Which lodge should I choose?
Choose Ruaha Hilltop Lodge for the most affordable mid-range option. Choose Ruaha River Lodge if you prefer to stay inside the national park and want more flexibility to return to the lodge during the day.
Can I combine Ruaha with other parks?
Yes. If you want to combine Ruaha with Mikumi, Udzungwa or Nyerere, we can design a longer tailor-made Southern Tanzania itinerary. An overland route may make more sense for such combinations.