Ruaha and the Zanzibar coast in 9 days (8 nights)

9 days · Tanzania · Dar es Salaam → Zanzibar · best 8, 9, 10

A southern-circuit pairing for anyone who wants the bush without the busier northern parks. Ruaha is reached by charter from the coast, and four nights there matches the scale of the place: drives along dry riverbeds and through baobab country, with wild dog and leopard among what people come for. The flight back out lands on Zanzibar, where the remaining four nights go to a beach hotel, the reef, and a spice garden or Stone Town outing for anyone who wants one. One move between the two stays, and it is flown, so the pace stays slow.

The route, stop by stop

1. Ruaha, Tanzania · 4 nights

Arrive by fly — Charter flight from Dar Es Salaam to an airstrip inside the park

Long distances between sightings and few camps mean a whole day can be given to one area, which is what four nights allows.

2. Zanzibar, Tanzania · 4 nights

Arrive by fly — Charter back across the country to the island, then a road transfer to the beach

Four nights on the coast balances the four in the bush, and the island supports diving, a dhow outing and a cultural day without any of it feeling like filler.

Experts who can arrange this trip

• The Safari Vibe, who works in Tanzania.

More trip ideas · Tanzania