Duration

7 Days 6 Nights

Country

Tanzania, United Republic of

Maximum Traveller

Min Pax

7-Day Ruaha & Mafia Island

Overview
Itinerary
Cost Info
FAQ
Map

Overview

This is VICMOS's most distinctive combo: Ruaha's wild elephant herds and baobab landscapes, paired with Mafia Island — Tanzania's premier whale shark destination, where snorkelers swim alongside these gentle giants just minutes from shore. Best booked between October and March, when whale sharks gather in the channel off Mafia, with peak sightings from November to February.

Itinerary

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1
Hotel Pickup in Dar es Salaam → Fly to Ruaha
Flight to Ruaha National Park, arriving in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive along the Great Ruaha River.

Overnight: Ikuka Safari Camp or Kigelia Ruaha. Or Something Similar.
Day 2
Full Day in Ruaha National Park
Morning and afternoon game drives through Ruaha's dramatic landscape, with a chance of greater and lesser kudu alongside the Big Five.

Overnight: Ikuka Safari Camp or Kigelia Ruaha. Or Something Similar.
Day 3
Fly to Dar es Salaam → Onward to Mafia Island
Morning flight back to Dar es Salaam, connecting the same day with a short onward flight to Mafia Island. Check in to your lodge by afternoon, with time to relax on the beach.

Overnight: Mafia Island lodge (Chole Mjini Treehouse Lodge or Butiama Beach Lodge). Or Something Similar.
Day 4-5
Whale Shark Snorkeling & Diving
Two full days centered on Mafia Island's signature experience — boat trips out to the channel to snorkel or dive alongside whale sharks (seasonal, October–March), plus time exploring Chole Bay's coral reefs, home to over 400 fish species.

Overnight: Mafia Island lodge (Chole Mjini Treehouse Lodge or Butiama Beach Lodge). Or Something Similar.
Day 6
Mafia Island at Leisure
A free day to relax, explore Chole Island's ruins and mangroves, or add an optional second whale shark excursion.

Overnight: Mafia Island lodge (Chole Mjini Treehouse Lodge or Butiama Beach Lodge). Or Something Similar
Day 7
Fly to Dar es Salaam → Hotel Drop-off
Flight back to Dar es Salaam, connecting with your onward or international departure.

Cost Info

Price includes

SAFARI INCLUDES;

All national park / marine park entrance fees
Hotel pickup and drop-off in Dar es Salaam
All flights and/or road transfers per itinerary
Full-board accommodation as listed (nights vary by package)
All game drives, boat safaris, and whale shark snorkeling excursions per itinerary
Services of an English-speaking driver-guide (safari leg) and local boat crew (beach/marine leg)
Bottled water throughout

Price excludes

EXCLUDES;

International Flights Ticket.
Visa
Medications
Medical / Travel Insurance
Optional activities such as Hot Air Balloon Rides, Canoeing, etc..
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Asante Tipping for the driver guide

FAQ

FAQ Expand All

FAQ 1; Why does this cost more than the other two combos?
This trip involves four separate flight legs (Dar–Ruaha–Dar, then Dar–Mafia–Dar) rather than one or two, plus specialized whale shark excursions and marine park fees on top of standard safari costs. It's a genuinely premium, specialist itinerary rather than a standard safari-and-beach trip — the price reflects the logistics and the rarity of what you're doing.
FAQ 2; Am I guaranteed to see whale sharks?
Sightings are highly likely but not 100% guaranteed, as with any wildlife encounter. The window from October to March offers the best chances, with November to February as peak season when the largest aggregations gather to feed. Booking within this window significantly improves your odds
FAQ 3; Do I need diving experience or certification?
No — most whale shark encounters happen while snorkeling on the surface, not diving, since the sharks often feed close to shore in shallow water. No certification is required for snorkeling. Certified divers can also arrange scuba excursions to Mafia's coral reefs separately if interested.

Map

from $3,870.00

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7-Day Ruaha & Mafia Island

Overview

Overview

Itinerary

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1

Hotel Pickup in Dar es Salaam → Fly to Ruaha

Day 2

Full Day in Ruaha National Park

Day 3

Fly to Dar es Salaam → Onward to Mafia Island

Day 4-5

Whale Shark Snorkeling & Diving

Day 6

Mafia Island at Leisure

Day 7

Fly to Dar es Salaam → Hotel Drop-off

Cost Info

Cost Info

Price includes

Price excludes

FAQ

FAQ Expand All

FAQ 1; Why does this cost more than the other two combos?

FAQ 2; Am I guaranteed to see whale sharks?

FAQ 3; Do I need diving experience or certification?

Map

Map

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