The raft is run almost entirely within the Selous Game Reserve (SGR), which is a world heritage site and one of the largest protected areas in the world. This river expedition is for the adventurer, naturalist and safari lover in you. Fitness and paddle power is an advantage on this expedition as it involves at least 10 full days on the river.
Would you like to get face-to-face with African wildlife, observing the best of big game without the background buzz of zebra-striped vans? Then raft and walk with us into the heart of Tanzania's legendary Selous Game Reserve, the largest and perhaps wildest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. The Selous' more than 18,000 square miles is home to vast numbers of wildlife, including the continent's largest remaining elephant population. It has only a sparse and little used network of tracks, with tourism development confined to its margins. It is Africa as Livingstone saw it.
This incredible float on the Rufiji River, a gentle and meandering waterway, will give silent passage for our rafts into a private world of wildlife untouched by safari vehicles. In the shadows of the riverine forest, animals come to the river to drink and delight us with surprise sightings as we drift quietly around a bend. We take advantage of the cool mornings and evenings to penetrate the narrow band of forest on foot and emerge onto the great savannah in search of more close encounters with the wild.
The thrill of whitewater rafting is mostly absent, though the adrenaline-pumping challenge of hippo dodging and advanced crocodile evasion may prove more thrilling. Our trips are led by professional rafting guides from the United States of America with plenty of African experience. All guides have been tried and tested for this adventure.
John Yost, the founder of Sobek Expeditions (the world's leading international rafting company), is one of these. As John said when asked why this trip excited him: "Seeing the fabled fauna of Africa is an experience of which most world travelers dream, but looking at lions through the window of a van never fired my imagination. Floating through a remote and tourist-free swath of the Selous, enjoying game walks through the bush, on the other hand, excites the heck out of me."
Dates 2009- 2010
Group Size & Cost Per Person
Below rates are based on double occupancy. A requested single supplement is an added $ 500 per person.
Prices for Trips 5 & 6 to be announced at a later date.
Park fees are not included and may be as high as $900 per person.
LAND COST INCLUDES:
Expert leadership, airport transfers, guides, accommodations, meals as noted above (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), all arrangements in the field, cook, staff, group gear & equipment, ground transportation, flight from Selous to Dar.
NOT INCLUDED:
Visas, international airfare, liquor, laundry, drinks with meals, lunch on Day 12, breakfast on Day 13, tips, trip insurance (strongly recommended), excess baggage, airport taxes, and other items of a personal nature.
PADDLE OPTION:
Due to the heat, slow current and hard work to dodge hippos, we normally use only rafts rowed by the guides. However, should a group of adventurers signing up together wish to paddle (minimum 4 per paddle boat); we can entertain this request if notified well in advance of the trip.
INSURANCE:
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation and medical & evacuation insurance for your Rufiji River Raft trip. You may find policies from the below mentioned reputable firms:
Travel Guard International
Travelex Insurance