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.
Arrive at Dar es Salaam International Airport, where you will be met by a Wild Footprints Representative. You will be driven to your hotel on the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Here you can enjoy the sun & sea or sip a cocktail while enjoying the breeze and views of the bay. Feel free to browse the lively stalls, stores and merchants of the Souk located in the same building as the hotel. At 6 pm there will be a trip briefing, followed by a seafood feast for the entire group.
D... The Souk
Today you will enjoy modest comforts of what may be the world’s best wildlife viewing by train. The TAZARA line cuts across the northern part of the Selous and offers a unique wilderness ride. Our 4x4 vehicles will meet us at Msolwa Station, and drive us to a camp on the Ruaha River.
Note: The train only runs once weekly. Should the railway company change the schedule, we will use road transport to get to Msolwa.
B, L, D... Camp
From our Ruaha campsite, we will drive on bush tracks (approx. 135 kms) to the confluence of the Kilombero & Luwegu rivers, where the chutes and cataracts of Shuguri Falls send up plumes of spray. We make camp under a majestic baobab tree on a rocky bluff. Below us, the foaming waters of the Rufiji thunder through a narrow gap and spread out into a broad peaceful course that will carry us to the next stretch of fast water near the Ruaha confluence (approx. 90 kms).
NOTE: Should the track to the put-in be wet and impassable, we will put-in further downriver near Stiegler’s Gorge. This will allow us more time in the wildlife-rich area around Lakes Tagalala, Manze, Siwando and Nzerekera.
B, L, D... Camp
We launch the rafts below the falls and set off downstream. River days give us the usual comforts of the adventurer; beautiful camps, heart-warming campfires, delicious eating, wonderful sunsets & sunrises and easy living. The open bush and gently rolling miombo woodland is ideal terrain for morning or evening walks. We spend plenty of time on our wilderness walks in search of wildlife, the raison d’etre of our trip. We may see impala, waterbuck, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, lion, wildebeest or even some of the rarer denizens of the savannah, such as leopard and wild dog. Our expert guides will show you some of the secrets of the bush, in the form of rhino scrapings or leopard tracks and even the medicinal use of trees & plants.
On the fourth river day, the river narrows and the current picks up for an exhilarating paddle to the Ruaha confluence, Mkalinzu Rapid and Stiegler’s Gorge, where Pangani Rapid, ConMan’s Foil, and the Ropeway challenge us. After the sheer 100-meter walls of the gorge drop away, we enter a labyrinth of channels, swamps and lakes created by the Rufiji when it left its original bed in 1973. This area is especially rich in birds; fish eagles, herons, Egyptian geese, storks, bee-eaters, kingfishers and many more. We may surprise buffalo or elephant on the banks, while we vie with hippos for the right-of-way. This is a fantastic area of tall borassus palms rising out of the waters, some drowned, some still flourishing… a phantom landscape making a superb tableau backlit by glowing dusks and dawns.
B, L, D each day...Camp
We float into our newly-built Safari Lodge, just outside the Selous Game Reserve, featuring the craved comforts of civilization: beds, showers, sumptuous food and COLD BEER. We’ll spend two nights here, enjoying game drives into the reserve to find some of the game we might have missed on the river. Everyone will have as good a chance as possible to enjoy the very best of African wildlife. You might want to throw a line in and try for a giant catfish, or just sit back in the shade overlooking the river to relax and reflect on the just-completed adventure of a lifetime.
B, L, D... Safari Lodge
After breakfast and packing, we fly back to Dar es Salaam and drive to the hotel. Please make your own lunch arrangements. You get a free afternoon to shop for arts, crafts and souvenirs. You could also just spend time relaxing or lounging in the Souk surroundings. We get together from 7 pm for a farewell dinner and lots of trip talk.
D... The Souk
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home or to other destinations in Africa. If your flight leaves at night you can leave your luggage at the hotel while you explore Dar or you may choose to get a day room at the hotel for more convenience (additional cost).
No meals
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