Conservation and Culture trip

Safari summary

Anyone who has traveled to East Africa before knows that Northern Tanzania can be quite busy. Down in Southern Tanzania, you’ll experience remote Africa, where it feels like you have the continent to yourself. Following an evening on the coast in Dar Es Salaam, guests will travel to Ruaha National Park and the stunningly private Mwagusi Safari Camp. In one of only 13 tented bandas that line the dry Mwagusi River bed, you will witness experiential Africa. Ruaha offers untold rewards to those who venture off the beaten track with dramatic landscapes, abundant wildlife and a fleeting glimpse of an Africa long-forgotten. Born and raised locally, owner Chris Fox is notorious for his profound knowledge and experience with the wildlife, people and the land of Ruaha. He is best known for his deep understanding of animal behavior especially with wild African elephants, forming astonishing relationships with these incredibly intelligent creatures. With Fox trained guides, you will experience Africa as never before.

The Selous Safari Project is an unprecedented effort of conservation in Tanzania. For decades, this area of the Selous has been prime hunting ground and the site of incredible decimation. However, Lukula Selous has made tremendous headway with the Tanzanian government to restore the land and have turned this region into an pristine 300,000 acre ecology sanctuary, allowing a mere eight people in at a time to see a real Africa – the way nature intended. Photography is incomparable and as a Ker & Downey guest, you will have a complete, bespoke itinerary prepared for you, allowing you exclusive closeness with the Selous like never before.

Travel south now to Mozambique and the famed Arabic coast. The coastal city of Pemba is your first destination: distinctly Portuguese, a throwback from colonial times, with a hint of African culture and personality. Here, the Makonde and Makua peoples make up the population and it is not uncommon to hear Portuguese and Swahili spoken in the same stall in the city’s impressive traditional souk. The tenth day of your tour places you inland at Lugenda Wilderness Camp, within the woody confines of Mozambique’s Niassa Reserve. Within the past century, Mozambique has been home to phenomenal wildlife and plush landscape, only to see it obliterated by a civil war. The area of the Niassa Reserve, particularly beautiful with its giant kopjes that jut out of the ground, is slowly making its comeback. Wildlife has returned, the land has been restored; but to this day, hardly anyone has seen it in this condition. With Ker & Downey, you’ll explore this untouched region of Africa with excellent guides who will show off an area is truly wild, happily secluded populations of elephant, sable, zebra and leopards, as well as over 200 endangered African wild dog.

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Game drives
	Activity level	Moderate activity
	Best months
	Countries	Mozambique Tanzania
	Parks	Nyerere (Selous) Ruaha

Fine details

Safari highlights

• Boat, canoe, dhow, kayak, mokoro safari
• Walking safari—with armed guard