Southern Tanzania

Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s former capital, her largest city and main port. The distinctly African, colorful markets are well worth a visit and both German and British influences can still be seen in the architecture around the city. Conveniently positioned amidst some of the most important sea routes in the world, the city is the transport and economic hub of the country as well as a centre for arts and culture.
The Oyster Bay is like staying with friends, a beautiful large home and garden with 8 luxurious ocean facing guest suites, spacious in the extreme (70 sqm) with luxurious bathrooms, air-conditioned, fabulously furnished in contemporary African style, the suites reflect modern day Africa in a timeless setting – balmy, equatorial, coastal, Dar es Salaam. Extensive lounges and terraces overlooking mature gardens, swimming pool and within secure walking distance of the Oyster Bay shopping centre.

Following its recent expansion, Ruaha is currently East Africa’s biggest national park and the second largest on the African continent. It is also Tanzania’s most sizeable elephant haven and home to a profusion of bird species, including kingfishers, plovers, egrets, hornbills and sunbirds. Crocodiles and hippos thrive in the Great Ruaha River, which flows along the sanctuary’s eastern border and in the dry season between July and November, animals flock to the last remaining water sources, presenting an exceptional wildlife spectacle.
Kigelia Ruaha is where you go when your soul seeks the humbling solitude of giant baobabs, the exhilaration of encountering Africa’s big cats or great herds of elephant; where the focus is on experiencing nature and not the gold taps, and where you can feel at home while simultaneously enjoying the care of a dedicated team.
The camp itself has just six airy tents set beneath the boughs of the Sausage Tree (Kigelia Africana) after which it was named. It has a charm and simplicity which means that it highlights the surrounding landscape rather than detracts from it. Falling asleep under canvas to the calls of leopard and waking in the dappled light of the sun as it peers through the bush is simply magic. 

Located in western Tanzania, the remote Katavi National Park is a great stop along the western circuit tourist route. Encompassing Lake Katavi, the Katuma River and picturesque Lake Chala, Katavi National Park stretches across roughly 4500 square kilometres of unspoilt Tanzanian woods, open savannah and wetlands. This park is the third largest in the country and is home to the world’s largest herds of buffalo. It boasts a wide array of bird and animal life, including leopard, elephant, zebra, lion and the densest hippo and croc populations in the country. Visitors can enjoy excellent bird and game viewing, and fascinating walking safaris.
Chada Katavi is much the same camp that it was when it began – designed to be a stylishly simple bushcamp, small and intimate with just six East African safari tents. Each of them is spacious and comfortable with wide-open fronts giving you panoramic views of the plain and animal life that constantly comes and goes. In fact, you often don’t have to leave your tent veranda to see game of all kinds. Elephant are frequent visitors, attracted to the same shady fruit trees as our guests, and vast herds of buffalo graze on the flood plain in front of camp.
Katavi is known for unbelievable game, with vast herds of buffalo roaming the plains; also elephant, lion, leopard, crocodiles and hippo. Chada Katavi offers game drives in open 4WD vehicles, night drives, fly camping under the stars, outstanding birding and viewing of big mammals, daily walking safaris.

The remote and little-visited Selous Game Reserve covers more than 5% of Tanzania’s total area and is the largest of its kind in Africa. At an unbelievable 55,000 sq km it is almost twice the size of Belgium and four times larger than the famous Serengeti in the North. The landscape here has remained almost as it was before tourism began and the massive park has only a few accommodation options.
Sand Rivers is situated in the northern part of the Selous Game Reserve which is the second largest protected wilderness area in the world. Sand Rivers offers stylish, luxurious safari accommodation on the banks of the Rufiji River. This comfortable and stylish lodge features an outdoor pool, an open-air dining room, bar and lounge which have been beautifully constructed on a sweeping curve of the great Rufiji River, offering stunning views across the water.
Sand Rivers Selous has just 8 stone and thatched cottages, all are open-fronted and raised on decks overlooking the river. There are 5 Riverside rooms – with en-suite bathrooms, hot and cold running water, flush toilets and powerful showers – and 3 Hillside Suites. The Suites all have the same amenities as the Riverside rooms, but with the added extra of a large living space and a small plunge pool.

Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s former capital, her largest city and main port. The distinctly African, colorful markets are well worth a visit and both German and British influences can still be seen in the architecture around the city. Conveniently positioned amidst some of the most important sea routes in the world, the city is the transport and economic hub of the country as well as a centre for arts and culture.
The Oyster Bay is like staying with friends, a beautiful large home and garden with 8 luxurious ocean facing guest suites, spacious in the extreme (70 sqm) with luxurious bathrooms, air-conditioned, fabulously furnished in contemporary African style, the suites reflect modern day Africa in a timeless setting – balmy, equatorial, coastal, Dar es Salaam. Extensive lounges and terraces overlooking mature gardens, swimming pool and within secure walking distance of the Oyster Bay shopping centre.