10-Day Southern Tanzania Safari & Mafia Beach Escape

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Dar es Salaam - Nyerere National Park (Selous)

Your adventure begins early in the morning as your Safari Moja Matata guide picks you up from your hotel or the airport in Dar es Salaam. Depart for Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), a scenic drive of approximately 5–6 hours, with a picnic lunch en route.

Upon arrival, settle into your lodge and enjoy some time to relax. Later in the afternoon, embark on a sunset boat safari along the Rufiji River—one of the park’s highlights. Watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and colorful birds as the sun dips below the horizon.
Evening Moment: After dinner, your guide invites you to gather around the fire to share stories from the river and preview tomorrow’s game drive.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mloka Safari Lodge.

Main Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Best Time To Visit June to October (Easiest wildlife viewing)

High Season June to October (The main tourist area gets crowded)

Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)

Wildlife in Nyerere NP

ElephantCommon

GiraffeAbundant

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

HippoAbundant

Show more

HyenaCommon

LionOccasional

Wild DogOccasional

LeopardRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Accommodation:

Mloka Safari Lodge

• Budget lodge located less than 1hr drive from Nyerere NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Safari in Nyerere - Lemara Ecolodge, Kisaki

Rise early for a full-day game drive across Nyerere’s vast landscapes. From open plains to miombo woodlands, you’ll track lions, giraffes, and maybe even wild dogs. After a picnic lunch in the bush, continue to Lemara Eco Camp in Kisaki for a peaceful overnight stay.

Evening Moment: Over tea or drinks, your guide reflects on the day’s sightings and introduces the cultural experience awaiting you tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lemara Eco Camp.

Main Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Accommodation:

Lemara Eco Camp

• Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Nyerere NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Maasai Cultural Visit in Kisaki - Mikumi National Park (Camp Bastian)

After a hearty breakfast, morning begins with a short drive to a Maasai village near Kisaki. Here, you’ll be welcomed with traditional songs and dances, followed by a guided walk through the boma. Learn about Maasai customs, their deep connection to nature, and the meaning behind their colorful attire and rituals. It’s an authentic, respectful cultural exchange that leaves a lasting impression.

By late morning, you’ll begin your scenic drive to Mikumi National Park (approx. 8 hours). Along the way, enjoy glimpses of rural life and the changing landscapes of Southern Tanzania.

In the late afternoon, arrive at Camp Bastian Mikumi. After check-in, take time to unwind by the swimming pool. Whether you choose a refreshing dip or a quiet moment with a drink in hand, it’s the perfect way to recharge.

Evening Connection: After dinner, your guide joins you for a relaxed conversation sharing stories from the Maasai visit and setting the stage for tomorrow’s full-day game drive in Mikumi.

Main Destination:

Mikumi (Town)

Accommodation:

Camp Bastian Mikumi

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Mikumi NP

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Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Safari in Mikumi National Park

Spend the day exploring Mikumi’s open plains, home to elephants, zebras, wildebeests, and lions. With picnic lunch under an acacia tree, you’ll feel fully immersed in the rhythm of the wild.

Evening Moment: Gather with your guide to reflect on the day’s highlights and prepare for the cultural and historical journey ahead.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi.

Main Destination:

Mikumi National Park

Best Time To Visit Late June to October (Animals are attracted to the waterholes)

High Season June to October

Best Weather June to October (Little to no rainfall)

Wildlife in Mikumi NP

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

LionOccasional

Show more

HippoOccasional

LeopardRare

HyenaRare

Wild DogRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

CheetahNone

Accommodation:

Camp Bastian Mikumi

• Mid-range lodge located just outside Mikumi NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mikumi - Iringa (Isimila)

After an early breakfast, drive to Iringa and visit the Isimila Stone Age Site walk among towering sandstone pillars and ancient tools that whisper stories from 60,000 years ago. Later transfer to Iringa Sunset view for dinner and overnight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Iringa Sunset Hotel.

Main Destination:

Iringa (City)

Accommodation:

Iringa Sunset Hotel

• Budget hotel located in Iringa (City)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Drive to Ruaha National Park

Explore the raw, untamed beauty of Ruaha, Tanzania’s largest and most predator-rich park. Track lions, leopards, and elephants along the Great Ruaha River, and enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the bush.

Evening Moment: Share stories of the day’s sightings and learn about Ruaha’s unique ecology and birdlife.

Main Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Best Time To Visit June to October (Best wildlife viewing)

High Season June to October (Ruaha is rarely crowded)

Best Weather June to October (Rains are very rare)

Wildlife in Ruaha NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

HippoCommon

LionOccasional

Show more

LeopardOccasional

HyenaOccasional

Wild DogOccasional

CheetahRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

WildebeestNone

Accommodation:

TANAPA Ruaha Bandas

• Budget banda located inside Ruaha NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Another Game drive in Ruaha

Choose between another full-day game drive or a morning walking safari with an armed ranger. In the evening, enjoy a sundowner overlooking the baobab-studded landscape.

Evening Moment: Your guide helps you reflect on your safari journey so far and prepares you for the transition to the coast.

Main Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Accommodation:

TANAPA Ruaha Bandas

• Budget banda located inside Ruaha NP

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Fly from Ruaha to Mafia Island – Beach Escape Begins

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the Msembe airstrip for your charter to Mafia Island via Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival, your driver will meet you for a short transfer to your coastal lodge. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the Indian Ocean, taking in the tranquility and beauty of this hidden island gem.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Midrange beachfront lodge on Mafia Island.

Main Destination:

Mafia Island (Tanzania Beaches)

Accommodation:

Mafia Island Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located at Mafia Island (Tanzania Beaches)

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Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mafia Island Marine Experience

Enjoy a full day to explore the magical marine world of Mafia Island. Optional activities include snorkeling or diving in Mafia’s Marine Park home to vibrant coral reefs and an incredible variety of marine life. From October to March, you might also get a chance to swim with gentle whale sharks. Alternatively, simply unwind on the beach or take a local village walk.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Midrange beachfront lodge on Mafia Island.

Main Destination:

Kilwa Masoko (Kilwa)

Accommodation:

Mafia Island Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located at Mafia Island (Tanzania Beaches)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kilwa to Dar es Salaam

After a relaxed breakfast and final moments by the sea, you'll be transferred to Mafia Airport for your charter back to Dar es Salaam. This marks the end of your unforgettable Southern Tanzania and Mafia Island adventure, where safari wilderness meets coastal serenity.

Meals: Breakfast
End of Tour.

Main Destination:

Dar Es Salaam (City)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.