8-Day Southern Circuit Experience

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

Arrival & Transfer to Mikumi National Park

Arrive in Dar es Salaam and meet your safari guide for a scenic 4–5 hour drive to Mikumi National Park. After checking in at your lodge, head out for an afternoon game drive across the Mkata floodplain, famous for its open landscapes and rich wildlife. Spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and possibly lions or leopards as the sun begins to set. Return to your lodge for dinner and a peaceful night in the bush.

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:

TANAPA Mikumi Cottages

• Budget cottage located inside Mikumi NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Morning Game Drive & Transfer to Ruaha

Start your day with a short early morning game drive in Mikumi National Park, when wildlife is most active and the golden light enhances the beauty of the plains. This is a great time to catch predators returning from their night hunt and observe herds of grazers beginning their day. Return to your lodge for a hearty breakfast, then set off on a scenic drive to Ruaha National Park (approx. 6–7 hours).

The journey takes you through ever-changing landscapes, local villages, and stretches of untouched countryside, offering glimpses into rural Tanzanian life. Arrive in Ruaha by late afternoon and check into your lodge or camp nestled within this remote and vast wilderness. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and settle in as you prepare for the next day's adventure in one of Tanzania’s most wild and less-traveled parks.

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:

Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

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

+7 Photos

+6 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Full-Day Safari in Ruaha National Park

After an early breakfast, set out for a full-day game drive in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest and most untamed national park. Covering over 20,000 square kilometers, Ruaha is a true wilderness—remote, rugged, and remarkably rich in biodiversity.

Drive along the Great Ruaha River, a lifeline that attracts an incredible concentration of wildlife, particularly during the dry season. Expect to encounter large herds of elephants, buffalo, and a wide range of antelope species, including the magnificent greater kudu, which Ruaha is known for. With luck, you might witness dramatic predator-prey interactions, as the park hosts one of the largest populations of lions in East Africa, as well as leopards, hyenas, and the elusive African wild dog. The scenery is breathtaking—rolling hills, baobab-studded plains, and rocky outcrops provide a picturesque backdrop to your safari. Birdwatchers will also be in paradise here, with over 570 recorded species.

Main Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Accommodation:

Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Second Full-Day Safari in Ruaha

Enjoy a full day exploring Ruaha’s diverse landscapes, from open savannahs to riverine forests. Spot large herds of elephants, prides of lions, and rare African wild dogs. Watch hippos and crocodiles along the Great Ruaha River, and admire the park’s rich birdlife. End the day with a beautiful sunset and sundowners before returning to your lodge.

Main Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Accommodation:

Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

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

Meals & Drinks:

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

Ruaha to Morogoro via Isimila Stone Age Site

After an early breakfast, depart Ruaha National Park and begin your journey towards Morogoro. En route, visit the Isimila Stone Age Site, one of Tanzania’s most fascinating archaeological treasures. Here, guided by an expert, explore ancient sandstone pillars and rock formations that date back hundreds of thousands of years, offering a rare glimpse into early human history.

Take your time wandering through this remarkable landscape, learning about the Stone Age tools and fossils discovered here, which provide valuable insights into prehistoric life in East Africa.

Continue your drive to Morogoro, a vibrant town nestled at the foothills of the Uluguru Mountains, known for its coffee plantations and rich cultural heritage. Arrive in the late afternoon and check into your hotel or lodge. Relax and reflect on the morning’s unique cultural experience while preparing for the next phase of your safari journey.

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:

Forest Sunset Hotel

• Budget hotel located outside Nyerere NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Morogoro to Nyerere National Park

After breakfast, depart Morogoro and embark on a scenic journey to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), one of Africa’s largest protected wildlife areas. The drive takes approximately 5 to 6 hours, passing through picturesque countryside dotted with small villages, farmland, and patches of forest.

After lunch, followed with a short rest you will have a boat safari along the Rufiji River. Drift quietly past hippos wallowing in the water, crocodiles basking on riverbanks, and a variety of bird species such as fish eagles, kingfishers, and herons. The boat safari offers a unique perspective on the park’s rich aquatic ecosystems and provides stunning photographic opportunities.

Return to your lodge to relax and enjoy dinner under the African stars, preparing for the full safari days ahead.

Main Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Accommodation:

Nyerere Tented Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located just outside Nyerere NP

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Full game drive

Begin your day with an early morning game drive through the diverse landscapes of Nyerere National Park, exploring its open plains, dense woodlands, and floodplains. This vast wilderness is home to large populations of elephants, buffalo, giraffes, lions, and the elusive African wild dog.

Enjoy a game drive to begin your exploration of this vast and diverse park.

As the sun sets, enjoy a relaxing sundowner on the riverbank before returning to your lodge for dinner. Reflect on the day’s incredible wildlife sightings and the serene beauty of this remote wilderness.

Main Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Accommodation:

Nyerere Tented Camp

• Mid-range tented camp located just outside Nyerere NP

Meals & Drinks:

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

Bush walk & Return to Dar es Salaam

Start your final morning in Nyerere National Park with an early bush walk or Maasai village, then back for breakfast

After breakfast, begin your transfer back to Dar es Salaam.

Reflect on your incredible journey through Tanzania’s Southern Circuit—filled with diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and unique cultural experiences.

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.