Southern Tanzania Safari | 2026 | 2027
- Best Time To Go : January – March and July - December
- Holiday Length : 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Holiday type : Leisure, Wildlife
Safari Overview
Discover Africa’s Wildest & Most Untouched Safari Experience
If you are looking for a safari far from crowds…far from busy tourist routes…Then, Southern Tanzania is where the real adventure begins.
Experience Africa in its purest form — raw, remote, and deeply authentic. From the vast wilderness of Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) to the predator-rich landscapes of Ruaha National Park, you’ll experience a safari that feels completely your own.
No traffic. No crowds. Just nature.
This 10-day Southern Tanzania safari covers approximately 1,100 km with around 23 hours of drive time, weaving through Mikumi, Ruaha, and Nyerere National Parks. Designed for UK adventure couples, it combines thrilling wildlife encounters, serene landscapes, and authentic cultural moments. From the thrill of tracking elephants in the early morning to enjoying private moments at intimate lodges, this safari offers a blend of adventure, romance, and lasting memories.
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Why Choose Southern Tanzania Safari
Southern Tanzania offers something the north cannot:
- Fewer Tourists, More Privacy: Enjoy game drives without other vehicles around you.
- Untouched Wilderness: This region remains wild and less developed, offering a more authentic safari.
- Diverse Safari Activities: Game drives, walking safaris. and oat safaris on the Rufiji River
- Incredible Wildlife: Large elephant herds, big cat populations, rare African wild dogs
This is one of Africa’s best-kept safari secrets.
Unlike the busy parks of Northern Tanzania, Southern Tanzania offers a quieter, more private safari. In areas like Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park:
- Sometimes, you can drive for long hours without seeing another safari vehicle
- You can watch animals without being surrounded by other cars
- Wildlife behaves more naturally
This means a more relaxed, authentic experience. A safari that feels real — not crowded.
Top Destinations In Southern Tanzania
Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve): One of the largest wildlife reserves in Africa, covering vast, untouched landscapes with rivers, forests, and plains.
Unique experience: boat safari on the Rufiji River
Ruaha National Park: A hidden gem known for: Huge lion populations, Massive elephant herds, Rare species like wild dogs
One of the best predator destinations in Africa
Mikumi National Park: Easily accessible and rich in wildlife, Lions, giraffes, zebras, and elephants. Open plains similar to the Serengeti
Perfect for short or budget safaris
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What Makes This Safari Different
You can spend hours exploring the wild landscapes of Nyerere National Park or Ruaha National Park without encountering another safari vehicle.
No crowds. No noise. No rush. Only the sound of nature from the wild… the distant call of wildlife… and the quiet presence of nature all around you.
You stop the vehicle. You wait. And suddenly — a herd of elephants appears, moving freely, undisturbed.
There is no competition for space.
No lines of cars.
No pressure to move on.
You experience wildlife the way it was meant to be — natural, peaceful, and deeply personal. This is not mass tourism. This is true wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern Tanzania better than Northern Tanzania?
Not better — just different. It’s quieter, more remote, and less crowded.
What is the best time to visit?
June to October (dry season for best wildlife viewing).
Is it good for a first-time safari?
Yes, but ideal for travelers seeking a more exclusive experience.
Can I combine with Zanzibar?
Yes, many travelers end their safari with a beach holiday.
Ready to Experience the Wild Side of Tanzania?
Skip the crowds. Experience something real.
👉 Start Planning Your Southern Tanzania Safari Today
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Southern Tanzania Safari Itinerary Idea
DAY 1: Arrival – Nyerere International Airport → Four Points Sheraton Hotel (25 km, 0.5h)
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival, your professional driver-guide greets you and transfers you approximately 25 km (0.5 hours) to Dar es Salaam city center. Check into Four Points Sheraton Hotel, unwind after your journey, and enjoy dinner together. The calm evening sets the tone for your adventure ahead.
Accommodation: Four Points-Sheraton Hotel
DAY 2: Dar es Salaam → Mikumi National Park → Vuma Hills Camp (300 km, 5.5h)
After an early breakfast, begin your journey toward Mikumi National Park, traveling 300 km (5.5 hours) through the lush Uluguru foothills and past vibrant sisal plantations. Arrival at Mikumi is timed for lunch, after which you embark on your first afternoon game drive. Watch herds of elephants move gracefully across golden plains, and spot lions, giraffes, zebras, and impalas in their natural habitat. Return to camp for dinner and your first night in the Southern Circuit wilderness.
Accommodation: Vuma Hills Camp
DAY 3: Mikumi → Ruaha National Park → Ikuka Safari Camp (380 km, 7h)
After breakfast, collect your packed lunch and travel 380 km (7 hours) to Ruaha National Park. The route passes Kitonga Hills, the Great Rift Valley escarpment, and the Ruaha River, providing your first glimpses of the park’s unique landscape. On arrival, enjoy an evening game drive where you may encounter elephants, lions, hippos, and giant baobabs scattered across expansive plains. Dinner and overnight at Ikuka Safari Camp.
Accommodation: Ikuka Safari Camp
DAY 4: Full Day Game Drive – Ruaha National Park (~50 km, 2h)
Rise early for a full day exploring Ruaha’s wild landscapes. Morning and afternoon game drives allow intimate encounters with wildlife in one of Tanzania’s most remote parks. Watch hippos bathing in rivers, lions resting under acacia trees, and large herds of antelope moving across the plains. Return to camp for dinner under a sky lit with countless stars—the perfect romantic setting for adventure couples.
Accommodation: Ikuka Safari Camp
DAY 5: Ruaha National Park (~60 km, 2.5h)
After breakfast, spend another day immersed in Ruaha’s wilderness. Your guide takes you to areas less traveled by tourists, offering unique wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities. Afternoon drives continue through remote valleys, with time to pause and enjoy the serenity of Africa’s untouched landscapes. Dinner and overnight at camp.
Accommodation: Ikuka Safari Camp
DAY 6: Ruaha → Mikumi National Park → Stanley’s Kopjes (360 km, 6.5h)
Following breakfast and packed lunch, depart Ruaha for Mikumi National Park, covering 360 km (6.5 hours). Upon arrival, enjoy an evening game drive, spotting Mikumi’s characteristic wildlife including lions, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeest. The plains stretch endlessly, perfect for moments of quiet reflection with your partner before dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Stanley’s Kopjes
DAY 7: Mikumi → Nyerere National Park → Selous Kinga Lodge (260 km, 5h)
Start with a sunrise game drive and bush breakfast, then drive 260 km (5 hours) toward Nyerere National Park. The changing scenery from open plains to riverine forests introduces the diversity of Tanzania’s southern circuit. Dinner and overnight at Selous Kinga Lodge, an intimate retreat with river views.
Accommodation: Selous Kinga Lodge
DAY 8 & 9: Full Day Game Drives – Nyerere National Park (~60 km, 3h)
Begin with a guided walking safari for 5 km over 2 hours, offering an intimate perspective of Africa at eye level. Later, enjoy morning game drives (40 km, 1 hour) before returning to camp. Afternoon boat excursion on the Rufiji River provides a romantic way to observe hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife as the sun sets. Dinner and overnight at lodge.
Accommodation: Selous Kinga Lodge
DAY 10: Nyerere Park-Nyerere Airport
Morning breakfast collect your picnic lunch, game drive en route enjoy your drive to Uruguru mountains lunch on the way. Arrival in Dar es Saalam at Nyerere international airport check in for your flight back home. Born Voyage KARIBU SANA
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Includes and excludes
What is included in this tour?
Items that are included in the cost of the tour price.
- Respective accommodation or similar throughout as indicated
- All meals during the Safari
- Passengers arriving in Tanzania may be asked to present a valid Covid 19 test Certificate
- Flying doctor
- Transport with photographic roof hatch land cruiser driven by professional guide
- Unlimited drinking water during the Safari
- All national park entry fees
- Visit Maasai village
- Government Taxes
- All airport transfers
- Programs as stipulated
What is Excluded in this tour?
Items that are not included in the cost of the tour price.
- Tourist visas
- Travel Insurance
- International flights to Kilimanjaro and any other flights(local flights can arranged)
- Personal shopping and memorabilia
- Drinks and refreshments
- Tip to your driver guide
- Tip to porters
- Cost to anything not mentioned at the list of included
