Southern Circuits (Nyerere, Mikumi, Udzungwa Mountains & Ruaha).
TOUR OVERVIEW
Day 1: Dar es Salaam → Mikumi National Park
After enjoying a hearty breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up for the scenic drive to Mikumi National Park, one of Tanzania’s most accessible yet captivating reserves. On the way, you will pass through charming local villages, giving a glimpse of rural Tanzanian life. Near Morogoro town, you will drive past vast sisal plantations, an iconic sight in the region, with green fields stretching to the horizon. Keep your camera ready for roadside scenes of farmers at work and grazing livestock. Upon arrival at Mikumi, you will settle into your lodge, relax, enjoy dinner, and spend your first night immersed in the sounds of the African bush.
Day 2: Full Day Game Drive in Mikumi National Park
After breakfast, embark on a full day game drive through Mikumi National Park with a packed lunch for convenience. The park’s open plains and acacia woodland provide excellent opportunities to see a variety of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, elands, zebras, and wildebeests. Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy the chance to capture animals in their natural habitat. A highlight of the day is a visit to the hippo pool, where large pods of hippos relax in the water, often accompanied by crocodiles. Spend the day exploring the park at leisure, enjoying the serene African landscape before returning to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Mikumi → Ruaha National Park
After breakfast, depart Mikumi and drive southwest toward Ruaha National Park, a journey through spectacular Tanzanian landscapes. The route takes you past rolling hills, farmlands, and small villages, offering insight into rural life and the diversity of the region. Stop briefly in Iringa town, a charming highland town, before continuing further west to the remote and unique Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s second-largest reserve. Arriving in the afternoon, you will embark on a game drive, spotting wildlife as the sun begins to set over the savannah. After a long but rewarding day, return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay, surrounded by nature’s tranquility.
Day 4: Full Day Game Drive in Ruaha National Park
After breakfast, set off on a full day of game viewing in Ruaha National Park with your packed lunch. Ruaha is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, large herds of buffalo, and the scenic Ruaha River, which attracts an abundance of wildlife. Expect to see greater and lesser kudus, Grant’s gazelles, ostriches, sable and roan antelopes, and occasionally the elusive African wild dog. The diversity and density of wildlife make every moment exciting for photographers and safari enthusiasts. Explore different parts of the park throughout the day before returning to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay, resting after a thrilling day.
Day 5: Ruaha → Udzungwa Mountains National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a morning game drive in Ruaha, taking advantage of the cooler hours when animals are most active. Spot elephants, predators, and herds grazing in the golden savannah light. Afterward, depart for Udzungwa Mountains National Park, a dramatic change in scenery as you move from dry savannah to lush montane forest. The journey provides beautiful landscapes and photographic opportunities along the way. Today, there is no hiking to allow rest in preparation for tomorrow’s trek through the forest. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon, settle in, enjoy dinner, and spend the night surrounded by the serene sounds of the Udzungwa Mountains.
Day 6: Hiking in Udzungwa Mountains
After breakfast, visit the Udzungwa Mountains National Park office to register for your hike. Begin the trek through the park’s stunning montane forests, home to endemic species of primates, birds, and butterflies. Follow well-marked walking trails that wind past streams, giant trees, and moss-covered rocks. A major highlight of the hike is the Sanje Waterfalls, where you can enjoy a refreshing break and take photos of cascading water. After your hike, drive to Nyerere National Park (Selous), transitioning from lush forest to one of Africa’s largest and most pristine wildlife reserves. Arrive in the afternoon, enjoy dinner, and overnight at your lodge.
Day 7: Full Day Game Drive in Nyerere National Park
After breakfast, embark on a full day game drive in Nyerere National Park, formerly Selous, known for its vast, untamed wilderness. The park supports large populations of elephants, buffaloes, lions, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, kudus, and wild dogs, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Explore different habitats, including woodlands, rivers, and open plains, observing animals in their natural environment. With a packed lunch, you can spend the day at leisure, stopping for photographs and enjoying the quiet, remote beauty of the park. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay, reflecting on an incredible day.
Day 8: Nyerere National Park → Dar es Salaam
After an early breakfast, depart Nyerere National Park for the drive back to Dar es Salaam. En route, enjoy a picnic lunch while taking in the countryside views of villages, farmland, and rolling hills. This journey allows time for quiet reflection on your safari adventure and the incredible wildlife experiences you have had over the past week. Arrive in Dar es Salaam in the late afternoon, where your Southern Circuits Safari concludes. You will be dropped off at your hotel or the airport, leaving you with lasting memories of Tanzania’s diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and unforgettable natural beauty.
Included
Excluded
