Discover Tanzania’s untamed south—wild, less crowded, and full of hidden wonders. From epic game drives to rain forest hikes, the Southern Circuit offers big adventure without the big crowds.
While the Northern Circuit—home to Serengeti and Ngorongoro—is the most well-known safari route in Tanzania, the Southern Circuit offers an equally unforgettable experience with fewer crowds and often more affordable prices. This off-the-beaten-path adventure takes you to Ruaha National Park, the largest national park in Tanzania and the second largest in Africa, teeming with elephants, lions, and rare antelope species.
You'll also explore Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), the largest game reserve in Africa, known for its river safaris, walking tours, and pristine wilderness. Just a 7-hour drive from Dar es Salaam, Mikumi National Park is a great year-round destination and the most accessible park in the south, ideal for a short yet rewarding wildlife experience. For nature lovers and hikers, combining Mikumi with the nearby Udzungwa Mountains National Park adds an exciting twist of waterfalls, rainforest trails, and endemic species.
Whether you’re looking for a quick 2-day escape to Mikumi or a full 8-day journey through the Southern Circuit, the options are flexible and customizable. We recommend spending 2 to 5 nights in each park to truly soak in the beauty and wildlife diversity. This itinerary is crafted to showcase the best of Southern Tanzania, offering an authentic and exclusive safari experience that’s both adventurous and budget-friendly.
Your day begins with a hotel pickup and a warm welcome from your safari guide before setting off on a scenic two-hour drive to Mikumi National Park. Covering 3,230 sq. km, Mikumi is Tanzania’s fourth-largest park and is home to elephants, giraffes, lions, zebras, leopards, and more. Enjoy a full-day game drive through its diverse landscapes, nestled between the Uluguru and Lumango Mountains, with wildlife sightings lasting until sunset.
More information about Mikumi National Park
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Meals Plan: (D)
After breakfast, embark on a scenic 7-hour drive from Mikumi to Ruaha National Park, with a stop in Iringa for lunch and views of Tanzania’s stunning landscapes, villages, and mountains along the way. Upon arrival, enjoy a game drive en route to your stay at Ruaha Tanapa Cottage, offering your first glimpse of the park’s incredible wildlife. Spanning 20,000 sq. km, Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park and home to the country’s biggest elephant population, along with lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, wild dogs, and over 400 bird species. The Great Ruaha River, flowing along the park’s eastern edge, attracts hippos, crocodiles, and a vibrant array of water birds year-round.
More information about Ruaha National Park
Our recommendations are:
Meals Plan: (B/L/D)
Enjoy the day on thrilling morning and afternoon game drives in Ruaha National Park, known for its rich biodiversity and raw wilderness. Wildlife sightings in areas like Msembe and Jongomeru may include elephants, wild dogs, jackals, hippos, large lion prides, and both Lesser and Greater Kudus. The park is also a botanical treasure, featuring over 1,600 plant species and iconic trees like baobabs, tamarinds, and figs. Bird lovers will be amazed by the park’s impressive list of more than 370 bird species, making Ruaha a true paradise for nature enthusiasts.
More information about Ruaha National Park
Our recommendations are:
Meals Plan: (B/L/D)
Start the day with an exciting early morning game drive before returning to camp for a hearty late breakfast. Afterward, embark on an 8-hour drive to Udzungwa Mountains National Park, known for its lush rainforests, stunning waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. If time allows, we’ll stop by a traditional Maasai village in Mikumi to experience the local culture. Once you arrive at the park, you'll have the evening to relax and prepare for your hike the next day.
More information about Udzungwa Mountain National Park
Our recommendations are:
Meals Plan: (B/L/D)
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania’s most unique wilderness areas, home to a range of distinctive wildlife, including 12 species of primates. Known as the "Primate Park," Udzungwa offers fantastic hiking opportunities through its lush, mountainous forests, where you can spot rare, endemic, and endangered species. After an exhilarating hike, you’ll drive back to Morogoro, arriving in the late afternoon to conclude your unforgettable adventure.
To reserve this tour, a payment of 60% of the total price must be made at the time of reservation. The balance of 40% can be made on arrival in Tanzania, prior to the departure of your tour.
Your deposit can either be made by means of a Bank Transfer, with the addition of a 45 US Dollar fee, or by Credit Card, which incurs an additional bank charge of 3.5%.
Either the final payment can be made through Credit Card, again with the addition of a 3.5% bank charge, or in cash in US Dollars (US Dollar Bills should not be older than year 2009).
Cancellation of a holiday must be made in writing and is effective from the date we receive the written notification. Cancellation charges are expressed at a percentage of quoted price as shown in the table below.
If the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim the cancellation charges from your insurance company. Notwithstanding the above, if we have issued your domestic airline tickets and you choose at any time to cancel them then the cancelling for Domestic Tickets will be 100%.
The below Payment and Cancellation policy is specifically for Southern Tanzania Safari Escape and it does not apply to other tours. –
