Southern Circuit Tanzania Safari
Discover Tanzania Beyond the Crowds
Escape the busy northern safari routes and explore Tanzania’s hidden gem the Southern Circuit. This extraordinary region offers vast wilderness, fewer tourists, and unique safari experiences that connect you deeply with nature. From river safaris to walking adventures and mountain hikes, the Southern Circuit is designed for travelers seeking authenticity, exclusivity, and raw beauty.
Why Choose the Southern Circuit?
The Southern Circuit stands out for its untouched landscapes and diverse safari activities. Unlike traditional game drives alone, this region offers a variety of immersive experiences:
- Remote and less crowded parks
- Unique activities like boat safaris and walking safaris
- Authentic cultural and nature experiences
- Rich wildlife with dramatic landscapes
- Ideal for photographers and adventure seekers
Route
Southern Circuit Tanzania Safari
Price per person
1 Person
Price From
$3,920
Per Person
2 Person
Price From
$ 2,807
Per Person
4 Person
Price From
$ 2,358
Per Person
6+ Person
Price From
$ 2,209
Per Person
Your Journey Mapped Out
Ready to set out? Your adventure awaits!
- DAY 1 - Arrival in Dar es Salaam – Transfer to Nyerere National Park
- DAY 2 - Full-day Game Drive and Boat Safari in Nyerere
- DAY 3 - Transfer to Mikumi National Park – Evening Game Drive
- DAY 4 - Game Drives in Mikumi – Optional Transfer to Udzungwa for Hiking
- DAY 5 - Morning Hike to Sanje Waterfalls – Return to Dar es Salaam
Top Destinations in the Southern Circuit
Nyerere National Park (Former Selous Game Reserve
Africa’s largest national park, famous for its river systems and diverse wildlife. Enjoy boat safaris along the Rufiji River, where you can see hippos, crocodiles, and elephants from a unique perspective.
Unique Attractions of Nyerere National Park
The Rufiji River The Heart of the Park
The most distinctive attraction is the Rufiji River, one of East Africa’s great rivers. Its network of channels, islands, and lagoons supports exceptional wildlife viewing and creates scenery unlike the open plains found in northern Tanzania.
Boat Safaris A Rare Safari Experience in Tanzania
Nyerere is one of the few places in Tanzania where boat safaris are a major activity. Exploring waterways by boat allows visitors to approach hippos, crocodiles, elephants drinking at the riverbank, and large numbers of waterbirds from a unique perspective.
Large Concentrations of Hippos and Crocodiles
The river ecosystem supports impressive populations of hippos and huge Nile crocodiles. Watching these animals interact in natural river habitats offers a very different wildlife experience compared with land-based game drives.
Remote Wilderness and Vast Untouched Landscapes
One of Nyerere’s greatest attractions is space. The park delivers a feeling of true wilderness with long stretches of untouched habitat, fewer vehicle crowds, and expansive landscapes that make safaris feel more exclusive and immersive.
Excellent Predator Encounters
The park is known for strong predator populations, including lions and other carnivores moving through woodland and river systems.
Ruaha National Park
A true wilderness paradise known for its massive elephant population and iconic baobab trees.
Attractions of Ruaha National Park
The Great Ruaha River Lifeline of the Park
The Great Ruaha River is the defining feature of the park and one of its biggest attractions. During the dry season, wildlife gathers along the riverbanks to drink, creating exceptional viewing opportunities. The combination of flowing water, rocky landscapes, and concentrated animal activity makes every safari drive dynamic and memorable.
Iconic Baobab Landscapes
Ruaha is famous for its dramatic scenery filled with giant baobab trees scattered across rugged terrain. These ancient trees create one of the most distinctive landscapes in Tanzania and provide spectacular settings for photography, especially during sunrise and sunset when the park glows with warm natural colors.
Exceptional Predator Encounters
Ruaha is widely recognized for outstanding predator sightings and offers chances to observe lions, leopards, and other carnivores in a less crowded environment. The vast wilderness supports natural predator behavior, making encounters feel authentic and wild while creating exciting safari experiences.
Large Elephant Populations in a Remote Wilderness
Ruaha is known for impressive elephant numbers moving through valleys, river systems, and open bushland. Watching large family groups interact in this expansive and uncrowded setting gives visitors a deeper sense of Tanzania’s wild landscapes and makes Ruaha one of the country’s most rewarding safari destinations.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park
A haven for hikers and nature lovers. This park offers lush rainforest trails, rare primates, and the spectacular Sanje Waterfalls
Sanje Waterfalls The Park’s Most Famous Natural Wonder
The highlight of Udzungwa is Sanje Waterfalls, a spectacular multi-level waterfall with a total drop of about 170 meters. The hike to the falls passes through lush forest and leads to viewpoints overlooking the surrounding landscape, making it one of Tanzania’s most rewarding nature experiences.
Rare and Endemic Primate Species
Udzungwa is internationally known for its unique primates, including species found nowhere else on Earth. The forest shelters the Udzungwa red colobus and Sanje mangabey, making the park a special destination for wildlife enthusiasts and primate researchers.
Ancient Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem
Unlike Tanzania’s famous savannah parks, Udzungwa protects a dense tropical rainforest with exceptional biodiversity. Towering trees, forest streams, rare plants, butterflies, and hidden trails create a completely different safari atmosphere centered on immersion in nature.
Vehicle Free Walking Safari Experience
One of Udzungwa’s most distinctive features is that exploration happens almost entirely on foot. There are no traditional game drives inside the hiking areas, allowing visitors to experience the environment more closely through trekking, forest walks, wildlife observation, and peaceful encounters with nature.
Best Time to Visit
- June to October: Best for wildlife viewing (dry season)
- November to March: Lush landscapes and excellent birdwatching
- April to May: Rainy season (fewer travelers, but challenging conditions)
Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Tanzania Circuit Safari
1. What is the Southern Tanzania Circuit Safari?
The Southern Tanzania Circuit Safari is a safari route that explores Tanzania’s less-crowded wilderness areas, including Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, and sometimes Ruaha National Park.
2. What is the best time to visit Southern Tanzania?
The best time to visit is during the dry season from June to October when wildlife is easier to spot.
3. Which parks are included in the Southern Circuit?
The main parks are Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, and Ruaha National Park.
4. How is the Southern Circuit different from the Northern Circuit?
The Southern Circuit is less crowded and offers a more exclusive safari experience. Visitors enjoy larger wilderness areas, boat safaris, walking safaris, and fewer vehicles around wildlife sightings.
5. What animals can I see on a Southern Tanzania safari?
You can expect to see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, wildebeest, and a wide variety of bird species.
Inclusion
✅ Accommodation as per itinerary
✅ All meals during the safari (Full Board – FB)
✅ Airport transfers
✅ Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
✅ English-speaking professional safari guide
✅ All park entry and conservation fees
✅ Game drives as per itinerary
✅ Bottled drinking water in the safari vehicle
✅ Government taxes and levies
Exclude
❌ International and domestic flights
❌ Travel insurance
❌ Tanzania visa fees
❌ Personal expenses (e.g., laundry, telephone, beverages)
❌ Optional activities (e.g., hot air balloon safari)
❌ Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
❌ Items of personal nature