Southern Tanzania Safari

Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), you’ll be met by a private driver and transferred to your centrally located hotel in Dar es Salaam. This vibrant port city is rich in Swahili culture and coastal charm. Depending on your arrival time, take the evening to explore a bit of the city, enjoy fresh seafood, or simply relax and recharge—your adventure begins tomorrow.

This morning, hop on a scenic bush flight into the heart of Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous Game Reserve)—Africa’s largest protected wildlife area. After settling into your riverside tented camp, kick off your safari with a boat safari on the Rufiji River (water levels permitting). Glide past pods of hippos, sunbathing crocodiles, and drinking elephants as the golden light hits the water. If river conditions don’t allow, enjoy a classic afternoon game drive through the park’s vast miombo woodlands.

Over the next two days, immerse yourself in the rhythm of the bush with two safari activities per day. Go on early morning and late afternoon game drives to track lions, leopards, and packs of African wild dogs—one of the rarest predators in Africa. Between drives, experience a walking safari, where expert guides introduce you to the smaller wonders of the bush: footprints, medicinal plants, and the thrill of being on foot in big game country.

Optional boat safaris can be arranged seasonally for a fresh perspective on wildlife. Nyerere’s remoteness makes it feel like your own private wilderness.

After breakfast, board a short flight to Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s best-kept safari secret. Famed for its dramatic baobab-dotted landscapes and large predator populations, Ruaha is a dream for wildlife lovers and photographers. After settling into your lodge overlooking the Ruaha River, head out for an afternoon game drive in this rugged, soul-stirring park.

Spend the next two days on full safari in Ruaha, home to some of the largest lion prides in Africa and an extraordinary variety of wildlife—from kudu and sable antelope to hyenas, bat-eared foxes, and even the elusive leopard. With few visitors and vast open spaces, you’ll feel a rare sense of intimacy with the wild.
Each day includes morning and afternoon game drives, with optional down time to soak in views from your lodge, journal under a baobab tree, or sip a sundowner by the riverbank.

Today, take to the skies once more for your final stop—Mikumi National Park, often called the “mini-Serengeti” for its wide, acacia-dotted plains and excellent game viewing. After arriving, settle into your hilltop tented camp and enjoy an afternoon game drive. Expect to see giraffes stretching for treetops, zebras grazing the plains, and elephants cooling off at waterholes.

Your last full safari day is spent exploring Mikumi’s Mkata floodplain, known for its open vistas and high concentration of wildlife. With fewer tourists, this park offers an uncrowded and authentic safari experience. Keep your eyes peeled for lions lounging in the shade, massive herds of buffalo, and troops of curious baboons. End the day watching the sun set over the savanna—one final toast to your wild Tanzanian adventure.

After a relaxed breakfast, board your return flight to Dar es Salaam. If you have time before your onward international departure, consider a meal at a local café or some last-minute curio shopping.