Overview
Explore Tanzania’s Southern Circuit on this 8-day safari through Nyerere, Mikumi, and Ruaha National Parks. Enjoy game drives with chances to see elephants, lions, giraffes, and wild dogs. Cruise the Rufiji River at sunset and visit a Maasai village in Mikumi. Relax in cozy mid-range lodges.
Highlights
- Ruaha National
- Mikumi National park
- Nyerere National Park
- Southern Tanzania
Itinerary
Explore Tanzania’s Southern Circuit on this 8-day safari through Nyerere, Mikumi, and Ruaha National Parks. Enjoy game drives with chances to see elephants, lions, giraffes, and wild dogs. Cruise the Rufiji River at sunset and visit a Maasai village in Mikumi. Relax in cozy mid-range lodges.
Depart at 8:00 AM from Dar es Salaam. Arrive at Nyerere National Park around noon and check in at a comfortable mid-range lodge. After lunch and some relaxation, enjoy a scenic boat safari along the Rufiji River in the late afternoon. Spot crocodiles, hippos, and numerous bird species while taking in dramatic river cliffs. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Nyerere National Park
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge near the park
Meals & Drinks: Lunch & Dinner included (Breakfast not included), non-alcoholic drinks
After breakfast, embark on a full-day guided game drive, exploring savannahs, wetlands, and acacia forests. Expect to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes, alongside abundant birdlife. A picnic lunch will be served mid-day before continuing the afternoon safari. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Nyerere National Park
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge near the park
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Venture out on another full-day game drive, taking alternate routes to explore more of Nyerere’s diverse habitats. A highlight includes a visit to a natural hot spring (weather permitting) where a relaxing swim may be possible. Picnic lunch provided. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Nyerere National Park
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge near the park
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
After breakfast, drive approximately 5 hours to Mikumi National Park. Upon arrival, check in at a comfortable mid-range lodge. In the evening, participate in a Maasai cultural tour before dinner.
Main Destination: Mikumi National Park
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge near the park
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Early morning departure for a full-day game drive. Explore the Mkata Floodplain, often compared to the Serengeti, with open horizons and abundant wildlife. Picnic lunch in the park. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Mikumi National Park
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge near the park
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Drive from Mikumi to Ruaha National Park, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive. Discover the park’s wild terrain and spot lions, elephants, and antelopes against a dramatic sunset. Overnight at a mid-range lodge.
Main Destination: Ruaha National Park
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge near the park
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Start the day with an early morning game drive in Ruaha National Park. By midday, begin a scenic 4–5 hour drive back to Mikumi, passing rural landscapes, sunflower fields, and miombo woodlands. Check in at a mid-range lodge for dinner and overnight.
Main Destination: Ruaha National Park / Mikumi National Park
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge near Mikumi
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
After breakfast, drive approximately 6 hours back to Dar es Salaam, through Chalinze. Drop-off at your hotel or airport.
Main Destination: Dar es Salaam
Accommodation: None (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch included (Dinner not included), non-alcoholic drinks
Costing
Inclusions
- Airport pick-up and drop-off in Dar es Salaam
- Accommodation on full-board basis (except where stated)
- All meals as specified in the itinerary
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
- Professional English-speaking driver/guide
- All national park entry fees (Nyerere, Mikumi, Ruaha)
- Boat safari on the Rufiji River (Day 1)
- Maasai cultural tour in Mikumi (Day 4)
- Bottled mineral water and non-alcoholic drinks during the safari
- Government taxes, VAT, and service charges
Exclusions
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees (Tanzania entry visa)
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Personal expenses (e.g., laundry, telephone, alcoholic drinks)
- Tips and gratuities for guide/driver and lodge staff
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Accommodation in Dar es Salaam before/after the safari (can be arranged at extra cost)




