Set Departure Safari

10 Days Tanzania’s Wild South

"A safari through Africa's most popular travel destination that leads you to the remote corners of the wilderness"

Price 4,090 USD * (See price tab)

Country

Tanzania

When to Go

June-Feb

Safari Type

Boating, Lodge, Walking Safari

Location

Southern Tanzania

Safari Rating

adventure

wilderness

wildlife

comfort

photographic

guiding

This 10-day safari shows you a completely extraordinary, unknown side of Tanzania – the wild south. You’ll traverse East Africa’s largest national park, trek through virtually undiscovered wilderness, and explore lush riverbanks by boat.

This safari opens up the previously lesser-known national parks of southern Tanzania, starting with the Selous Game Reserve. This is Africa’s largest and oldest wildlife sanctuary and is still considered a true insider tip due to its low visitor numbers. You can expect enormous expanses of lush, completely untouched nature, inhabited by an impressive variety of wildlife. What makes it truly special is the large number of wild dogs that live here – one of Africa’s most endangered species.

Mikumi National Park is a small park bordering the Selous Wilderness Reserve. It embodies what many consider the typical image of Africa – vast savannas, scattered acacia trees, small forests, and an unimaginable number of antelopes, zebras, giraffes, and other wildlife.

Next, we continue to the country’s largest national park – Ruaha National Park. It remains a true jewel for wildlife viewing, and visitor numbers are still much lower than in the north of the country. An untouched wilderness awaits your discovery, and especially during the dry season, wildlife viewing here is incomparable, as animals gather at the Ruaha River, which serves as the main water source. The park also captivates with its beautiful and very diverse landscape. Multiple vegetation zones including swamps, savannas, and forests create a picturesque landscape crowned by mighty baobab trees.

highlights map and overview detailed itinerary

highlights

Visit the wildest national parks in southern Tanzania
Boat tour on the Rufiji in Selous Wilderness Reserve
Guided walking safari with a ranger
Guaranteed departure from 2 people, maximum 7 people
Window seat guarantee in 4WD safari vehicle
German and English-speaking departure dates

map and overview

1 night in Dar Es Salaam
2 nights in Selous Wilderness Reserve
1 night near Kisaki
2 nights in Mikumi National Park
3 nights in Ruaha National Park

detailed itinerary

Day 1: Dar Es Salaam

Today is your arrival day. After landing at Dar Es Salaam airport, a driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel for the first night.
Accommodation: Harbourview Suites or similar

Day 2: Selous Wilderness Reserve

Today your day begins early. After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head south to the Selous Wilderness Reserve, directly to your first camp. Here you’ll have time to arrive peacefully and settle in before departing for your first activity in the afternoon.

A boat tour on the Rufiji River is the perfect start to the safari, as it gives you a first relaxed insight into the wilderness. During the trip, you’ll be able to observe a variety of birds, but also crocodiles, hippos, and possibly even antelopes coming to the river to drink. Accommodation: Selous Kinga Lodge

Day 3: Selous Wilderness Reserve

This day is entirely dedicated to wildlife viewing. After a hearty breakfast, you’ll embark on an extended game drive. You’ll follow parts of the Rufiji River, as wildlife particularly likes to stay here. Of course, you never know which animals you’ll see, but here there are good chances of observing elephants, buffalo, giraffes, kudus, crocodiles, and even the rare wild dogs.
Accommodation: Selous Kinga Lodge

Day 4: Walking Safari

Today wildlife viewing takes place in a slightly different way – you’ll go on a walking safari. A ranger will accompany you and explain animal tracks and their behavior. This is a very special experience, as during a bush walk you immerse yourself in nature, intensively perceive every rustle and sound, and a potential adventure awaits behind every bush. With some luck, you can observe zebras, monkeys, giraffes, antelopes, and warthogs and learn much about the numerous bird species that live here.

Later in the day, you’ll take a jeep for another game drive across the park until you reach your new accommodation near Kisaki in the evening. Accommodation: Sable Mountain Lodge

Day 5: Mikumi National Park

Today you continue toward Mikumi. During the drive, you’ll be able to admire beautiful landscapes with the fantastic Uluguru Mountains in the background, and as you pass through numerous small villages, you’ll get an insight into life in rural Tanzania.
Accommodation: Camp Bastian (Chalet)

Day 6: Mikumi National Park

Today you have a full day ahead in Mikumi National Park. Although this park is rather small, it’s incredibly diverse. Four different vegetation zones exist within it, making the landscape very exciting. This also provides a home for an unimaginable number of species, including 1,200 plants, 400 bird species, and 60 mammal species. Among them are several representatives of the Big 5.
Accommodation: Camp Bastian (Chalet)

Days 7, 8 & 9: Ruaha National Park

Today you head toward Ruaha. Your lodge for the next few nights is located very close to Ruaha National Park. Once you arrive, you’ll have time to settle into your lodge and rest a bit.

In the afternoon, you’ll set off for your first shorter game drive in Ruaha National Park – it’s legendary. It’s not only the country’s largest national park, but wildlife viewing here is also amazing. With some luck, you can observe lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and perhaps even the shy leopards. The park is also home to one of East Africa’s largest elephant populations, and numerous crocodiles and hippos live in the Ruaha River. Rare species like the roan or sable antelope also call this place home.

The following two days are entirely at your disposal for game drives, giving you the opportunity to get to know this park like no other. Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Day 10: Departure or Continue Journey

This morning, another game drive awaits you. The game drive ends directly at the Msembe airstrip, from where you’ll fly back to Dar Es Salaam via domestic flight (domestic flight arrival in Dar Es Salaam around 1:15 PM).