Overview

For a journey into the wilder, more remote landscapes of the south, this 8-day itinerary explores the vast Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) and the rugged Ruaha National Park. This circuit is famous for its massive buffalo herds, diverse predators, and the rare African Wild Dog.

Day 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam

Your journey begins in Tanzania's coastal hub. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to a hotel in the city to relax and prepare for the road trip ahead. This evening is dedicated to your safari briefing, ensuring you are ready for the diverse landscapes of the southern circuit.

Day 2: Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park

You will depart the city for a scenic drive toward Nyerere National Park, the largest wilderness area in Africa. You will arrive at Rufiji River Camp or Selous Kulinda Camp in time for lunch. These tented lodges are perched on the banks of the Rufiji River, providing a perfect vantage point to watch hippos and crocodiles from your private deck.

Day 3: Nyerere River and Plains Exploration

This day is divided between the water and the land, starting with a morning boat safari to observe elephants and buffaloes as they gather at the river's edge. In the afternoon, you will head out on a game drive to track lions and the elusive leopard in the park’s palm-fringed lagoons. You will return to your riverside tented lodge for a quiet evening under the stars.

Day 4: Nyerere to Mikumi National Park

After a final morning game drive in Nyerere, you will begin the drive to Mikumi National Park, often called the "Serengeti of the South" due to its open horizons. You will check into Stanley’s Kopje or Vuma Hills Tented Camp, both of which are elevated on hillsides to offer panoramic views of the Mkata Floodplain. These camps provide a classic safari atmosphere with high-quality tented accommodations.

Day 5: Mikumi National Park Game Drives

You will spend the day exploring Mikumi’s rich floodplains, which are home to large herds of zebras, wildebeests, and the impressive eland. The park is also famous for its "Mkata lions" and herds of elephants that roam the open tracks. You will return to your hilltop tented lodge for the night, enjoying the cool breeze and the sounds of the wilderness below.

Day 6: Mikumi to Ruaha National Park

The journey continues westward as you drive through the rugged Southern Highlands toward Ruaha National Park. The scenery changes to a landscape of ancient baobabs and rocky outcrops as you arrive at Ruaha River Lodge or Mwagusi Safari Camp. These lodges are integrated into the natural environment, often allowing wildlife to wander right through the camp grounds.

Day 7: Full Day in Ruaha National Park

Ruaha is a predator’s paradise, and you will spend the day tracking the park’s massive lion prides and searching for the rare African Wild Dog. The park’s remote nature means you will have these sightings largely to yourself as you navigate the banks of the Great Ruaha River. You will overnight at your tented bush camp, experiencing the raw beauty of one of Africa’s most authentic parks.

Day 8: Ruaha to Dar es Salaam

On your final day, you will enjoy a sunrise game drive before heading to the local airstrip. You will take a scheduled bush flight back to Dar es Salaam, saving time on the return leg and enjoying an aerial view of the parks you have just traversed. You will arrive in Dar es Salaam in the afternoon for your onward international flight.