8-Day Southern Tanzania Adventure: Nyerere, Mikumi & Ruaha Explorer

Your safari begins with arrival in Dar es Salaam, where you’ll be met and transferred toward the southern wilderness. Journey into Nyerere National Park, Tanzania’s largest protected area, and settle into your lodge perched on the edge of vast riverine landscapes. Take the late afternoon to unwind, listen to birdsong, and prepare for the adventure ahead.

Wake early for a full day of exploration in Nyerere National Park, starting with a serene boat safari that brings you close to hippos, crocodiles, and flocks of water birds along the waterways. Later, transition to a game drive through gallery forests and open plains, where elephants, buffalo, and antelope graze freely. The combination of water-based and land-based wildlife viewing makes this day uniquely memorable.

After breakfast, head north to Mikumi National Park, a classic safari landscape where wide grasslands and acacia trees provide the stage for abundant wildlife. Watch herds of zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe move across the plains, and keep an eye out for lions lounging in the shade. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush before continuing your safari until sunset.

Spend a full day discovering the rhythms of Mikumi National Park with game drives that delve deeper into its wildlife-rich habitats. With few other vehicles around, you’ll enjoy an immersive and peaceful safari experience, perfect for photography and relaxed wilderness viewing. Return to your lodge in the evening.

Today’s journey takes you into the heart of Ruaha National Park, one of Tanzania’s most pristine and wildlife-rich wilderness areas. Upon arrival, embark on your first game drive through sprawling landscapes where elephants, lions, and rare antelopes roam. The contrast between Ruaha’s rugged escarpments and open plains sets this park apart from others in Tanzania.

Enjoy a full day of game drives in Ruaha National Park, where predators and prey thrive along seasonal rivers and rolling plains. Expert local guides will lead you through thickets and along ridges in search of big game and smaller species alike, offering unmatched views of East Africa’s untamed wilderness.

Rise early for another day of safari in Ruaha National Park, exploring different corners of this immense reserve. Pause for a bush lunch surrounded by nature, then enjoy afternoon drives that reveal different behaviors as animals prepare for dusk. End your day watching the sunset over golden savanna vistas.

After breakfast, depart Ruaha National Park and journey back to Dar es Salaam. Reflect on your safari highlights — from river boats and elephant sightings to wide plains and rugged hills — as you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.