Southern Safari Destinations
Overview
Tanzania’s Southern Circuit offers a remote, uncrowded safari experience, perfect for travelers seeking privacy and authentic wilderness. Centered around Ruaha, Nyerere (Selous), Mikumi, and Udzungwa, the region is known for vast open landscapes, large elephant populations, predators, and rich birdlife. Unique activities such as game drives, boat safaris, walking safaris, and hiking create a deeper, more immersive safari experience away from the busy northern parks.
Nyerere National Park
About Nyerere
Nyerere National Park, formerly part of the Selous Game Reserve, is one of Tanzania’s largest protected areas and a standout destination in the Southern Circuit. Its vast wilderness, expansive landscapes, and diverse habitats make it a prime location for experiencing Africa’s raw and untamed beauty.
The remote location of Nyerere National Park ensures low visitor numbers, allowing for an intimate and exclusive safari experience. Travelers can enjoy the serenity of unspoiled nature while observing wildlife in their natural habitats, far from the crowds of the northern parks.
One of the park’s defining features is its extensive river systems, particularly the Rufiji River, which nourishes the landscape and attracts large concentrations of animals. These waterways provide exceptional opportunities for boat safaris, wildlife photography, and up-close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic bird species.
Nyerere is also celebrated for its rich birdlife, lush floodplains, and diverse ecosystems that range from open savannah to dense woodlands. The park’s combination of abundant wildlife, scenic rivers, and tranquil wilderness makes it a perfect destination for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone seeking an immersive safari experience in Tanzania.
Tour Activities
- Game drives
- Boat safaris
- Walking safaris
- Bird watching
- Wildlife photography
Ruaha National Park
About Ruaha
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park and the heart of the Southern Circuit, known for its rugged beauty and true wilderness feel. Its vast landscapes of rolling savannah, rocky hills, and the life-giving Great Ruaha River support an impressive concentration of wildlife.
Ruaha is especially renowned for its predator populations and dramatic river scenes, where animals gather to drink during the dry season. With fewer visitors than northern parks, the park offers a more exclusive and intimate safari experience, making it a rewarding destination throughout the year.
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park and the heart of the Southern Circuit, celebrated for its rugged landscapes and untouched wilderness. Rolling savannahs, rocky escarpments, and the Great Ruaha River create a dramatic setting that supports abundant wildlife, including large elephant herds, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, and the rare African wild dog.
The park is particularly known for its strong predator populations and striking river scenes, especially during the dry season when wildlife gathers along the riverbanks.
Tour Activities
- Game drives
- Bird watching
- Walking safaris
- Wildlife photography
Mikumi National Park
About Mikumi
Mikumi National Park is one of Tanzania’s most accessible parks and a key destination in the Southern Circuit. Known for its open savannahs, rolling hills, and acacia woodlands, the park offers classic African landscapes and a rich wildlife experience.Mikumi is home to elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, and a variety of antelope species, making it ideal for first-time and seasoned safari-goers alike.
The park’s convenient location near Morogoro and Dar es Salaam ensures it receives more visitors, yet it still maintains a relaxed and uncrowded atmosphere compared to northern parks. Travelers can enjoy game drives and wildlife viewing in a peaceful setting, experiencing Tanzania’s natural beauty without the hustle of busier safari destinations.
Mikumi is particularly noted for its seasonal rivers and waterholes, which attract concentrations of wildlife, especially during the dry season. These areas provide excellent opportunities for wildlife photography and up-close encounters with both predators and herbivores in their natural habitats.
Tour Activities
- Game drives
- Bird watching
- Walking safaris
- Wildlife photography
Udzungwa Mountains National Park
About Mikumi
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is one of Tanzania’s most unique and biodiverse parks, forming an important part of the Southern Circuit. Known for its lush rainforests, deep valleys, and cascading waterfalls, the park offers a completely different safari experience focused on nature, trekking, and wildlife discovery.
The park’s remote location ensures a peaceful and uncrowded experience, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in unspoiled nature. Visitors can explore dense forests, hike scenic trails, and encounter wildlife in their natural habitats, far from the busier northern safari parks.
Udzungwa is particularly noted for its network of rivers, waterfalls, and natural pools, which create spectacular scenery and support the park’s diverse ecosystems. These waterways offer opportunities for trekking, wildlife observation, and nature photography, providing an adventurous and immersive experience.
In addition to its remarkable biodiversity, Udzungwa Mountains National Park features varied landscapes ranging from montane forests to lowland woodlands.
Tour Activities
- Waterfall trekking
- Bird watching
- Guided forest hikes
- Wildlife photography
- Nature walks
