As locals who have embraced the stunning landscapes and vibrant wildlife of Tanzania, we, Michael and Sandra from Tanzania Safari Bug, are passionate about showcasing the hidden gems of our country. While many travellers flock to the popular Northern circuit, which includes the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, we believe Tanzania’s Southern circuit safaris deserve just as much attention.
In this post, we’ll guide you through the incredible parks of Southern Tanzania — Nyerere, Mikumi, Udzungwa, and Ruaha — and show you how to experience them without the crowds.
Why Choose the Southern Circuit?
Southern Tanzania is often overlooked by tourists, making it a perfect destination for those seeking a more tranquil safari experience. The Southern Circuit Parks are teeming with diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes and opportunities for immersive adventures. Here, you’ll find expansive savannahs, rugged mountains and lush wetlands, all rich with flora and fauna waiting to be discovered. It’s one of Africa’s best kept travel secrets with less than 10% of travellers venturing this far out.
Our fleet has been thoughtfully designed to offer a seamless blend of functionality and luxury, ensuring that you can fully immerse yourself in the experience of observing Tanzania’’s magnificent wildlife and landscapes.
1. Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park, formerly known as Selous Game Reserve, the largest protected wildlife area in Africa, is a true haven for nature lovers. With its wide-open spaces, serene rivers, extensive waterways and dense woodlands, this park offers some of the best safari experiences in Tanzania. Unlike the bustling Northern Circuit, you can expect to encounter fewer tourists, allowing for intimate and peaceful wildlife sightings. Here, you can enjoy game drives, walking safaris and boat safaris that bring you closer to the beauty of nature.
To enhance your comfort on the bumpy roads, our vehicles feature adjustable armrests and cotton-canvas seat covers. Extra cushions can also be arranged if needed, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey throughout your adventure.
2. Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is often described as the Serengeti of the South. Nestled between the Uluguru Mountains and the African Rift, it boasts a remarkable variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions and wildebeest. What sets Mikumi apart is its easy accessibility (either by road from Dar es Salaam or plane) and stunning landscapes. You can take a leisurely drive through the park, watching animals roam freely against the backdrop of breathtaking views.
We recommend planning your visit during the week as it tends to get quite crowded during the weekend with lots of resident travellers coming from Dar es Salaam and Morogoro for a short weekend-getaway.
With unlimited game drives, we don’t restrict our guides on mileage or fuel, allowing you more freedom and flexibility to explore. We specifically encourage our guides to drive into quieter areas to avoid crowds and heavily trafficked game circuits. This proactive approach not only enhances your experience but also helps prevent overtourism, ensuring that the places we visit are preserved for future generations.
3. Udzungwa Mountains National Park
For those who love hiking and adventure, Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a paradise waiting to be explored. Known for its lush rainforests and unique biodiversity, this park offers guided walking safaris that allow you to immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of nature. Encounter endemic species, breathtaking waterfalls and scenic views as you trek through this stunning landscape. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot the famous Udzungwa red colobus!
We recommend planning your visit during the week as it tends to get quite crowded during the weekend with lots of resident travellers coming from Dar es Salaam and Morogoro for a short weekend-getaway.
With unlimited game drives, we don’t restrict our guides on mileage or fuel, allowing you more freedom and flexibility to explore. We specifically encourage our guides to drive into quieter areas to avoid crowds and heavily trafficked game circuits. This proactive approach not only enhances your experience but also helps prevent overtourism, ensuring that the places we visit are preserved for future generations.
4. Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is a spectacular destination that showcases the raw beauty of Tanzania. It’s home to large populations of elephants, lions and other wildlife that thrive in this diverse ecosystem. Ruaha is less visited than other parks, which means you can often have sightings all to yourself. Here, you can indulge in game drives or take a guided walking safari, allowing you to experience the park’s wonders up close.
We recommend planning your visit during the week as it tends to get quite crowded during the weekend with lots of resident travellers coming from Dar es Salaam and Morogoro for a short weekend-getaway.
With unlimited game drives, we don’t restrict our guides on mileage or fuel, allowing you more freedom and flexibility to explore. We specifically encourage our guides to drive into quieter areas to avoid crowds and heavily trafficked game circuits. This proactive approach not only enhances your experience but also helps prevent overtourism, ensuring that the places we visit are preserved for future generations.
How to Experience Tanzania’s Southern Circuit Safari
Considering that these destinations, when combined, are Tanzania’s most extensive protected wildlife areas; there is a considerable amount of distance to cover. We understand that many travellers only fly between Nyerere and Ruaha, which can lead to a missed opportunity to truly explore the rich landscapes in between. That’s where we come in! At Tanzania Safari Bug, we are one of the few tour operators that offer driving safaris between these parks (fly-out options at the end of your trip are available to avoid driving the same route twice). While road distances between parks are usually around 6 to 8 hours, our itineraries are designed for exploration, always embracing the slow travel approach rather than rushing from one location to another.
A Thoughtful Itinerary
Typically, we recommend starting your journey with one arrival night in Dar es Salaam before heading to the bush. We also base this off international flying options.And in order to avoid driving the same route twice, we recommend flying out from the Ruaha back to Dar es Salaam or on to the beach. Our proposed itinerary would include the following:
- Day 1: Arrive in Dar es Salaam and overnight stay.
- Day 2 – 4: Depart for Nyerere National Park. Enjoy Nyerere National Park – view wildlife from your vehicle on a game drive or get up close to hippos on a boat ride.
- Day 5: Traverse from East to West all the way to Morogoro – enjoy a relaxing afternoon country experience from the ease of your deck.
- Day 6 – 7: Travel to Mikumi National Park and enjoy a game drive. Experience its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes.
- Day 8 – 9: Traveller to Udzungwa Mountains National Park – enjoy a relaxing afternoon at your camp and take in the sounds of nature surrounding you. Explore the park on foot. Hike through lush forests, swim beneath waterfalls and discover unique species.
- Day 10: Make your way to Iringa Town with a stop at Neema’s Craft – a creative initiative that supports people with disabilities. Continue to Ruaha National Park for thrilling game drives.
- Day 11 + 12: Enjoy Ruaha National Park – view wildlife from your vehicle on a game drive or learn how to read tracks on a walking adventure.
- Day 13: Enjoy a final morning in Ruaha before a return flight, ensuring you don’t have to drive long distances twice.
Hot tip: If you’d like to take a break from the dust and wildlife scene, head over to the Mufindi in the Southern Highlands and enjoy a cosy wooden chalet stay surrounded by pristine ancient forests and rolling tea plantations.
This exploration safari style allows you to take in the beautiful Tanzanian countryside as you travel, rather than just hopping between the main parks of Nyerere and Ruaha.
Expert Guides
Safaris in the South are not as easy as they are in Northern Tanzania where it’s hard to get lost. In the South, it’s important to have an excellent guide who can read tracks and follow bird sounds and typically understand wildlife behaviour. There are roads, but due to the limited number of cars, an inexperienced driver/guide can get lost quite easily. It requires a guide who has been there several times and knows how to navigate through the road network.
Our expert guide Michael travels to the South regularly and is happy to offer some advice.
5 star experience in Southern Tanzania. We were fortunate to have both Michael & Frank as our guides and nothing was too much trouble for them. Their ability to spot wildlife was extraordinary along with their knowledge of animal behavior gave us a great experience. We visited three National Parks in Southern Tanzania and often were quite close to the animals. The food was of a high standard. This is our third experience with Tanzania Safari Bug and would not hesitate in booking with them again.
TripAdvisor - Kathleen H - Aug 2024
Best Time for Tanzania’s Southern Circuit Safari
The best time to travel to Southern Tanzania is from June to October during the peak of the dry season. While the vegetation thins, wildlife depends on the few remaining permanent water sources – the perfect condition for game viewing.
The short rains usually start in November and continue through December. While it most likely won’t interfere with your safari, occasional rain showers do occur. It is worth considering January and February, which are by far the hottest months, but they are typically quieter with incredible birdlife around and lush scenery.
This approach also enhances comfort and privacy, free from the constraints and compromises often associated with shared or mixed groups. Our goal is to create a bespoke adventure that caters specifically to you and your companions, ensuring every moment of your safari is memorable and truly special.
Whether you’re setting out on a classic safari, exploring the Serengeti or venturing into the Ngorongoro Crater, our safari vehicles are equipped to handle the diverse conditions of Tanzania’s terrain. We invite you to experience the unparalleled comfort and convenience of our fleet as you embark on a journey of discovery in one of Africa’s most enchanting destinations.
At Tanzania Safari Bug, we are committed to providing you with a safari experience that exceeds expectations. With our thoughtfully designed vehicles, expert guides, and a passion for Tanzania’s natural beauty, we look forward to making your safari adventure truly extraordinary.
How to Avoid the Crowds
One of the biggest advantages of choosing the Southern Circuit is the ability to escape the overcrowded tourist spots. While the Tanzania northern circuit safaris are undeniably popular, the issue of over tourism can affect the quality of your experience. Opting for the Southern Circuit ensures a more peaceful, intimate encounter with nature and the incredible wildlife. It’s ideal for seasoned safari enthusiasts – especially those who have already visited the North.
To truly experience the best of Southern Tanzania, it’s important to plan ahead and adopt a few strategies to avoid the crowds:
- Time of year: While Nyerere National Park gets quite busy during the summer holidays due to its closeness to Zanzibar and daily flight options, Ruaha National Park remains quiet throughout the dry season from June to October.
- Opt for private guided tours: Having local guides who understand the terrain and wildlife behaviour can lead you to lesser-known spots, away from the usual tourist hubs.
- Explore less-visited parks: Parks like Udzungwa and Mikumi often have fewer visitors, providing a more personal experience with nature.
- Stay longer: Instead of rushing from one park to another, take the time to truly explore each destination. This allows you to appreciate the wildlife and landscapes more deeply.
- Flexible itineraries: Choose a tour operator that offers customisable itineraries to explore the Southern Circuit at your own pace.
The Benefits of Choosing Southern Tanzania
Choosing a Southern Tanzania safari means engaging in a more intimate experience with nature. You’ll have opportunities for wildlife sightings that feel special and personal, without the distractions of large tourist crowds. As you travel through this beautiful region, you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the culture, landscape and biodiversity that makes Tanzania so unique.
There is also a huge variety of activities in the South, including:
- Game drives
- Boat rides
- Walking safaris
- Fly-camping under the African sky
- Balloon rides
- Fishing and night game drives (depending on accommodation)
Experience the Best Safari in Tanzania
With so much to discover in Southern Tanzania, we believe this region offers some of the best safari experiences in Tanzania. The stunning scenery, abundant wildlife and peaceful atmosphere create a perfect setting for creating unforgettable memories.
At Tanzania Safari Bug, we’re committed to helping you explore the wonders of Tanzania’s Southern Circuit. Whether you’re seeking adventure, unforgettable wildlife encounters or simply a break from the bustling tourist spots, we’re here to craft an unforgettable safari experience tailored to your desires.
