Safari
13 Days – Best of Southern Tanzania Safari
- Length
- 13 days
- Where
- Tanzania
- Price
- Price on request
Mikumi National Park • Udzungwa Mountains National Park • Ruaha National Park • Nyerere National Park (Selous)
This exceptional Southern Tanzania safari takes you through some of the country’s most diverse and less-crowded wilderness areas, combining classic game drives, walking safaris, cultural encounters, waterfalls, and a memorable balloon safari experience.
Where this tour goes
Day by day
-
Day 0: Arrival in Dar es Salaam
Upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), you will be met and greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Dar es Salaam. Depending on arrival time, an optional city tour can be arranged.
Overnight: Hotel in Dar es Salaam
Meals: Bed & Breakfast -
Day 1: Dar es Salaam – Mikumi National Park
After breakfast, depart by road to Mikumi National Park, Tanzania’s fourth-largest park. Arrive in time for lunch and a short rest.
In the afternoon (around 4:00 PM), enjoy a visit to a Maasai Village for a cultural experience.
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge or Camp in Mikumi
Meals: Lunch & Dinner -
Day 2: Mikumi National Park – Full Day Game Drive
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day game drive in Mikumi National Park with a packed lunch. The park is known for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, and abundant birdlife.
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge or Camp in Mikumi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -
Day 3: Mikumi – Udzungwa Mountains National Park – Mikumi
After breakfast, drive to Udzungwa Mountains National Park for a guided hike to the famous waterfalls. Along the trails, you may encounter endemic monkey species and diverse birdlife. Enjoy swimming in a natural pool before returning to Mikumi in the late afternoon.
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge or Camp in Mikumi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -
Day 4: Mikumi – Ruaha National Park
After breakfast, depart for Ruaha National Park, passing through Iringa with a packed lunch. En route, visit the historical Isimila Stone Age Site. Continue to Ruaha and arrive in the evening.
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge or Camp in Ruaha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -
Day 5: Ruaha National Park – Full Day Game Drive
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day game drive in Ruaha National Park with a packed lunch. Ruaha is famous for its rugged landscapes, large elephant herds, big cats, and the Great Ruaha River ecosystem.
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge or Camp in Ruaha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -
Day 6: Ruaha National Park – Balloon Safari & Game Drive
Wake up early for a hot air balloon safari, a once-in-a-lifetime experience offering breathtaking aerial views of Ruaha’s wilderness. After landing, enjoy breakfast before continuing with a game drive in the park.
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge or Camp in Ruaha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -
Day 7: Ruaha – Mikumi
After breakfast, pack your luggage and drive back to Mikumi National Park, enjoying scenic landscapes along the way.
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge or Camp in Mikumi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -
Day 8: Mikumi – Nyerere National Park (Selous)
After breakfast, drive to Nyerere National Park, Africa’s largest protected wildlife reserve. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari along the Rufiji River, offering excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, and birds.
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge or Camp in Nyerere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -
Day 9: Nyerere National Park – Full Day Game Drive
After breakfast, depart for a full-day game drive in Nyerere National Park. The park is home to elephants, lions, wild dogs, buffaloes, and diverse wildlife habitats.
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge or Camp in Nyerere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -
Day 10: Nyerere National Park – Full Day Game Drive
Enjoy another full day of game viewing in Nyerere National Park with a packed lunch, exploring different areas of this vast wilderness.
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge or Camp in Nyerere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -
Day 11: Nyerere National Park – Full Day Game Drive
A third full day of game drives allows for deeper exploration and excellent photographic opportunities.
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge or Camp in Nyerere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -
Day 12: Nyerere – Cultural Experience & Walking Safari
Early morning guided bush walk (approximately 2.5 hours) accompanied by an armed ranger. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a short rest.
Later, enjoy a guided village walk, experiencing local life with a guide born and raised in the community.
Dinner and Overnight: Lodge or Camp in Nyerere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner -
Day 13: Nyerere National Park – Dar es Salaam
After breakfast, drive back to Dar es Salaam and transfer to your hotel or onward arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast
What the price includes
Every tour is priced for your dates and group. Ask us about anything not listed.
Included
- Government taxes and levies
- Park entrance fees
- Full board accommodation during safari
- Services of a professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Driver/guide allowances and salary
- Safari vehicle and park entry fees
- Transport in a custom-made 4×4 safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
- Game drives as per itinerary
- Drinking water during safari
- Maasai village visit
- Boat safari and walking safari
- Hot air balloon safari in Ruaha National Park
Not included
- Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, etc.)
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel and luggage insurance
- Tips for driver-guide, porters, and lodge staff
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Tanzania for a safari?
Tanzania's wildlife is abundant year-round, but the timing of your visit can influence your safari experience. The dry season from June to October offers better game viewing, as animals gather around water sources. However, the wet season from November to May brings lush green landscapes and newborn wildlife. Both seasons have their unique charm, so choose based on your preferences and interests.
Which national parks should I include in my Tanzania safari itinerary?
Tanzania boasts an array of spectacular national parks, each with its own distinct offerings. The Serengeti National Park, renowned for the Great Wildebeest Migration, is a must-visit. Other favorites include the Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and the Selous Game Reserve. Each park presents a different landscape and wildlife population, ensuring a diverse and unforgettable safari experience.
How long should my Tanzania safari be?
The duration of your safari depends on various factors, such as your budget, availability, and personal preferences. To fully immerse yourself in Tanzania's natural wonders, we recommend a minimum of 5-7 days. This allows you to explore multiple parks, observe different wildlife behaviors, and soak in the beauty of the African wilderness.
What types of accommodations are available during a Tanzania safari?
Tanzania offers a range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. From luxurious lodges and tented camps to budget-friendly campsites, there's something for everyone. These accommodations are strategically located within or near national parks, allowing you to maximize your safari experience.
Reviews on Tripadvisor
4.8 / 5 · 24 reviews
What travellers say
6 days private Serengeti Safari
Sunset african safari is an absolutely recommendable tour operator. We had booked 6 unforgettable days in the Serengeti as a private tour. our guide Patrick is an excellent driver and knows a lot about the Serengeti and its animals. We felt absolutely safe in every situation. Our accommodation was in a mobile camp. The service of the staff, the food and the friendliness is unforgettable. These camps are equipped with everything you need. In our eyes, this is already luxury in the great outdoors. During our game drives we were so overwhelmed by all the animal sightings that this can hardly be put into words. All our respect to all the staff of Sunset African Safari. If possible we will come again
Helene and Stefan
Superb experience!
Sunset Africa Safaris is definitely a reliable and experienced tour operator! Thanks to our guide Omaru, our 4 days 3 nights small group tour(3 pax) in the Safari was surely above our expectations, and he knows where to to find the animals. While we were in the Safari, the only thing we need to do was to enjoy the breath taking views and the closeness to the wild aninimals; everything else (Transportation, lodging, food...) was taken care by our experienced and knowledgeable guide.
My advice for doing a Safari tour:
1. Small group is better as you can move freely in the car to see the animals on both sides.
2.Plan your trip in advance and prepare the fund in advance in cash or bank transfer, generally credit card doesn't work well in Tanzania as there is 5% charge on the consumer side.
3.Bring warm clothes, SLR camera, binoculars with you.
4.Serengeti and Ngorongoro are must visit attractions.
At last, a very special thanks to Godfrey (Owner of the firm) for solving my duplicate fund transfers problem in 2 business days in parallel!
Family holiday
Myself and my family (daughter 14 & Son 9) had a fabulous time in Tanzania visiting family, but one the best experiences we had was going on Safari with Godfrey and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, they were very professional but also friendly and good with the kids. 10/10
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