Embark on an extraordinary 20-day mid-range safari across the wild and remote Southern Circuit of Tanzania with Tanzania Beauty Safaris. This off-the-beaten-path journey takes you deep into some of Tanzania’s least-explored national parks, including Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), Ruaha National Park, Mikumi National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, and Katavi National Park.

Your adventure begins in Dar es Salaam, with a scenic journey to Nyerere National Park, home to Africa’s largest population of wild dogs and vast herds of elephants. Enjoy thrilling boat safaris on the Rufiji River, classic game drives, and walking safaris led by experienced local guides.

Continue to Mikumi National Park, known for its open plains and abundant wildlife, where you'll spot lions, giraffes, zebras, and hippos. Explore the nearby Udzungwa Mountains, a haven for hikers and bird lovers. Here, you’ll trek through tropical rainforest trails, discover stunning waterfalls, and encounter rare primates like the Udzungwa red colobus monkey.

The journey intensifies as you fly to Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest and most dramatic park, known for its rugged landscapes and large predator populations. Witness thrilling predator-prey interactions, vast baobab-dotted plains, and herds of elephants roaming free.

Finally, venture even deeper into Tanzania’s wild heart with a visit to Katavi National Park, one of Africa’s last untouched wilderness areas. With fewer visitors and expansive plains teeming with buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and predators, Katavi offers a truly exclusive safari experience.

Throughout the 20 days, you’ll enjoy comfortable mid-range lodges and tented camps that keep you close to nature without compromising on comfort. The tour includes multiple game drives, walking safaris, boat excursions, hiking adventures, and domestic flights, ensuring a seamless and immersive journey across Tanzania’s remote south.

Why Choose Tanzania Beauty Safaris?

• Expert Local Guides: Our passionate, English-speaking guides provide in-depth knowledge of Southern Tanzania’s wildlife and ecosystems, ensuring a personalized experience.
• Tailored Itineraries: We customize your safari to suit your preferences, offering mid-range lodges and tented camps for comfort and value.
• Sustainable Tourism: We partner with local communities and prioritize eco-friendly practices to preserve Tanzania’s natural heritage.
• Guaranteed Departures: Your safari is guaranteed to depart, even for solo travelers, ensuring flexibility and reliability.
• 24/7 Support: Our dedicated team offers round-the-clock assistance, from planning to the end of your adventure.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for a Southern Circuit safari is the dry season (June to October), when vegetation thins, and wildlife congregates around water sources, ideal for game viewing and walking safaris. The short dry season (January to February) offers clear skies and fewer crowds, with lush greenery in Udzungwa. The green season (March to May) brings vibrant landscapes and abundant birdlife, though some roads may be challenging. As of today, July 3, 2025, the dry season ensures optimal conditions for wildlife sightings and activities.

Why Choose the Southern Circuit?

• Nyerere National Park: Tanzania’s largest park (30,000 km²), formerly Selous Game Reserve, offers pristine wilderness with the Rufiji River as a hub for boat safaris. It hosts Africa’s largest wild dog population, elephants, hippos, and over 440 bird species.
• Ruaha National Park: East Africa’s largest park (20,226 km²) features vast savannahs, baobabs, and the Great Ruaha River, home to lions, leopards, wild dogs, and 580+ bird species. Walking safaris offer intimate wildlife encounters.
• Mikumi National Park: Known for its accessibility from Dar es Salaam, Mikumi’s Mkata plains host elephants, giraffes, lions, and zebras, offering a classic safari experience with fewer crowds than the Northern Circuit.
• Udzungwa Mountains National Park: A biodiversity hotspot with tropical rainforests, Udzungwa is perfect for hiking to waterfalls like Sanje and spotting endemic primates like the Iringa red colobus.
• Katavi National Park: One of Tanzania’s most remote parks, Katavi offers untouched wilderness with massive hippo pools, buffalo herds, and rare roan antelopes, ideal for exclusive game drives.

Sample 20-Day Mid-Range Southern Circuit Safari Itinerary

Day-1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam

• Afternoon/Evening: Arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) and transfer to a mid-range hotel in Dar es Salaam for relaxation and safari briefing.
• Accommodation: Southern Sun Dar es Salaam or similar, with en-suite rooms and modern amenities.
• Meals: Dinner included.

Days 2-4:- Nyerere National Park

• Day 2 Morning: Fly from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park (30-minute flight). Transfer to camp and enjoy an afternoon boat safari on the Rufiji River, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and birds.

• Day 3-4 Activities: Full days of game drives and walking safaris (with armed rangers) in Nyerere, seeking wild dogs, elephants, and lions. Optional fly-camping ($100 per person) for a night under the stars.

• Accommodation: Selous Safari Camp or similar mid-range tented camp, with en-suite tents and river views.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.
• Note: Nyerere’s vast size (four times larger than Serengeti) ensures uncrowded wildlife encounters.
• Days 5-6: Mikumi National Park

• Day 5 Morning: Fly to Mikumi National Park (1-hour flight) or drive (4-5 hours) from Nyerere. Afternoon game drive in the Mkata plains, spotting elephants, giraffes, and zebras.

• Day 6 Activities: Full day of game drives, with chances to see lions, leopards, and over 400 bird species. Optional evening game drive ($50 per person) for nocturnal wildlife.

• Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi or similar mid-range lodge, with en-suite rooms and scenic views.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.

Days 7-9: Udzungwa Mountains National Park

• Day 7 Morning: Drive to Udzungwa Mountains National Park (3-4 hours) via Morogoro. Afternoon hike to explore the rainforest and spot endemic primates.

• Day 8-9 Activities: Full days of guided hikes to Sanje Waterfall (180m) and other trails, with opportunities to see Iringa red colobus and Sanje mangabey. Enjoy picnic lunches in the forest.

• Accommodation: Udzungwa Forest Camp (Hondo Hondo) or similar mid-range camp, with en-suite tents.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.
• Note: Udzungwa offers a non-traditional safari experience with no vehicles, focusing on hiking and biodiversity.

Days 10 to 14-: Ruaha National Park

• Day 10 Morning: Fly to Ruaha National Park (1.5-hour flight) from Udzungwa via Iringa. Afternoon game drive along the Great Ruaha River, spotting hippos and crocodiles.

• Day 11-13 Activities: Three full days of game drives and walking safaris, seeking lions, leopards, wild dogs, and rare antelopes like sable. Optional night game drive ($60 per person) for nocturnal species.

• Day 14 Activities: Morning game drive, followed by a cultural visit to Iringa town ($30 per person) to explore the Chief Mkwawa Museum.
• Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge or similar mid-range lodge, with en-suite rooms and baobab views.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.
• Note: Ruaha’s vast wilderness ensures intimate wildlife encounters with fewer tourists.

Days 15-19: Katavi National Park

• Day 15 Morning: Fly to Katavi National Park (2-hour flight) from Ruaha. Afternoon game drive to see massive hippo pools and buffalo herds.

• Day 16-18 Activities: Three full days of game drives and walking safaris, spotting roan antelopes, lions, and elephants. Katavi’s remoteness offers exclusive wildlife experiences.

• Day 19 Activities: Morning game drive, followed by a scenic picnic near the Katuma River.

• Accommodation: Katavi Wildlife Camp or similar mid-range tented camp, with en-suite tents and wilderness views.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.
• Note: Katavi’s isolation makes it a hidden gem for seasoned safari-goers.

Day-20: Katavi to Dar es Salaam

• Morning: Final morning game drive in Katavi, followed by a flight back to Dar es Salaam (2-3 hours).
• Afternoon: Transfer to your hotel or airport for onward travel.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch included.

What’s Included

• All park fees and permits for Nyerere, Ruaha, Mikumi, Udzungwa, and Katavi.
• Domestic flights between parks (Dar-Nyerere, Nyerere-Mikumi, Udzungwa-Ruaha, Ruaha-Katavi, Katavi-Dar).
• Comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game drives.
• Professional driver-guide, armed rangers for walking safaris, and full-board meals (as specified).
• Mid-range accommodations with private en-suite facilities.
• Drinking water during game drives and transfers.

What to Pack

• Lightweight, neutral-coloured clothing for layering (5,000-9,000 ft altitude).
• Sturdy hiking boots for Udzungwa trails and walking safaris.
• Binoculars, camera, sunscreen, and insect repellent (for tsetse flies in some areas).
• Small cash for souvenirs at Iringa or optional activities.