9 Days Mid-Range Southern Circuit Safari

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Safari Highlights

Discover the untamed beauty of southern Tanzania on this unforgettable 9-day safari through three remarkable wilderness areas: Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, and Ruaha National Park. This carefully designed itinerary takes you beyond the usual safari routes to explore some of Tanzania’s most spectacular yet lesser-visited wildlife destinations.

Enjoy exciting game drives across vast savannahs and riverine landscapes, where you may encounter elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo, and a wide variety of other wildlife. Guided walking safaris offer a unique chance to experience the bush on foot, learning about tracks, plants, and the smaller creatures that make up the ecosystem. In Nyerere National Park, a boat safari along the Rufiji River reveals a completely different perspective, allowing you to observe hippos, crocodiles, and diverse birdlife in their natural habitat.

With expert guides, immersive activities, and comfortable safari lodges, this 9-day Southern Tanzania adventure showcases the raw beauty and rich biodiversity of these extraordinary parks. Experience authentic wilderness, avoid the crowds, and create lifelong memories in some of Africa’s most captivating landscapes.

Day by day

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport at any time, where you will be warmly welcomed by our representative for a meet-and-greet service. From the airport, enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Dar es Salaam to relax after your journey.

Dinner and overnight stay will be at Giraffe Ocean View Hotel, offering a pleasant setting to begin your Southern Tanzania safari adventure.

Day 2: Mikumi National Park and Game drive

In the morning, our representative or safari guide will pick you up from your hotel and begin the scenic drive to Mikumi National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy a hot lunch at one of the restaurants located inside the park before setting out on an exciting afternoon game drive that continues until sunset.

Mikumi National Park is known for its open plains and abundant wildlife, offering excellent opportunities to see a wide range of animals and bird species. During your game drive, you may encounter giraffes, elephants, buffalo, zebras, hippos, wildebeests, and various antelope species such as impalas and elands. Predators including lions, leopards, and even African wild dogs can also occasionally be spotted in the park.

Dinner and overnight stay at Vuma Hills Tented Camp (Full Board).

Day 3: Mikumi full Day

Your driver-guide will pick you up from the hotel and begin the journey to Mikumi National Park, one of southern Tanzania’s most accessible wildlife destinations. Upon arrival, enjoy a hot lunch at one of the restaurants located inside the park before heading out for an afternoon game drive that continues until sunset.

During your safari in Mikumi National Park, you will have the chance to observe a wide variety of wildlife and bird species. The park’s open savannah makes it ideal for spotting large herds of giraffes, elephants, and buffalo. Other animals commonly seen include zebras, hippos, wildebeests, hartebeests, impalas, elands, warthogs, and several antelope species. With a bit of luck, you may also encounter predators such as lions, leopards, and the rare African wild dogs.

Dinner and overnight at Vuma Hills Tented Camp (Full Board).

Day 4: Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere N.P)

After breakfast, depart for Nyerere National Park, one of Africa’s largest protected wilderness areas. Enjoy a scenic en-route game drive with packed lunch boxes as you travel through the vast reserve, offering opportunities to spot wildlife along the way. The journey takes you deep into this remarkable ecosystem known for its rich biodiversity and untouched landscapes.

Arrive at the camp in the late afternoon or evening and settle in after the day’s adventure.

Dinner and overnight at Rufiji River Camp (Full Board).

Day 5: Full day Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere N.P)

After an early breakfast, set out for a full-day safari in Nyerere National Park in a comfortable 4×4 safari vehicle accompanied by a professional guide. During the game drive, you will explore one of Africa’s largest wilderness areas, home to an impressive variety of wildlife. Expect opportunities to see iconic species such as lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, and zebras, as well as the rare African wild dog.

The reserve is also rich in birdlife and offers breathtaking scenery with diverse landscapes ranging from wetlands and open grasslands to acacia woodlands and elevated viewpoints with sweeping views of distant hills and mountains.

Enjoy a packed lunch in the bush and take time to relax while observing animals gathering at nearby water sources. Your guide will carefully select a shaded spot with good visibility, allowing you to safely watch wildlife as they come to drink.

Dinner and overnight at Rufiji River Camp (Full Board).

Day 6: Wlaking safari & Boat safari Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere N.P)

Begin the day with an early morning walking safari led by an experienced bush guide in Nyerere National Park. This guided walk offers a deeper understanding of the bush, where you will learn about traditional medicinal plants, identify animal tracks, and observe smaller wildlife often missed during vehicle safaris. Along the way, you may also see animals heading toward the river to drink, while hippos return to the water after grazing overnight. Afterwards, return to camp for breakfast.

Spend the late morning relaxing at the lodge while enjoying beautiful views of the Rufiji River, where wildlife frequently gathers along the riverbanks. Later, enjoy a hot lunch at the camp before preparing for the afternoon activity.

In the evening, embark on a scenic boat safari along the Rufiji River, a highlight of visiting Nyerere National Park. This unique experience allows you to observe aquatic wildlife such as crocodiles and hippos up close, while also spotting animals that come to the river to drink. The reserve is also a paradise for birdwatchers, with more than 440 recorded bird species. End the day by watching a spectacular sunset over the river.

Dinner and overnight at Rufiji River Camp (Full Board).

Day 7: Kilwa town

After breakfast, depart for Kilwa with packed lunch boxes for the journey. Travel through scenic southern Tanzanian landscapes before arriving in the early evening along the shores of the Indian Ocean.

Upon arrival, take time to relax and unwind on the beautiful beaches, enjoying the peaceful coastal atmosphere as you wait for your freshly prepared dinner.

Dinner and overnight at Kimbilio Lodge (Full Board).

Day 8: Full Day Kilwa Town

After breakfast, board a boat to Kilwa Kisiwani, the heart of the medieval Kilwa Sultanate, which at its peak controlled much of the Swahili Coast. Along with the nearby ruins of Songo Mnara, Kilwa Kisiwani has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Kilwa rose to prominence in the 11th century as part of the Swahili civilization, thriving on the Indian Ocean trade routes. Today, the town is a peaceful coastal destination with stunning beaches and rich cultural history. Explore its historical ruins, including colonial-era buildings and remnants of Omani architecture, most notably Great Mosque of Kilwa, which continues to serve as a congregational mosque. This visit marks the conclusion of day eight of your 9-Day Mid-Range Southern Circuit Safari.

Dinner and overnight stay at Kimbilio Lodge (Full Board).

Day 9: Depature

After breakfast, return to Dar es Salaam, with lunch on the way. Upon arriving late afternoon, we will take you back to the hotel and catch your flight home (breakfast and lunch), marking the End of Your 9-day mid-range Southern Circuit Safari