6 Days Southern Tanzania Safari Adventure
Discover the wild beauty of Southern Tanzania on a six-day safari adventure through some of the country's remarkable natural landscapes. Experience wildlife game drives, river scenery, diverse habitats and opportunities to learn about local culture as you explore the Southern Safari Circuit.
This safari route is designed around Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park and Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Nyerere offers a vast wilderness of river systems, woodland and open plains; Mikumi is known for its wildlife-rich savannah; and Udzungwa is famous for its tropical forest, hiking trails and scenic waterfalls.
Enjoy a combination of game drives, a possible Rufiji River boat safari, a guided forest hike and a cultural visit, depending on the final arrangements. The exact route, transport and activities should be confirmed with the tour operator before booking.
Day-by-Day Safari Itinerary
Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park and Rufiji River Boat Safari
Begin your Southern Tanzania safari with a morning departure from Dar es Salaam or another agreed meeting point. Meet your safari guide and travel towards Nyerere National Park, formerly part of the Selous Game Reserve.
Enjoy views of the countryside and rural settlements along the way. After arrival and check-in at your selected lodge or tented camp, take time to relax before your planned afternoon activity.
If included in your itinerary and available on the day, enjoy a boat safari on the Rufiji River. Look for hippos, Nile crocodiles and waterbirds along the riverbanks while appreciating the scenery of this remarkable ecosystem.
Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Full-Day Wildlife Game Drive in Nyerere National Park
After breakfast, set out for a full-day wildlife safari in Nyerere National Park. Accompanied by your professional guide, explore different habitats in search of wildlife and enjoy the natural scenery of Southern Tanzania.
The park supports elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes and numerous bird species. Lions, leopards and African wild dogs also inhabit the wider ecosystem, although sightings depend on animal movements and conditions.
Enjoy a picnic lunch during the game drive before continuing to explore the park in the afternoon. Your guide will choose suitable routes based on time, road conditions and wildlife activity.
Return to your lodge or camp in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Nyerere National Park to Mikumi National Park
Enjoy breakfast before departing the Nyerere area and travelling towards Mikumi National Park. The journey takes you through the landscapes of Southern Tanzania, including rural communities and changing vegetation along the route.
After arrival, proceed with the park arrangements and enjoy wildlife viewing if time permits. Mikumi's open plains and surrounding woodland provide habitat for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest and several antelope species.
Continue to your selected lodge or camp near the park. Settle in and relax after the journey before dinner and overnight.
Full-Day Game Drive in Mikumi National Park
Spend the day exploring Mikumi National Park on game drives across its open savannah, grasslands and woodland habitats. An early start offers an opportunity to search for wildlife while the temperatures are cooler.
Watch for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest, impalas and other animals. Lions may be spotted resting in shaded areas or moving through the plains, while a variety of bird species can be observed throughout the park.
Enjoy a picnic lunch at an authorised location and continue exploring during the afternoon. Your guide will adapt the route according to wildlife sightings and park conditions.
Return to your accommodation near Mikumi for dinner and overnight.
Udzungwa Mountains and the Sanje Waterfalls Hike
After breakfast, travel towards Udzungwa Mountains National Park, an important conservation area known for its tropical forest, biodiversity and scenic mountain landscapes.
With a local guide, begin a forest hike along the designated trail towards Sanje Waterfalls, where available and included in the confirmed itinerary. The walk passes through lush vegetation and offers opportunities to observe forest plants, butterflies and birdlife.
Udzungwa is also known for endemic primates, including the Sanje mangabey and Udzungwa red colobus. Wildlife sightings in the forest are not guaranteed, so enjoy the overall experience of exploring this distinctive ecosystem.
After the hike, return along the trail and travel to your planned accommodation for dinner and overnight. The difficulty and duration of the hike depend on trail conditions and the selected route.
Local Cultural Visit and Return to Dar es Salaam
Enjoy breakfast and, if included in the itinerary, visit a nearby Maasai community or another local cultural destination. Learn about traditional ways of life, local customs and aspects of community heritage through an arranged visit with local hosts.
After the visit, begin your return journey to Dar es Salaam or your agreed drop-off point. Stop for lunch along the way according to the travel arrangements.
Arrival time depends on the departure point, road conditions and traffic. Your six-day Southern Tanzania Safari Adventure ends with memories of wildlife, river scenery, forest landscapes and local cultural experiences.
What's Included
- Accommodation for the safari nights specified in the confirmed package
- Meals as listed in the final itinerary
- Safari transportation for the agreed route
- Services of a professional safari driver-guide
- Game drives in the national parks included in the package
- Park entry fees for the confirmed itinerary
- Rufiji River boat safari if specified in the quotation
- Guided hike in Udzungwa Mountains if included
- Cultural visit if specified in the final itinerary
- Drinking water during safari activities where provided
- Applicable taxes and government levies included in the confirmed price
Only services explicitly listed in the confirmed quotation should be treated as included.
What's Excluded
- International flights
- Domestic flights unless specifically included
- Accommodation before or after the safari unless stated
- Visa fees and personal travel documents
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers and lodge staff
- Alcoholic drinks and beverages not listed as included
- Personal expenses, laundry and souvenirs
- Optional activities not specified in the itinerary
- Additional accommodation or meals outside the agreed package
- Other services not expressly listed under inclusions
Check the final quotation for the exact list of included and excluded services.
Why Choose This Southern Tanzania Safari Adventure?
Discover the wildlife habitats of Nyerere and Mikumi, with opportunities to look for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes and predators.
If included in your itinerary, a river excursion offers a different perspective on the landscape and opportunities to observe hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds.
Combine open savannah, river environments and tropical mountain forest in one journey through Southern Tanzania.
Explore the Udzungwa Mountains on foot and discover forest vegetation, birdlife and the scenic Sanje Waterfalls when this activity is included and conditions permit.
An organised community visit can add cultural insight to your wildlife experience while giving you a chance to learn about local traditions.