ULTIMATE SOUTHERN CIRCUIT ADVENTURE
Duration
17 Days | 16 Nights
Starts in
Dar es salaam
Ends in
Dar es salaam
Comfort Level
Mid-range
Destinations:
Mikumi, Nyerere NP, Udzungwa Mts, Ruaha, Katavi
Safari Overview
This 17 day safari offers an in depth introduction to Southern Tanzania through a route that links some of the country’s most compelling protected areas and communities that many visitors seldom encounter. Beginning in Dar es Salaam, the tour moves through the vast wilderness of Nyerere National Park, the floodplains of Mikumi, the forested slopes of the Udzungwa Mountains, and the rugged terrain of Ruaha before continuing to the remote reaches of Katavi National Park.
Along the way, there is time to experience river safaris, guided walks, mountain hikes, village visits, and game drives alongside knowledgeable experienced local guides. This package is built for travellers seeking substance, variety, and a broader understanding of Tanzania beyond the familiar northern route, with meaningful opportunities to appreciate the country’s wildlife, history, scenery, and everyday life.
Experiences:
Wildlife, Photography, Classic game viewing, Culture
Suitable for:
Couples, Special Groups, Solo travelers
FULL ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam
A representative from AllWays Adventure Safaris will welcome you upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport and assist with your transfer into the city. Dar es Salaam remains Tanzania’s principal commercial centre and one of East Africa’s busiest ports. Depending on your arrival time, there may be an opportunity to unwind at the hotel, recover from your flight, or enjoy a quiet evening before the safari begins. Your guide will provide a briefing on the days ahead and answer any questions before you settle in for the night.
Meal Plan
Dinner
Overnight
Hotel in Dar es Salaam
Day 2: Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park
After breakfast and collection of picnic lunch boxes, depart for Nyerere National Park, Africa’s largest protected wildlife area at more than 30,000 square kilometres. Upon arrival, begin your first game drive through habitats that support elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, sable antelopes, and one of the continent’s important populations of African wild dogs. Later in the afternoon, head to the Rufiji River for a sundowner boat excursion. You may encounter crocodiles and hippos along the riverbank.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Safari lodge in Nyerere National Park
Day 3: Boat Safari and Afternoon Game Drive
The Rufiji River system shapes much of life within Nyerere National Park and offers an entirely different wildlife perspective from that of a vehicle. Set out on a morning boat safari to observe aquatic birdlife, hippo pods, crocodiles, and mammals approaching the river to drink. The quiet pace allows close observation of species often overlooked during conventional game viewing. Return for lunch before continuing with an afternoon game drive through woodland and open plains. Nyerere supports impressive numbers of elephants and buffaloes, while patient observation may reveal lions resting beneath shade trees or a pack of wild dogs moving through the bush in search of prey.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Safari lodge in Nyerere National Park
Day 4: Full Day Game Drive in Nyerere National Park
A full day in the park provides the flexibility to explore areas beyond the main circuits and to observe wildlife activity as conditions change. Enjoy a full day game viewing as your guide interprets animal behaviour, tracks, and ecological relationships that the park is known for. Common sights often include large herds of buffaloes near water sources, elephants, and antelope species such as impalas and waterbucks. Bird enthusiasts may encounter fish eagles, kingfishers, bee-eaters, and storks among the park’s more than 400 hundred recorded species.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Safari lodge in Nyerere National Park
Day 5: Nyerere National Park to Morogoro
Road travel through southern Tanzania offers valuable insight into everyday life beyond the national parks. Depart after breakfast and continue toward Morogoro Region, characterized by the Uluguru Mountains that rise beautifully above the surrounding plains. This region remains an important centre for rice cultivation, fruit production, and trade. The changing scenery presents opportunities to appreciate a side of Tanzania many visitors rarely encounter. Arrive later in the day with time to relax at your lodge before the next phase of your safari tomorrow.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Lodge in Morogoro
Day 6: Morogoro to Mikumi National Park
Following breakfast, continue to Mikumi and arrive in time for a hot lunch at the lodge. Covering approximately 3,230 square kilometres, the park forms part of a larger ecosystem linked to Selous. During your late afternoon game drive, search for elephants, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and buffaloes that frequent the Mkata Floodplain. Lions are regularly sighted here, often resting beneath acacia trees while surveying their surroundings. Return to camp as daylight fades and the sounds of the bush begin to shift.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Safari lodge in Mikumi National Park
Day 7: Full Day Game Drive in Mikumi National Park
Mikumi’s broad floodplains and accessible terrain provide excellent opportunities for extended wildlife observation. Spend the day exploring different parts of the park with picnic lunch prepared for you to maximise time in the field. The Mkata Floodplain frequently hosts large gatherings of herbivores, attracting predators. Along with lions, sightings may include spotted hyenas, warthogs, elands, and several antelope species. Birdlife is equally rewarding, with secretary birds see in open grassland and colourful rollers appearing along the roadsides. Your guide will adapt the route according to seasonal movements and recent wildlife activity.
Meal Plan
Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight
Safari lodge in Mikumi National Park
Day 8: Mikumi to Udzungwa Mountains and Mangula Village
The landscape changes considerably today as leave Mikumi for Udzungwa Mountains. After breakfast, drive toward the Udzungwa Mountains, part of the Eastern Arc range known for its exceptional biodiversity and endemism. Before settling into your accommodation, visit Mangula Village to gain a broader understanding of local life and community traditions in this part of Tanzania. Agricultural activities here is central to livelihoods, and interactions with residents provide useful context for the region surrounding the national park. The slower pace offers a welcome contrast to game viewing and introduce another side of southern Tanzania’s cultural heritage.
Meal Plan
Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight
Lodge near Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Day 9: Guided Hike to Sanje Waterfalls
Udzungwa Mountains National Park protects nearly 2,000 square kilometres of forest habitats that support several species found nowhere else on earth. Accompanied by an experienced guide, begin the hike toward Sanje Waterfalls through lush vegetation rich in birdlife, butterflies, and primates. The park is particularly known for endemic species including the Sanje mangabey and the Udzungwa red colobus monkey. The waterfall itself cascades approximately 170 mt through a series of drops, creating natural pools that invite a refreshing pause before the return walk. Along the trail, your guide will interpret medicinal plants, forest ecology, and conservation efforts that continue to impact this remarkable protected area.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Lodge near Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Day 10: Udzungwa Mountains to Ruaha National Park
A substantial stretch of road leads deeper into Southern Tanzania today, revealing changing scenery that ranges from cultivated valleys to rugged escarpments. After breakfast, continue toward Ruaha National Park with a stop at the Ismila Stone Age Site near Iringa. Archaeological excavations carried out here uncovered stone tools and fossil that date back tens of thousands of years, offering valuable insight into early human occupation in this part of East Africa. Following the visit, proceed to Ruaha, one of Tanzania’s largest national parks at approximately 20,226 sq km. Arrive in the late afternoon and settle into camp while anticipation builds for the wildlife experiences awaiting in the days ahead.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Safari camp in Ruaha National Park
Day 11: Full Day Game Drive in Ruaha National Park
Ruaha often leaves a lasting impression through the scale and diversity of its wildlife. Spend the day exploring habitats that are greatly shaped by the Great Ruaha River, seasonal streams, baobab woodlands, and open plains. The park supports one of East Africa’s largest elephant populations, estimated at more than 10,000 individuals. Lions thrive here, and Ruaha has gained recognition for sizeable predator concentrations that also include leopards, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, and African wild dogs. With picnic lunch prepared in advance, your guide can adjust the route according to recent sightings and animal activity while sharing insights into the ecological relationships that define this remarkable game reserve.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Safari camp in Ruaha National Park
Day 12: Walking Safari and Afternoon Game Drive
Exploring on foot introduces a different perspective that cannot be replicated from within a vehicle. Accompanied by an armed ranger and professional guide, set out during the cooler morning hours to examine tracks, identify plants, and gain a closer appreciation of the smaller details that characterize the ecosystem. Bird calls, insect activity, and signs left behind by mammals become part of the experience. Return to camp for lunch and a period of relaxation before heading out once again for an afternoon game drive. The combination of walking and conventional safari activities provides a broader understanding of Ruaha’s natural heritage and the many forms life takes within its boundaries.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Safari camp in Ruaha National Park
Day 13: Ruaha National Park to Mbeya Region
Southern Tanzania reveals another facet of its character as the route shifts toward the fertile highlands surrounding Mbeya. Following breakfast, drive through changing elevations marked by extensive farmland, forest patches, and settlements linked to agricultural production. Tea estates, coffee cultivation, and small scale enterprises contribute significantly to the regional economy. The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as mountain ranges emerge along the horizon and valleys come to view beneath them. Roadside activity provides glimpses into daily routines shaped by commerce and community life. Arrive in Mbeya later in the day with time to unwind before continuing toward one of Tanzania’s least visited wildlife destinations.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Hotel in Mbeya
Day 14: Mbeya to Katavi National Park
After breakfast, depart Mbeya and continue toward the park, arriving in time to begin your first game drive. Remote and rarely crowded, Katavi National Park presents wildlife viewing in a setting that retains a strong sense of isolation. Covering approximately 4,471 square kilometres, Katavi supports substantial concentrations of buffaloes, elephants, zebras, and antelope species. During the dry season, shrinking water sources attract large numbers of animals and create intense competition among resident species. Hippos gather in impressive numbers within remaining pools, while crocodiles wait nearby as conditions become increasingly demanding.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Safari camp in Katavi National Park
Day 15: Full Day Game Drive in Katavi National Park
Katavi rewards extended exploration, particularly for travellers seeking wildlife experiences away from heavily travelled circuits. Spend the day discovering floodplains, woodlands, and seasonal wetlands that sustain an impressive variety of species. Buffalo herds numbering in the hundreds may be encountered, while elephants move steadily between feeding grounds and water sources. Predators remain active participants within this ecosystem, with lions and spotted hyenas frequently recorded during game drives. Picnic lunches provide flexibility to venture deeper into the park under the guidance of an experienced safari professional. The absence of large visitor numbers contributes to an atmosphere defined by space, concentration, and uninterrupted observation.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Safari camp in Katavi National Park
Day 16: Another Full Day in Katavi National Park
Additional time in Katavi allows opportunities to revisit rewarding wildlife areas while exploring sections not previously covered. Animal movements shift according to season, water availability, and environmental conditions, encouraging a flexible approach to the day’s activities. Bird enthusiasts may encounter storks, herons, kingfishers, fish eagles, and numerous other species associated with wetlands and woodland habitats. Alongside memorable sightings, your guide will interpret behavioral patterns and ecological interactions. The final full safari day offers a fitting conclusion to your exploration of Southern Tanzania’s protected areas before preparations begin for tomorrow’s onward travel.
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Safari camp in Katavi National Park
Day 17: Mpanda to Dar es Salaam and Departure
The final morning arrives with time for breakfast before departing for Mpanda Airport. Assistance will be provided with check in procedures ahead of your scheduled domestic flight to Dar es Salaam. During the transfer, there may be opportunities to reflect on the variety of experiences encountered throughout this circuit, from river excursions and mountain walks to game drives in some of the country’s most distinctive protected areas. Upon arrival in Dar es Salaam, connect with your international departure flight home. As your safari draws to a close, you leave with a deeper appreciation of places, wildlife, and communities that remain unfamiliar to many visitors.
Price Includes
- All entry fees
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation as specified
- Domestic flight from Arusha to Serengeti
- Domestic flight from Arusha to Zanzibar
- Private safari vehicle
- English speaking guide
- Scheduled game drives as indicated
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during safari
- Government taxes and levies applicable at the time of booking
Price Excludes
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Entry visa fees
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Optional activities in Zanzibar
- Laundry services
- Items of a personal nature
- Any services not specifically mentioned under ‘Price Includes’
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