Detailed 10-Day Safari Itinerary
Experience the ultimate Southern Tanzania safari with detailed day-by-day adventures through 4 magnificent national parks
Day 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon your arrival at Dar es Salaam Airport, our friendly and knowledgeable guide will be eagerly waiting to warmly welcome you. He will be readily available to assist you and ensure a smooth transfer to your hotel. Sit back, relax, and let us take care of all your travel needs, providing you with a memorable and unforgettable experience in Tanzania.
Day 2: Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park lies at a six-hour drive from Dar Es Salaam and is Tanzania's fourth largest national park. The open horizons and abundant wildlife draw frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti plains, but its location close to Tanzania's largest city makes Mikumi easier accessible.
The park has a great variety of animals: elephants, buffalos, zebras and giraffes are relatively easy to spot, as well as lions mating and many hippos in the resident hippo pool!
Accommodations: Silver: Camp Bastian | Gold: Vuma Hills Tented Camp by Foxes Safari Camps | Platinum: Stanley's Kopje Camp by Foxes Safari Camps
Day 3: Mikumi National Park
Continue exploring Mikumi National Park with full day game drives. Experience more wildlife viewing opportunities in this diverse landscape with nine different vegetation zones. The park is home to ancient and gigantic Baobab trees that make even animals like giraffes look tiny.
Spot diverse wildlife including elephants, giraffes, lions, antelopes, zebras, and if you're lucky, the tree climbing python and the long-necked Gerenuk. Mikumi has the highest concentration of elephants, offering unique opportunities to observe elephant family interactions.
Day 4: Udzungwa Mountains National Park + Hike to Sanje Waterfalls
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a relatively small, mountainous national park, known for its rare endemic species. In this tropical rainforest, you encounter bush elephants, monkeys, several smaller mammals, and over 400 bird species.
Activities: Hike in Udzungwa to the Sanje waterfalls
Animals that can only be found here are primates such as the red Iringa Colobus and the Sanje Crested Mangabey. But also the grey-faced sengi (an elephant shrew) is endemic to Udzungwa as are several remarkable bird species.
Accommodations: Silver: Hondo Hondo Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp | Gold: Udzungwa Falls Lodge | Platinum: Udzungwa Falls Lodge
Day 5: Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is the third largest national park in Tanzania. It lies along the Great Ruaha River, is known for its large elephant population, and is a true paradise for birdwatchers with over 570 species.
Besides, you might catch a glimpse of lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles, elands, sable antelopes, jackals, or the rare African wild dog. Game drives are special, as you drive through an untouched ecosystem in this relatively quiet but stunning park!
Accommodations: Silver: Ruaha River Lodge by Foxes Safari Camps | Gold: Asanja Ndembo - Ruaha | Platinum: Jaba Jongomero Camp - Tented Suites
Day 6: Ruaha National Park
Continue exploring Ruaha National Park with full day game drives through this untouched ecosystem. The Great Ruaha River provides a lifeline for wildlife, especially during the dry season when animals congregate along the riverbanks.
Experience exceptional wildlife viewing in this relatively quiet but stunning park. Look out for the rare African wild dog, massive elephant herds, and the incredible diversity of antelope species including the magnificent sable antelope.
Day 7: Flight to Nyerere National Park + Half Day Boat Safari
Today you fly to Nyerere National Park (previously known as Selous Game Reserve) - Tanzania's largest park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its wildlife diversity and undisturbed nature.
Activities: Half day boat safari in Nyerere National Park
Experience the unique perspective of wildlife viewing from the water as you cruise along the Rufiji River. This boat safari offers excellent opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of water birds in their natural habitat.
Accommodations: Silver: Selous River Camp | Gold: Rufiji River Camp by Foxes Safari Camps
Day 8: Nyerere National Park
Today you discover the jungle, savannah and river sides of the vast Nyerere National Park (previously the Selous Game Reserve) - an amazing place for game drives. This park in southern Tanzania has fewer visitors than the northern parks but boasts elephants, hippos, crocodiles, lions, leopards, giraffes, the endangered rhino, the rare African wild dog and more.
It's the second largest park in the country after Serengeti National Park, so be prepared to cover some miles! The diverse ecosystems ranging from dense forests to open grasslands provide habitats for an incredible variety of wildlife.
Day 9: Flight to Dar Es Salaam
Today you fly back to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar Es Salaam. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some time to explore Dar es Salaam or simply relax and prepare for your international departure.
Reflect on your incredible 10-day journey through Tanzania's southern wilderness, from the diverse wildlife of Mikumi to the endemic species of Udzungwa, the elephant paradise of Ruaha, and the UNESCO heritage wilderness of Nyerere National Park.
Day 10: Flight Home from Dar Es Salaam
This is your last day! Today you catch your international flight home from Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar Es Salaam. Take with you incredible memories of Tanzania's southern wilderness and the diverse wildlife experiences you've encountered.
From the tree-climbing lions of Mikumi to the endemic species of Udzungwa, the massive elephant herds of Ruaha, and the pristine wilderness of Nyerere - you've experienced the very best of southern Tanzania's natural treasures.
