10-Day Safari:

Mkomazi • Usambara Mountains • Saadani with Beach

This unique journey combines the untamed wilderness of Mkomazi National Park, the cool, scenic highlands of the Usambara Mountains, and the rare opportunity to enjoy a safari-and-beach experience in Saadani National Park, where wildlife meets the Indian Ocean. Perfect for travellers who want variety, culture, and adventure in a single trip.

Southern Tanzania offers a wilder, more remote safari experience compared to the popular Northern Circuit. This region is home to vast, unspoiled reserves where visitor numbers are low, wildlife sightings feel intimate, and the sense of adventure is palpable. From the immense plains of Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) to the dramatic landscapes of Ruaha National Park, Southern Tanzania is the place to go for those seeking an authentic, off-the-beaten-track safari.

Here, you’ll find diverse habitats, fewer crowds, and some of the best opportunities to spot predators and large herds of elephants. Southern Tanzania combines river safaris, walking safaris, and traditional game drives—giving you a richer variety of ways to encounter wildlife than anywhere else in the country.

Untouched Wilderness: Southern parks cover enormous areas but see far fewer visitors than Serengeti or Ngorongoro, meaning wildlife encounters feel private and exclusive.
Variety of Activities: Unlike many other Tanzanian parks, here you can enjoy boat safaris on the Rufiji River, walking safaris, and classic game drives.
Superb Game Viewing: Ruaha is renowned for large prides of lion and significant leopard populations, while Nyerere is famous for wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles, and elephants.
Authentic Adventure: Lodges and camps here are smaller, more intimate, and blend seamlessly into their natural surroundings, enhancing the feeling of being in untouched wilderness.
Ideal for Repeat Visitors: Perfect for travellers who have already experienced Northern Tanzania and want something more off-grid, or for those seeking a quieter, less commercialised safari.

Day 1: Arrival in Arusha or Kilimanjaro

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Relax and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Accommodation: Budget | Silver | Gold | Ultimate Luxury

Day 2: Arusha – Mkomazi National Park

Drive east to Mkomazi National Park, one of Tanzania’s most underrated parks. Mkomazi is a haven for endangered species, including black rhinos and wild dogs, alongside elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes roaming its arid savannahs. Afternoon game drive.
Accommodation: Budget | Silver | Gold | Ultimate Luxury

Day 3: Full Day in Mkomazi

Spend a full day exploring Mkomazi. This park borders Tsavo in Kenya, creating a vast transboundary ecosystem. It’s also excellent for birdwatching, with more than 450 species recorded. The quiet wilderness makes this a truly off-the-beaten-path safari experience.
Accommodation: Budget | Silver | Gold | Ultimate Luxury

Day 4: Mkomazi – Usambara Mountains (Lushoto)

Journey to the Usambara Mountains, a cool, green range known for its biodiversity and welcoming local communities. Arrive in the charming town of Lushoto, nestled among forests and farmlands. Evening at leisure.
Accommodation: Budget | Silver | Gold | Ultimate Luxury

Day 5–6: Hiking & Cultural Exploration in Usambara Mountains

Spend two days exploring the Usambaras with guided hikes through montane forest, farmland, and villages. Enjoy panoramic viewpoints like Irente Cliff and learn about local culture, farming, and traditional lifestyles. This is an excellent chance to combine adventure with authentic cultural immersion.
Accommodation: Budget | Silver | Gold | Ultimate Luxury

Day 7: Usambara – Saadani National Park

Descend from the mountains and drive south to Saadani National Park, Tanzania’s only coastal reserve where elephants and lions can be seen against a backdrop of white-sand beaches. Evening game drive or beach relaxation.
Accommodation: Budget | Silver | Gold | Ultimate Luxury

Day 8–9: Safari & Beach in Saadani

Enjoy two full days experiencing the best of Saadani. Game drives reveal giraffes, buffalo, antelope, and predators, while boat safaris along the Wami River showcase hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. Between safaris, relax on the beach and swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean — a rare safari-beach combination in one park.
Accommodation: Budget | Silver | Gold | Ultimate Luxury

Day 10: Saadani – Dar es Salaam – Departure

After a final morning safari or beach stroll, drive or fly to Dar es Salaam for your international departure or onward extension to Zanzibar.

Discover the rarely visited Mkomazi National Park
Chance to see endangered species including black rhino and wild dogs
Stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Pare Mountains
Birdwatching paradise with over 400 recorded species
Combination of classic game drives and cultural encounters with local communities

Southern Tanzania offers a range of intimate safari camps and lodges designed to immerse you in the wilderness while still offering comfort and style.

– Nyerere National Park: Riverside tented camps and lodges with boat safari access, such as Roho ya Selous or Siwandu.
– Ruaha National Park: Authentic safari camps like Kigelia Ruaha, or lodges overlooking the Great Ruaha River, offering rustic elegance and superb game viewing right from camp.

Most accommodations here are smaller than their Northern counterparts, with fewer rooms and a more personalised feel. They blend natural materials and open-air designs to make you feel truly part of the wilderness.

The best time to visit Southern Tanzania is during the dry season from June to October, when wildlife is easier to spot as animals gather around rivers and waterholes. This is also the ideal time for boat safaris along the Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park.

– June – October: Peak game viewing, cooler weather, little to no rain, and great predator sightings.
– November – March: Green season with lush landscapes, fewer visitors, and excellent birdwatching. Game is still present but more dispersed.
– April – May: Heavy rains can make travel more difficult, and some camps close during this period.

For the best balance of game viewing and comfort, most travellers choose July through October.

A Southern Tanzania safari pairs perfectly with a beach escape, offering both adventure and relaxation in one journey. After days of exploring the wild landscapes of Ruaha and Nyerere, many travellers choose to unwind on the white sands of Zanzibar, just a short flight away.

For those seeking something more exclusive, Mafia Island offers pristine coral reefs, incredible diving, and seasonal whale shark encounters. This combination of remote wilderness and idyllic Indian Ocean beaches makes Southern Tanzania an unforgettable holiday experience.

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