8-Day Fly-In Safari:
Ruaha & Nyerere National Park

This exclusive fly-in safari combines two of Southern Tanzania’s most iconic and remote parks: Ruaha National Park, famous for its raw wilderness and predator action, and Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), a vast ecosystem of rivers, lakes, and woodlands offering game drives, boat safaris, and walking adventures.

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.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam

Arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport where you’ll be welcomed and transferred to your city hotel. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a relaxed evening preparing for the safari ahead.
Accommodation: Budget | Silver | Gold | Ultimate Luxury

Day 2: Flight to Ruaha National Park – Afternoon Game Drive

This morning, board a scenic flight to Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest and wildest safari destination. After settling into your lodge or camp, head out for your first game drive across baobab-dotted landscapes alive with elephants, giraffes, and big cats.
Accommodation: Budget | Silver | Gold | Ultimate Luxury

Day 3–4: Exploring Ruaha National Park

Spend two full days exploring Ruaha’s diverse habitats. The park is home to the largest elephant population in Tanzania and one of Africa’s highest concentrations of lions. With luck, you may also spot African wild dogs and other rarities. Game drives are complemented by the sense of true wilderness – very few other vehicles are ever in sight.
Accommodation: Budget | Silver | Gold | Ultimate Luxury

Day 5: Flight to Nyerere National Park (Selous)

Today you fly east to Nyerere National Park, part of one of the largest protected wilderness areas in Africa. After arrival, embark on an afternoon boat safari along the Rufiji River, where crocodiles bask on the banks and hippos wallow in lagoons.
Accommodation: Budget | Silver | Gold | Ultimate Luxury

Day 6–7: Safari in Nyerere National Park

Enjoy two full days in Nyerere with a mix of safari activities. Game drives reveal lions, wild dogs, and vast herds of buffalo. Boat safaris allow close encounters with aquatic wildlife and birds, while guided walks provide an intimate connection with the bush. This diversity makes Nyerere one of Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations.
Accommodation: Budget | Silver | Gold | Ultimate Luxury

Day 8: Flight to Dar es Salaam – Departure

After a final morning activity, transfer to the airstrip for your flight back to Dar es Salaam. Connect with your international flight or extend your holiday with time on Zanzibar’s white-sand beaches.

Seamless light aircraft flights between remote national parks
Maximise time in the bush with more time on safari, less on the road
Stunning aerial views of Tanzania’s diverse landscapes
Exclusive game viewing in parks like Ruaha, Nyerere, or Serengeti (depending on routing)
Luxury lodges and tented camps offering comfort and authenticity

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.