Southern Circuit
The Southern Circuit is Tanzania’s most rewarding yet least-travelled safari route — a vast, remote wilderness that offers the same wildlife drama as the north, but in a far more intimate and authentic setting. For travellers seeking off-the-beaten-path adventure, this is where Tanzania’s wild heart truly beats.
Spanning the massive Ruaha National Park and the sprawling wetlands of Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), the Southern Circuit offers unspoiled landscapes, superb predator sightings, and a variety of safari experiences you won’t find elsewhere in East Africa — from boating safaris and walking expeditions to fly camping under the stars.
Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit Guide
Why Visit the Southern Circuit
The Southern Circuit is Tanzania’s best-kept safari secret, offering vast wilderness, fewer crowds, and some of the most rewarding game viewing in Africa. Less visited than the Northern Circuit, it provides a more remote and exclusive safari experience. From the immense landscapes of Nyerere (formerly Selous) to the pristine Ruaha National Park, the south is ideal for travellers seeking authenticity, adventure, and seclusion.
Highlights of the Southern Circuit
– Nyerere National Park (Selous) – Africa’s largest protected wildlife reserve, famous for its boat safaris, rivers, and wild dog populations.
– Ruaha National Park – Known for its rugged scenery, huge elephant herds, and high predator density.
– Mikumi National Park – Easily accessible from Dar es Salaam, with abundant plains game and great birdlife.
– Udzungwa Mountains – A haven for hikers and primate enthusiasts, with waterfalls, rainforest, and endemic species.
Best Time to Visit
The Southern Circuit can be enjoyed throughout much of the year, but the dry season (June to October) is best for wildlife viewing as animals concentrate near rivers and waterholes. The green season (November to May) brings lush landscapes, migratory birds, and fewer visitors, though some remote areas may become inaccessible due to heavy rains.
Accommodation
The Southern Circuit offers intimate safari lodges and tented camps that blend seamlessly with the wilderness. From luxury riverside retreats in Nyerere to stylish camps in the heart of Ruaha, properties focus on exclusivity and immersion in nature. Many camps are small and owner-run, ensuring a personal touch. For handpicked stays, please click on Our Accommodation to explore our curated collections.
Things to Do
The Southern Circuit offers a diverse safari experience beyond traditional game drives. Explore Nyerere’s waterways on a boat safari, head out on a guided walking safari, or enjoy fly-camping under the stars for the ultimate wilderness adventure. Birdwatching is superb, with hundreds of species recorded. In Ruaha, game drives deliver exceptional predator sightings, while the Udzungwa Mountains provide hiking, waterfalls, and rare primate encounters.
Plan Your Southern Circuit Safari
The Southern Circuit is perfect for travellers seeking a more adventurous, off-the-beaten-track safari. A 6–10 day itinerary allows you to combine Nyerere and Ruaha for a rich mix of landscapes and wildlife. With flights linking Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and southern parks, the circuit also pairs beautifully with a Zanzibar beach extension. Our expert safari planners can create a tailor-made journey that reveals the best of Tanzania’s wild south.
Tanzania Highlights
– Big Game Encounters: Elephants, lions, wild dogs, hippos and more in untamed habitats.
– Boating Safaris on the Rufiji River: A signature Nyerere experience, drifting past crocs, hippos, and
birdlife.
– Predator Hotspot in Ruaha: Track lions, leopards, and cheetahs in Tanzania’s wildest park.
– Walking Safaris: Led by expert guides for a deeper connection with the land.
– Boutique Safari Camps: Low-impact luxury designed for immersion, not isolation.
– Far from the Crowds: Private, intimate safaris with plenty of space and silence.
Overview – Classic Southern Tanzania Safari
This immersive 7-day itinerary through Southern Tanzania invites you to explore two of the
continent’s last great wildernesses: Nyerere National Park and Ruaha National Park.
Far from the crowded routes of the north, this safari offers authentic wildlife encounters, diverse
activities (including boating and walking safaris), and luxury camps in spectacularly remote settings.
From lion prides in the open plains to hippos in the Rufiji River, every day brings a new connection
with nature – undisturbed and unforgettable.
This tour is perfect for seasoned safari-goers, couples, or anyone seeking depth, privacy, and
adventure in its purest form.
Why Choose a Southern Tanzania Safari?
Southern Tanzania is Africa with breathing room – unspoiled, uncrowded, and incredibly rich in
wildlife. While the Northern Circuit sees the headlines, the South offers depth and authenticity, with
fewer vehicles and more freedom to explore.
Here, you can combine game drives, river safaris, and walking expeditions across two distinct
ecosystems. Camps are small and stylish, the landscapes vast and varied, and the sense of
remoteness utterly refreshing.
It is the ideal choice for:
– Repeat safari travellers
– Nature lovers seeking raw Africa- Couples and honeymooners
– Photographers and quiet explorers
Ruaha National Park
Tanzania’s Wild Frontier
Ruaha is the largest national park in Tanzania — and one of its best-kept secrets. Located in the south of the country, it is wildly remote and incredibly rewarding, offering a classic safari experience without the crowds.
This rugged landscape of baobab-dotted hills, dry riverbeds, and vast savannahs supports Tanzania’s highest density of lions, large elephant herds, leopards, wild dogs, and an impressive variety of antelope. Birdlife is prolific, and the sense of isolation makes every sighting feel deeply personal.
Ruaha is for those who value wildness and authenticity over commercial tourism. Its small camps and low visitor numbers make it ideal for off-the-beaten-track luxury and expert-led guiding.
Highlights:
– One of the most predator-rich parks in Africa
– Excellent populations of elephant, kudu, sable, and roan antelope
– Fewer tourists and more immersive wildlife experiences
– Unique baobab landscapes and seasonal rivers
Best For:
– Experienced safari travellers
– Privacy and seclusion
– Walking safaris and predator viewing
– Photographers seeking wild, dramatic backdrops
Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous)
Boating, Walking & Big Game
Nyerere is Africa’s largest national park and part of what was once the vast Selous Game Reserve. It is a safari destination like no other — where boat safaris glide past pods of hippos, walking safaris explore riverine forests, and game drives reveal lion, elephant, buffalo, and wild dog.
The heart of the park is the mighty Rufiji River, which creates a dynamic floodplain ecosystem full of crocodiles, fish eagles, and giraffe. The variety of activities here makes it one of the most exciting and multi-dimensional parks in East Africa.
With a handful of luxury camps spread across a vast area, Nyerere offers an intimate experience with nature and the chance to explore it in ways that go beyond the vehicle.
Highlights:
– Unique boat safaris on the Rufiji River
– Walking safaris led by expert rangers
– Remote and wild, with very few other vehicles
– One of the best places in Africa to see wild dogs
Best For:
– Adventurous travellers
– Birdwatchers and nature lovers
– Couples seeking a mix of romance and wildlife
– Those looking for diverse safari experiences
Mikumi National Park
Southern Tanzania’s Easy Access Safari
Often described as a smaller, more accessible version of the Serengeti, Mikumi National Park is the most easily reached park in the Southern Circuit — just a few hours’ drive from Dar es Salaam.
Mikumi’s open plains, backed by the Uluguru Mountains, are home to a variety of wildlife including lion, zebra, giraffe, elephant, and eland. Though not as wild as Ruaha or Nyerere, Mikumi offers a great introduction to Tanzania’s southern parks and is perfect for shorter safaris.
Its relatively easy access and affordable lodges make it a favourite for families, self-drivers, or those combining safari with beach or city travel.
Highlights:
– Great short-safari option from Dar es Salaam
– Classic savannah game viewing
– Good range of lodges and camps
– Ideal gateway to deeper southern parks like Ruaha
Best For:
– First-time visitors to Southern Tanzania
– Families or short-stay safari travellers
– Budget-conscious explorers
– Stopovers en route to Ruaha or Nyerere
