This twelve-day trip goes deep into Tanzania's southern circuit, a vast stretch of wilderness that sees a fraction of the visitors the north does. Around a waterhole here, you're often more likely to be sharing it with elephants than with other vehicles. You'll track lion and elephant herds along the Great Ruaha River, cruise the Rufiji in Nyerere National Park looking for hippo, crocodile and African wild dogs, and cross Mikumi's open floodplains under the Uluguru Mountains. After nine days in the bush, the trip closes with two nights on Zanzibar's beaches.
Safari HighlightsYou'll be met at Julius Nyerere International Airport and taken to your hotel for a briefing on the days ahead, with an overnight rest before your flight into the southern parks.
🏨 Overnight: Dar es Salaam City Hotel (Comfort)A light aircraft flight takes you to Msembe airstrip in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania's largest. After lunch, you'll set out on an afternoon game drive along the Great Ruaha River, looking for elephant herds and the resident lion prides.
🏨 Overnight: Ruaha River Tented Camp (Comfort)The full day is spent in Ruaha's baobab woodlands and around the Mwagusi sand river, one of the park's stronger areas for predators, with a picnic lunch out in the bush.
🏨 Overnight: Ruaha River Tented Camp (Comfort)Today's game drives cover Ruaha's Jongomero area, known for its large lion prides and fairly regular leopard sightings, before you head back to camp for an evening around the fire.
🏨 Overnight: Ruaha River Tented Camp (Comfort)After one more morning game drive, you'll transfer to Mikumi National Park, arriving in time for a late-afternoon drive across the open Mkata floodplain under the Uluguru Mountains.
🏨 Overnight: Mikumi Baobab Lodge (Comfort)A full day out on Mikumi's open floodplain, tracking buffalo herds, giraffe and the park's resident lion prides across scenery that's often compared to the Serengeti.
🏨 Overnight: Mikumi Baobab Lodge (Comfort)A road transfer takes you to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), Tanzania's largest protected wilderness, arriving in time for an afternoon boat trip on the Rufiji River.
🏨 Overnight: Rufiji River Camp (Comfort)A morning game drive is followed by an afternoon boat cruise on the Rufiji, watching for African wild dogs, hippo pods and Nile crocodiles along the banks.
🏨 Overnight: Rufiji River Camp (Comfort)You'll join an armed ranger for a walking safari through Nyerere's miombo woodland, a chance to read tracks and signs at ground level, followed by an afternoon game drive.
🏨 Overnight: Rufiji River Camp (Comfort)A final morning at leisure, then a flight from Nyerere back to Dar es Salaam and on to Zanzibar, where you'll check into your beachfront hotel for the last two nights.
🏨 Overnight: Zanzibar Coral Beach Hotel (Comfort)A free day to swim, snorkel, or just relax on the sand, or join an optional Stone Town or spice farm tour if you want one more outing before heading home.
🏨 Overnight: Zanzibar Coral Beach Hotel (Comfort)A relaxed final breakfast by the ocean, then a transfer to Abeid Amani Karume International Airport for your onward or international flight.
✈ Transfer to Zanzibar Airport| Season | Per Person (sharing) | Group of 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Season (Jul–Sep, late Dec) | $15,860 | $80,890 |
| High Season (Jun, Oct) | $13,890 | $70,840 |
| Low Season (Mar–May) | $11,575 | $59,030 |
June to October is the classic dry season here: vegetation thins out, wildlife concentrates along the Great Ruaha and Rufiji Rivers, and game viewing tends to be at its most consistent. December to February is also a solid window, with far fewer visitors than the northern circuit sees. The long rains from March to May bring lush, green scenery and the lowest rates of the year, though some walking safaris and remote camps scale back during this period.
Tell us your travel dates and group size — we'll confirm availability and send a tailored quote within 24 hours.