9 Day Tanzania Private Safari to Southern National Parks

9-Day Tanzania Private Safari to Southern National Parks

Quick Itinerary Overview

Leave the crowds behind and venture into the truly wild national parks of southern Tanzania on this budget-friendly Tanzania Private Safari! This small-group safari takes you to four of Tanzania’s hidden gems, offering authentic and unforgettable wildlife experiences.

Highlights include:

Exploring the vast Nyerere National Park, one of the largest game reserves in Africa.
Wildlife viewing in Mikumi National Park, home to great herds of herbivores and large predators.
Visiting the remote Ruaha National Park, a predator hotspot with abundant wildlife.
Discovering the lush Udzungwa Mountains National Park, known for its diverse plant and animal species.

Throughout this Tanzania Private Safari, experience unspoiled African wilderness with fewer visitors than the northern parks of Serengeti or Ngorongoro.

Itinerary for This Tour

Day 1: Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park

Your Tanzania Private Safari begins with a warm welcome in Dar es Salaam. From here, you’ll travel southwest to Nyerere National Park, one of Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuaries, covering an area three times the size of Serengeti National Park.

On arrival, you’ll settle into your lodge before embarking on an afternoon 4×4 game drive. Nyerere offers remarkable wildlife sightings, including the Big 5 and a thriving population of wild African Hunting Dogs.

Accommodation: Africa Safari Selous Camp (or similar)
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Nyerere National Park

Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives across Nyerere National Park. Known for its high diversity of flora and fauna, you’ll encounter elephants, lions, giraffes, and a variety of antelopes, as well as some of the park’s more elusive predators.

Optional Activities: Walking or Boating Safaris (at own expense)
Accommodation: Africa Safari Selous (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Nyerere National Park

After a morning game drive, travel to your next camp on the banks of the Rufiji River. Enjoy an afternoon game drive and a relaxing evening overlooking the river.

Optional Activities: Walking or Boating Safaris (at own expense)
Accommodation: Selous Kulinda Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Nyerere National Park to Mikumi National Park

Drive to Mikumi National Park, a beautiful park bordered by mountains and grasslands. Enjoy a game drive across the Mkata Plains where you’ll see herds of herbivores and their predator counterparts. Mikumi is home to three of Africa’s Big 5, as well as endangered wild dogs.

Accommodation: Mikumi Wildlife Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Days 5 & 6: Ruaha National Park

Head to Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest park, known for its impressive predator populations. On these days, explore the park on 4×4 game drives, with opportunities to see lions, leopards, cheetahs, and over 10,000 elephants.

Accommodation: Tandala Tented Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Ruaha National Park to Udzungwa Mountains

Travel to the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, known for its unique rainforest and primates. Your camp offers stunning views of the forest, and you can enjoy a short hike to explore the surrounding area.

Accommodation: Hondo Hondo Udzungwa Forest Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Embark on a full-day hike to the Sanje Waterfalls, where you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding rainforest and Kilombero floodplains. Encounter endemic primates like the Iringa red colobus and Sanje crested mangabey along the way.

Accommodation: Hondo Hondo Udzungwa Forest Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Udzungwa Mountains National Park to Dar es Salaam

After breakfast, travel back to Dar es Salaam, bringing your memorable Tanzania Private Safari to a close.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Alternative Safari Accommodation

If the accommodation listed in the itinerary is unavailable, we will use similar accommodation of equal quality and inform you in advance.

Customize Your Private Tanzania Safari

This Tanzania Private Safari can be tailored to suit your preferences. Contact us to customize your safari, adding destinations, extra days, or activities.