Southern Tanzania Safaris
Why Southern Tanzania Safaris Are Among the Best in Africa
One of the highlights is Ruaha National Park, a vast, scenic place full of amazing wildlife. Here, you can see lions, leopards, African wild dogs, and many types of antelope. The Great Ruaha River flows through the park and is always busy with hippos and crocodiles. To the southeast is Nyerere National Park, once part of the famous Selous Game Reserve. It’s home to Africa’s largest population of wild dogs, along with elephants, lions, giraffes, hippos, and more.
The Rufiji River runs through the park, adding to the stunning views and rich wildlife. What makes southern Tanzania even more exciting is how you explore it — not just by vehicle, but also by boat, on foot, or even from a hot-air balloon. This part of the country offers raw, untouched beauty and thrilling safari adventures in a peaceful, remote setting. Best of all, it’s easy to reach by small plane from Dar es Salaam or Arusha. A trip to southern Tanzania is the perfect choice for those looking for something real, wild, and unforgettable.
Best Safari Tours In Southern Tanzania
Reasons To Go To Southern Tanzania
1. Ruaha National Park
Ruaha is one of the wildest and most beautiful parks in Africa. It’s far from the crowds and full of amazing animals. You can see big predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, and hyenas. In fact, Ruaha has 10% of all the lions in the world! But there’s much more than just big cats. Huge herds of elephants roam the land. You’ll also see giraffes, buffalo, zebras, gazelles, and rare antelopes like sable and roan. Bird lovers will be excited to spot over 570 kinds of birds here.
The land itself is stunning—endless grasslands, rocky hills, and giant baobab trees that look like something from a dream. You can take walking safaris to feel the earth under your feet and connect with nature up close. You can also enjoy boat rides through the peaceful Usangu wetlands, watching hippos, elephants, and crocodiles. In the evening, go on a night safari to look for animals that only come out after dark. And if you’re feeling adventurous, sleep under the stars with the sounds of the wild all around you. Ruaha is a place where nature is pure, wild, and unforgettable.
2. Nyerere National Park
Nyerere National Park (once called Selous) is one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets. It’s huge—one of the largest protected areas in Africa—so you won’t see many other tourists. Instead, you’ll enjoy peaceful, close-up moments with nature and lots of amazing animals.
This park is home to big herds of elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, hippos, and the rare African wild dog. The Rufiji River runs through the park, creating lakes, swamps, and wide channels. On a boat safari, you can watch hippos splashing, crocodiles sunbathing, and elephants coming to drink—all from the water. It’s a one-of-a-kind safari experience!
The land is just as beautiful as the animals. You’ll explore grassy plains, thick woodlands, and forests filled with giant baobab and acacia trees. The views are stunning, especially at sunset. You can also try catch-and-release fishing for fun, looking for tiger fish and catfish in the river. Nyerere is wild, quiet, and full of life. With its amazing animals, beautiful landscapes, and peaceful boat rides, it’s the perfect place for a special safari far from the crowds.
How To Get Around On A Southern Safari Circuit In Tanzania
Together, these two amazing parks make up the largest protected area in all of Tanzania. That means there’s a lot of ground to cover and plenty to explore! The best way for safari travelers to get around is by taking short, scenic flights on small planes. These light aircraft flights quickly and comfortably connect the parks, so you can spend more time enjoying the adventure and less time on the road. The Journey usually starts from Dar es Salaam.
Choosing Between Tanzania’s Northern vs Southern Safari Circuits
Tanzania has two main safari areas: the south and the north. Each one offers something special. Southern Tanzania is wild, quiet, and full of surprises. You’ll visit parks like Ruaha and Nyerere, where there are fewer tourists and more space to explore.
You can fly straight there from Dar es Salaam, and stay in small, cozy camps close to nature. The wildlife is amazing, and you often get to enjoy it without any crowds. You can go on walking safaris, boat trips, fishing adventures, or even sleep under the stars. Open safari vehicles give you great views, and night drives let you see animals that come out after dark. Hot-air balloon rides are also possible—and the whole experience costs less than in the north.
Northern Tanzania is the most famous. Parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro are well known for the Big Five and the wildebeest migration.
Because so many people visit, it can feel a bit crowded at times, with lots of vehicles at animal sightings. Still, it’s an amazing place with stunning views and lots of wildlife. We choose camps in quieter areas, so you still feel close to nature. Just like in the south, you can enjoy walking safaris, day and night game drives, and exciting balloon rides over the plains.
If you want peaceful, off-the-beaten-path adventure, go south. If you want famous parks and big action, go north. Either way, you’ll have the safari of a lifetime!
Best Time For Southern Tanzania Safaris
The best time to visit southern Tanzania is from June to October, during the dry season. At this time, the grass is shorter, and animals gather around rivers and waterholes, making them easier to spot.
It’s the perfect season for exciting game drives and wildlife watching. From August to October, Ruaha National Park is one of the best places in Africa for walking safaris—you can explore the wild on foot and feel truly close to nature.
Southern Tanzania is a true wildlife paradise. You can see lions, elephants, cheetahs, wild dogs, and many other amazing animals. If you love clear views and lots of animal action, visit in the dry season. But if you prefer green landscapes and want to see colorful migratory birds, the rainy season also has its own magic. No matter when you go, southern Tanzania promises a safari full of wonder and wild beauty.
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