10-Day Pure Southern Tanzania Safari
10-Day Pure Southern Tanzania Safari Adventure
Tour Overview
On this 10-day journey, you’ll explore the untouched wilderness of southern Tanzania—home to some of the country’s most remote and wild national parks. You’ll visit Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous), Mikumi, and Ruaha—three amazing parks where the wildlife is rich, but the tourist numbers are low. This is where you’ll find the true spirit of the African bush.
Your adventure will take you on exciting jeep safaris across wide open savannahs, peaceful boat rides along the Rufiji River, and guided walking safaris through the bush. You’ll track lions, elephants, buffalo, wild dogs, and much more. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even sleep under the stars in a fly camp deep in the wilderness, with a campfire and the sounds of nature all around you. Each night, you’ll stay in small and carefully chosen lodges or tented camps—places that are full of charm and close to nature. Whether it’s watching wildlife from your veranda or enjoying a drink at sunset, these accommodations let you fully enjoy the safari experience in comfort.
One of the highlights is Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest and wildest park. Its dramatic landscapes are filled with giant baobab trees, dry riverbeds, and big game. Here, you might spot a pride of lions hunting, elephants digging for water, or even rare animals like kudu and cheetah. You’ll also visit Mikumi National Park, sometimes called the “mini-Serengeti,” where you’ll enjoy one last game drive before returning to Dar es Salaam. This safari is ideal for adventurous travelers, wildlife lovers, and anyone who wants to see a wilder, quieter side of Tanzania. It offers a perfect mix of adventure, comfort, and unforgettable moments in nature.
Trip Highlights
- Explore three quiet and wild parks: Nyerere, Mikumi, and Ruaha.
- Enjoy a peaceful boat ride on the Rufiji River at sunset.
- Go on jeep safaris to see lions, elephants, giraffes, painted wolves and more.
- Take a walking safari with a guide to get close to nature.
- (Optional) Camp overnight in the wild under the stars.
- See giant baobab trees and the Great Ruaha River in Ruaha Park.
- (Optional) Experience a night safari to spot animals active after dark.
- End with a game drive in Mikumi, known as the “mini Serengeti.”
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam
When you arrive at Dar es Salaam Airport, a friendly driver from your Greenway Nature Tours will be there to meet you. Sit back and relax as you’re taken to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy your first drink while gazing at the beautiful African night sky. Karibu Sana – that means “you’re very welcome” in Swahili! Your adventure is just beginning.
Accommodation Options:
Semi-luxury: Slipway Hotel (Breakfast)
Luxury: Southern Sun Dar es Salaam (Breakfast)
Day 2: Drive to Nyerere National Park & Sunset Boat Safari
After breakfast, your driver will pick you up from your hotel at 8:00 am. You’ll head to Nyerere National Park (once called Selous Game Reserve), a beautiful 4-hour drive through the countryside. There will be a short stop on the way for a bathroom break. When you arrive at your lodge or camp, you’ll enjoy a tasty hot lunch and have some time to relax before your first big adventure.
Welcome to Nyerere National Park
Nyerere is the largest national park in Tanzania and one of the wildest places in Africa. It covers a massive area of over 30,000 square kilometers. The park is named after Julius Nyerere, the first president of Tanzania. What makes this park so special is its untouched nature, very few tourists, and the amazing Rufiji River that flows through it. The river has swamps, lagoons, and wide waters full of life. You can find elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and even rare African wild dogs here.
Sunset Boat Safari on the Rufiji River
In the afternoon, you’ll head out on a relaxing boat safari along the Rufiji River. This is one of the best ways to experience the park. As the sun starts to go down, the river glows with golden light. You’ll see crocodiles lying on the riverbanks, elephants coming to drink, and hippos slowly waking up and rising from the water. You’ll also spot many beautiful birds, like colorful kingfishers, storks, and weavers. It’s the perfect, peaceful way to start your safari journey.
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: Selous Safari Lodge (Half board)
Middle class: Lake Manze Tented Camp (Full Board)
Luxury: Rufiji River Camp (Full Board)
Exclusive: Nomad Sand Rivers (Full Board)
Day 3 -4: Explore Nyerere National Park – Your Safari, Your Way
These two days are all about enjoying the incredible nature and wildlife of Nyerere National Park. You’ll sit down with your guide and decide which safari activities you want to do. Everything is included, and there’s no pressure—if you want to skip an activity and relax at your lodge with a good book or a cold drink, that’s perfectly fine too. It’s your adventure, and you get to set the pace. Each afternoon, after your safari, enjoy a special moment called a “sundowner”—a refreshing drink while watching the African sun dip below the horizon. It’s a magical way to end the day. If you’re staying at the exclusive Nomad Sand Rivers, you get a free extra night if you stay for four nights. Plus, only guests here can enjoy a unique “fly camping” experience deep in the wilderness.
Safari Adventures in Nyerere
Nyerere National Park is full of exciting ways to explore. The northern part of the park has five big lakes, all linked by the Rufiji River, which attracts huge numbers of animals.
Jeep Safari:
Hop into an open safari vehicle and head out to explore! The best wildlife viewing is around the lakes and the river, where you’ll see elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, and maybe even predators like lions in action. With an estimated 140,000 buffalo, 40,000 hippos, and one of the largest lion populations in Africa, there’s always something amazing to see. Nyerere is also one of the top places in Africa to see wild dogs, a rare and thrilling sight. In the morning, you’ll stop for coffee or tea at a scenic spot. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a short walk during sunset for an up-close view of the wild.
Walking Safari:
This is one of the few parks in Tanzania where walking safaris are allowed. With an armed ranger by your side, you’ll walk quietly through the bush, looking for animal tracks, listening to the sounds of nature, and spotting smaller creatures like colorful birds and insects. It’s an unforgettable way to feel truly connected to the wild.
Fly Camping (Optional):
For the adventurous, fly camping offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to sleep right in the heart of the wilderness. A small but comfortable tented camp is set up in the bush, a campfire is lit, and dinner is served under the stars. Fall asleep to the sounds of lions roaring in the distance and wake up to the songs of birds. It’s raw, wild, and completely unforgettable.
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: Selous Safari Lodge (Half board)
Middle class: Lake Manze Tented Camp (Full Board)
Luxury: Rufiji River Camp (Full Board)
Exclusive: Nomad Sand Rivers (Full Board)
Day 5: Transfer to Mikumi National Park
After a relaxing breakfast, your adventure continues with a scenic drive to Mikumi National Park, passing through the northern part of Selous. The journey takes about 5 to 6 hours, but it’s far from ordinary—it’s a mini safari on the move! As you travel, you’ll have the chance to see a wide variety of animals along the way. Keep your eyes open for zebras, giraffes, hippos, wildebeest, hartebeest, impalas, warthogs, buffalo, eland antelope, and elephants. With a bit of luck, you might even spot lions, leopards, or the elusive African wild dogs.
Mikumi is known for its open plains and great wildlife visibility. There are also several observation towers in the park where you can enjoy panoramic views of the stunning landscape and animals from above. You’ll enjoy a picnic lunch during the drive, surrounded by nature—another perfect moment to soak in the wild beauty of southern Tanzania before reaching your lodge in Mikumi.
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: Camp Bastian Mikumi (Full Board)
Middle Class: Mikumi Wildlife Camp
Day 6: Full-Day Game Drive in Mikumi National Park
After breakfast, get ready for an exciting full-day game drive in Mikumi National Park. Your morning starts with a visit to the famous Hippo Pools, where you can watch hippos relaxing in the water and listen to their funny grunts and splashes. As you explore the park, you’ll look for elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo, elands, and warthogs.
Mikumi is known for its open grasslands filled with baobab trees, making it easy to spot wildlife. You’ll also see many birds, both big and small, adding color and music to the landscape. Mikumi is home to some special animals too, like the rare sable antelope, African wild dogs, and large herds of wildebeest. As you drive through the southern part of the park, you’ll notice the scenery change to gentle hills and wide forests known as miombo woodlands—a perfect backdrop for amazing photos. It’s a day full of wildlife, fresh air, and the beauty of wild Tanzania!
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: Camp Bastian Mikumi (Full Board)
Middle Class: Mikumi Wildlife Camp
Day 7: Transfer to Ruaha National Park + Afternoon Game Drive
After an early breakfast, you will leave Mikumi with a packed lunch and begin your scenic drive to Ruaha National Park, about 5 hours away, passing through the lively town of Iringa. The journey takes you through the peaceful Tanzanian countryside, with beautiful views of valleys, hills, and mountains—perfect for taking photos along the way.
Once you arrive at Ruaha, it’s time for an exciting afternoon game drive. As the day cools down, many animals become active, making it the best time to spot them. The golden light of the setting sun creates amazing photo opportunities. Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest and wildest park, formed by joining with the Usungu Game Reserve in 2008. Despite its size, it’s still a hidden gem with very few lodges, which means fewer crowds and a more peaceful safari experience. The park is famous for its huge baobab trees, rugged landscapes, and the Great Ruaha River, where animals gather to drink, making it a perfect spot for wildlife viewing. Your adventure in the heart of wild Africa has just begun!
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge (Full Board)
Middle class: Mdonya Old River Camp (Full Board)
Semi-luxury: Ruaha River Lodge (Full Board)
Exclusive: Ikuka Safari Camp (Full board with drinks)
Exclusive: Asilia Jabali Ridge (Full board with drinks)
Day 8: Full Day Safari in Ruaha National Park
Today is all about exploring the wild beauty of Ruaha National Park. As you enjoy your breakfast, you might hear the sounds of birds calling or animals in the distance—a magical way to start your day in the heart of nature. You’ll spend the day on exciting safari adventures with your expert guide, who knows every corner of the park and the animals that live there.
Jeep Safari
Hop into an open safari jeep and head out into the wild! One of the best places to spot animals is around the dry riverbeds, where elephants often dig in the sand to find water. You’ll likely see large elephant herds, and with some luck, you might even spot cheetahs, lions, or a greater kudu—a beautiful and rare antelope found mostly in Ruaha.
Ruaha is famous for its wild and untouched nature. It’s one of the best places in Africa to see animals behaving naturally. You may even witness dramatic scenes like a pride of lionesses hunting giraffes or buffalo. In the morning, you’ll stop at a lovely spot for coffee or tea, and in the afternoon, enjoy a sundowner drink as the sun sets over the savannah.
Walking Safari (Advance booking required)
For those who love adventure, a walking safari is a thrilling way to explore. Guided by an armed ranger, you’ll walk through the bush, looking for animal tracks, birdlife, and smaller creatures. It’s a great way to connect with nature—and your heart will race if an elephant walks by or you spot a predator in the distance!
Night Safari (Advance booking required)
After dark, the bush comes alive in a different way. On a night safari, you’ll search for nocturnal animals like hyenas, genets, and civets. This is also when many predators begin to hunt. It’s an unforgettable experience to witness wildlife under the stars, just before you return to camp for dinner. This day in Ruaha offers a perfect mix of excitement, discovery, and unforgettable wildlife moments!
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge (Full Board)
Middle class: Mdonya Old River Camp (Full Board)
Semi-luxury: Ruaha River Lodge (Full Board)
Exclusive: Ikuka Safari Camp (Full board with drinks)
Exclusive: Asilia Jabali Ridge (Full board with drinks)
Day 9: Half-Day Safari in Ruaha NP & Return to Mikumi National Park
After an early breakfast, you’ll set out for one last adventure in Ruaha National Park—a final morning game drive through Tanzania’s largest and wildest park. This is your last chance to spot some of Ruaha’s famous wildlife, such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and huge elephant herds. You might also see rare antelope species like the kudu or sable. As you explore, you’ll be surrounded by dramatic scenery—ancient baobab trees, open plains, and the beautiful Great Ruaha River, creating a perfect backdrop for your final safari moments.
Around midday, you’ll begin your scenic drive to Mikumi National Park, which takes about 4 to 5 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass through rural Tanzanian landscapes, with charming views of traditional villages, sunflower fields, and wide stretches of miombo woodlands. It’s a relaxing and picturesque journey that gives you a deeper look into the country’s everyday life. Once you arrive in Mikumi, you’ll check in at your comfortable mid-range lodge, ready for a peaceful evening.
Optional: If you wish to end your safari here, you can choose to take a domestic flight from Ruaha or to Dar es Salaam and continue your journey or return home from there.
Accommodation Options:
Middle Class: Camp Bastian Mikumi (Full Board)
Middle Class: Mikumi Wildlife Camp
Day 10: Final Game Drive in Mikumi & Return to Dar es Salaam
After a good breakfast at your lodge, you will go on your final morning game drive in Mikumi National Park. This park is often called the “Serengeti in Miniature” because of its many animals and wide-open grassy plains. On this last safari, you might see lions, giraffes, zebras, elephants, and the famous Mikumi buffalo herds. You’ll also spot lots of colorful birds, all with the beautiful Uluguru Mountains in the background.
Around noon, you will finish your game drive and start the drive back to Dar es Salaam, which takes about 5 to 6 hours. On the way, you’ll enjoy the lively scenes of Tanzania’s countryside, passing busy local markets, green plantations, and small traditional villages. When you arrive in Dar es Salaam in the late afternoon or early evening, you will be taken straight to your hotel. This marks the end of your amazing safari journey, leaving you with wonderful memories of Tanzania’s wild animals and stunning nature.
What Is Included
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities (unless marked as optional)
- All accommodations
- A professional driver and guide
- All transportation
- All taxes and VAT
- Meals (as listed in the daily itinerary)
What Is Excluded
- International flights (From/to home)
- Domestic flight transfer
- Tips
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
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