Southern Tanzania Circuit
Ruaha. Nyerere. Mikumi. Bigger parks, fewer vehicles, and a wilderness atmosphere you cannot find in the north. Departing Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar.
Southern Tanzania is the better-kept secret in East African safari.
Ruaha is Tanzania's largest national park. It holds the largest lion population in the country and one of Africa's most significant elephant populations. Nyerere National Park is Africa's largest protected area and one of the least-visited large parks on the continent. Mikumi sits 4 hours by road from Dar es Salaam and offers genuine safari quality with none of the northern pricing.
The Southern circuit is our home territory. We have been running trips here since we started Safari Elation. We know which roads are passable after rain, which water holes are productive in October, and which lodges are worth the cost. If you want more space and fewer vehicles than you find in the north, this is the circuit for you.
Three parks. Almost no other vehicles.
Ruaha, Nyerere, and Mikumi cover a combined area larger than many countries. All three are undervisited relative to their wildlife quality.
Mikumi National Park
Four hours from Dar es Salaam. Year-round wildlife on the open Mkata Floodplain.
Read more
Ruaha National Park
Tanzania's largest national park. Around 10% of Africa's lion population. Almost no other vehicles.
Read more
Nyerere National Park
Africa's largest national park. The only park in Tanzania where you can take a boat safari on a major river.
Read moreSouthern Tanzania Packages
All packages include guide, vehicle, park fees, accommodation, and meals.
Mikumi Day Trip from Dar es Salaam by SGR Train
Take the SGR train from Dar es Salaam and be on a Mikumi National Park game drive the same day. Private 4x4, park fees and lunch. From $263 per person.
Mikumi National Park
2 Day Mikumi Safari from Dar es Salaam by SGR Train
One night in Mikumi National Park with three game drives. Travel both ways by SGR business class train from Dar es Salaam.
Mikumi National Park
3 Day Mikumi Safari from Dar es Salaam by SGR Train
Two nights in Mikumi National Park with five game drives and a slower pace than the short trips. SGR business class train from Dar es Salaam.
Mikumi National Park
4 Day Mikumi Safari from Dar es Salaam by SGR Train
Three nights in Mikumi National Park with two days of extended game viewing. The lowest cost per day of our Mikumi safaris.
Mikumi National Park
When to visit Southern Tanzania
The Southern circuit is best avoided during the long rains. Outside of that, it is accessible year-round.
Dry season
June to October
The dry season is the best time to visit. Wildlife concentrates around water sources and the vegetation is low, making sightings easier. Lion activity is high in Ruaha throughout this period. Nyerere boat safaris on the Rufiji River are exceptional from July onwards.
Green season
November to March
The short rains (November to December) are manageable and the parks are noticeably quieter. January and February are underrated months with good wildlife and lower prices. April and May bring the long rains and some tracks in Nyerere and Ruaha become impassable.
Right for you if
- Ruaha holds Tanzania's largest lion population and is genuinely wild.
- Nyerere boat safaris on the Rufiji River are available nowhere in the north.
- Walking safaris are permitted in both Ruaha and Nyerere.
- Far fewer vehicles than Serengeti or Ngorongoro, even during peak season.
- Lower prices across all accommodation categories compared to the northern circuit.
- Mikumi is accessible by road from Dar es Salaam in 4 hours, no internal flight required.
Not right for you if
- Ruaha requires a flight or a long drive from Dar es Salaam (around 9 hours). Most visitors fly in.
- Not the right circuit if you want the Great Migration.
- Nyerere and Ruaha are remote. Medical facilities are limited once inside the parks.
- The Southern circuit requires at least 4 days in the parks to be worthwhile.