10-Day Tanzania Southern Safari
Explore Mikumi, Udzungwa, Ruaha & Nyerere
Experience the wild beauty of Southern Tanzania on an unforgettable 10-day Tanzania safari through Mikumi National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Ruaha National Park and Nyerere National Park.
This carefully designed southern safari combines classic game drives with mountain landscapes, waterfalls, walking experiences, rivers and diverse wildlife. From the open plains of Mikumi and the dramatic landscapes of Ruaha to the waterways of Nyerere National Park and the lush Udzungwa Mountains, this itinerary offers a different side of Tanzania.
With Nabaki Safaris, the best tour operator in Tanzania, you can explore Southern Tanzania through a well-organized private safari designed around your interests, travel style and preferred accommodation level.
Safari Highlights
- Experience a 10-day Southern Tanzania safari
- Explore Mikumi National Park
- Discover the Udzungwa Mountains
- Experience the dramatic wilderness of Ruaha National Park
- Enjoy game drives across Southern Tanzania
- Search for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, zebras and hippos
- Explore the Great Ruaha River and surrounding landscapes
- Enjoy a boat safari in Nyerere National Park
- Experience the waterways of the Rufiji River
- Enjoy a guided nature or forest experience in Udzungwa
- Discover less-crowded safari destinations
- Travel through diverse landscapes and ecosystems
- Enjoy a private 4x4 safari vehicle
- Travel with an experienced local safari guide
- Choose Budget, Midrange or Luxury accommodation
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Destination | Main Experience |
|---|
| Day 1 | Dar es Salaam → Mikumi | Transfer & afternoon game drive |
| Day 2 | Mikumi | Full-day game drive |
| Day 3 | Mikumi → Udzungwa | Transfer & Udzungwa experience |
| Day 4 | Udzungwa | Mountain & waterfall experience |
| Day 5 | Udzungwa → Ruaha | Scenic transfer to Ruaha |
| Day 6 | Ruaha | Full-day game drive |
| Day 7 | Ruaha | Full-day wildlife safari |
| Day 8 | Ruaha → Nyerere | Transfer & afternoon experience |
| Day 9 | Nyerere | Game drive & boat safari |
| Day 10 | Nyerere → Dar es Salaam | Morning safari & departure |
Your 10-day Tanzania Southern Safari begins in Dar es Salaam.
After breakfast, meet your safari guide and depart for Mikumi National Park. The journey takes you from the coastal environment toward the wildlife-rich landscapes of Southern Tanzania.
Upon arrival, check in at your accommodation before heading out for an afternoon game drive, depending on your arrival time.
Mikumi is known for its open plains and diverse wildlife. During your game drive, you may encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, impalas, hippos and other wildlife.
As the afternoon progresses, continue exploring the park before returning to your accommodation.
Enjoy dinner and relax after the first day of your Southern Tanzania adventure.
Overnight: Mikumi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today is dedicated to exploring Mikumi National Park.
After breakfast, set out with your safari guide for a full-day game drive across the park.
Mikumi's open grasslands provide excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, while the surrounding woodland and water sources attract a variety of animals.
Keep watch for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and different species of antelope.
Depending on wildlife movements and seasonal conditions, you may also have opportunities to observe predators such as lions.
Enjoy a picnic lunch during the safari before continuing your exploration into the afternoon.
Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and relaxation.
Overnight: Mikumi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, leave Mikumi and continue toward the spectacular Udzungwa Mountains National Park.
The journey takes you through changing landscapes as you approach one of Tanzania's most important mountain and forest environments.
Upon arrival in the Udzungwa area, check in at your accommodation and enjoy some time to relax.
Depending on arrival time and your selected activity, you may enjoy a short guided nature experience around the area.
Udzungwa offers a completely different atmosphere from the open savannahs of Mikumi, with lush forests, mountain scenery and rich biodiversity.
Spend the evening enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
Overnight: Udzungwa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today is dedicated to exploring the beautiful Udzungwa Mountains.
After breakfast, meet your local guide and begin your mountain and forest experience.
The Udzungwa Mountains are known for their lush forests, scenic trails, mountain landscapes and waterfalls.
Depending on your selected route and conditions, explore the forest environment and enjoy the natural scenery surrounding the mountains.
A guided hike toward one of the area's waterfalls provides an opportunity to experience a side of Tanzania that goes beyond traditional safari game drives.
Take time to appreciate the forest environment and wildlife before returning to your accommodation.
Spend the evening relaxing and preparing for the journey toward Ruaha.
Overnight: Udzungwa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, depart Udzungwa and continue toward Ruaha National Park.
The journey takes you deeper into Southern Tanzania and introduces increasingly remote landscapes.
Ruaha is one of Tanzania's most remarkable wilderness destinations, characterized by wide-open landscapes, rocky areas, woodland and the Great Ruaha River system.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge or camp.
Depending on arrival time, enjoy a short afternoon game drive or relax at the accommodation.
As evening approaches, enjoy dinner surrounded by the atmosphere of the African wilderness.
Overnight: Ruaha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Wake up early for a full day of wildlife exploration in Ruaha National Park.
Ruaha is famous for its large elephant populations and diverse wildlife, making it one of the most rewarding destinations on a Southern Tanzania safari.
Travel through different sections of the park with your guide while searching for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, kudu, impalas and other wildlife.
The park's rivers and water sources can attract wildlife, particularly during drier periods.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in a designated area before continuing your game drive.
Return to your accommodation in the evening.
Overnight: Ruaha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today offers another full day to explore Ruaha.
An additional day in the park gives you more time to explore different areas and search for wildlife according to seasonal movements.
Your experienced guide will determine the best areas to explore based on recent wildlife activity, road conditions and your interests.
Look for elephants moving through the woodland, giraffes browsing among trees, herds of buffalo and zebras, as well as predators that may be active around the park.
Ruaha is also known for its rich birdlife and impressive landscapes, making the safari enjoyable for wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts.
After a full day in the wilderness, return to your accommodation for dinner.
Overnight: Ruaha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, leave Ruaha and continue toward Nyerere National Park.
The journey connects two of Southern Tanzania's major wilderness destinations while allowing you to experience the changing landscapes of the region.
Upon arrival in the Nyerere area, check in at your accommodation.
Depending on arrival time, you may enjoy an afternoon game drive or relax at your lodge before dinner.
Nyerere offers a different safari environment, with rivers, lakes, woodland and open areas supporting a wide variety of wildlife.
Overnight: Nyerere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today combines two of the most memorable experiences in Nyerere National Park.
Begin with a morning game drive through the park.
Search for elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, impalas, hippos and other wildlife as you explore the diverse landscapes.
After lunch and some relaxation, enjoy a boat safari along the waterways of the Rufiji River system.
From the water, you can observe hippos and crocodiles, while elephants and other animals may be seen near the riverbanks depending on seasonal conditions.
The boat experience provides a completely different perspective from a traditional vehicle-based game drive.
Return to your accommodation in the evening for your final night in the Southern Tanzania wilderness.
Overnight: Nyerere
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Enjoy your final morning in Southern Tanzania.
After breakfast, depending on your departure schedule, enjoy a short morning game drive before beginning your journey back toward Dar es Salaam.
The final drive provides one more opportunity to appreciate the landscapes and wildlife of Nyerere National Park.
Continue to Dar es Salaam for your onward journey.
Your 10-day Tanzania Southern Safari comes to an end after an extraordinary adventure through Mikumi, Udzungwa, Ruaha and Nyerere.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
What's Included & excluded
What's Included
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Accommodation for 9 nights
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Mikumi National Park entrance fees
- Udzungwa Mountains National Park fees
- Ruaha National Park entrance fees
- Nyerere National Park entrance fees
- Game drives as described
- Udzungwa guided nature/hiking experience
- Nyerere boat safari
- Drinking water during safari
- Airport/hotel transfers where specified
- Government taxes and applicable tourism fees
What's Excluded
- International flights
- Domestic flights unless specifically stated
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Laundry services
- Souvenirs and shopping
- Optional activities
- Additional accommodation before or after the safari
- Any service not specifically mentioned under "What's Included"
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQS
Yes. The itinerary can be arranged as a private safari, allowing greater flexibility with game drives, photography stops and daily pacing.
This itinerary focuses on Southern Tanzania and combines Mikumi, Udzungwa, Ruaha and Nyerere. It offers a mixture of traditional wildlife safaris, mountain scenery, forest experiences and a boat safari.
Yes. Elephants are found across several destinations on this route, with Ruaha particularly well known for its elephant populations.
Udzungwa is primarily known for its mountains, forests, biodiversity and hiking experiences rather than traditional game drives. It adds a different dimension to this Southern Tanzania itinerary.
Yes. A boat safari in Nyerere National Park is included on Day 9.
Lions occur in several Southern Tanzania protected areas. Sightings depend on wildlife movements, habitat and seasonal conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
Yes. The itinerary can be customized according to your travel dates, accommodation preferences, interests, budget and onward travel arrangements.
Yes. The itinerary can be customized to connect with Arusha, Kilimanjaro or another destination, although the logistics and travel time may change.
Yes. The combination of wildlife, river landscapes, forests, mountains and open savannah creates a diverse range of photography opportunities.
This 10-day Tanzania safari is designed for travelers who want to discover a less conventional side of Tanzania.
Instead of focusing only on the famous Northern Circuit, the journey takes you through four distinctive destinations in Southern Tanzania.
Mikumi introduces you to open savannah landscapes and diverse wildlife. Udzungwa brings mountains, forests and waterfalls into the experience. Ruaha provides an expansive wilderness environment known for elephants, predators and dramatic scenery. Finally, Nyerere National Park combines wildlife with the unique experience of exploring Tanzania's waterways by boat.
The result is a balanced safari that combines game drives, nature, mountains, rivers and adventure.
As the best tour operator in Tanzania, Nabaki Safaris focuses on creating safari experiences that combine professional planning, local knowledge and personalized service.
For a Southern Tanzania journey, careful planning is particularly important because the destinations are spread across a large region and require well-coordinated transportation and accommodation arrangements.
With Nabaki Safaris, your journey can be organized around your preferred accommodation level, travel dates, safari interests and pace.
From the first day in Mikumi to the final boat safari in Nyerere, the goal is to make your Southern Tanzania adventure comfortable, memorable and well organize
