Medium Southern Safari
Route: Dar es Salaam → Selous Game Reserve → Mikumi → Ruaha → Dar es Salaam
Ideal For: Remote wilderness seekers, photographers, bird watchers, adventure travelers
Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days | Best Time: June-October (Dry Season)
Journey Overview
Southern Tanzania offers a far more remote safari experience than other parks in the country. For safari goers looking to explore Tanzania’s untamed wild side, the Southern Safari Circuit delivers unmatched solitude, remarkable landscapes, and raw natural beauty.
These parks are vast, remote, and rich in wildlife, yet free from the heavy tourist traffic of the north. WildMiles Safaris enjoys creating personalised itineraries in the south because the region is untamed, unfiltered, and unforgettable.
The parks are less crowded and less visited, allowing opportunities for boating, fishing, walking, and classic game drives. Often referred to as the hidden gem of Tanzanian safaris, this region offers true wilderness without the crowds.
With WildMiles, this remoteness becomes an opportunity. Drift along winding rivers by boat, track game on foot with expert guides, cast a line in wild waters, or explore untouched terrain on game drives. Every day is shaped by the landscape and your curiosity.
This is safari at its most intimate. Wild. Undiscovered. Yours.
Unique Features of Southern Circuit
River Safaris
Boat safaris on the Rufiji River offer unique perspectives of hippos, crocodiles, and water birds.
Walking Safaris
Experience the bush on foot with expert guides in Selous and Ruaha reserves.
No Crowds
Enjoy private wildlife viewing without the tourist crowds of northern parks.
Night Drives
Spot nocturnal wildlife on guided night safaris in game reserves.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Dar es Salaam → Selous Game Reserve
Drive from Dar es Salaam to Selous Game Reserve. The journey takes approximately 4 to 5 hours covering about 250 km, depending on road conditions. The route passes through scenic rural landscapes and crosses the Rufiji River as you approach the reserve.
Travel Options:
Road Transfer: Scenic drive through rural Tanzania (4-5 hours)
Flight Option: Fly from Dar es Salaam to Selous (1 hour) to nearby airstrips such as Siwandu or Selous Riverside Camp. Flights are more expensive but save time and maximise your safari experience.
Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest protected areas in Africa. Night game drives, walking safaris, and boat safaris are permitted due to its game reserve status. Many camps and lodges are located along the Rufiji River in the northern section.
Arrive at your lodge or tented camp in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Selous Game Reserve
Begin the day with an early morning game drive, the best time for wildlife viewing before the heat sets in. You may encounter lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, and buffaloes.
Return to camp for a hot lunch and time to relax. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat safari along the Rufiji River, where you can observe hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife.
Day Activities:
Boat Safari Game Drive Bird Watching River WildlifeIn the evening, enjoy dinner under the stars. Optional night drives may be available, offering chances to see nocturnal animals such as bush babies, genets, and leopards.
Day 3: Selous → Mikumi National Park
After breakfast, you may opt for a walking safari with an experienced local guide, offering a closer look at smaller wildlife, birds, and plant life.
Later, depart for Mikumi National Park with wildlife viewing en route. The journey takes you through changing landscapes as you move from the riverine ecosystem of Selous to the plains of Mikumi.
Arrive at your lodge or tented camp in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.
Optional Morning Activity:
Walking Safari: Explore the bush on foot with an armed guide (additional cost may apply).
Day 4: Mikumi National Park
Enjoy a full day game drive in Mikumi National Park. Its central location creates diverse habitats including grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands. The park is also well known for its rich birdlife.
Mikumi is often called “little Serengeti” due to its open plains and wildlife concentrations. Look out for lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and numerous antelope species.
Park Features:
Open Plains Birdlife Mkata Floodplain Easy AccessibilityIn the afternoon, return to your lodge or camp to relax and enjoy sundowners and dinner. Optional night safaris may be arranged, depending on availability.
Day 5: Mikumi → Ruaha National Park
Depart for Ruaha National Park, a scenic journey of approximately 4 to 5 hours through villages and rural landscapes. The drive offers glimpses of local life and changing terrain.
Ruaha is quieter than many other Tanzanian parks, offering a more intimate and authentic safari experience. It’s Tanzania’s largest national park and boasts incredible biodiversity.
Enjoy a late afternoon game drive upon arrival, followed by a peaceful evening with dinner at camp, listening to the sounds of the African bush.
Day 6: Ruaha National Park
Spend a full day exploring Ruaha National Park. The park is home to elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, and wild dogs. The Ruaha River is the park’s lifeline, attracting hippos and crocodiles.
You may take part in a walking safari with a local guide, gaining insight into the finer details of the ecosystem. Learn about tracking, plants, insects, and smaller wildlife often missed on game drives.
Ruaha Highlights:
Large Elephant Herds Wild Dog Sightings Baobab Forests Ruaha River Walking SafarisIn the afternoon, visit the river where animals gather during the dry season. Enjoy a relaxing evening at camp surrounded by nature.
Day 7: Ruaha → Dar es Salaam
After a final breakfast in the bush, depart for Dar es Salaam by either road or flight.
Return Options:
Road Transfer: The drive passes through the Iringa and Morogoro regions, offering scenic views of Tanzania’s backcountry (6-7 hours).
Flight Option: Fly from Ruaha to Dar es Salaam (approximately 1.5 hours) – saves time but at additional cost.
Arrive in Dar es Salaam in the evening, marking the end of your unforgettable Southern Safari adventure.
Optional extension: Add beach days in Zanzibar or Mafia Island to complete your Tanzania experience.
Southern Circuit Highlights
What’s Included
Package Inclusions
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Experienced English-speaking driver/guide
- All park entrance and conservation fees
- Accommodation in tented camps/lodges
- All meals during the safari (B, L, D)
- Bottled drinking water throughout
- Boat safari in Selous Game Reserve
- Walking safari (where permitted)
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
- Government taxes and VAT
Optional Add-ons
- Domestic flights (Dar-Selous, Ruaha-Dar) from $300 per sector
- Night game drives in Selous ($80 per person)
- Fishing safari on Rufiji River ($120 per person)
- Professional photography guide
- Luxury tent upgrade
- Zanzibar beach extension (3-7 nights)
- Mafia Island diving extension
- Cultural visits to local villages
Why Choose Southern Circuit?
Authentic Wilderness
Experience Tanzania without the tourist crowds. Southern parks receive only 5% of Tanzania’s safari visitors.
Diverse Activities
Combine game drives with boat safaris, walking safaris, fishing, and night drives.
Year-Round Safari
Southern parks offer excellent wildlife viewing year-round, with different highlights each season.
Wild Dog Capital
Ruaha National Park has one of Africa’s largest populations of endangered wild dogs.
WildMiles Safaris
Experience the beauty of East Africa with our tailor-made safari adventures. Explore the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and other magnificent destinations with our expert guides.