Overview
Discover the wild beauty of Southern Tanzania before relaxing on the tropical island of Zanzibar. This 10-day adventure combines river safaris, full-day game drives, Maasai culture, mountain hiking, walking safaris and spectacular wildlife in Nyerere, Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha National Parks, followed by a relaxing Zanzibar beach and marine experience.
Highlights
- 🦁 Full-Day Nyerere Game Drive
- 🛖 Authentic Maasai Cultural Experience
- 🤿 Zanzibar Scuba Diving Experience
- 🌿 Jozani Forest Tour
Itinerary
Activities: Road Transfer & Rufiji River Boat Safari
Your adventure begins with an early morning pickup from Dar es Salaam Airport at approximately 4:15 AM. Settle into your safari vehicle for the approximately 5-hour journey to Nyerere National Park.
Upon arrival, check in at your accommodation and enjoy some time to relax and refresh after the journey. After lunch and a short rest, prepare for your first exciting wildlife experience.
In the evening, embark on a boat safari along the Rufiji River, one of the highlights of Nyerere National Park. Cruise through the waterways while watching for hippos, crocodiles, birds and other wildlife gathering along the riverbanks as the sun begins to set.
Return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Nyerere Tented Camp
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Route: Dar es Salaam → Nyerere National Park → Rufiji River Boat Safari
Activities: Full-Day Game Drive
After breakfast, set out for a full-day game drive through the vast wilderness of Nyerere National Park.
Explore the park's diverse landscapes while searching for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, hippos, warthogs, antelopes and numerous bird species.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your game drive through the afternoon.
Return to camp in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Nyerere Tented Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Route: Nyerere Tented Camp → Nyerere National Park → Nyerere Tented Camp
Activities: Scenic Road Transfer & Wildlife Viewing
After breakfast, depart Nyerere National Park and travel toward Mikumi National Park.
The journey takes approximately 6 hours, depending on road conditions and traffic. As you travel through the northern section of Nyerere, keep an eye out for wildlife along the way.
Upon arrival in Mikumi, enjoy an afternoon introduction to the park and its wildlife. Mikumi is home to elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, hartebeests, warthogs and a wide variety of bird species.
Enjoy dinner and relax at your accommodation in preparation for the following day's full-day safari.
Accommodation: Mikumi Park Cottages
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Route: Nyerere National Park → Mikumi National Park
Activities: Full-Day Game Drive
After breakfast, embark on a full-day game drive through Mikumi National Park.
Explore the open grasslands and woodland areas of the park in search of its abundant wildlife. With your experienced safari guide, look for elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, impalas, elands and numerous bird species.
Enjoy a picnic lunch during the day before continuing your exploration into the afternoon.
Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Camp Bastan, Mikumi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Route: Mikumi Park Cottages → Mikumi National Park → Camp Bastan
Activities: Maasai Cultural Tour & Sanje Waterfalls Hike
Rise early for a unique cultural experience in the Mikumi area. At approximately 6:00 AM, visit a Maasai community and learn about their traditional way of life, culture and customs.
Return to your accommodation around 8:00 AM for breakfast.
After breakfast, depart at approximately 8:30 AM and travel toward the Udzungwa Mountains, a journey of about one hour.
Upon arrival, meet your local guide and park rangers before beginning your hike to the spectacular Sanje Waterfalls.
The trail takes you through beautiful forest scenery where you may encounter monkeys, birds and other wildlife. At the waterfall, enjoy spectacular views and, if conditions permit, take a refreshing swim in the natural pools.
Enjoy a picnic lunch during the excursion before returning to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Route: Mikumi → Maasai Cultural Experience → Udzungwa Mountains → Sanje Waterfalls
Activities: Road Transfer & Afternoon Game Drive
After an early breakfast at approximately 6:00 AM, depart Udzungwa Mountains with packed lunches and begin your journey toward Ruaha National Park.
The drive takes approximately 8 hours, offering scenic views of Southern Tanzania along the way.
Upon arrival at Ruaha, check in at your accommodation and enjoy lunch before heading out for your first game drive in the park.
Explore the spectacular Ruaha landscape, including the Great Ruaha River valley, while searching for elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, wildebeest, impalas, kudu and other wildlife.
Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Route: Udzungwa Mountains → Ruaha National Park
Activities: Guided Walking Safari & Game Drive
Start your day with an early breakfast before embarking on a guided walking safari in Ruaha National Park.
Leave the safari vehicle behind and explore the African wilderness on foot under the guidance of trained professionals. This intimate experience allows you to observe the smaller details of the ecosystem, including animal tracks, plants, insects, birds and signs of wildlife.
After the walking safari, continue with a game drive through Ruaha's spectacular wilderness.
Search for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, kudu, hippos, impalas and other wildlife while enjoying the scenery of one of Tanzania's most remote and beautiful national parks.
Return to Ruaha Hilltop Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Route: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge → Walking Safari → Ruaha National Park Game Drive → Lodge
Activities: Road Transfer & Flight to Zanzibar
After breakfast, depart Ruaha Hilltop Lodge and travel by road toward Iringa Airport.
Arrive at the airport in time for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar, departing at approximately 10:00 AM, subject to flight availability.
Upon arrival in Zanzibar, meet your driver and transfer to your beach accommodation. The remainder of the day is free for relaxation, enjoying the surroundings and preparing for the next day's island experience.
Accommodation: White Paradise Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Route: Ruaha → Iringa Airport → Flight to Zanzibar → Hotel
Activities: Scuba Diving Experience & Leisure
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning before your scheduled scuba diving experience.
You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the diving location. Begin with a safety briefing and introductory training with qualified diving professionals before entering the water.
Explore Zanzibar's beautiful underwater environment and discover its colorful marine life.
After the diving experience, return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Relax on the beach, enjoy the tropical surroundings or simply unwind after your safari adventure.
Accommodation: White Paradise Zanzibar
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Route: Zanzibar Hotel → Diving Centre → Scuba Diving → Hotel
Activities: Jozani Forest, Spice Tour & Airport Transfer
After breakfast, your driver will pick you up at approximately 9:00 AM and begin your final Zanzibar adventure.
Travel to Jozani Forest, where you will explore the forest with a local professional guide. Discover Zanzibar's unique natural environment and look for the famous red colobus monkeys and other forest wildlife.
Continue to a traditional Zanzibar spice farm for an immersive spice tour. Learn about the island's famous spices and discover how they are grown and used in local cuisine.
After the tour, enjoy a delicious local lunch accompanied by fresh tropical fruits such as mangoes, watermelon, bananas and pineapples.
After lunch, return toward your accommodation and prepare for your evening departure.
Your driver will then transfer you to Zanzibar International Airport for your onward flight home.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Route: Hotel → Jozani Forest → Spice Farm → Lunch → Zanzibar International Airport
End of Your Southern Tanzania Safari & Zanzibar Adventure
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Pick-up or Drop-off service from and to Airport(in our own vehicle)
- Transportation to and from!!
- Food all along the trip(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a cup of coffee or tea) and accommodations during the trip in hotels with family environment
- Transportation, food, accommodation and insurance of Guide during the trip
- First Aid Medical Kit(Your guide will carry the Medical Kit but we also advise to bring yourself for your own use, as far as possible)
- All the required permits and paperwork
The Cost Excludes
- International Airfare
- Visa Charges
- Your travel and medical insurance
- Personal Expenses such as shopping, bar bills, hot shower, telephone, laundry, titbits etc
- Services not mentioned or not promised by the agent/agency
- Emergency expenses such as expenses on chartered helicopter.
FAQs
General
The package includes accommodation as specified in the itinerary, meals, road transfers, guided game drives, park entry fees, professional safari guide services, Rufiji River boat safari, Maasai cultural experience, Udzungwa hiking experience, Ruaha walking safari, domestic flight to Zanzibar, scuba diving experience, Jozani Forest tour, spice farm tour and airport transfers as specified.
The journey begins with an early morning pickup from Dar es Salaam Airport, followed by a road transfer to Nyerere National Park
The itinerary visits four spectacular destinations in Southern Tanzania:
- Nyerere National Park
- Mikumi National Park
- Udzungwa Mountains National Park
- Ruaha National Park
The safari then continues to Zanzibar for the beach and cultural experience.
Depending on the season and wildlife movements, you may see elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, impalas, kudu, eland, warthogs, hartebeest and many species of birds.
No. This itinerary focuses on Tanzania's Southern Safari Circuit, including Nyerere, Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha, followed by Zanzibar.
Yes. Full-day game drives are planned in both Nyerere National Park and Mikumi National Park, while additional wildlife viewing is included in Ruaha.
You will have an opportunity to visit a Maasai community in the Mikumi area and learn about traditional Maasai culture, lifestyle and customs through interaction with local community members.
You will hike through the beautiful forest environment of Udzungwa Mountains National Park toward Sanje Waterfalls. Along the way, you may encounter monkeys, birds and other forest wildlife.
