Local experts in Tanzania +255 767 617 986
Guest reviews
Safari Escort
Plan My Trip
10-Day Luxury Fly-In Safari in Southern Circuit
Tanzania Safari

10-Day Luxury Fly-In Safari in Southern Circuit

Safari price
From $9,180
Make an Enquiry
Safari Escort journey

Trip Overview

The 10-Day Luxury Fly-In Safari in Southern Circuit begins in Nyerere National Park and finishes in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. Its route includes Ruaha National Park, Katavi, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar, following the destination order and transfers set out in the day-by-day itinerary.

The journey is shaped around scheduled domestic flights and a walking safari, linked by the premium lodges, camps or flights named in the itinerary.

Southern Tanzania rewards travellers who appreciate varied habitats and a less hurried approach to wildlife. The daily programme explains where you travel, the activities planned and the stays along the way; our safari experts can help adapt transport, camp choices and time in each park to your priorities.

Where every day follows the rhythm of the journey
Wildlife viewed on safari in Nyerere National ParkNyerere National Park
Lion beneath a baobab in Ruaha National ParkRuaha National Park
Waterbirds in the wetlands of western TanzaniaKatavi Wetlands
Safari boat on the Rufiji River in Nyerere National ParkRufiji River
Moments along the route
Safari Highlights

Your Journey Highlights

  • Arrival and Fly to Nyerere – Into the Southern WildExperience Nyerere’s riverine and savannah habitats through the guided activities named in this itinerary.
  • Full-Day Exploration of Nyerere – Wildlife, Water, and Scenic BeautyExperience Nyerere’s riverine and savannah habitats through the guided activities named in this itinerary.
  • Flexible Safari Activities – Customize Your Experience in NyerereExperience Nyerere’s riverine and savannah habitats through the guided activities named in this itinerary.
  • Fly to Ruaha – Into the Heart of Untamed AfricaDiscover Ruaha’s baobab country, river systems and remote game-viewing areas with an experienced guide.
  • Game Drives in Ruaha – Big Cats and Giant BaobabsExplore Tarangire’s river valley, baobab country and wildlife habitat on a guided game drive.
  • Flexible Safari in Ruaha – Tailored Wildlife EncountersDiscover Ruaha’s baobab country, river systems and remote game-viewing areas with an experienced guide.

Your Itinerary

Day 01

Arrival and Fly to Nyerere – Into the Southern Wild

  • Flight: Morning flight from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park
  • Activity: Arrival & Fly-in Safari
  • Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Begin with the scheduled morning flight from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park. On landing, meet your safari guide and travel to Selous Impala Camp, where there is time to check in and take in the riverine surroundings. Your guide will explain the plan for the next stage of the safari and coordinate activities around the confirmed flight schedule. This first day introduces Nyerere’s wetlands, woodland and open country without adding a long road transfer after your flight.

Accommodation

Selous Impala Camp

Selous Impala Camp is an intimate tented property inside Nyerere National Park along a wooded stretch of the Rufiji River. Its en-suite tents stand on raised platforms and face the river, keeping water, birdlife and passing wildlife central to the stay. Solar power, shared dining and guided activities support a comfortable camp experience in a remote environment. The location is well suited to itineraries combining vehicle safaris with boat or walking experiences where those activities are included.

LocationNyerereStay styleTented safari camp
Day 02

Full-Day Exploration of Nyerere – Wildlife, Water, and Scenic Beauty

  • Activity: Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today offers a full-day game drive in the heart of Nyerere. You’ll cover a range of ecosystems and encounter abundant wildlife including buffalo herds, impala, waterbuck, and elusive predators like African wild dogs and leopards. The park’s vastness means sightings are authentic, unpressured, and unspoiled by crowds. A picnic lunch in a shaded area near a lagoon or riverbank adds to the immersion. Relax in the comfort of your tent or enjoy sundowners as the wilderness comes alive at dusk.

Accommodation

Selous Impala Camp

Selous Impala Camp is an intimate tented property inside Nyerere National Park along a wooded stretch of the Rufiji River. Its en-suite tents stand on raised platforms and face the river, keeping water, birdlife and passing wildlife central to the stay. Solar power, shared dining and guided activities support a comfortable camp experience in a remote environment. The location is well suited to itineraries combining vehicle safaris with boat or walking experiences where those activities are included.

LocationNyerereStay styleTented safari camp
Day 03

Flexible Safari Activities – Customize Your Experience in Nyerere

  • Activity: Boat Safari & Transfer
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy another full day of flexible safari activities. You may opt for a morning drive to track predators, followed by a quiet lunch overlooking the Rufiji River. In the afternoon, either continue with another drive or choose a boat safari (optional, extra cost) to explore the river channels and spot crocodiles, hippos, and birdlife from a different perspective.

Accommodation

Selous Impala Camp

Selous Impala Camp is an intimate tented property inside Nyerere National Park along a wooded stretch of the Rufiji River. Its en-suite tents stand on raised platforms and face the river, keeping water, birdlife and passing wildlife central to the stay. Solar power, shared dining and guided activities support a comfortable camp experience in a remote environment. The location is well suited to itineraries combining vehicle safaris with boat or walking experiences where those activities are included.

LocationNyerereStay styleTented safari camp
Day 04

Fly to Ruaha – Into the Heart of Untamed Africa

  • Flight: Nyerere to Ruaha National Park (via connecting stop)
  • Activity: Fly-in Safari & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, fly west to Ruaha National Park, a dramatic and lesser-known park famous for its rugged scenery, baobab-dotted hills, and exceptional predator concentrations. Your guide will shape the route around current wildlife activity, road conditions and the best available viewing areas. Stops are unhurried, allowing time to observe animal behaviour, photograph the landscape and understand how the park’s habitats connect. Rather than chasing a checklist, the day follows the rhythms of the ecosystem and the guide’s local knowledge. Breaks are arranged at suitable points while keeping the experience comfortable, focused and respectful of the wildlife.

Accommodation

Asanja Ndembo Ruaha

Asanja Ndembo lies inside Ruaha National Park, a landscape of rocky ridges, baobabs and broad southern Tanzanian wilderness. Its tented suites are spaced to preserve privacy and maintain a close connection with the bush around camp. Meals and relaxed shared areas form the centre of the stay between game drives in Ruaha’s varied habitats. The camp works naturally for fly-in and road itineraries that devote more than one day to this remote park.

LocationRuahaStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 05

Game Drives in Ruaha – Big Cats and Giant Baobabs

  • Activity: Fly-in Safari & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Embark on a full-day safari in one of Tanzania’s most predator-rich parks. Ruaha is renowned for its large prides of lions, leopards hiding among rocky outcrops, and a healthy population of African wild dogs. You’ll also encounter herds of elephants, sable and roan antelope, and a variety of raptors. Lunch is served picnic-style in a scenic spot within the park.

Accommodation

Asanja Ndembo Ruaha

Asanja Ndembo lies inside Ruaha National Park, a landscape of rocky ridges, baobabs and broad southern Tanzanian wilderness. Its tented suites are spaced to preserve privacy and maintain a close connection with the bush around camp. Meals and relaxed shared areas form the centre of the stay between game drives in Ruaha’s varied habitats. The camp works naturally for fly-in and road itineraries that devote more than one day to this remote park.

LocationRuahaStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 06

Flexible Safari in Ruaha – Tailored Wildlife Encounters

  • Activity: Fly-in Safari & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is designed to suit your pace and interests. With fewer vehicles than other parks, Ruaha offers private and uninterrupted wildlife encounters. You may opt for two shorter game drives or a long excursion with picnic lunch. Your expert guide will tailor routes based on recent animal movements and your photographic interests. You might choose to visit the Mwagusi River region, home to some of the most scenic game viewing in southern Tanzania.

Accommodation

Asanja Ndembo Ruaha

Asanja Ndembo lies inside Ruaha National Park, a landscape of rocky ridges, baobabs and broad southern Tanzanian wilderness. Its tented suites are spaced to preserve privacy and maintain a close connection with the bush around camp. Meals and relaxed shared areas form the centre of the stay between game drives in Ruaha’s varied habitats. The camp works naturally for fly-in and road itineraries that devote more than one day to this remote park.

LocationRuahaStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 07

Walking Safari – Get Closer to Nature on Foot

  • Activity: Walking Safari & Fly-in Safari
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, trade the vehicle for an on-foot safari accompanied by an armed ranger and expert guide. Walking safaris offer a deeper connection with nature—learn about animal tracks, medicinal plants, and smaller fauna you might miss from a vehicle. Dinner is served under the open African sky. The experience is led at a comfortable pace, with time to listen, ask questions and understand the setting beyond a quick visit. Your guide will explain the day’s route, local customs and any practical considerations before the activity begins. Stops are chosen to add context without intruding on community life or the surrounding environment. The emphasis is on respectful engagement, accurate interpretation and a meaningful sense of place.

Accommodation

Asanja Ndembo Ruaha

Asanja Ndembo lies inside Ruaha National Park, a landscape of rocky ridges, baobabs and broad southern Tanzanian wilderness. Its tented suites are spaced to preserve privacy and maintain a close connection with the bush around camp. Meals and relaxed shared areas form the centre of the stay between game drives in Ruaha’s varied habitats. The camp works naturally for fly-in and road itineraries that devote more than one day to this remote park.

LocationRuahaStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 08

Fly to Katavi – Tanzania’s Hidden Wilderness Frontier

  • Flight: Ruaha to Katavi National Park
  • Activity: Fly-in Safari & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, board your bush flight to Katavi National Park, one of the least visited but most thrilling destinations in Africa. Known for its wild, untouched character, Katavi is home to immense herds of buffalo, sprawling wetlands, and rich predator activity. Depending on arrival time, you may head out on a short game drive or enjoy a leisurely afternoon taking in the views.

Accommodation

Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge

Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge is a remote tented safari property in the Katavi ecosystem of western Tanzania. Its position places guests close to the park’s floodplains, woodland and seasonal wildlife concentrations, far from the busier northern circuit. Tented rooms and central dining and lounge spaces provide the practical comforts needed in an isolated setting. The lodge is especially relevant to fly-in itineraries that devote several days to Katavi before continuing to Mahale, Kigoma or another western destination.

LocationKataviStay styleSafari lodge
Day 09

Full-Day Safari in Katavi – Vast Plains and Massive Herds

  • Activity: Fly-in Safari & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a full day exploring the open grasslands, floodplains, and woodland of Katavi. This park is famous for huge herds of buffalo, large prides of lions, and one of the largest hippo concentrations in Africa—especially during the dry season when hundreds gather in shrinking pools. Your experienced guide will take you through Katavi’s diverse habitats, offering incredible photo opportunities and close-up encounters with wildlife rarely seen by other travelers.

Accommodation

Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge

Mbali Mbali Katavi Lodge is a remote tented safari property in the Katavi ecosystem of western Tanzania. Its position places guests close to the park’s floodplains, woodland and seasonal wildlife concentrations, far from the busier northern circuit. Tented rooms and central dining and lounge spaces provide the practical comforts needed in an isolated setting. The lodge is especially relevant to fly-in itineraries that devote several days to Katavi before continuing to Mahale, Kigoma or another western destination.

LocationKataviStay styleSafari lodge
Day 10

Morning Game Drive & Return Flight to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar

  • Flight: Katavi → Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar
  • Activity: Fly-in Safari & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy a final early morning game drive on your way to the airstrip. Your return flight takes you back to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, bringing an unforgettable journey through Southern Tanzania’s wildest frontiers to a close. The day is paced around your confirmed onward schedule, leaving enough time for final preparations and the planned transfer. Your guide will reconfirm the departure point, expected travel time and check-in requirements before setting out. Keep essential documents and valuables accessible during the journey, while the team assists with luggage and routing. The service concludes after you reach the agreed airport, ferry terminal or city drop-off for the next stage of your travels.

Plan your safari
Your Safari Package

Included & Excluded

Included

Included in the published itinerary

  • Domestic bush flights: (Dar es Salaam → Nyerere / Nyerere → Ruaha / Ruaha → Katavi / Katavi → Dar/Zanzibar)
  • All park entry fees and airstrip transfers
  • Luxury accommodation:
  • 3 nights at Selous Impala Camp
  • 4 nights at Asanja Ndembo Ruaha
  • 2 nights at Mbalimbali Katavi Lodge
  • All meals and soft drinks as mentioned
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with professional guide
  • Daily game drives and walking safari
  • Bottled water, laundry (where included by camp)
Not included

Additional costs

  • International flights
  • Visa fees & travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Alcoholic drinks (unless specified)
  • Optional activities not included
  • Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, minibar)
Safari Escort safari specialist
Local Safari Expert

Ready to shape this trip around you?

Speak directly with our local safari team and let us tailor the trip around your travel plans.

Chat with a Safari Expert
21-Day Southern, Northern & Zanzibar Beach Midrange Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Safari

21-Day Southern, Northern & Zanzibar Beach Midrange Tanzania Safari

From $9,890View Safari
15-Day Southern Circuit Tanzania Safari Combo Experiences
Tanzania Safari

15-Day Southern Circuit Tanzania Safari Combo Experiences

From $5,450View Safari
15-Day Grand Fly-In Tanzania Safari to Southern & Northern Circuits
Tanzania Safari

15-Day Grand Fly-In Tanzania Safari to Southern & Northern Circuits

From $13,250View Safari
Before you go

Safari Questions,
Simply Answered

Ask our safari team

10 days / 9 nights. The day-by-day itinerary shows where each overnight falls. Check arrival and departure flight times before arranging onward travel, and ask us if you would prefer a slower pace or an extra night.

From $9,180 per person. Ask for a quote for your dates and group size. The final quote depends on travel dates, group size, room choice and any flights or extras. Request a written breakdown of park fees, accommodation, meals, transfers and exclusions before you book.

Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park, Katavi National Park. Use the day-by-day route above to see the order of visits. Ask for estimated road or flight times between stops for your chosen dates; that is often more useful than counting destinations alone.

Ask our team for the confirmed accommodation plan. Exact properties and room types depend on availability. Ask us to confirm each stay, its location, meal plan and any proposed alternative in writing before paying a deposit.