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

10-Day Southern Tanzania Safari Adventure

Safari price
From $3,280
Make an Enquiry
Safari Escort journey

Trip Overview

The 10-Day Southern Tanzania Safari Adventure begins in Dar es Salaam and finishes in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. Its route includes Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, Udzungwa Mountains, Ruaha National Park, and Zanzibar, following the destination order and transfers set out in the day-by-day itinerary.

The journey is shaped around scheduled domestic flights, a boat safari, and a walking safari, highlighting Tanzania’s southern parks and more remote landscapes.

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
African buffalo in Mikumi National ParkMikumi National Park
Sanje Waterfall in Udzungwa Mountains National ParkUdzungwa Mountains
Lion beneath a baobab in Ruaha National ParkRuaha National Park
Moments along the route
Safari Highlights

Your Journey Highlights

  • Dar es Salaam to Nyerere – Boat Safari at SunsetExperience Nyerere’s riverine and savannah habitats through the guided activities named in this itinerary.
  • Full-Day Game Drive in NyerereExperience Nyerere’s riverine and savannah habitats through the guided activities named in this itinerary.
  • Walking Safari and Half-Day Game DriveExplore on foot with an appropriate guide, allowing time to notice the landscape, tracks and smaller details along the route.
  • Drive to Mikumi National ParkExplore Mikumi’s open plains and woodland on a game drive that fits naturally into the southern-circuit route.
  • Full-Day Game Drive in MikumiExplore Mikumi’s open plains and woodland on a game drive that fits naturally into the southern-circuit route.
  • Hiking in Udzungwa MountainsWalk through the Udzungwa landscape with local guidance, taking in forest, mountain scenery and the route’s natural history.

Your Itinerary

Day 01

Dar es Salaam to Nyerere – Boat Safari at Sunset

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

This journey takes you through villages and rural landscapes of southern Tanzania. Later, go on a boat safari on the Rufiji River, where you may spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants drinking at the river, and many birds. It’s a peaceful way to start your safari. 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

Nyerere Tented Camp

Nyerere Tented Camp is a canvas safari base in the Nyerere ecosystem of southern Tanzania. The region’s river channels, lakes and woodland create a different setting from the open plains of the northern circuit. En-suite tents and a shared mess area support game-drive, boat and walking-safari schedules where those activities are included. The camp is best suited to itineraries spending several days around the Rufiji landscape rather than making a brief transit stop.

LocationNyerereStay styleTented safari camp
Day 02

Full-Day Game Drive in Nyerere

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

After breakfast, head out for a full-day game drive in Nyerere National Park, one of Africa’s largest wildlife areas. The park is home to animals like elephants, lions, giraffes, wild dogs, zebras, impalas, buffaloes, and many birds. 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

Nyerere Tented Camp

Nyerere Tented Camp is a canvas safari base in the Nyerere ecosystem of southern Tanzania. The region’s river channels, lakes and woodland create a different setting from the open plains of the northern circuit. En-suite tents and a shared mess area support game-drive, boat and walking-safari schedules where those activities are included. The camp is best suited to itineraries spending several days around the Rufiji landscape rather than making a brief transit stop.

LocationNyerereStay styleTented safari camp
Day 03

Walking Safari and Half-Day Game Drive

  • Activity: Walking Safari & Game Drive
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Start your day with a morning walking safari, led by an experienced ranger. You’ll learn how to track animals, recognize animal footprints, and understand the plants and smaller creatures of the bush. After breakfast, you’ll go on another game drive to spot more wildlife and explore new areas of the park.

Accommodation

Nyerere Tented Camp

Nyerere Tented Camp is a canvas safari base in the Nyerere ecosystem of southern Tanzania. The region’s river channels, lakes and woodland create a different setting from the open plains of the northern circuit. En-suite tents and a shared mess area support game-drive, boat and walking-safari schedules where those activities are included. The camp is best suited to itineraries spending several days around the Rufiji landscape rather than making a brief transit stop.

LocationNyerereStay styleTented safari camp
Day 04

Drive to Mikumi National Park

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

After breakfast, leave Nyerere and begin your journey to Mikumi National Park. The drive offers beautiful views of the countryside and small villages along the way. Enjoy a hot meal and rest in your private cottage. 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

Camp Bastian Mikumi

Camp Bastian Mikumi is a family-run lodge close to Mikumi National Park and the main A7 road through southern Tanzania. Its leafy grounds offer cottages and other guest accommodation around a relaxed base with a restaurant serving locally prepared food. A swimming pool and garden setting give travellers space to unwind after a road transfer or game drive. The location makes the camp useful for Mikumi visits and for longer itineraries continuing toward Udzungwa, Ruaha or Dar es Salaam.

LocationMikumiStay styleTented safari camp
Day 05

Full-Day Game Drive in Mikumi

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

Spend the day on a full-day game drive in Mikumi National Park. The park is known for its wide open plains, and it is home to elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, hippos, and many types of birds. Your guide will take you to the best areas for wildlife sightings, especially the Mkata floodplain, where animals gather in large numbers.

Accommodation

Camp Bastian Mikumi

Camp Bastian Mikumi is a family-run lodge close to Mikumi National Park and the main A7 road through southern Tanzania. Its leafy grounds offer cottages and other guest accommodation around a relaxed base with a restaurant serving locally prepared food. A swimming pool and garden setting give travellers space to unwind after a road transfer or game drive. The location makes the camp useful for Mikumi visits and for longer itineraries continuing toward Udzungwa, Ruaha or Dar es Salaam.

LocationMikumiStay styleTented safari camp
Day 06

Hiking in Udzungwa Mountains

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

Today you will visit Udzungwa Mountains National Park, which is about 1 hour’s drive from Mikumi. You’ll hike through the rainforest to reach the beautiful Sanje Waterfall, which is over 170 meters high. Along the way, you may see monkeys, butterflies, colorful birds, and unique forest plants. You can swim in the natural pool at the base of the waterfall if you like. After the hike, return to Mikumi for dinner and rest.

Accommodation

Camp Bastian Mikumi

Camp Bastian Mikumi is a family-run lodge close to Mikumi National Park and the main A7 road through southern Tanzania. Its leafy grounds offer cottages and other guest accommodation around a relaxed base with a restaurant serving locally prepared food. A swimming pool and garden setting give travellers space to unwind after a road transfer or game drive. The location makes the camp useful for Mikumi visits and for longer itineraries continuing toward Udzungwa, Ruaha or Dar es Salaam.

LocationMikumiStay styleTented safari camp
Day 07

Drive to Ruaha National Park

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

After breakfast, begin your journey to Ruaha National Park. This is a long but beautiful drive through mountains, villages, and forests. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and preparing for your next days of game drives. 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

Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Ruaha Hilltop Lodge is built on the slopes of Ideremle Mountain about fifteen kilometres from the gate of Ruaha National Park. Individual cottages and a large viewing terrace look across the surrounding savannah, giving the property a broad sense of the southern landscape. The lodge includes a restaurant, bar and shared relaxation areas for evenings after game drives. Its position makes it a practical road-safari base for Ruaha while remaining outside the park boundary and accessible from Iringa.

LocationRuahaStay styleSafari lodge
Day 08

Full-Day Safari in Ruaha

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

Today you will explore Ruaha National Park, a wild and remote place filled with wildlife. Look out for elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, greater kudus, zebras, jackals, and cheetahs. Ruaha is also known for its many baobab trees and large predator populations. 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

Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Ruaha Hilltop Lodge is built on the slopes of Ideremle Mountain about fifteen kilometres from the gate of Ruaha National Park. Individual cottages and a large viewing terrace look across the surrounding savannah, giving the property a broad sense of the southern landscape. The lodge includes a restaurant, bar and shared relaxation areas for evenings after game drives. Its position makes it a practical road-safari base for Ruaha while remaining outside the park boundary and accessible from Iringa.

LocationRuahaStay styleSafari lodge
Day 09

Another Safari in Ruaha

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

Enjoy another full day in Ruaha, covering different areas of the park. This gives you a better chance to see more animals and enjoy different landscapes and lighting conditions throughout the day. Your guide will help you spot rare animals and birds, making this a special day in the wild.

Accommodation

Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Ruaha Hilltop Lodge is built on the slopes of Ideremle Mountain about fifteen kilometres from the gate of Ruaha National Park. Individual cottages and a large viewing terrace look across the surrounding savannah, giving the property a broad sense of the southern landscape. The lodge includes a restaurant, bar and shared relaxation areas for evenings after game drives. Its position makes it a practical road-safari base for Ruaha while remaining outside the park boundary and accessible from Iringa.

LocationRuahaStay styleSafari lodge
Day 10

Flight Back to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar

  • End of Tour
  • Activity: Departure
  • Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Msembe or Jongomero airstrip for your flight back to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, depending on your onward travel plans. This marks the end of your incredible journey through Southern Tanzania’s national parks. 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

  • All park entrance and conservation fees
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide
  • All guided game drives, walking safari, boat safari, and hikes
  • 9 nights’ accommodation in lodges/camps
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the safari
  • Bottled drinking water and soft drinks during game drives
  • Transfer from Dar es Salaam and between all parks
  • Domestic flight from Ruaha back to Dar or Zanzibar
Not included

Additional costs

  • International flights
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Tips for guides and lodge staff
  • Alcoholic drinks (unless offered by the lodge)
  • Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
  • Optional activities not mentioned in the program
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
3-Day Mikumi National Park Safari from Dar es Salaam with Maasai Experience
Tanzania Safari

3-Day Mikumi National Park Safari from Dar es Salaam with Maasai Experience

From $650View 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 $3,280 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.

Dar es Salaam, Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Ruaha 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.

Nyerere Tented Camp, Camp Bastian Mikumi, Ruaha Hilltop Lodge. 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.