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14 Day Best of Southern Tanzania (Nyerere, Mikumi & Ruaha) + Zanzibar Beach Safari
Tanzania Safari

14 Day Best of Southern Tanzania (Nyerere, Mikumi & Ruaha) + Zanzibar Beach Safari

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From $5,380
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Trip Overview

The 14 Day Best of Southern Tanzania (Nyerere, Mikumi & Ruaha) + Zanzibar Beach Safari begins in Dar es Salaam and finishes in Mnemba Island. Its route includes Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, Ruaha National Park, Zanzibar, and Mnemba Island, 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, a walking safari, Indian Ocean snorkeling, and cultural encounters, highlighting Tanzania’s southern parks and more remote landscapes.

From wildlife country to the Indian Ocean, the most rewarding journey is one that gives each setting its own time. Review the day-by-day programme below for the balance between game drives, island experiences and the transfers linking them; our team can help refine the pace and accommodation choices for your dates.

Where island days find their own easy rhythm
Wildlife viewed on safari in Nyerere National ParkNyerere National Park
African buffalo in Mikumi National ParkMikumi National Park
Lion beneath a baobab in Ruaha National ParkRuaha National Park
White-sand beach and turquoise water on ZanzibarZanzibar Coast
Moments along the route
Safari Highlights

Your Journey Highlights

  • Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park – River Arrival & Boat SafariExperience Nyerere’s riverine and savannah habitats through the guided activities named in this itinerary.
  • Full-Day Game Drive – Wild Landscapes & Rich WildlifeExperience this stage with the route, guiding and daily pace described in the detailed itinerary below.
  • Walking Safari & Transfer to Mikumi National ParkExplore Mikumi’s open plains and woodland on a game drive that fits naturally into the southern-circuit route.
  • Leisure Morning & Evening Game Drive – Dusk in the SavannahExperience this stage with the route, guiding and daily pace described in the detailed itinerary below.
  • Maasai Village Visit & Drive to Ruaha National ParkDiscover Ruaha’s baobab country, river systems and remote game-viewing areas with an experienced guide.
  • Full-Day Safari in Ruaha – Savannah, Rivers & Big GameDiscover Ruaha’s baobab country, river systems and remote game-viewing areas with an experienced guide.

Your Itinerary

Day 01

Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park – River Arrival & Boat Safari

  • Transfer: Dar es Salaam – Nyerere
  • Activity: Boat Safari
  • Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Leave Dar es Salaam for the drive to Nyerere National Park, passing villages and changing countryside along the way. After arriving at Nyerere Tented Camp, check in and take a short break before the planned boat safari on the Rufiji River. From the water, watch for hippos, crocodiles and birdlife while your guide explains the river ecosystem. The boat route and timing follow the day’s conditions, making this an engaging but measured start to the southern journey.

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 – Wild Landscapes & Rich Wildlife

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

Enjoy an early breakfast, then depart on a full-day game drive in Nyerere National Park, one of Africa’s largest protected areas. This day offers a rich opportunity to spot diverse animals—elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, impalas, and possibly African wild dogs. You’ll drive through varying habitats including riverine forest, savannah, and palm-dotted plains. A packed picnic lunch will be served at a shaded spot in the park. Keep binoculars and a camera close, because wildlife can appear anywhere along the track.

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 & Transfer to Mikumi National Park

  • Activity: Walking Safari
  • Transfer: Nyerere – Mikumi
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start the morning with a guided walking safari, where you'll explore the bush on foot with a ranger and learn about tracks, birdlife, and plant species. After breakfast, depart for Mikumi National Park. This drive (approx. 6 hours) takes you through villages and farmlands, offering scenic views and a stop for a picnic lunch along the way. The guide sets a measured pace and explains how the landscape supports the animals living within it.

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 04

Leisure Morning & Evening Game Drive – Dusk in the Savannah

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

In the afternoon, head into Mikumi National Park for a sunset game drive, when wildlife becomes more active and the landscape glows with golden light. Expect sightings of elephants, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, and birds like hornbills and bee-eaters. Changes in vegetation and terrain reveal a different side of the park as the day progresses. The guide will explain the ecology, tracks and signs that help interpret each encounter. Respectful viewing distances are maintained so animals can continue their natural behaviour.

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

Maasai Village Visit & Drive to Ruaha National Park

  • Activity: Cultural Experience
  • Transfer: Mikumi – Ruaha
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin your day with a cultural experience by visiting a nearby Maasai village. Engage with community members, learn about traditional attire, roles, beliefs, and their way of life. After this immersive visit, return for breakfast and then begin your road transfer to Ruaha National Park (approx. 6–7 hours), passing through Iringa town and Tanzania’s scenic southern highlands. Respectful photography and interaction help keep the visit comfortable for hosts and travellers alike.

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 06

Full-Day Safari in Ruaha – Savannah, Rivers & Big Game

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

Head out after an early breakfast for a full-day game drive in Ruaha, known for its rugged terrain, baobab trees, and high concentration of predators. Watch for lions, elephants, kudu, hippos, and packs of wild dogs. The Great Ruaha River draws animals throughout the day—ideal for photography and quiet observation. Enjoy a packed picnic lunch in the shade before continuing your exploration. Changes in vegetation and terrain reveal a different side of the park as the day progresses.

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 07

Another Day in Ruaha – Game Drive or Walking Safari

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

This day is flexible. You can choose between another extended game drive or a walking safari in the morning to explore the bush up close. Discover animal tracks, spot smaller creatures, and appreciate the ecosystem's balance. Stay close to the guide and follow every instruction throughout the walk. The route may be adjusted according to weather, wildlife movement and ground conditions.

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

Fly to Zanzibar – From Wilderness to the Ocean

  • Flight: Iringa – Zanzibar
  • Transfer: ZNZ – Hotel
  • Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to Iringa Airport for your flight to Zanzibar. Settle in and enjoy the tropical atmosphere. Spend the afternoon at leisure—dip into the ocean, sip fresh juice, or walk along the palm-fringed beach. After landing, the planned transfer continues the itinerary without adding an unnecessary overnight stop. The flight connects the two stages efficiently while offering a broad view of Tanzania’s changing landscapes when conditions are clear.

Accommodation

White Paradise Zanzibar

White Paradise Zanzibar is a boutique coastal resort in Pongwe on Zanzibar’s eastern side. Villas and bungalows are arranged through tropical gardens beside an ocean lagoon, with different room categories confirmed at booking. The property offers on-site dining using local ingredients, a large swimming pool, a jetty and access to a separate long beach by the hotel’s transfer. It provides a relaxed base for beach time while remaining practical for island excursions, Stone Town and Zanzibar airport transfers.

LocationZanzibarStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 09

Prison Island Tour – Tortoises & Coastal History

  • Activity: Prison Island Boat Tour
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy a boat trip to Changuu (Prison) Island, just off the coast of Stone Town. Visit the historic buildings and meet the island’s famous giant Aldabra tortoises, some over 100 years old. Travelling by water offers a different perspective from a vehicle and creates opportunities to observe shoreline wildlife and scenery. The pace remains relaxed, with time to watch activity along the banks or across the ocean. Conditions on the water determine the exact course, and the crew will always place safety first.

Accommodation

White Paradise Zanzibar

White Paradise Zanzibar is a boutique coastal resort in Pongwe on Zanzibar’s eastern side. Villas and bungalows are arranged through tropical gardens beside an ocean lagoon, with different room categories confirmed at booking. The property offers on-site dining using local ingredients, a large swimming pool, a jetty and access to a separate long beach by the hotel’s transfer. It provides a relaxed base for beach time while remaining practical for island excursions, Stone Town and Zanzibar airport transfers.

LocationZanzibarStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 10

Safari Blue Tour – Sailing & Seafood

  • Activity: Safari Blue
  • Activity: Snorkeling
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will embark on the Safari Blue adventure. Sail in a traditional dhow to sandbanks and hidden coves. Enjoy snorkeling, swimming in a natural lagoon, and a seafood barbecue featuring prawns, octopus, and tropical fruits. Return to the shore in the late afternoon after a relaxing day in the Indian Ocean. Once in the water, move slowly and allow the guide to point out fish, coral formations and other marine life.

Accommodation

White Paradise Zanzibar

White Paradise Zanzibar is a boutique coastal resort in Pongwe on Zanzibar’s eastern side. Villas and bungalows are arranged through tropical gardens beside an ocean lagoon, with different room categories confirmed at booking. The property offers on-site dining using local ingredients, a large swimming pool, a jetty and access to a separate long beach by the hotel’s transfer. It provides a relaxed base for beach time while remaining practical for island excursions, Stone Town and Zanzibar airport transfers.

LocationZanzibarStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 11

Relax at Leisure – Island Time Together

  • Activity: Beach Relaxation
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a free day to do as much or as little as you like. Relax by the pool, enjoy a massage (optional), stroll the beach, or just enjoy quiet moments together. This is your time to soak in the romance and beauty of the coast. The unhurried schedule leaves space to enjoy the shoreline at a pace that suits the day’s conditions. You can divide the time between swimming, walking on the sand and resting in the shade.

Accommodation

White Paradise Zanzibar

White Paradise Zanzibar is a boutique coastal resort in Pongwe on Zanzibar’s eastern side. Villas and bungalows are arranged through tropical gardens beside an ocean lagoon, with different room categories confirmed at booking. The property offers on-site dining using local ingredients, a large swimming pool, a jetty and access to a separate long beach by the hotel’s transfer. It provides a relaxed base for beach time while remaining practical for island excursions, Stone Town and Zanzibar airport transfers.

LocationZanzibarStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 12

Snorkeling Trip – Marine Exploration

  • Activity: Snorkeling
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, head out on a snorkeling tour to a nearby coral reef such as Mnemba Atoll or another marine reserve (based on sea conditions). Discover underwater life including colorful fish, sea stars, and perhaps sea turtles or dolphins. Return in the afternoon for relaxation. A briefing before entering the water covers the equipment, sea conditions and responsible reef behaviour. Once in the water, move slowly and allow the guide to point out fish, coral formations and other marine life.

Accommodation

White Paradise Zanzibar

White Paradise Zanzibar is a boutique coastal resort in Pongwe on Zanzibar’s eastern side. Villas and bungalows are arranged through tropical gardens beside an ocean lagoon, with different room categories confirmed at booking. The property offers on-site dining using local ingredients, a large swimming pool, a jetty and access to a separate long beach by the hotel’s transfer. It provides a relaxed base for beach time while remaining practical for island excursions, Stone Town and Zanzibar airport transfers.

LocationZanzibarStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 13

Dolphin Watching & Jozani Forest – Last Wild Moments

  • Activity: Dolphin Watching
  • Activity: Jozani Forest Walk
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Set off early to Kizimkazi village for a dolphin spotting tour. With luck, you may be able to swim nearby these gentle marine mammals. Then visit Jozani Forest, home to the rare Zanzibar red colobus monkeys. Explore its mangroves and mahogany groves with a guide. The boat crew will use the morning sea conditions and recent observations to choose the most suitable search area.

Accommodation

White Paradise Zanzibar

White Paradise Zanzibar is a boutique coastal resort in Pongwe on Zanzibar’s eastern side. Villas and bungalows are arranged through tropical gardens beside an ocean lagoon, with different room categories confirmed at booking. The property offers on-site dining using local ingredients, a large swimming pool, a jetty and access to a separate long beach by the hotel’s transfer. It provides a relaxed base for beach time while remaining practical for island excursions, Stone Town and Zanzibar airport transfers.

LocationZanzibarStay styleOvernight accommodation
Day 14

Departure – Farewell to Paradise

  • Transfer: Hotel – ZNZ
  • Departure: Zanzibar Airport
  • Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, depending on your flight time, you may enjoy some final time on the beach. Then transfer to Zanzibar Airport for your onward journey, filled with memories of wild safaris, warm island breezes, and a shared adventure like no other. Traffic and airline schedules can change, so the exact collection time will be reconfirmed locally. The transfer closes the journey with time to reflect on the landscapes, wildlife and coastal experiences shared along the way. The pickup will be coordinated with the confirmed flight details so there is suitable time for the airport formalities.

Plan your safari
Your Safari Package

Included & Excluded

Included

Included in the published itinerary

  • All Park and conservation fees
  • Guided game drives and walking safaris
  • Boat safaris and cultural tours
  • Domestic flight: Iringa to Zanzibar
  • All airport and hotel transfers
  • 13 nights in comfortable midrange lodges and camps
  • Meals and drinks as noted in the itinerary
Not included

Additional costs

  • International airfare
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Optional activities not mentioned
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Alcohol unless specified
  • Additional nights before/after the tour
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Before you go

Safari Questions,
Simply Answered

Ask our safari team

14 days / 13 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 $5,380 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 (Selous), Mikumi National Park, Ruaha National Park, Zanzibar Island (Stone Town, Changuu Island, Jozani Forest, Mnemba Atoll). 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.