Travel off the beaten track in the comfort of a 4x4 safari vehicle for the best budget-friendly wildlife experiences Southern Tanzania has to offer. The national parks here are not as famous as their northern counterparts, which means that they offer you a truly authentic Tanzania Safari experience without the crowds.
Depart from Dar es Salaam on this 6-day Tanzania Safari adventure through unspoiled and uncrowded habitats in search of the Big 5, packs of wild dogs (which are endangered but thrive in Southern Tanzania), vast herds of elephant and buffalo, rare sable and roan antelopes, along with an exceptional diversity of other animals, birds, and plants inhabiting these remote wilderness areas. Experience the African bush in a small group of up to 7 guests, beginning in Mikumi National Park with its open plains and vast herds reminiscent of the famous Serengeti followed by Nyerere National Park, one of the largest wildlife parks in the world.
Karibu and welcome to Tanzania! At the start of your Mikumi & Nyerere Tanzania Safari, we collect you and your fellow travelers from your hotel in Dar Es Salaam city center at 06h00. From the bustling city, we set off on a 6-hour drive through beautiful landscapes, a great way to see more of southern Tanzania. Southern Tanzania National Parks are not as famous as their northern counterparts, which means that they offer you a truly authentic Safari experience without having to compete with hoards of other tourists and safari vehicles. You may even spot a lion on the way if you look carefully.
Our destination is Matembezi Safari Lodge situated just outside of Mikumi National Park. After settling into our comfortable lodge accommodation, a tasty lunch is served. Later in the afternoon, we embark on our first exciting game drive in an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle.
Mikumi National Park is situated between two impressive mountain ranges, featuring scenic forests and green grasslands (savannas). Prepare yourself for the scenic Mkata flood plains scattered with majestic baobab and acacia trees. Herds of grazing herbivores - zebra, elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, and many antelope (especially vast herds of eland) - are quite a sight. Look out for the lively antics of baboons and vervet monkeys in the trees. When the sun starts setting we head back to our safari lodge to relax over a delicious dinner and a refreshing drink.
After breakfast, we begin the morning with an extended game drive. Your experienced guide takes you in search of the other members of the Big 5 found in Mikumi - lion, buffalo, the elusive leopard, and plenty of elephants. This is a prime birdwatching area with about 400 species of birds to thrill bird watchers; of note are the racket-tailed roller, Shelley's sunbird, hoopoes, and Boem's bee-eater. Opportunities to take some beautiful photos will be in abundance.
After lunch and a relaxing afternoon, it's time for a late afternoon game drive to explore further and find more animals. Look out for some of the rarer species like the African wild dogs (which are endangered but thrive in Southern Tanzania), and sable antelope alongside more common sightings like wildebeest, zebra, and buffalo. At the end of another action-packed day on safari in Southern Tanzania, we head to our peaceful camp on the river bank, to indulge in a cool drink and a delicious meal. Spend the evening listening to the sounds of the bush and the crackle of a boma fire while waiting for a lion to roar.
An exciting day as we make an early start heading to Nyerere National Park. It is more remote and pristine than Tanzania’s more famous and crowded parks to the north, which allows for some spectacular game viewing opportunities and the chance to take your wildlife photos without the intrusion of many more safari vehicles crowding the scene.
We will be taking tasty packed lunches on this 8 to 9-hour drive, headed for Selous Jimbiza Camp located on the banks of the mighty Rufiji River. We'll be staying at this comfortable camp on the river banks just outside Nyerere National Park for the next three nights. After a hearty dinner and a well-deserved drink, you can just relax and let the night sounds of the bush transport you.
After breakfast, we kick off our next safari adventure in Southern Tanzania with a morning 4x4 game drive in Nyerere National Park.
Nyerere National Park covers an area 3 times the size of the Serengeti National Park, making it one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. It is home to a huge variety of animals. There is a sizable population of wild African Hunting Dogs which face extinction elsewhere. Look out for Big 5 - lions and buffalos are most commonly sighted, followed by herds of elephants. More rare are leopards and black rhinos (only in the southern region of the Park). Not so shy are the zebra, giraffes, hippos, wildebeest, and a huge number of antelopes. If you are lucky, the iconic cheetah, the fastest land animal, may be spotted when it comes out to hunt. Birdlife is also prolific. The Park is home to 440 bird species, particularly around the lagoons and the banks of the Rufiji River. To see Pel's fishing owls, white-fronted bee-eaters, or African spoonbills up close is a real thrill.
After a delicious lunch and a rest, an afternoon game drive will afford you another opportunity to see more wildlife in action.
Day five of our small-group Tanzania Safari starts with another 4x4 game drive in Nyerere after breakfast. We stop to watch animals and birds, take photos, and anticipate where the next animal might appear. Nyerere National Park is one of the greatest surviving African wilderness areas. Imagine a herd of 120,000 buffalo or 40,000 hippos! After a busy morning of game viewing, it's time to head back to camp for a tasty lunch. Relax and watch the slow life along the Rufiji River unfold. The late afternoon game drive will be your last opportunity to take photos and enjoy the unspoiled African bush and its memorable wildlife.
After breakfast, we say a reluctant goodbye to Southern Tanzania, collect our packed lunches, and journey back to Dar Es Salaam. We drop you off at your hotel in Dar Es Salaam city center - Kwa Heri until next time!
Breakfast
Add a beach holiday to Mafia Island and/or Zanzibar Island to this Tanzania Safari at an additional cost. Contact us for details about these well-priced optional beach tours.
If the preferred accommodation listed on this itinerary is not available, similar accommodation of the same quality is used, and we'll let you know.
This tour does take children.
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