A unique Southern Tanzania Safari that journeys to the remote Nyerere National Park and the hidden gem of Mafia Island Marine Park. This unforgettable African bush and beach adventure takes you off the beaten trail to a rare combination of Tanzanian destinations.
Embark on rewarding 4x4 game drives in Nyerere National Park and Mikumi National Park with an experienced driver-guide. Then head to the tropical beaches of the Mafia Island Archipelago and enjoy world-class snorkelling and diving, along with an array of exciting outdoor activities. Stay at comfortable lodges as you explore southern Tanzania in a small group at an affordable price.
Welcome to Tanzania or Karibuni! Your Southern Tanzania Safari begins in Dar es Salaam, the most popular travel hub in the country. Upon arrival at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, your guide is there to greet you. From the airport, you are driven to your hotel in the centre of Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania.
Settle in at your hotel, explore the multicultural metropolis and dine out or rest after your flight. The coastal city of Dar es Salaam is the economic capital of Tanzania and the most developed city in the country with one of the largest ports in East Africa.
Accommodation: CBD Hotel
This morning your guide will collect you from the hotel in Dar es Salaam at 06:00 and your Tanzania adventure begins in earnest. Heading west in your comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle, your guide drives you to Mikumi National Park in the Morogoro region.
After about 6 hours drive we arrive at the first destination on this Southern Tanzania Safari, Camp Atupele, just outside Mikumi Park. Enjoy a late lunch at the camp, then embark on your first 4x4 game drive in Tanzania.
Your guide takes you into Mikumi National Park to explore this 3,230 km² wilderness area, hosting abundant wildlife. Large animals you may encounter include buffaloes, lions, elephants, hippos and giraffes. Other herbivores to keep an eye out for are wildebeests, zebras, impalas, waterbuck and elands. Over 400 bird species have also been spotted in Mikumi so keep your binoculars handy. After our first game drive in Mikumi, we return to our safari lodge nearby and tuck into a hearty dinner.
Day three of your Southern Tanzania Safari is dedicated to game viewing in Mikumi National Park. After breakfast at the safari camp, we embark on a morning 4x4 game drive. Then we take a lunch break back at camp followed by a late afternoon game drive.
Look out for the more elusive and rare animals of Mikumi on your game drives today. These include endangered African wild dogs, sable antelopes, greater kudus, and leopards. Common wildlife sightings include warthogs, baboons, crocodiles, and various antelope species.
Enjoy a laid-back evening and dinner at camp after an eventful day in the African bush.
After breakfast, your guide will drive you to Nyerere National Park. The drive takes about 8 or 9 hours, with a stop to enjoy packed lunches.
Arriving at our second destination on this Southern Tanzania Safari we head to Selous Kulinda Camp along the Rufiji River. Settle in at the unfenced tented camp and enjoy dinner in the wild setting beside the river.
On days five and six of our Southern Tanzania Safari, you'll explore the remote wilderness of Nyerere National Park.
After breakfast at the safari camp, your guide will take you on a 4x4 game drive, followed by lunch at Selous Kulinda Camp and a late afternoon game drive.
The former Selous Game Reserve, now Nyerere National Park is one of Africa's largest national parks and the largest in Tanzania. Animals regularly spotted on game drives on Nyerere include buffaloes, elephants, and sometimes lions - 3 of the Big 5 of Africa. Other wildlife often seen ranges from giraffes and hippos to zebras and crocodiles. Nyerere is also home to a variety of antelope species, such as kudus, elands, wildebeests and impalas, along with about 440 bird species, including vultures, flamingoes, waterbirds and eagles. With luck, you may see some of the more elusive animals, like leopards and African wild dogs. Keep an eye out for hyenas, baboons, and monkeys, among others.
At the end of your rewarding days on safari in Nyerere return to the riverside camp for dinner and relaxing evenings around the campfire.
After breakfast on day 7 of our Southern Tanzania Safari, we return to Dar Es Salaam. The drive is about 6 hours long and we stop to have packed lunches along the way.
Back in the seaside city of Dar es Salaam, your guide takes you to the airport where you catch a domestic flight to Mafia Island. Upon arrival on Mafia Island, you are collected from the airport and transferred to Butiama Marine Camp. Settle into your seaside accommodation at Utende Beach, inside Mafia Island Marine Park and enjoy dinner beside the Indian Ocean.
The rest of your Southern Tanzania Safari is free of scheduled activities enabling you to explore Mafia Island at your leisure.
Mafia Island is one of the best places for snorkelling and scuba diving in Africa, known for its world-class diving sites. There are plenty of options for snorkelling or scuba diving while you visit! One of the main attractions of Mafia Island is snorkelling with whale sharks in summer, an unforgettable marine encounter!
Don't miss the dhow sailing trip to Mange Sandbank off Mafia Island to spend a day sailing, snorkelling on colourful coral reefs and enjoying a fresh seafood picnic. Take a boat trip to snorkel at Chole Bay and see rich marine life. Or join a tour of the historic Chole Island, once the capital of Mafia Islands, to discover its baobab trees, traditional dhows, fruit bats, and ruins. Another popular option is kayaking on the lagoons and along the shorelines of Mafia Island Marine Park. You can visit Kua Lagoon and the 10th-century ruins of the old city of Kua. In winter, go on a whale-watching boat trip (July to September) to see majestic humpback whales.
Seeing the green sea turtles hatch on Juani island from about June to August is another not-to-be-missed highlight. The turtle tour includes a boat trip, a walk through the village, bird watching and beautiful scenery. A sunset dhow cruise with sundowners is a must for romantic couples.
During your stay in Mafia Island Marine Park, breakfasts and dinners at Butiama Marine Camp are included in your Tanzania Safari package, leaving you free to enjoy lunch when and where you choose with many of the activities including lunch and/or snacks.
Wake up to the idyllic beaches of Mafia Island one more time! Have breakfast at the beach lodge before being transferred back to the Mafia Island airstrip for your scheduled flight to Dar Es Salaam.
Arriving back at the domestic airport in Dar es Salaam your guide meets you and drives you to the international terminal for your onward flight, bringing your Southern Tanzania Safari to a close.
Mafia Island Marine Park (MIMP) was established in 1995 to protect the marine ecosystems off the southeastern coast of Tanzania. The marine park covers about 822 km² (317 mi²) of diverse habitats in the Mafia Archipelago supporting rich biodiversity. It incorporates coral reef, seagrass bed, and mangrove forest habitats that host over 400 fish species, various invertebrates, and marine mammals such as dolphins and endangered sea turtles.
The Mafia Island Marine Park is recognized for its ecological significance and plays a vital role in sustaining local fisheries and the surrounding communities. The main goal of the marine park is to protect and manage the marine resources sustainably while encouraging eco-tourism and community involvement in conservation efforts. Local fishing communities actively participate in managing these resources to prevent overfishing and preserve vital ecosystems. Mafia Island Marine Park offers various activities, including snorkeling, scuba diving, and birdwatching, attracting outdoor and nature lovers.
On this Southern Tanzania Safari transportation is in an air-conditioned 4x4 safari vehicle with large windows. These 7-seater safari vehicles have 6 window seats (in the passenger cabin) and 1 window seat next to the driver (in front).
All vehicles are fitted with high-frequency, two-way radios for long-range communication. Each safari vehicle is equipped with a first aid kit, refrigerator and fire extinguisher. Each guest receives a complimentary 2-litre bottle of drinking water in the vehicle during game drives.
Your English-speaking driver and guide will conduct all ground transfers in the safari vehicle.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
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1. Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania
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