Untouched Southern Tanzania Safari

10 Days / 9 nights

This custom-made safari itinerary is designed for safari enthusiasts looking to explore

Tanzania’s untouched wilderness and less-visited destinations away from the crowded safari

routes. Experience authentic wildlife encounters, beautiful landscapes, boat safaris, optional

walking safaris, and personalized guiding through Southern Tanzania’s hidden gems including

Nyerere, Mikumi, and Ruaha National Parks. This journey offers a perfect combination of

adventure, comfort, exclusivity, and true African wilderness.

Featured Destinations

Dar es Salaam Nyerere National Park Mikumi National Park Iringa Town

Ruaha National Park Iringa Airstrip Julius Nyerere International Airport (Dar es

Salaam)

Best time to travel:

June to December and January to March (perfectly aligned with the prime dry-

season predator action along active riverbeds, followed by the vibrant green-season

landscape transformations across the Southern Circuit).

Safari Pricing: USD 5,450 per person on a sharing basis.

Itinerary Details

DAY 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam

Welcome to East Africa! Upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport, you will be

warmly welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Spend a completely relaxing

evening at your lodge to unwind ahead of your upcoming safari adventure.

Accommodation: Mediterraneo Lodge / Slipway Hotel or similar

Meals: Bed & Breakfast

DAY 2: Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park

After breakfast, depart Dar es Salaam and drive south toward Nyerere National Park. This 5-

to-6-hour journey transitions from urban streets into rural Tanzanian countryside and wild bush

terrain. Arrive at your lodge in time for a fresh lunch. To ensure you recover comfortably from

the road journey, the afternoon is yours at complete leisure to unpack and rest. In the late

evening, enjoy a relaxing, low-intensity sunset boat safari along the calm waters of the mighty

Rufiji River, watching hippos, crocodiles, and elephants gather along the riverbanks.

Accommodation: Nyerere Safari Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3: Full Day Safari in Nyerere National Park

Spend the entire day exploring the vast wilderness of Nyerere National Park on private game

drives. This park is a wild sanctuary famous for its dense populations of elephants, lions,

buffaloes, giraffes, and rare African wild dogs. Enjoy a packed picnic lunch in the shade of a

wild baobab tree to maximize your wildlife tracking time in the field before returning to the

lodge for an evening of relaxation and dinner.

Accommodation: Nyerere Safari Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 4: Nyerere National Park Exploration

Continue exploring remote and untouched sectors of Nyerere National Park today. Your

professional guide will tailor the game drives around the park’s network of oxbow lakes and

rivers, offering exclusive wildlife encounters far away from busy commercial safari circuits.

Optional Field Upgrade: You may opt to replace your morning drive with an exhilarating

morning walking safari accompanied by an armed park ranger to explore the bush on foot.

Accommodation: Nyerere Safari Lodge or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5: Journey to Mikumi National Park

Set out early this morning for an adventurous 6-to-7-hour drive to Mikumi National Park,

navigating through scenic Southern Tanzania landscapes and the foothills of the Uluguru

Mountains. This journey serves as an active driving safari as you approach the park boundaries.

Arrive at your camp in the afternoon, check straight into your room to wash away the safari

dust, and enjoy a relaxed evening at leisure watching the sunset over Mikumi’s open plains.

Accommodation: Vuma Hills Tented Camp / Mikumi Wildlife Camp or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6: Full Day Safari in Mikumi National Park

Spend a full day exploring Mikumi National Park, renowned for its rich wildlife, open

savannahs, and beautiful floodplains. Your game drives will focus on the Mkata Floodplain,

often compared to a miniature Serengeti, which offers excellent predator tracking

opportunities, large herds of buffalo, zebras, wildebeest, and elegant eland antelopes. Return

to camp in the late afternoon for a quiet evening of rest.

Accommodation: Vuma Hills Tented Camp / Mikumi Wildlife Camp or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 7: Mikumi to Iringa

Depart after breakfast for a scenic 3-to-4-hour drive to the highland town of Iringa. The route

winds up the spectacular Kitonga Gorge highway, providing panoramic views over the

southern highlands. Arrive in Iringa town for a delicious local lunch stop at the popular Neema

Crafts Cafe. Following lunch, you will transfer directly to your luxury boutique hotel. There is

no afternoon excursions planned; enjoy the entire evening at leisure to unwind in your premium

room and enjoy the cooler highland air.

Accommodation Option: Mount Royal Villa Hotel or Iringa Sunset Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 8: Iringa to Ruaha National Park

Drive toward Ruaha National Park this morning along a well-maintained gravel safari highway.

This 2-hour journey serves as an active game drive en route as you cross the park gates and

enter the rugged Great Rift Valley landscape. Keep your camera ready as you search for

elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and rare lesser kudu antelope species on the

way to your lodge. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon rest at camp before dinner.

Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge / Mdonya Old River Camp or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 9: Full Day Safari in Ruaha National Park

Spend the day exploring Ruaha’s dramatic landscapes, active river systems, giant baobab

forests, and predator-rich ecosystems. Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park, legendary for

its massive lion super-prides and diverse wildlife. Your guide will track animal movements

along the Great Ruaha River channels to maximize your wildlife viewing and photography

opportunities before returning to the lodge for your final evening campfire.

Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge / Mdonya Old River Camp or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 10: Return to Dar es Salaam

After breakfast, enjoy a final scenic drive through the park as you transfer to the local Iringa

Airstrip. Board your domestic scheduled flight across the expanse of Tanzania back to Dar es

Salaam, connecting smoothly to your onward international flight home.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Safari Includes:

Private 4×4 safari vehicle with fuel and pop-top canopy

Professional English-speaking safari guide throughout the tour

All national park entry, camping, and conservation fees

Full-board accommodation during the active safari sectors

All game drives and scheduled boat activities as per the itinerary Drinking water during all game drive operations

Airport transfers and domestic flight from Iringa to Dar es Salaam

Safari Excludes:

International flights and destination airport taxes

Comprehensive personal travel and medical insurance

Mandatory entry visa fees for the United Republic of Tanzania

Tips, staff gratuities, and recognition fees for guides and rangers

Discretionary personal expenses, laundry, and alcoholic beverages

Important Safari Reminder

Safari Attire: Neutral earth tones (khaki, tan, olive, brown), a warm fleece or light

down jacket for cooler highland evenings in Iringa, a wide-brimmed sun hat,

sunglasses, and a lightweight scarf for protection against road dust.

Luggage Constraints: Completely soft-sided duffel bags only; hard-shell suitcases

with wheels are highly discouraged due to weight limits on local light aircraft

flights.

Essential Items: High-SPF sunscreen, high-strength DEET-based insect repellent

(especially important for the wild bush areas of Nyerere and Ruaha), protective lip

balm,

Electronics & Power: A heavy-duty portable power bank to keep devices charged

during long, full-day game drives in remote areas.

Thank you for choosing Sauti Africa Safaris as your trusted travel partner in Tanzania!

 

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