A Comprehensive Guide to Tanzania’s Southern Safari Circuit Southern Tanzania is the pinnacle of a wilderness adventure, with some of Africa’s cleanest remaining bushlands found in a few well-selected national parks and reserves.
Tanzania’s southern parks, which are devoid of safari vehicles, offer a true wilderness experience. Most of the accommodations are at the higher end of the pricing range because of their closeness and capacity for small groups. The wildlife in Tanzania’s southern camps can be explored in a variety of ways. Among the activities offered are stargazing, boat safaris, and walking safaris.
Accessing the majority of the southern national parks necessitates a brief flight. Popular fly-in safaris shuttle visitors between the parks and the camps using tiny airplanes. Traveling to distant locations is made simple by flying, and frequent flights are offered. Your guides will use boats and 4WD vehicles to drive you around the parks after you arrive at the camps.
Southern Tanzania’s beaches and coastline are either unexplored or well-known, and names like Selous, Katavi, and Ruaha evoke awe and reverence in seasoned safari travelers. Simply said, the South is renowned for its remote areas, comfortable bush camps, and breathtaking natural encounters.
The ideal time of year to travel to southern Tanzania CIRCUIT SAFARI
Southern Tanzanian parks are best visited during the dry season, which lasts from June to November, when driving is feasible and the roads are in good condition. Furthermore, game is concentrated around the rivers, making it easier to observe animals.
Southern Tanzanian parks and reserves
The Selous Game Reserve
As a World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s largest reserves, Selous is a site where you may often travel for an entire day without seeing another vehicle. Among the creatures you might see are crocodiles, hippos, lions, leopards, hyenas, black rhinos, impalas, wildebeests, African wild dogs, elephants, buffalo, zebras, and lions. There are about 440 distinct species of birds in the Selous Reserve. Walking safaris are also quite popular here, and the Selous’ lakes and canals offer excellent boat safaris. Night drives are allowed in the Selous Game Reserve.
The bulk of Tanzania’s elephant population lives in Ruaha, the country’s largest and most remote national park. The striking scenery is influenced by the Great Ruaha River, undulating hills, broad plains, and baobab trees. During the dry season, you might be able to see some spectacular game near the river. Prolific game includes creatures like giraffe, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, Defassa Waterbuck, buffalo, zebra, impala, roan and sable antelope, and others that are common in the southern states. Ruaha is one of the rare places where you can see both larger and smaller kudu. Ruaha has a remarkable birdlife, with over 520 different species of birds on sight.
The best time of year for birdwatchers to visit Ruaha is from mid-November to March, when migratory species can be spotted.
Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park, which is conveniently located from Dar es Salaam, is a good place to halt if you are heading to Selous or Ruaha. Selous is surrounded by a wealth of wildlife in Mikumi National Park, which is home to several animals such as lions, giraffes, buffalo, elands, African wild dogs, elephants, zebras, and wildebeests. The Mkata Floodplain’s expansive areas and abundance of wildlife can be experienced through game drives and guided hikes.
SOUTHERN SAFARI CIRCUIT ADD-ONS
Udzungwa Mountains National Park, which is famous for its rare plant and animal species, is two hours distant from Mikumi. The Iringa Red Colobus and Sanje Crested Mangabey are only found in Udzungwa. A wonderful network of beautiful forest paths attracts hikers.
Saadani National Park’s beach and jungle contrast is amazing. You can take a charter plane or drive from Dar es Salaam to Saadani, which is on the Indian Ocean. Popular boat and walking safaris offer views of lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, warthogs, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, greater kudu, eland, sable antelope, yellow baboons, and vervet monkeys. Zanzibar: The most famous island in the roughly 50-island Zanzibar Archipelago is Unguja, also referred to as Zanzibar. It is pretty customary to visit one of the islands after a safari. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stone Town is a tangle of narrow streets dotted with stores, castles, and mosques. Palm trees provide shade for the pristine white sand beaches of the islands. The shallow, tropical sea is ideal for diving and snorkeling, and the reefs are great for both.
