10 Days Private Luxury Safari Experiencing Southern Tanzania’s Untouched Wilderness

Time: Morning departure, afternoon boat safari
Main Activities: Road transfer, check-in and Rufiji River boat safari
Distance: Approximately 230 km
Attractions: Rufiji River, river channels, lakes and surrounding wilderness

Your private safari begins with a morning departure from Dar es Salaam towards Nyerere National Park. The journey introduces you to the changing scenery of Southern Tanzania before arriving in the Nyerere area for your first safari experience. In the afternoon, take a boat safari along the Rufiji River, one of the highlights of this region. Cruise beside riverbanks, channels and lakes while observing wildlife and birdlife from a different perspective. The calm setting and open landscapes provide a beautiful introduction to the wilderness before an evening of relaxation at your lodge or camp.

Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Overnight:

Roho ya Selous

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Time: Early morning to late afternoon
Main Activities: Full-day game drive, lake circuits and birdwatching
Distance: Approximately 80–120 km within the park
Attractions: Nyerere plains, lakes, wildlife areas and Rufiji surroundings

After breakfast, set out for a full-day game drive across Nyerere National Park. The day is dedicated to exploring different wildlife habitats, with opportunities to look for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, lions and other species found across the park. Lake circuits add variety to the safari, particularly where animals gather around water. Birdwatching is also rewarding in the wetland and woodland areas. With a full day available, the safari can follow the most interesting wildlife activity encountered along the route.

Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Overnight:

Roho ya Selous

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Time: Morning walking safari, afternoon safari activity
Main Activities: Guided walking safari, afternoon game drive or optional community visit
Distance: Approximately 40–80 km depending on afternoon activity
Attractions: Bush trails, natural habitats and Nyerere wilderness

Today brings a closer connection with the landscape through a guided walking safari in an authorised area. Walking allows you to notice smaller details that can easily be missed from a vehicle, including tracks, plants, insects, bird calls and signs of wildlife activity. After lunch and some time to relax, continue with an afternoon game drive or, where arranged, an optional community visit. The combination creates a more varied day and gives you the freedom to experience Nyerere beyond conventional game viewing.

Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Overnight:

Roho ya Selous

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Time: Morning departure, afternoon arrival
Main Activities: Scenic inter-park road transfer
Distance: Approximately 250–300 km
Attractions: Southern Tanzania countryside, villages, woodland and changing landscapes

Leave Nyerere after breakfast and continue towards Mikumi National Park. The road journey provides a different view of Southern Tanzania, with changing vegetation, rural settlements and open countryside along the way. After reaching the Mikumi area, settle into your accommodation and enjoy time to rest. Depending on arrival time and local conditions, the afternoon can be kept relaxed so you are refreshed for the following day’s full wildlife exploration.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Wellworth Mikumi Wildlife Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Time: Early morning to late afternoon
Main Activities: Full-day game drive, Mkata Floodplain and Hippo Pool viewpoint
Distance: Approximately 80–120 km within the park
Attractions: Mkata Floodplain, Hippo Pool viewpoint, woodland and open plains

Spend the day exploring Mikumi National Park on a full-day game drive. The Mkata Floodplain is one of the key landscapes of the park, offering open views and good opportunities to observe wildlife across the plains. Continue towards the Hippo Pool viewpoint, where water attracts wildlife and creates an excellent setting for observation and photography. The surrounding woodland and open grassland provide contrasting habitats, making the day diverse and rewarding for both wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Wellworth Mikumi Wildlife Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Time: Morning transfer, afternoon hike
Main Activities: Transfer to Udzungwa, Sanje Waterfalls hike and rainforest walk
Distance: Approximately 100 km
Attractions: Udzungwa rainforest, Sanje Waterfalls and mountain scenery

After breakfast, travel from Mikumi towards the Udzungwa Mountains. The scenery changes as you approach the Eastern Arc mountain environment, with greener landscapes and forested slopes. The main experience today is the hike towards Sanje Waterfalls, where the forest trail leads into one of the region’s most impressive natural settings. Along the way, enjoy the rainforest atmosphere and opportunities to observe birds and endemic primates. After the hike, return to your accommodation for a well-earned evening of relaxation.

Destination:

Udzungwa Mountains

Overnight:

Udzungwa Falls Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Time: Morning departure, afternoon arrival
Main Activities: Scenic road transfer and Southern Highlands exploration
Distance: Approximately 300–350 km
Attractions: Southern Highlands, Iringa landscapes and changing mountain scenery

Today you leave the forested slopes of Udzungwa and continue towards Ruaha National Park, travelling via Iringa. The route is an important part of the experience, revealing the dramatic landscapes of Tanzania’s Southern Highlands. As the road progresses, the scenery changes from mountain forest to open highland country and drier landscapes. Arrive in the Ruaha area later in the day and settle into your accommodation, ready for the wildlife-rich experiences ahead.

Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Overnight:

Kigelia Ruaha

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Time: Early morning to late afternoon
Main Activities: Full-day game drive, river landscapes and wildlife viewing
Distance: Approximately 80–120 km within the park
Attractions: Great Ruaha River, baobab woodland and open wilderness

Dedicate the day to exploring Ruaha National Park on an extensive game drive. The Great Ruaha River and surrounding water sources form important wildlife areas, while the park’s open landscapes and baobab-studded woodland create an unforgettable safari setting. Keep watch for elephants, buffalo, giraffes, lions, leopards and other wildlife as the vehicle moves between different habitats. The combination of dramatic scenery and rich wildlife makes Ruaha one of the defining experiences of this Southern Tanzania circuit.

Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Overnight:

Kigelia Ruaha

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Time: Morning safari, afternoon cultural and historical visit
Main Activities: Morning game drive or walking safari, road transfer and Isimila visit
Distance: Approximately 110–130 km
Attractions: Ruaha wilderness, Iringa highlands and Isimila Stone Age Site

Begin the morning with either a final game drive or a guided walking safari, depending on arrangements and conditions. This provides one last opportunity to enjoy Ruaha’s landscape before leaving the park area. Continue towards Iringa and visit the Isimila Stone Age Site, an important archaeological location known for ancient stone tools and distinctive eroded landscapes. The visit adds a historical dimension to the safari and offers a meaningful contrast to the wildlife experiences of the previous days.

Destination:

Iringa Attractions

Overnight:

Hans Poppe Hotel

  luxury 5 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Time: Early morning departure, evening arrival
Main Activities: Long scenic road transfer and safari journey conclusion
Distance: Approximately 500–550 km
Attractions: Kitonga landscapes, Mikumi surroundings and Southern Tanzania countryside

After breakfast, begin the final road journey from Iringa to Dar es Salaam. The route passes through the Kitonga area and towards the Mikumi region, allowing you to enjoy more of Tanzania’s changing countryside along the way. Reflect on the wildlife, river, rainforest, mountain and historical experiences collected during the safari. Arrival in Dar es Salaam marks the end of your private Southern Tanzania luxury adventure.