6 Days Boat and Big Five Midrange Drive-in Southern Circuit Safari

Leave Dar es Salaam early in the morning and travel south toward the Nyerere wilderness, enjoying the changing scenery as urban surroundings gradually give way to small communities, farmland and natural countryside. After reaching the park region and completing the required entry procedures, begin wildlife viewing through Nyerere’s varied landscape as your guide searches for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and possible predators. These first hours introduce you to the impressive scale of the reserve and the diversity of habitats that will be explored over the coming days. Continue toward your comfortable midrange lodge or tented camp while observing any wildlife encountered along the route. After arrival, settle in for dinner and an evening surrounded by the sounds and atmosphere of southern Tanzania’s wilderness.

Distance: Approx. 230–240 km
Time: Approx. 5–8 hours plus game viewing
Attractions: Nyerere landscapes, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, predators and Tanzania countryside

Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Overnight:

Rufiji River Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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Begin early after breakfast for a full-day game drive dedicated to exploring the terrestrial wildlife of Nyerere. Your guide will search productive areas for elephants and large buffalo herds while also looking for lions, giraffes, zebras, impalas, waterbucks and other mammals across woodland and open habitat. Nyerere is also known for predators such as hyenas, leopards and African wild dogs, although sightings always depend on natural wildlife movements. Along water-associated areas, hippos and crocodiles may be visible and birdlife can be exceptionally varied. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the wilderness and continue through the afternoon, following tracks and signs that may lead to new wildlife encounters. This complete day on land provides an excellent foundation before experiencing Nyerere from the water.

Distance: Approx. 70–120 km
Time: Approx. 8–10 hours
Attractions: Elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, African wild dogs, hippos, crocodiles and birdlife

Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Overnight:

Rufiji River Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Today combines another extensive exploration of Nyerere with the water-based experience that makes this package especially distinctive. Begin with a morning game drive through woodland and open areas, searching for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes and predators while enjoying opportunities for photography and wildlife observation. Later, according to operating conditions and the arrangement of your accommodation, join a guided boat safari on the Rufiji River or an appropriate connected waterway. From the boat, the perspective changes completely as you watch hippos surfacing in the water, crocodiles resting along the banks and elephants, antelopes or other animals approaching the river to drink. Waterbirds add further variety, and the softer late-afternoon light can make the river scenery particularly beautiful before returning to your midrange accommodation.

Distance: Approx. 50–100 km of game driving plus boat safari route
Time: Full-day safari programme combining game drive and boat excursion
Attractions: Rufiji River, boat safari, hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, predators, waterbirds and river scenery

Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Overnight:

Rufiji River Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Start the day with a final morning game drive through Nyerere, searching once more for major wildlife before leaving this enormous wilderness behind. Your guide will make the most of the cooler morning hours to look for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes and predators while travelling through selected areas toward the exit route. After the safari, begin the scenic drive toward Mikumi National Park, passing remote communities, farms, woodland and changing southern Tanzanian landscapes. The overland transfer allows you to appreciate the geography connecting the two wildlife destinations rather than simply flying over it. Arrive near Mikumi later in the day and settle into your selected midrange accommodation, ready for another full day devoted to searching for classic African wildlife.

Distance: Approx. 180–300 km depending on route
Time: Half-day game viewing plus road transfer
Attractions: Nyerere wildlife, countryside, villages, woodland and scenic Southern Circuit landscapes

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Angalia Tented Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, enter Mikumi National Park and spend the day exploring the open Mkata Floodplain and neighbouring woodland in search of large mammals and predators. Elephants and buffaloes are among the important big-game species you may encounter, while your guide will carefully scan the plains and known wildlife areas for lions. Giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, impalas, hippos and numerous birds add variety to the safari throughout the day. The wide-open landscape provides excellent visibility and makes Mikumi a strong complement to the more wooded and river-influenced environments experienced in Nyerere. Stop for a picnic lunch in the park before continuing through the afternoon. Because animals move freely, individual Big Five sightings cannot be promised, but every effort is made to explore productive habitats.

Distance: Approx. 60–100 km
Time: Approx. 8–10 hours
Attractions: Mkata Floodplain, elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and birdlife

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Angalia Tented Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Enjoy an early final game drive across Mikumi while wildlife is active and the morning light provides attractive conditions for photography. Your guide will search the Mkata plains, woodland edges and other productive areas for elephants, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, zebras and antelopes, giving you one last opportunity to add memorable wildlife encounters before leaving the park. After completing the half-day safari, begin the drive back toward Dar es Salaam through Morogoro Region and the eastern Tanzanian countryside. Stops for refreshments or lunch can be made along the route before reaching Dar later in the day. Your guide will provide a drop-off at the agreed destination, completing a six-day adventure that has combined river exploration, traditional game drives and two outstanding Southern Circuit wildlife destinations.

Distance: Approx. 300–310 km to Dar es Salaam
Time: Approx. 2–4 hours game viewing plus 5–6 hours road transfer
Attractions: Mikumi wildlife, elephants, buffaloes, lions, Mkata plains, photography and scenic return journey