6 Days Midrange Lodge Drive-in Safari in Tanzania Southern Circuit

Your midrange lodge safari begins with an early departure from Dar es Salaam, travelling toward Nyerere through the changing landscapes of southern Tanzania. Enjoy views of small towns, agricultural areas, villages and natural countryside during the road journey before reaching the Nyerere region. Once inside the wildlife area, the adventure changes from road travel to game viewing as your guide begins searching for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes, monkeys and birds along the route toward your accommodation. The combination of wildlife exploration and comfortable lodging means that after your first exciting hours in the bush, you can settle into a welcoming midrange lodge or tented lodge with proper facilities, enjoy a freshly prepared dinner and relax in preparation for the next full day in the wilderness.

Distance: Approx. 230–240 km
Time: Approx. 5–8 hours road transfer plus game viewing
Attractions: Tanzania countryside, Nyerere wildlife, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and comfortable lodge stay

Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Overnight:

Rufiji River Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before leaving with your guide for a complete day inside Nyerere National Park. Travel through a rich mixture of woodland, open areas and water-influenced habitats while looking for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, impalas and waterbucks. Your guide will also search for lions, hyenas, leopards and African wild dogs where conditions are favourable, while lakes and channels offer possibilities for hippo, crocodile and bird sightings. Carrying a picnic lunch allows you to remain inside the park rather than returning to the accommodation in the middle of the day, maximizing wildlife-viewing time. Continue through the afternoon before returning to your midrange lodge, where you can shower, enjoy dinner and rest comfortably after a long and rewarding game-drive experience.

Distance: Approx. 70–120 km
Time: Approx. 8–10 hours
Attractions: Rufiji habitats, elephants, lions, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, wild dogs and birdlife

Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Overnight:

Rufiji River Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Following an early breakfast, return to Nyerere for another extensive day of exploration, this time concentrating on different wildlife tracks and habitats to provide a broader understanding of the park. The additional full day makes it possible to slow the pace and spend longer watching animal behaviour rather than moving constantly between sightings. Observe elephant families feeding or travelling together, giraffes browsing among trees, buffaloes gathering in groups and antelopes using the open areas, while your guide searches for fresh signs of predators. Enjoy your picnic lunch in a suitable wilderness location and continue through the afternoon as sunlight, temperature and wildlife activity change. Later, return to your comfortable lodge, where the relaxed setting provides a welcome contrast to the rugged landscapes experienced throughout the day.

Distance: Approx. 70–120 km
Time: Approx. 8–10 hours
Attractions: Wildlife behaviour, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, predators, birds, woodland and wilderness scenery

Destination:

Nyerere National Park

Overnight:

Rufiji River Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After an early breakfast at the lodge, enjoy a final morning game drive in Nyerere before beginning the scenic transfer to Mikumi. The morning provides another opportunity to look for elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes and predators as your guide explores selected wildlife areas on the way toward the park exit. Continue by road through southern Tanzania, passing villages, agricultural landscapes and areas of natural woodland while travelling between the two national parks. Stops for lunch and refreshments can be made during the journey. On arrival near Mikumi, check into another carefully selected midrange lodge offering comfortable rooms or tents and a relaxing environment. Spend the evening enjoying dinner and resting before the full-day Mikumi experience.

Distance: Approx. 180–300 km depending on lodge and route
Time: Half-day game drive plus road transfer
Attractions: Nyerere wildlife, village scenery, Southern Circuit countryside, woodland and midrange lodge experience

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Angalia Tented Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast at your lodge, enter Mikumi for a full day exploring the Mkata Floodplain and surrounding wildlife habitats. Open savannah creates excellent viewing conditions for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and antelopes, while your guide searches known wildlife areas for lions and other predators. Mikumi is also rewarding for birdwatching, with numerous species found across grasslands, woodland and water-associated habitats. Stop for a picnic lunch before continuing the game drive into the afternoon, when different animals may become active as temperatures begin to fall. After spending the day photographing and observing wildlife, return to your comfortable midrange lodge for dinner, a refreshing shower and your final relaxing night in the Southern Circuit.

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

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Angalia Tented Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Wake for an early breakfast before enjoying a final half-day safari through Mikumi National Park. Morning light and cooler temperatures provide a pleasant setting for exploring the plains and woodland one last time, with opportunities to encounter elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes and predators before leaving the park. After the game drive, begin the return journey to Dar es Salaam through Morogoro Region, making appropriate stops for refreshments or lunch on the way. The comfortable road transfer completes a safari that has combined extensive wildlife viewing with the convenience of quality midrange accommodation throughout the journey. Your guide will provide a final drop-off at the agreed hotel, residence or other destination in Dar es Salaam.

Distance: Approx. 300–310 km
Time: Approx. 2–4 hours game viewing plus 5–6 hours drive
Attractions: Morning wildlife, Mkata plains, scenic countryside and final road-safari experience