9 Days Southern Circuit Luxury Big Five with Cultural Safari

Your heritage and wildlife safari begins at 07:30 AM with a comfortable 5-hour road transfer from the coast of Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park. You will travel in a private luxury 4x4 vehicle, arriving at your premium five-star bush camp inside the park boundaries just in time for an exquisite, chef-prepared lunch. At 03:00 PM, you will step out for an exciting 3-hour introductory afternoon game drive to view large herds of elephants, giraffes, and zebras gathering across the savannah plains before returning to enjoy dinner by the bonfire.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Wellworth Mikumi Wildlife Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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Today is completely dedicated to an immersive 8.5-hour full-day game drive starting at 06:30 AM across the flat, accessible tracks of the Mkata Floodplain. You will spend the morning tracking large prides of lions patrolling the plains and watching immense herds of buffalo graze near the main waterholes. The middle of the day includes a luxury private bush picnic under a shady acacia tree, followed by a relaxed afternoon birdwatching session to spot vibrant local species before you return to your premium lodge at 05:00 PM.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Wellworth Mikumi Wildlife Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Following a peaceful breakfast at 08:00 AM, a short 1.5-hour road transfer will bring you to the lush foothills of the Udzungwa Mountains. You will arrive by 09:30 AM to begin a scenic 4.5-hour guided rainforest walk along the beautiful mountain trails leading to the spectacular Sanje Waterfalls. Your professional guide will point out unique endemic primates like the Iringa red colobus monkey in the green canopy, and you will have time to relax by the cascading waters before checking into an ultra-luxury eco-lodge that offers stunning views over the forest.

Destination:

Udzungwa Mountains

Overnight:

Udzungwa Falls Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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 At 07:00 AM, you will board your luxury vehicle for a magnificent 6.5-hour road transfer across the rolling landscapes of the Southern Highlands. You will stop at 12:30 PM in the historic town of Iringa to enjoy a private garden lunch at an exclusive estate before continuing your journey into the dry Ruaha valley. You will arrive at your ultra-luxury tented lodge at 02:30 PM, where you can spend the rest of your afternoon resting your legs and watching elephants stroll past the riverbanks right from your private viewing deck.

Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Overnight:

Kigelia Ruaha

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Wake up to the sounds of the wilderness at 06:00 AM before starting an exceptional 8-hour full-day game drive through Ruaha National Park. You will travel along the scenic river loops of the Great Ruaha River and explore the vast baobab woodlands to view massive elephant families and prides of lions hunting their prey. A fresh gourmet lunch will be served back at the luxury lodge during the heat of the day, followed by a relaxed afternoon wildlife drive that brings you back to camp by 05:30 PM for a hot shower.

Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Overnight:

Kigelia Ruaha

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Experience the bush from a different perspective at 06:30 AM on a 2-hour guided walking safari led by an armed ranger on flat, secure terrain near the camp. This walk focuses on reading animal tracks and learning about local bird life, followed by a rich lunch and rest at the lodge. At 03:00 PM, you will enjoy a 3-hour afternoon game drive that concludes at a spectacular elevated viewpoint where the lodge staff will prepare a premium wilderness sundowner with fine wines as the sun sets over the valley.

Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Overnight:

Kigelia Ruaha

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Catch the early light at 06:00 AM on a beautiful 2-hour sunrise game drive along the riverfront to watch predators active before the day becomes hot. You will return to the lodge for a substantial freshly cooked breakfast before taking a comfortable 3.5-hour road transfer up to Iringa town at 09:30 AM. Before checking into your boutique highland hotel, you will enjoy a 2-hour guided historical walk at 02:00 PM through the dramatic sandstone pillars and canyons of the famous Isimila Stone Age Site.

Destination:

Iringa Attractions

Overnight:

Mount Royal Villa Hotel

  luxury 5 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Your morning begins at 08:30 AM with a brief 1.5-hour cultural visit to the accessible Kalenga Museum to view the historical artifacts of Chief Mkwawa and the Hehe tribe. At 10:00 AM, you will start a scenic 4.5-hour road trip that descends down the spectacular mountain bends of the Kitonga Escarpment, offering wonderful panoramic views from the vehicle windows. You will arrive at a premium luxury garden lodge located just outside the Mikumi park gates by mid-afternoon, giving you plenty of time to enjoy a relaxing massage treatment.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Wellworth Mikumi Wildlife Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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On your final morning, you will head out at 06:30 AM for a brief 2-hour morning game drive through Mikumi National Park to catch your last views of grazing wildebeest and elands. You will return to the lodge for a final gourmet brunch before starting the 5-hour return road transfer back to the coast at 10:00 AM. Your vehicle will deliver you directly to the international airport or your luxury hotel in Dar es Salaam by 03:00 PM, concluding your high-end comfort vacation.