Best of the Southern Circuit (14 days)

Our 14-day Southern Circuit safari includes all the national parks of the Southern Circuit: Nyerere National Park (Formerly Selous Game Reserve)Mikumi National Park, Ruaha National ParkUdzungwa Mountains National Park and Saadani National Park.

This specific African safari has been designed for visitors who want to see all the national parks of Tanzania's Southern Circuit.

Still wild and unspoilt, the real Africa, with more lions than tourists!

This trip is also ideal for photographers who like to see a lot of wildlife and stunning panoramas.

Highlights

Highlights

  • Game drives (safaris) on the savannahs of Nyerere National Park (Formerly Selous Game Reserve), Mikumi, Ruaha and Saadani National Park with chances of seeing the wildlife from close quarters
  • Nyerere National Park, the largest protected wildlife area in Africa. Selous is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the diversity of its wildlife and undisturbed nature
  • Boat trip on the Rufiji River with hippos, crocodiles, colorful water birds and with high chances to see the large animals coming for a drink or a plunge
  • Walking Safaris near Nyerere National Park, a total different experience
  • Mikumi National Park is also known as ‘little Serengeti’ and is known for its large herds of elephants
  • Ruaha National Park with the great Ruaha River, wildlife in one of the greatest panoramas of Africa. Ruaha is many peoples favorite park
  • The Udzungwa Mountains with the beautiful Sanje Waterfall. Udzungwa is a magnet for hikers with an excellent network of forest trails
  • Saadani National Park, the only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa on the shores of the Indian Ocean, where the beach meets the bush
  • Make a boat trip on the Wami River in Saadani, with high chances of seeing Hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants and many bird species
  • Meet the local people on the way and see their local way of life
Photos

Photos

Video

Route

Route

Day 1
JK Nyerere Airport - Dar es Salaam
Day 2
Dar es Salaam - Nyerere National Park (Selous)
Day 3
Nyerere National Park
Day 4
Nyerere National Park
Day 5
Nyerere National Park (East) - Nyerere National Park (West)
Day 6
Nyerere National Park - Mikumi National Park
Day 7
Mikumi National Park - Ruaha National Park
Day 8
Ruaha National Park
Day 9
Ruaha National Park
Day 10
Ruaha National Park - Udzungwa National Park
Day 11
Udzungwa National Park - Morogoro Town
Day 12
Morogoro Town - Saadani National Park
Day 13
Saadani National Park
Day 14
Saadani National Park - Dar es Salaam
Map Best of the Southern Circuit (14 days)
Day to day

Day to day program

Day 1

JK Nyerere Airport - Dar es Salaam

Arrival at Dar es Salaam International Airport. Meet and greet by your guide and transfer to the city of Dar es Salaam for an overnight.

Included: airport transfer

Day 2

Dar es Salaam - Nyerere National Park (Selous)

Transfer from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve). Boat trip in the afternoon on the Rufiji River, with chances of seeing crocodiles, hippos and many different bird species.

Included: boat trip

Day 3

Nyerere National Park

Early breakfast at the lodge and full day game drive in Nyerere afterwards. Picnic lunch on our way.

Nyerere National Park is the biggest game reserve of Tanzania and the best place to see African Wild Dogs.

Included: game drives

Day 4

Nyerere National Park

After breakfast, we have a walking safari. Game drive along the Rufiji River afterwards.

It is also possible to make a boat trip in the afternoon (optional).

Included: walking safari, game drive

Day 5

Nyerere National Park (East) - Nyerere National Park (West)

Game drive in the morning and on our way as we drive to the western part of Nyerere. Enjoy the beginning of the mountains in this totally different part of Nyerere.

Included: game drive

Day 6

Nyerere National Park - Mikumi National Park

After breakfast, we drive to Mikumi National Park.

Mikumi is known for its large herds of elephants and is also known as the 'little Serengeti'. Mikumi is also a good place to see lions and huge Baobab trees.

Included: game drive

Day 7

Mikumi National Park - Ruaha National Park

Game drive in the morning in Mikumi National Park. Transfer to Ruaha National Park afterwards. We drive through the mountains and make a stop at a small village to see the rural way of local life beneath a huge Baobab tree.

Included: game drive

Day 8

Ruaha National Park

Early morning breakfast at the lodge. Full day game drive in Ruaha National Park afterwards. Picnic lunch on our way.

Ruaha has a magnificent scenery and abundant wildlife, including elephant, giraffe, kudu, sable antelope, eland, African Wild Dog, cheetah and large prides of lion.

Included: game drives

Day 9

Ruaha National Park

Early morning breakfast at the lodge. Another full day game drive in this beautiful national park. Picnic lunch on our way.

It is also possible to do a walking safari or visit the local people (both activities optional).

Included: game drives

Day 10

Ruaha National Park - Udzungwa National Park

Today we drive to the Udzungwa Mountains. Ideal for walking safaris.

The Udzungwa Mountains are famous for its biological unique and very beautiful forest that harbours plant and wildlife species found nowhere else in the world. This park has about six species of primates (2 endemic).

Day 11

Udzungwa National Park - Morogoro Town

After breakfast we start hiking in the Udzungwa Mountains. We walk up to Sanje Falls. It is possible to swim at the base of the waterfall. With a little luck we will see some of the (endemic) monkey species and some other endemic animals. We take lunch in the hotel. Transfer to Morogoro afterwards.

Included: hiking to Sanje Falls

Day 12

Morogoro Town - Saadani National Park

Transfer from Morogoro to Saadani National Park. Relax at the lodge along the beach, go for a swim in the Indian Ocean or make a canoe trip through the mangroves if time allows (optional).

Day 13

Saadani National Park

After breakfast have a game drive in the morning as we drive to the Wami river for a boat trip in the afternoon. It is also possible to relax at the beach.

Saadani is the only Tanzanian National Park bordering the Indian Ocean, where wildlife watching can be done from the beach.

Included: game drive, boat trip

Day 14

Saadani National Park - Dar es Salaam

Relax at the beach. Transfer to Dar es Salaam. Optional shopping or city tour through Dar es Salaam (if time allows). Transfer to the airport for your flight home or to Zanzibar.

Included: airport transfer

Accommodations

Accommodations

Medium Budget
High Budget
Day 1
JK Nyerere Airport - Dar es Salaam
Medium Budget: Imperial Hotel & Apartments (BB)
High Budget: Slipway Hotel (BB)
Day 2
Dar es Salaam - Nyerere National Park (Selous)
Medium Budget: Selous tented camp (FB)
High Budget: Rufiji River Camp (FB)
Day 3
Nyerere National Park
Medium Budget: Selous tented camp (FB)
High Budget: Rufiji River Camp (FB)
Day 4
Nyerere National Park
Medium Budget: Selous tented camp (FB)
High Budget: Rufiji River Camp (FB)
Day 5
Nyerere National Park (East) - Nyerere National Park (West)
Medium Budget: Sable Mountain lodge (FB)
High Budget: Sable Mountain lodge (FB)
Day 6
Nyerere National Park - Mikumi National Park
Medium Budget: Camp Bastian (FB)
High Budget: Vuma Hills (FB)
Day 7
Mikumi National Park - Ruaha National Park
Medium Budget: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge (FB)
High Budget: Ruaha River Lodge (FB)
Day 8
Ruaha National Park
Medium Budget: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge (FB)
High Budget: Ruaha River Lodge (FB)
Day 9
Ruaha National Park
Medium Budget: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge (FB)
High Budget: Ruaha River Lodge (FB)
Day 10
Ruaha National Park - Udzungwa National Park
Medium Budget: Udzungwa Falls Lodge (FB)
High Budget: Udzungwa Falls Lodge (FB)
Day 11
Udzungwa National Park - Morogoro Town
Medium Budget: Morogoro Hotel (FB)
High Budget: Mbuyuni Farm (FB)
Day 12
Morogoro Town - Saadani National Park
Medium Budget: Tanganyika Coastal Campsite & Lodge (FB)
High Budget: Simply Saadani (FB)
Day 13
Saadani National Park
Medium Budget: Tanganyika Coastal Campsite & Loge (FB)
High Budget: Simply Saadani (FB)
Day 14
Saadani National Park - Dar es Salaam
Medium Budget: Flight (End of Service)
High Budget: Flight (End of Service)

Legend: BB = Bed and Breakfast / HB = Half Board / FB = Full Board

Prices

Prices 2024

Price on request, please send an email to mail@kazingatours.com

 

Includes

  • Airport transfers
  • Accommodations with meals mentioned
  • Bottled drinking water
  • Private 4x4 custom built safari van with knowledgeable driver/guide and fuel
  • Entrance fees to the included National Parks
  • Activities mentioned as included
  • VAT

Excludes

  • Flights      
  • Visa
  • All optional activities
  • Insurances    
  • Meals not mentioned and beverages
  • Tips and personal expenses such as laundry and communication
  • Bank charges
Groups

Group Tours - Guaranteed Departures

 

 

Travel info
Health Tanzania

A certificate proving that you have received a yellow fever vaccination is obligatory. Furthermore all required inoculations must be recorded by your health practitioner on a valid vaccination certificate. You must carry this document with you throughout the tour. All visitors should take malaria prophylactic drugs. We also advise that you bring a mosquito repellent with you. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for up to date requirements, inoculations and personal recommendations!

Normally you need the following vaccinations (but please always consult a doctor):

  • Yellow Fever (you must have this can even be checked on arrival, especially when flying within East Africa)
  • DTP
  • Hepatitis

For Malaria you need to take tablets,  Malarone or Lariam. Malarone is mostly used (please always consult a doctor).

Hygiene is not at the same standard as in your home country, so we advise you to bring a disinfectant cream with you. Always drink bottled water instead of tap water.

On arrival

On arrival on the airport our guide will be there waiting for you. During safari we use custom made safari vehicles, custom made for an optimal view of the wildlife. Safari vehicles (and small aircrafts) provide limited space for luggage. It is therefore recommended to travel with light bags since bulky suitcases will overload and might be difficult to be taken on board.

Visa Tanzania

Visa - for those who require one - can be purchased in advance through the Tanzanian embassy or consulate in your home country. Visa can also be obtained upon arrival at Kilimanjaro / Dar es Salaam International Airport or at any overland border. The price for a single entry visa is USD 50 per person.

It is your own responsibility to arrange your visa(s) correctly and in time, but if anything is unclear of course we will be glad to assist you.

Note: This information is subject to change! Always consult the Tanzanian embassy in your country if you are not sure.

Money

In most of the cities it is possible to withdraw money from an ATM. Travelers Cheques are not widely accepted and it is very difficult or impossible to pay by credit card outside the cities. The US dollar is traditionally the hard currency of preference. We advise to bring some Dollars for daily expenses and tips.

Dollar bills should not be older than 10 years.

Currency Tanzania

The unit of currency is the Tanzanian Shilling. Please check the latest exchange rates before you go to your destination. This will be a guideline. Please note you will get a better exchange rate in the bigger cities.

AMREF Flying Doctors


We advise you to apply for a Flying Doctors membership. The membership provides a quick and reliable air evacuation and medical care if needed.

AMREF Flying Doctors offers 2 covers (Annual and Short Term). You can choose between the Maisha Silver (Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar), Maisha Gold (Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) or Maisha Platinum (Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Ethiopia).

Please check out the AMREF Flying Doctors website for more information and to become a member.

Language in Tanzania

The national language of Tanzania is Kiswahili but English is widely spoken and is the main language in the tourist areas.

Climate Tanzania

Tanzania is a tropical country, with high temperatures along the coast and at lower altitudes (especially in the Southern Part). The Northern part is at higher altitudes (except for Lake Natron and Tarangire).

Areas around the Ngorongoro Crater, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru and Arusha are generally cooler.

What to wear Tanzania

Daytime temperatures are generally warm to hot, so bring lots of light clothing. Evenings are cooler, especially at higher altitudes, so carry a couple of light sweaters too.

Those who intend to do mountain hiking will be exposed to alpine temperatures and should pack accordingly.

Don’t forget to bring a hat, sunglasses and a waterproof jacket. During safaris we advise to avoid black and dark blue clothes (because they can attract tsetse flies). For hiking and walking safaris Solid walking shoes and sturdy clothing are ideal for forest walks.

If you are planning on doing a community walk or visit the local people, we advise you to wear appropriate clothing. For example women putting on long skirts and a top that covers the shoulders.

What to bring

A valid passport is mandatory (passport must be valid for at least 3 months after re-entry) and visa requirements for all countries you are planning to visit should be checked before you travel.

To make the most of your visit to the game reserves and national parks, we advise you to carry binoculars and field guides.

Photographers will need a zoom lens for wildlife (70-300 or more). Please make sure to carry enough memory cards with you. Toiletries and other essentials can be bought in the cities.

A torch (flashlight) can proof to be very useful

Electricity Tanzania

We advise you to take an international adapter with you for your electric equipment. The system used in Tanzania is the British system. In most lodges it is possible to charge your batteries.

Driving Tanzania

Driving in Tanzania is on the left-hand side.

Visitors without experience of African roads are advised to travel with a 4x4 vehicle driven by a knowledgeable driver/guide, rather than self-drive.

All our guides are well trained in "Defensive Driving".

Stopover Points

Please mind that washrooms along the road are sometimes not to European standards, for example squatting toilets, no flushing toilets or no toilet paper available. Like the locals say: T.I.A. This Is Africa.

Facilities and accommodations

Bathroom facilities and accommodations can be more basic when traveling on a medium to low budget. In the eco lodges mind that the water reserves are limited and in most cases there are no sockets in the room, but you can always charge your devices at the reception.

Tipping

Tipping will always be appreciated. It is normal to tip 5-10% in hotels and restaurants. Guides, drivers and carriers should always be tipped. Indication: for carriers USD 1-3 and for your driver/guide USD 5-15 per day, depending on the group size, number of days and your satisfaction.

Further information Tanzania

The Lonely Planet and Bradt Travel Guide are the most detailed guidebooks for Tanzania. For wildlife, the best guidebook is ‘Watching Wildlife East Africa’ from the Lonely Planet and The Bradt ‘East African Wildlife’. For birding, the best guidebook is ‘birds of East Africa’. It is advisable to get the most updated copy.