Southern Circuit Destinations
Safari in the Wild’s Purest Form”
Explore Tanzania’s Southern Treasures
The Southern Safari Circuit in Tanzania is a hidden gem for true safari enthusiasts seeking authentic wilderness far from the tourist crowds. This vast region covers some of Tanzania’s largest and most diverse parks, including Nyerere National Park (formerly part of the Selous Game Reserve), Ruaha National Park, Mikumi National Park, and Udzungwa Mountains National Park.
These destinations are less commercialized than their northern counterparts, offering raw, remote, and incredibly rewarding safari experiences. With fewer visitors, the Southern Circuit offers solitude, exclusivity, and some of the best game viewing in Africa.
Each park in the southern region offers something unique. Nyerere is home to Tanzania’s largest population of wild dogs and one of the biggest protected areas in Africa, featuring river systems, lakes, and wide open plains. Ruaha, known for its rugged beauty, hosts massive elephant herds and high predator density, including lions and leopards.
Mikumi, the most accessible of the southern parks, provides an excellent introduction to safari with its open savannahs and abundant wildlife. Meanwhile, the Udzungwa Mountains offer a completely different experience — tropical rainforest trekking, waterfalls, and endemic primates. Together, these destinations create a circuit rich in biodiversity, adventure, and the kind of wild Africa most only dream of.
Nyerere National Park - Africa’s Largest Sanctuary – Untamed and Unfiltered
About the Park
Nyerere National Park, formerly part of the legendary Selous Game Reserve, is the largest national park in East Africa, covering over 30,000 square kilometers. Located in southeastern Tanzania, this park is a cornerstone of the Southern Circuit and remains one of the wildest and most untouched places on the continent. With vast woodlands, sprawling grasslands, seasonal lakes, and networks of rivers — especially the life-giving Rufiji River — Nyerere offers a remote safari experience rarely matched elsewhere in Africa. Its vastness and lack of crowds make it a paradise for those seeking authenticity, privacy, and raw connection with nature.
Nyerere National Park
Attraction
Nyerere’s attractions are both vast and diverse. It is home to Tanzania’s largest populations of elephants and wild dogs, as well as healthy numbers of lions, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, crocodiles, and hippos. The park is particularly unique for offering boat safaris on the Rufiji River — a thrilling way to observe hippos, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife from the water.
Game drives are productive and often feel like private adventures due to the low number of visitors. Birdwatchers are also rewarded with over 440 species of birds. Whether you prefer a traditional vehicle safari or want to explore by foot or boat, Nyerere delivers a deep, diverse, and untamed African experience.
Ruaha National Park - The Land of Giants and Predators – Rugged, Remote, and Real
About the Park
Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets — a vast and rugged landscape where the true spirit of Africa thrives untouched. Located in the central-southern part of the country, Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest inland national park, covering about 20,000 square kilometers. The park sits at the transition zone between East and Southern African ecosystems, creating a unique mix of flora and fauna not found elsewhere in the country. With far fewer tourists than the northern parks, Ruaha offers an unspoiled, intimate, and off-the-grid safari experience that feels like stepping back in time.
Ruaha National Park
About the Area
Ruaha is famous for its huge elephant population, as well as large prides of lions — sometimes numbering 20 or more. The Great Ruaha River, which winds through the park, attracts wildlife in massive numbers during the dry season, offering dramatic predator-prey interactions and excellent photo opportunities.
The park is also home to leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and rare antelope species like greater kudu, roan, and sable antelope. Birdwatching is outstanding, with over 570 bird species recorded. With its baobab-dotted hills, ancient river valleys, and dramatic skies, Ruaha is a raw and breathtaking wilderness that rewards those who venture far.
Mikumi National Park - Where the Wilderness Begins – The Gateway to the South
About the Park
Mikumi National Park
Attraction
Mikumi is known for its reliable game viewing, especially around the Mkata Floodplain, where herds of zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, and elephants roam freely. Lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas are often seen, and giraffes are particularly numerous. The park is also a good place to spot rare eland and sable antelopes. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy the more than 400 species found here, including colorful bee-eaters and ground hornbills.
With decent infrastructure, affordable accommodation, and proximity to the city, Mikumi serves as an excellent entry point to Tanzania’s lesser-explored Southern Circuit.
