10 Days Explore unspoiled Southern National Parks by Flight

Detailed Overview

Overview

For those who want to avoid crowds of tourists and experience a safari adventure “off-the-beaten-track”, the southern safari circuit would be perfect for that. This fly-in safari includes all the National Parks of the southern safari circuit, the Nyerere National Park (before Selous G. R.), which has been a World Heritage Site due to its biodiversity since 1982, Ruaha National Park and Mikumi National Park. The parks in this region are huge, unspoiled, remote and are full of a spectacular diversity of wildlife and they offer exceptional birding opportunities.

In Nyerere National Park you can find the world’s densest population of the last remaining African wild dogs and there are approximately 3,700 lions – one of the largest populations in Africa. Nyerere National Park has a great variety of habitats such as swamps, open grassland, riverine forests and the Miombo woodlands with impressive baobabs and acacia trees as well doum and borassus palms up to 30 meters high and mango trees can also be found in well-watered places.

Ruaha National Park, one of Tanzania's and East Africa's largest parks, is home to one of the largest elephant populations in the world and is a bird-watching paradise with about 500 species of birds. The source of life for this park is the Great Ruaha River, which attracts large herds and therefore many predators to its banks during the dry season. The southern circuit offers activities that cannot be experienced in the north. For example, guided walking tours, that give you a chance to get closer to nature, and boat safaris, like in Nyerere National Park where the Rufiji River with its numerous side arms and large lakes forms a labyrinth with islands, sandbars and lagoons and you can see crocodiles sunbathe on their banks and hippos wallow in the water.

The landscape of the Mikumi Nationa Park is often compared to that of the Serengeti and is considered one of the best observation areas for the biggest antelope in the world – the eland antelope.

Tour Highlights

• Relatively unspoiled national parks and therefore still an insider tip
• Undisturbed safaris due to fewer tourists
• Different types of game viewing safaris by boat, 4×4 or on foot
• Explore the pristine wilderness and unique scenic diversity of these parks

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Dar es Salaam – Nyerere National Park (Boat Safari)

After breakfast in the early morning, take the morning flight from Dar es Salaam to the Nyerere Mtemere airstrip. Pick up from the airstrip from the driver of your lodge. In the afternoon, after a short orientation briefing, you will embark on a boat safari along the mighty Rufiji River, bringing you into close contact with hippos, crocodiles, fantastic birdlife and other animals like elephants, lions, buffalos and other game that come to the river.

Meals:  lunch, Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Selous Ngalawa Campsite and Lodge (budget), Selous River Camp (mid-range) Serena Mivumo River Lodge (luxury)

Day 2: Full game drive Nyerere National Park

In the morning after breakfast, together with our expert driver guide, we are exploring the breathtaking nature during full day game drives with picnic lunch with our 4 × 4 safari vehicle with pop up roof. You will have the opportunity to enjoy a large number of elephants and lions, as well as buffalos, wild dogs, eland antelopes, bushbucks, giraffes, impalas, baboons, zebras, greater kudu and you have the chance to see the rare sable antelope.

Meals:  breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Selous Ngalawa Campsite and Lodge (budget), Selous River Camp (mid-range), Serena Mivumo River Lodge (luxury)

Day 3: Nyerere National Park – Walking Safari

At 06:00 a.m. before breakfast, we start for a wilderness walking safari, which is accompanied by an armed ranger and lasts about 3 hours. This gives you an intimate feeling with the savanna and its proximity to African wildlife. After breakfast we head for a full day game drive with a stop in the bush for picnic lunch. Later, after sunset, transfer to your accommodation for dinner and overnight. – Day 4 Nyerere National Park – Mikumi National Park After breakfast you have the option for another short game drive or to relax until your flight to Mikumi National Park around midday. In the afternoon, after having lunch in the lodge, we depart for a game drive until sunset. We drive to one of the two unique viewpoints to watch the sunset. – Day 5 & 6: Full game drive Mikumi National Park Another early start to get the most out of the morning as early morning is a great time to see lots of animals. Mikumi’s vegetation includes woodland, swamp and grassland with two water holes, Mkata and Chamgore where you might see malachite kingfisher, monitor lizard and perhaps even a python inhabiting the pools. In any case, there are many birds and many carnivores and herbivores live in the wide plains. We stop at one of the picnic areas in the park where you can enjoy your picnic lunch together with the beauty of nature. The game drive continues in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

Possible Accommodation: Bastian Campsite (budget), Bastian Lodge (mid-range)

Day 7: Mikumi National Park – Ruaha National Park

Departure from Mikumi Nationa Park to Ruaha Nationa Park by flight at noon. Upon arrival meet and greet with your driver guide and after a short briefing about the safari and the park you start for an afternoon game drive until sunset. Ruaha National Park benefits from the dispersal and migration of wildlife from other ecosystems that come from the northern game reserves of Kizigo and Rungwa, which gives the park a huge boost in wildlife concentration. There is a large number of buffalos, elephants, kudu, zebras, giraffes, lions, impalas and eland antelopes. – Day 8 & 9: Full game drive Ruaha National Park Morning and afternoon game drives in the park. Ruaha National Park has the potential to present a large biodiversity every day in just a third of the size of the park. From our experience within the Msembe and Jongomeru area you might see the silver back jackals, elephants walking into the camp, hippos foraging for food around the camp at night, African hunting dogs trotting past your vehicle and a pride of lions hunting. In the southern section of the park the superb lesser and greater kudus can be seen.

Meals:  breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Possible Accommodation:  Tanapa Bandas or Public Campsite (budget), Ruaha River Lodge Lodge (mid-range) Mwagusi Safari Camp (luxus)

Day 10: Ruaha – Dar es Salaam

Relax at the lodge after breakfast or take a short game drive to catch the flight from Ruaha at noon. Flight back to Dar es Salaam and transfer to your agreed drop off point.

Best Travel Time

• The best time to visit the Southern Circuit National Parks is during the dry season from June to October. It is the best time for wildlife viewing because the vegetation is less dense. the temperature is hot and dry during the day, cooler at night.
• From November to February it becomes more sultry and greener.
• Rainy season is from March to May routes are almost impassable and lodges and camps very often closed.

Inclusions

• All activities as per itinerary
• All Accommodations and meals as per itinerary or as agreed – N.B. accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is dependent on availability at the time of booking; alternatives of a similar class may be booked instead
• All transfers to and from the agreed pick up and drop off points (e.g. Airport, Bus Station or Hotel etc.)
• All camping gear (if you are camping)
• Service of a professional English-speaking driver/guide
• 4 × 4 safari vehicle with pop up roof for game viewing (if applicable)
• Driver’s salary and allowances and park fees for vehicle and driver
• Drinking water during the game drives/walking safaris/boat safaris
• All Government taxes
• All National Park and nature trail fees
• If included in your itinerary: walking safaris, boat safaris
• TANAPA armed ranger (where needed, e.g. on walking safaris, some boat safaris etc.)
• Inland flight fares (if that is part of your itinerary)
• Boat fares (if your itinerary includes a boat journey in Tanzanian waters)

Exclusions

• International/national flights and visa fees
• Extras, personal expenses i.e. soft- and alcoholic drinks, telephone, laundry souvenirs etc.)
• Travel, medical, injury and luggage insurance
• Flying doctor rescue services
• Government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park entrance fees
• Tips to the driver & guide
• Anything else not mentioned in the inclusions
• Optional activities not outlined in the itinerary

Optional Add-ons

• Visit to a local dance show/village (Nyerere N. P.)
• On request other tour languages possible
• Additional accommodation before and after the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
• Extension of the stay or additional program possible / or have a look at our other offers

Important Notes

• Kids under the age of 12 are not allowed on a walking safari.
• We offer discounted prices for children.
• Usually our tours require a minimum of 2 persons to run. Single travelers can join a tour or ask us for a tailor-made safari.

What to Bring

• Lightweight clothing
• Swimwear
• Sun hat and sunglasses
• Reef-safe sunscreen
• Sandals and walking shoes
• Insect repellent
• Personal medication
• Travel documents