Tanzania Southern Explorer

Upon your arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport, a friendly safari guide from Nomad Touring Company Ltd. will be there to greet you. You’ll be transferred to the elegant Southern Sun Hotel for your overnight stay, nestled in a diplomatic neighborhood near the city center. With easy access to local landmarks and a comfortable ambiance, it’s the perfect starting point for your adventure. A welcome dinner and detailed safari orientation with your tour director will take place this evening at the hotel. Optional excursions or city exploration can be arranged at your request. Overnight at Southern Sun Hotel, Dar es Salaam (Dinner included).

On Day 2, after an early breakfast, depart Dar es Salaam with picnic lunches in hand for a scenic overland drive to Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve). The journey, approximately six hours, introduces you to the Tanzanian countryside. Upon arrival, enjoy an enchanting boat safari along the Rufiji River, a haven for hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife. Settle in for a relaxing night at Rufiji River Camp.

Days 3 and 4 are dedicated to full-day game drives, taking you deep into one of Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuaries. These drives offer chances to encounter herds of elephants, giraffes, lions, zebras, wildebeests, and potentially rare sightings of African wild dogs or leopards. Break for bush lunches before continuing your exploration. Return to camp each evening to unwind by the riverbank. All meals and accommodations at Rufiji River Camp (Full Board).

After breakfast on Day 5, embark on a drive through the heart of Tanzania’s southern wilderness. Your route from Selous to Mikumi takes you via the forested Uluguru Mountains and bustling Morogoro town, offering scenic variety throughout the day. Arrive in Mikumi National Park in the late afternoon, with game viewing en route to your tented camp. Check in at Vuma Hills Camp, your base for the next two nights.

Day 6 begins with a hearty breakfast followed by a full-day safari within Mikumi National Park. This ecosystem boasts wide-open savannahs teeming with elephants, buffalos, giraffes, and diverse antelope species. Predators like lions and leopards are often seen here as well. Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the park before continuing your game drive. End your day with a refreshing swim, a sundowner, and dinner under the stars. Overnight at Vuma Hills Camp (Full Board).

Day 7 offers a relaxed morning game drive in Mikumi before returning to camp for brunch. Then, journey to the mist-shrouded Udzungwa Mountains, a biodiversity hotspot. Arrive mid-afternoon and check in at the tranquil Hondo Hondo Forest Camp, nestled at the edge of the national park. Spend the evening at leisure with optional birdwatching or simply relaxing under the canopy.

On Day 8, prepare for an immersive hiking adventure into Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Guided by local experts, explore dense forests home to endemic primates such as the Udzungwa red colobus and the Sanje mangabey, as well as stunning waterfalls and rare flora. A bush lunch is served amidst the wilderness. As the sun sets behind the verdant hills, return to your camp for a hearty dinner and well-earned rest. Overnight at Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp (Full Board).

After breakfast on Day 9, depart Udzungwa and travel toward Ruaha National Park, with a brief stop in the colonial town of Iringa. Pause here to enjoy lunch and explore a vibrant local market — a great chance to engage with Tanzanian culture. Continue to Ruaha, where you’ll spend the next three nights at Ruaha River Lodge, perched on the banks of the life-giving Great Ruaha River.

Your next two days are filled with thrilling game drives through Ruaha’s vast wilderness. The park’s remote location ensures an uncrowded safari experience. Wildlife sightings include large prides of lions, graceful kudus, elephants, bat-eared foxes, and more than 570 species of birds. Ruaha’s varied terrain—riverbeds, miombo woodlands, and rocky escarpments—offers an ever-changing backdrop. One evening, take a cultural detour to a nearby Maasai village where you’ll share stories, traditions, and perhaps even dance with your hosts. All meals and overnight stays at Ruaha River Lodge (Full Board).

After a final early morning game drive and breakfast, check out and transfer to the Ruaha Airstrip for your scheduled flight back to Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to a comfortable hotel near the airport where day rooms are available. Spend your final hours relaxing, repacking, or enjoying a quiet meal. Later, you will be transferred to the international terminal for your onward flight. This concludes your unforgettable Southern Tanzania Safari experience with Nomad Touring Company Ltd.