Southern Circuit Tanzania Safaris
MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK
Mikumi is Tanzania’s fourth-largest national park. It’s also the most accessible from Dar es Salaam. With almost guaranteed wildlife sightings, it makes an ideal safari destination for those without much time. Since the completion of the paved road connecting the park gate with Dar es Salaam, Mikumi National Park has been slated to become a hotspot for tourism in Tanzania. Located between the Uluguru Mountains and the Lumango range, Mikumi is the fourth largest national park in Tanzania and it’s a five (5) hours drive from Tanzania’s largest city. The park has a wide variety of wildlife that can be easy spotted and also well acclimatized to game viewing. Its proximity to Dar es Salaam and the amount of wildlife that live within its borders makes Mikumi National Park a popular option for weekend visitors from the city, or for business visitors who don’t have to spend a long time on an extended safari itinerary. Most visitors come to Mikumi National Park aiming to spot the ‘Big Five’ (cheetah, lion, elephant, buffalo), and they are always not disappointed. Hippo pools provide close access to the mud-loving beasts, and bird-watching along the waterways is particularly rewarding. Mikumi National Park borders the Selous Game Reserve and Udzungwa National Park, and the three locations make a varied and pleasant safari circuit
RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
Ruaha National Park is located just south of the central midpoint of Tanzania. The national park encompasses an area of 7,809 square miles (20,226 sq km) making it the largest national park in Tanzania and one of the largest in Africa. Ruaha National Park is part of the larger Rungwa-Kizigo-Muhesi ecosystem that covers an area of 17,000 square miles (45,000 sq km). Along with Ruaha, the area includes two other game reserves and a wildlife management area. There are three primary areas for safari game-viewers to explore. The Ruaha River area is the most stunning with Mdonya woodlands and the Mbage-Mwagusi circuit. Ngalambulwa Mountain is the tallest point in the park reaching a summit of 5,250 feet (1,600 m). Grasslands and rocky terrain surround this massif adding to the varying landscapes. The great Ruaha River travels along the southeastern border of the park. The river name serves as the source for the national park name. This water source also serves as a draw for safari game viewing. A second river, Njombe traverses the park through gorges and rocky broken landscapes. Crocodiles can be commonly seen sunning on the banks of the rivers.
NYERERE NATIONAL PARK
(formally known as selous) is Africa's largest game reserve and one of favorite game viewing areas in Africa. Covering 50,000 square kilometers, is among st the largest protected areas in Africa and is relatively undisturbed by human impact Africa’s largest and oldest game reserve is one of its most scenic wildlife destinations; the Nyerere is utterly beautiful. The beauty of the park is matched by the quality of a safari here; boating, walking and camping compliment standard game driving in thriving wildlife areas. This is an outrageously good safari park and an essential component of any southern circuit itinerary. The Nyerere is a superb safari destination for both family safaris and African honeymoons, all the better for the ease of getting there and the lack of crowds. The park has the widest diversity of safari activities in the country, offering the boating safaris as well as standard game drives, walking safaris and legendary camping trips. The Northern section of Nyerere is home to a network of channels and lagoons that run on the Rufiji River. This lush landscape provides a water supply for the region’s game and towards the end of the dry season the concentration of animals around these water sources is phenomenal. It is here, around the river and lakes, that the majority of the camps are based; successfully relying on the animal’s need for water to provide game viewing areas. Nyerere is in its peak season from July through to the middle of November - this when the dry season is raging and all the game homes in on the few permanent water sources