A Complete Guide to Tanzania Southern Safari Circuit : With a few carefully chosen national parks and reserves, southern Tanzania is home to some of the cleanest remaining expanses of bush in Africa, making it the epitome of a wilderness experience.
The authentic wilderness experience can be found in Tanzania’s southern parks, free of safari vehicles. Due to their intimacy and ability to accommodate small groups, the majority of the lodgings are on the higher end of the price spectrum. There are many different ways to explore the wildlife in southern Tanzanian camps. Walking safaris, boat safaris, and stargazing are just a few of the activities available.
Most of the southern national parks require a small aircraft flight to access them. Popular fly-in safaris use small aircraft to transport guests between the camps and the parks. Flying makes it easy to go to far-off sites, and regular flights are available. Once at the camps, your guides will show you throughout the parks using boats and 4WD vehicles.
Names like Selous, Katavi, and Ruaha inspire reverence and awe in seasoned safari travelers, and the beaches and shoreline of Southern Tanzania are either undiscovered or quite well-known. To put it simply, the South is known for its isolated locations, cozy bush camps, and amazing outdoor experiences.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE SOUTHERN TANZANIA SAFARI CIRCUIT
The dry season, which runs from June to November, is the ideal time to visit parks in southern Tanzania because the roads are usable and driving is possible. Additionally, there is a concentration of game around the rivers, which facilitates animal observation.
PARKS AND RESERVES IN SOUTHERN TANZANIA
Selous Game Reserve
Being one of the largest reserves in Africa and a World Heritage Site, Selous is a place where you may frequently drive about for a whole day without seeing another car. Elephants, buffalo, zebras, lions, leopards, hyenas, black rhinos, impalas, wildebeests, African wild dogs, hippos, and crocodiles are among the animals you may witness. The Selous Reserve is home to around 440 different species of birds. Excellent boat safaris are available on the lakes and canals of the Selous, and walking safaris are also highly popular here. In the Selous Game Reserve, night drives are permitted.
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park, secluded, and home to the majority of the country’s elephant population. The Great Ruaha River, baobab trees, wide open plains, and rolling hills all contribute to the dramatic landscape. You may enjoy amazing game viewing along the river during the dry season. Prolific game includes animals that are common in the southern states, such as roan and sable antelope, buffalo, zebra, impala, giraffe, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, and Defassa Waterbuck. One of the few locations where you can witness both larger and lesser kudu is Ruaha. More than 520 species of birds have been sighted in Ruaha, making it home to an exceptional birdlife. In Ruaha, migratory birds can be seen from mid-November to March, which is a great time for birdwatchers to visit.
Mikumi National Park
If you are traveling to Selous or Ruaha, Mikumi National Park is a nice place to stop over and is easily accessible from Dar es Salaam. Along with Selous, Mikumi National Park is home to an abundance of wildlife, including lions, giraffes, buffalo, elands, African wild dogs, elephants, zebras, and wildebeests, among many other species. Game drives and guided walks offer opportunities to experience the vast spaces and plethora of wildlife found in the Mkata Floodplain.
ADD-ONS TO THE SOUTHERN SAFARI CIRCUIT
Mikumi is two hours away from Udzungwa Mountains National Park, which is well-known for its endemic species of both plants and animals. Only in Udzungwa are the Sanje Crested Mangabey and Iringa Red Colobus found. Hikers are drawn to a fantastic network of lovely forest routes.
The juxtaposition of beach and jungle in Saadani National Park is fantastic. Saadani, which is on the Indian Ocean, is reachable from Dar es Salaam either by road or charter aircraft. You can view lions, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, warthogs, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, greater kudu, eland, sable antelope, yellow baboons, and vervet monkeys on well-liked boat and walking safaris.
Zanzibar: Unguja, often known as Zanzibar, is the most well-known island in the Zanzibar Archipelago, which is made up of approximately 50 islands. After a safari, it’s fairly common to visit one of the islands. Stone Town is a maze of winding lanes lined with shops, castles, and mosques that is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The islands’ beaches feature fine white sand that is sheltered by palm trees. The reefs are excellent for diving and snorkeling, and the shallow, tropical sea is perfect for both.
