8-Day Southern Tanzania Safari: Mikumi, Ruaha & Selous Wilderness Adventure
Explore Tours
Discover the wild heart of southern Tanzania on this immersive 8-day safari exploring three of the region’s most iconic parks: Mikumi, Ruaha, and Selous (Nyerere National Park). This private guided adventure offers a perfect blend of thrilling game drives, scenic landscapes, cultural experiences, and off-the-beaten-path exploration
Included/Exclude
- All accommodation as per itinerary (lodge or camp based on package)
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with English-speaking driver-guide
- All park entry and concession fees (Mikumi, Ruaha, Selous)
- All meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Game drives and activities as per itinerary
- Walking safari and Maasai cultural visit in Selous
- Boat safaris on the Rufiji River (as per schedule)
- Government taxes and VAT
- International flights and visas
- Airport transfers (can be arranged at extra cost)
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities not listed (e.g., hot air balloon, extra night stays)
- Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and personal snacks
- Tips and gratuities for guide and lodge staff
- Items of a personal nature (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
Day By Day
Depart early from Dar es Salaam for Mikumi National Park via Chalinze and Morogoro. Enjoy scenic views of the Uluguru Mountains and local wildlife en route. Arrive by midday, check in at Bastian Camp, and enjoy lunch.
In the afternoon, embark on a half-day game drive across the Mkata Floodplain, home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and possibly lions and hyenas.
Overnight: Bastian Camp – Mikumi
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, journey through the Udzungwa escarpments toward Ruaha. The drive showcases baobab-studded hills, Maasai settlements, and vibrant village life. Arrive at Hilltop Lodge near Ruaha in the late afternoon and relax with views of the Rift Valley.
Overnight: Hilltop Lodge – Ruaha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the day exploring Ruaha National Park, known for its rugged landscapes and abundant wildlife. With packed lunch in hand, you’ll track elephants, lions, kudu, roan and sable antelope, and a wide array of birdlife.
Overnight: Hilltop Lodge – Ruaha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Ruaha after breakfast and retrace your route back to Mikumi. Enjoy the changing landscape along the way, including highland valleys and village life. Arrive at Bastian Camp in the afternoon and unwind.
Overnight: Bastian Camp – Mikumi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin your journey south to Selous, passing through miombo woodlands, local villages, and savannah landscapes. Arrive at Mloka Safari Lodge by late afternoon. If time allows, enjoy an optional sunset boat safari on the Rufiji River.
Overnight: Mloka Safari Lodge – Selous
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Set out early for a full-day safari in Selous. Explore its diverse habitats – lakes, rivers, and open plains – in search of elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and wild dogs. Stop for a picnic lunch inside the reserve.
Overnight: Mloka Safari Lodge – Selous
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start the morning with an optional walking safari led by an armed ranger, followed by a visit to a Maasai village to experience their culture and traditions. In the afternoon, enjoy a peaceful boat safari on the Rufiji River, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and colorful birdlife.
Overnight: Mloka Safari Lodge – Selous
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, drive back to Dar es Salaam through the southern corridor. Enjoy one last glimpse of rural Tanzania and perhaps some final wildlife sightings.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
