Southern Circuit
Overview
For those who crave the raw, unfiltered beauty of Africa, Tanzania’s Southern Circuit is a gateway to some of the most untouched and least-explored safari destinations.
Unlike the busier northern parks, the south offers vast landscapes, diverse wildlife, and an exclusive safari experience with fewer tourists. From river safaris and predator-rich savannahs to misty mountains and chimpanzee encounters, this region is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
Nyerere National Park (Formerly Selous Game Reserve)
Spanning over 30,000 sq. km, Nyerere National Park is one of the largest protected areas in Africa. The park’s lifeline, the Rufiji River, creates a unique ecosystem of wetlands, open plains, and woodlands, supporting an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. Boat safaris here are unlike any other—hippos grunt in the water, crocodiles bask on the riverbanks, and elephants wade through the shallows. On land, expect to see large prides of lions, African wild dogs, leopards, giraffes, and buffaloes in their natural habitat.
What sets Nyerere apart is its variety of safari activities. Beyond game drives, visitors can explore on foot with experienced guides or take a boat safari to witness wildlife up close from the water—an experience unique to this park.
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park, covering over 20,000 sq. km, yet it remains one of the least visited. This is where the wild reigns supreme—rugged landscapes, towering baobab trees, and the meandering Great Ruaha River, which attracts huge herds of elephants and provides a hunting ground for lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Ruaha is home to some of the largest lion populations in Africa, often seen taking down buffalos in coordinated attacks.
Beyond predators, Ruaha shelters rare and endangered species, including the elusive African wild dog, greater kudu, sable antelope, and roan antelope. The lack of crowds allows for an intimate safari experience, where it feels like you have the entire wilderness to yourself.
Mikumi National Park
For those short on time but eager for an authentic safari, Mikumi National Park is the perfect introduction to Tanzania’s Southern Circuit. Located along the Dar es Salaam–Iringa highway, Mikumi’s Mkata Floodplain resembles the Serengeti, with wide-open grasslands dotted with acacia trees. Here, you’ll find elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, and wildebeests roaming freely.
Mikumi is one of the best places to witness lion-buffalo interactions, as well as the rare spectacle of tree-climbing lions in the southern woodlands. Its accessibility makes it a great stop for those traveling deeper into the Southern Circuit.
