7-Day Southern Tanzania Safari

Day 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam

Your safari adventure begins with your arrival in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s bustling coastal city. Upon landing, you’ll be met by a guide or driver who will transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay. Depending on your arrival time, you can explore the city a little, enjoy fresh seafood by the ocean, or simply relax and unwind after your journey in preparation for the wild days ahead.

Day 2: Journey to Nyerere National Park (Selous) & Boat Safari

After breakfast, you’ll head to Nyerere National Park — either by road or a short bush flight, depending on your package. Once you arrive and settle into your lodge or camp, the adventure kicks off with a scenic boat safari on the Rufiji River. This relaxing introduction to the park brings you close to hippos, crocodiles, and elephants cooling off by the water’s edge, while colorful birdlife flutters around the shoreline. Dinner is served back at the lodge, with the sounds of the African bush all around.

Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in Nyerere

Today is all about immersing yourself in the raw beauty of Nyerere. You’ll head out early for a full-day game drive across this vast, untouched wilderness. With fewer tourists and abundant wildlife, Nyerere is ideal for spotting lions, giraffes, wild dogs, buffalo, and more in their natural habitat. You’ll break for a bush picnic lunch in the park, then continue your exploration before returning to your lodge or tented camp for a well-earned dinner and storytelling around the campfire.

Day 4: Travel to Ruaha National Park

In the morning, you’ll transfer to Ruaha National Park — either by flight or scenic overland journey. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by the striking landscape: rolling hills, ancient baobab trees, and open plains teeming with wildlife. After settling in at your lodge, there’s time for a sunset game drive or simply relaxing and soaking in the atmosphere. Ruaha feels wild and remote, and tonight you’ll fall asleep to the calls of hyenas and distant lions.

Day 5: Safari in the Heart of Ruaha

Today is a full-day game drive in Ruaha, home to the largest population of elephants in East Africa and an exceptional mix of animals, including lions, leopards, greater kudu, sable antelope, and even rare wild dogs. Your expert guide will help track wildlife through different ecosystems, from riverbeds to rocky hillsides. With far fewer vehicles than northern parks, your experience here feels exclusive and untamed. Return to your lodge at sunset, where you can enjoy drinks with a view before dinner.

Day 6: Explore More of Ruaha

Another day in Ruaha allows for deeper exploration or a chance to experience the park on foot with a walking safari, guided by rangers and trackers. The morning hours are especially good for predator sightings, while the slower pace of a walk lets you appreciate smaller details like animal tracks, birds, and medicinal plants. In the afternoon, you can choose a relaxing drive or unwind at the lodge, watching wildlife pass by your veranda.

Day 7: Return to Dar es Salaam & Departure

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to the wilderness. You’ll take a flight back to Dar es Salaam, arriving with enough time to connect to your international flight or continue your journey to Zanzibar for some beach relaxation. As you leave, you’ll carry with you the unforgettable sights, sounds, and memories of a truly wild and magical safari in Southern Tanzania.