Best Southern Circuit Safari Parks in Tanzania

Best Southern Circuit Safari Parks in Tanzania

The Southern Safari Circuit in Tanzania offers a more remote, wild, and exclusive experience compared to the popular Northern Circuit. While it receives fewer tourists, it boasts incredible biodiversity, large game concentrations, and unique safari activities like boat and walking safaris. This makes it a favorite for seasoned safari-goers or those seeking a more intimate experience.

1. Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve)

Key Highlights:

  • Largest national park in Africa (30,000+ km²)
  • Rufiji River supports rich ecosystems
  • Boat safaris, walking safaris, game drives
  • Stronghold for African wild dogs
  • Home to elephants, hippos, crocodiles, lions, and leopards

Best Time to Visit:

  • June to October (dry season – best for game viewing)

2. Ruaha National Park

Key Highlights:

  • Tanzania’s second-largest park (20,000 km²)
  • Extremely wild and remote with few visitors
  • Dramatic landscapes: baobab-studded plains, rivers, rocky hills
  • High concentration of elephants and predators (lion, leopard, cheetah)
  • Birdwatcher’s paradise: 570+ bird species

Best Time to Visit:

  • June to October (dry season – animals gather at riverbanks)

3. Mikumi National Park

Key Highlights:

  • Often called the “mini-Serengeti” for its open plains
  • Easiest Southern Circuit park to reach (4–5 hours drive from Dar es Salaam)
  • Lions, zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, elephants, and more
  • Great for shorter safaris or weekend trips

Best Time to Visit:

  • June to October (dry season – best wildlife visibility)

4. Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Key Highlights:

  • Not a typical game-viewing park—more about forest hiking and biodiversity
  • Known as the “African Galápagos” for its endemic species
  • Home to rare monkeys (like the Udzungwa red colobus), birds, butterflies
  • Hike to waterfalls like Sanje Falls (170m high)

Best Time to Visit:

  • Year-round, but dry season (June to October) is best for trekking

5. Kitulo Plateau National Park (Seasonal floral paradise)

Key Highlights:

  • Known as the “Serengeti of Flowers”
  • Ideal for botanists and hikers
  • 350+ plant species, including rare orchids
  • Great birding with species like Denham’s bustard and blue swallow

Best Time to Visit:

  • November to April (wet season) – when wildflowers bloom

Bonus Add-on: Mahale Mountains & Gombe Stream National Parks

  • Though technically in western Tanzania, these parks are sometimes included in broader southern safari routes.
  • Known for chimpanzee trekking and incredible lake and mountain scenery along Lake Tanganyika.

Advantages of the Southern Circuit:

  • Fewer crowds: Private, serene wildlife experiences
  • Diverse safari options: Walking, boating, and off-road adventures
  • Wilderness feel: Vast landscapes and untouched nature
  • High predator density: Especially in Ruaha and Nyerere

Sample Route Suggestion:

  • Day 1–2: Arrive in Dar es Salaam → Mikumi
  • Day 3–6: Ruaha National Park
  • Day 7–10: Nyerere National Park
  • Optional: Add 2–3 days for chimpanzee trekking in Mahale