Southern Tanzania Flying Safari – 8 Days / 7 Nights

Start/End: Dar es Salaam
Mode of Travel: 4x4 safari vehicle with driver-guide
Pace: Comfortable, with scenic drives and wildlife stops
Best time: June to October (dry season, best for wildlife & road conditions)

SAFARI ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival in Dar es Salaam

· Arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport.

· VIP meet & greet, transfer to your hotel.

· Relax after your international flight.

Overnight: Hotel/lodge in Dar (e.g., Serena Hotel, Slipway)

Day 2–3: Nyerere National Park (Selous)

· Morning flight (approx. 45 mins) from Dar to Nyerere Airstrip.

· Met by lodge vehicle, short transfer to camp.

· Activities:

o Afternoon boat safari on the Rufiji River

o Full-day game drives in classic 4x4s

o Optional walking safari with armed ranger

· Wildlife: Elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, wild dogs, birds

Overnight: Luxury tented camp (e.g., Siwandu, Rufiji River Camp, Selous Serena)

Day 4–6: Ruaha National Park

· Scenic bush flight to Ruaha (1.5–2 hrs, via connecting stop)

· Met by guide and transferred to camp with game viewing en route.

· Explore the park over two full days:

o Game drives along the Ruaha River

o Excellent predator sightings (lions, leopards, cheetahs)

o Large elephant and buffalo herds

o Optional walking safari

· Ruaha is less crowded, ideal for those seeking solitude and wild landscapes.

Overnight: Classic or luxury lodge (e.g., Mwagusi Camp, Jabali Ridge, Kwihala)

Day 7: Mikumi National Park

· Morning bush flight to Mikumi (~1 hr)

· Afternoon game drive in the Mkata floodplain, known for lions, elephants, giraffes, and more.

· Optional walking safari if time allows.

Overnight: Safari lodge (e.g., Vuma Hills Camp, Stanley’s Kopje)

Day 8: Return to Dar es Salaam

· Short morning flight back to Dar (~1 hr)

· Depending on flight time:

o Optional day-use hotel

o Transfer to international airport for departure

DID YOU KNOW?

Formerly part of the colossal Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere National Park now stands as Tanzania’s and one of Africa’s largest national parks. It’s home to Africa’s highest population of wild dogs, along with abundant elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and thriving birdlife.
Ruaha encompasses rugged beauty and dramatic landscapes, featuring groves of baobabs and seasonal flows of the Great Ruaha River. It supports the largest elephant population in Tanzania and an astounding bird diversity over 520 species recorded!
Among Africa’s richest ecosystems, Udzungwa is home to over 2,500 plant species (with 25% endemic), more than 400 bird species, and six primates including the Iringa red colobus, Udzungwa red colobus, and the Sanje crested mangabey species found nowhere else on Earth.
Revered by botanists as the “Serengeti of Flowers,” Kitulo is Tanzania’s first national park created solely to protect floral richness. Situated at 2,600 m in the southern highlands, it boasts over 350 species of wildflowers, including terrestrial orchids, and is a hotspot for rare butterflies and birds.
- Mafia Island offers one of the best marine experiences in Southern Tanzania—with vibrant coral reefs (50 coral species and 400+ fish species), plus whale sharks and sea turtles. Solimar International
- Kilwa Kisiwani, a site steeped in medieval history, was once a wealthy Swahili port and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ruins such as Husuni Kubwa Palace and Great Mosque await