Safari Details
15-Day Western & Southern Tanzania Safari to Zanzibar
5.0 Rated on SafariBookings · 298 Reviews
An adventure-focused private safari through Tanzania's remote west and south — chimpanzee trekking in Gombe, wildlife in Katavi and Ruaha, and a Rufiji River boat safari in Nyerere — finishing with beach time in Zanzibar.
Route At A Glance
A polished route framework, refined around your dates.
Over 15 Days, this route follows Gombe ➝ Katavi ➝ Kitulo ➝ Mpanga-Kipengere ➝ Ruaha ➝ Mikumi ➝ Nyerere ➝ Zanzibar, styled as fly-in beach-to-bush routing with a deeper expedition pace. The final version can still shift lodge level, flight timing, activity rhythm, and beach or city connections.
Trip Overview
Best suited to private tour, adventure travelers.
An adventure-focused private safari through Tanzania's remote west and south — chimpanzee trekking in Gombe, wildlife in Katavi and Ruaha, and a Rufiji River boat safari in Nyerere — finishing with beach time in Zanzibar. Uwanda can adjust accommodation, activity rhythm, and transfer style around your dates and budget.
Human planning note
This route is best treated as a starting design, not a fixed bus tour. Tell Uwanda your arrival point, travel month, and comfort level so the team can tune the route before quoting.
Included And Excluded
Know what's included on this route before you request a quote.
Included On This Safari
- All Meals Throughout The Tour
- Airport Transfers (Dar Es Salaam)
- Ground Transportation In 4x4 Vehicle
- Chimpanzee Trekking, Hiking, And Boat Safari
- Domestic Flights
- Professional Driver/Guide
- Park Fees
Usually Excluded
- International flights, visas, travel insurance, and personal medical expenses.
- Tips, premium drinks, laundry, personal purchases, and optional upgrades.
- Pre/post-tour accommodation unless requested and added to the quote.
Itinerary Flow
Your safari, one remarkable day at a time.
Explore the daily rhythm, places, meals, and overnight stays. Every detail can still be refined around your dates.
Day
01
Gombe National Park
Arrival in Kigoma & Boat Transfer to Gombe National Park
Today's Experience
Upon arrival at Kigoma Airport, you will meet your safari guide and begin a scenic boat transfer across Lake Tanganyika to Gombe National Park, a journey of approximately 2.5 hours.
Overnight Stay
TANAPA Gombe Rest House
Day
02
Gombe National Park
Chimpanzee Trekking Experience in Gombe
Today's Experience
After breakfast, enjoy a guided chimpanzee trekking excursion through the forested mountains of Gombe National Park.
Overnight Stay
TANAPA Gombe Rest House
Day
03
Katavi National Park
Transfer to Katavi National Park & Late Afternoon Game Drive
Today's Experience
Today after breakfast you travel from Gombe to the remote Katavi National Park, one of Tanzania's hidden safari gems.
Overnight Stay
TANAPA Katavi National Park Bandas
Day
04
Katavi National Park
Full-Day Safari in Katavi National Park
Today's Experience
After breakfast, spend the entire day exploring Katavi National Park on exciting game drives.
Overnight Stay
TANAPA Katavi National Park Bandas
Day
05
Mbeya
Transfer to Utengule Coffee Lodge
Today's Experience
After breakfast, depart Katavi and journey to the beautiful Utengule Coffee Lodge, located in Tanzania's Southern Highlands.
Overnight Stay
Utengule Coffee Lodge
Day
06
Kitulo National Park
Transfer to Kitulo National Park
Today's Experience
Today you continue to Kitulo National Park, also known as the "Garden of God," famous for its colorful flowers and breathtaking highland scenery.
Overnight Stay
TANAPA Kitulo Bandas
Day
07
Mpanga-Kipengere Game Reserve
Explore Kipengere Waterfall Game Reserve
Today's Experience
After breakfast, transfer to Kipengere Game Reserve for a nature experience filled with scenic beauty and waterfalls.
Overnight Stay
TANAPA Mpanga-Kipengere Bandas
Day
08
Ruaha National Park
Transfer to Ruaha Hilltop Lodge
Today's Experience
Leave the Southern Highlands behind and travel toward Ruaha National Park, arriving at Ruaha Hilltop Lodge.
Day
09
Ruaha National Park
Full-Day Game Drive in Ruaha National Park
Today's Experience
Enjoy a full day of wildlife viewing in Ruaha National Park, known for its huge elephant population and diverse predators.
Day
10
Ruaha National Park
Another Safari Adventure in Ruaha
Today's Experience
After breakfast, continue exploring different areas of Ruaha National Park on another exciting full-day game drive.
Day
11
Isimila Stone Age Site
Transfer to Mikumi National Park via Stone Age Site
Today's Experience
After breakfast, transfer to Mikumi National Park with a stop to explore historical Stone Age sites along the way.
Overnight Stay
Camp Bastian Mikumi
Day
12
Mikumi National Park
Full-Day Game Drive in Mikumi National Park
Today's Experience
After breakfast, spend the day exploring Mikumi National Park, famous for its open savannah landscapes often compared to the Serengeti.
Overnight Stay
Camp Bastian Mikumi
Day
13
Nyerere National Park
Transfer to Nyerere National Park & Boat Safari
Today's Experience
After breakfast at the lodge in Mikumi National Park, depart for Nyerere National Park, Africa's largest protected wildlife area.
Day
14
Nyerere National Park
Full-Day Game Drive in Nyerere National Park
Today's Experience
Start your day with an early breakfast before departing for a full-day game drive in Nyerere National Park.
Day
15
Zanzibar
Flight to Zanzibar
Today's Experience
Wake up early in the morning and enjoy breakfast at the lodge before transferring to the airstrip for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar.
Activities
Real experiences included on this route.
Boat Safari
Explore the Wild From the Water. When most people think of a safari, they imagine bumpy rides through dusty roads, looking out for lions, elephants, and giraffes. But there’s another side of Tanzania’s wilderness...
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Game Drive
An Unforgettable Adventure. When you think about visiting Tanzania, one thing you should not miss is going on a game drive. It’s one of the best ways to experience the beauty of African wildlife up close and trust m...
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Hiking
An Adventure Through Africa's Most Scenic Landscapes. Tanzania, a land of dramatic landscapes, rugged terrains, and rich biodiversity, offers some of the best hiking opportunities in Africa. Whether you're a seasoned...
Explore activityPrices
Starting price guide before your custom quote.
Travelers
Adult pp
Child pp
1
$5,225
$3,553
2
$5,225
$3,553
3
$5,225
$3,553
4
$5,225
$3,553
5
$5,225
$3,553
6+
$5,225
$3,553
Children are priced using this safari age policy: 5-11 years. Younger infants can be confirmed by Uwanda during final quoting.
- Rates shown on this website are starting points and may change by season, lodge availability, routing, and flight cost.
- Final quotes should confirm accommodation names, room type, inclusions, park fees, transfers, and payment timing.
- Luxury, honeymoon, family, and private fly-in versions can be priced separately on request.
Booking Confidence
What to confirm before you secure the safari.
Before You Book
Uwanda can confirm the best travel sequence, realistic transfer time, and whether road or flight routing suits your dates better.
Upgrade Possibilities
Ask about luxury lodges, private fly-in links, honeymoon touches, photography pacing, or extra nights in Zanzibar or Arusha.
Quote Clarity
Share your budget direction early so the team can recommend the right accommodation level instead of overselling the route.
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