Safari Details
8-Day Game Drives Focus Safari In Southern Tanzania (Ruaha, Mikumi & Nyerere National Park)
Experience an unforgettable safari through three of southern Tanzania’s most spectacular wildlife destinations. The journey begins with a flight from Dar es Salaam to Iringa, followed by an overland transfer to Ruaha National Park, where you will enjoy two full days of game drives. Continue to Mikumi National Park for a sunset game drive and an early morning sunrise safari before travelling to Nyerere National Park. Spend three nights exploring Nyerere with full-day game drives, offering excellent opportunities to see elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, wild dogs, zebras, and abundant birdlife. The safari concludes with an early morning flight from Nyerere National Park to Zanzibar, combining three exceptional southern Tanzania safari destinations with convenient air travel.
Route At A Glance
A polished route framework, refined around your dates.
Over 8 Days, this route follows Dar es Salaam ➝ 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 wildlife enthusiasts, first-time safari travelers.
Experience an unforgettable safari through three of southern Tanzania’s most spectacular wildlife destinations. The journey begins with a flight from Dar es Salaam to Iringa, followed by an overland transfer to Ruaha National Park, where you will enjoy two full days of game drives. Continue to Mikumi National Park for a sunset game drive and an early morning sunrise safari before travelling to Nyerere National Park. Spend three nights exploring Nyerere with full-day game drives, offering excellent opportunities to see elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, wild dogs, zebras, and abundant birdlife. The safari concludes with an early morning flight from Nyerere National Park to Zanzibar, combining three exceptional southern Tanzania safari destinations with convenient air travel. Uwanda can adjust accommodation, activity rhythm, and transfer style around your dates and budget.
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
- Park fees (For non-residents)
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- All flights during the tour
- All Taxes/VAT
- Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- Round Trip Hotel Transfer
- Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Usually Excluded
- International flights (From/to home)
- Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Optional Add-Ons
Extra activities you can add to this safari.
These are optional and not included in the base price shown above — you'll be able to choose the ones you want when you confirm your booking, or add them later with the team.
Night Game Drive
Night game drive at Nyerere NP done from 06PM to 11PM
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.
Ruaha National Park
Fly Dar es Salaam to Iringa – Transfer to Ruaha National Park
Today's Experience
Begin your safari with a flight from Dar es Salaam to Iringa. Upon arrival at Iringa Airport, meet your safari driver-guide and begin the road transfer towards Ruaha National Park. The journey takes you through the beautiful landscapes of southern Tanzania, with opportunities to enjoy views of the countryside and local villages along the way. Continue to Ruaha Hilltop Lodge, located near Ruaha National Park. Upon arrival, check in and settle into your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, you can relax at the lodge and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Dinner will be served at the lodge before an overnight stay.
Ruaha National Park
Full-Day Game Drive in Ruaha National Park
Today's Experience
After an early breakfast, depart with your guide for a full-day game drive in Ruaha National Park. Ruaha is famous for its large elephant population, dramatic baobab landscapes, and excellent opportunities to see predators and other wildlife. Spend the morning exploring different areas of the park, following wildlife trails and river valleys where animals frequently gather. You may encounter elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, impalas, greater kudu, hippos, and a variety of bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a designated location within the park before continuing your afternoon game drive. As the day progresses, explore more of Ruaha's wilderness and enjoy the changing scenery and wildlife activity. In the late afternoon, begin your return journey towards the lodge, arriving in time to relax and enjoy dinner.
Ruaha National Park
Second Game Drive At Ruaha National Park
Today's Experience
After breakfast, set out again for a full-day exploration of Ruaha National Park. Having another full day in the park allows you to explore different areas and increases your chances of encountering a wider variety of wildlife. Your guide will select the best areas according to recent wildlife sightings and the conditions of the day. Continue searching for Ruaha's famous elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and abundant birdlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing with the afternoon game drive. The late afternoon can be particularly rewarding as temperatures become cooler and wildlife becomes more active. After a full day in the park, return to Ruaha Hilltop Lodge for dinner and a relaxing overnight stay.
Mikumi National Park
Ruaha National Park to Mikumi National Park – Sunset Game Drive
Today's Experience
After breakfast, check out and depart Ruaha National Park for Mikumi National Park. The journey takes you through the scenic landscapes of southern Tanzania, providing an opportunity to experience the changing scenery between the two wildlife destinations. Upon arrival in the Mikumi area, check in at Camp Lilac and have some time to refresh. Later in the afternoon, head into Mikumi National Park for a sunset game drive. Explore the park during the cooler afternoon hours as wildlife becomes increasingly active. Look out for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, impalas, hippos, and predators. As the sun begins to set, enjoy the beautiful African landscape before exiting the park. Return to Camp Lilac for dinner and overnight.
Nyerere National Park
Mikumi Sunrise Game Drive – Transfer to Nyerere National Park
Today's Experience
Wake up early and depart for a sunrise game drive in Mikumi National Park. The early morning is one of the best times for wildlife viewing, as animals are active before the temperatures rise. Explore the park's open plains and woodland areas while searching for wildlife. You may see elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, lions, and many species of birds. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and beautiful morning light across the park. After the morning game drive, leave Mikumi National Park and continue towards Nyerere National Park. The journey takes you through rural Tanzania and scenic countryside. Upon arrival, check in at Selous Safari Lodge and relax after the day's activities. Enjoy dinner and prepare for the following days of wildlife exploration.
Nyerere National Park
Full-Day Game Drive in Nyerere National Park
Today's Experience
After an early breakfast, depart for a full-day game drive in Nyerere National Park. Formerly known as the Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere is one of Tanzania's largest protected wildlife areas and offers vast wilderness and diverse habitats. Spend the morning exploring the park with your experienced safari guide. Search for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, hippos, impalas, wild dogs, and other wildlife. The park is also home to an impressive variety of bird species. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing your afternoon game drive. Explore different areas of the park and follow wildlife sightings as your guide looks for the best opportunities for photography and wildlife viewing. In the late afternoon, begin the drive back towards the lodge. Arrive in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Nyerere National Park
Full-Day Game Drive in Nyerere National Park
Today's Experience
After breakfast, return to Nyerere National Park for another full day of wildlife exploration. With an additional full day available, your guide can explore different sections of the park and focus on areas where wildlife activity is most promising. Enjoy extended game viewing across the park's plains, woodland, and riverine environments. Keep an eye out for elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hippos, wild dogs, antelopes, and numerous bird species. Stop for a picnic lunch in the park and continue the game drive throughout the afternoon. Take time to enjoy the landscapes, wildlife encounters, and peaceful atmosphere of southern Tanzania. Later in the afternoon, return to Selous Safari Lodge for your final evening in the Nyerere area.
Zanzibar
Fly Zanzibar Morning
Today's Experience
Wake up early and have breakfast before your transfer Wake up early and have breakfast before your transfer to the Mtemere Airport at Nyerere National Park. Your driver-guide will ensure you reach the airstrip in time for your 07:00 AM flight to Zanzibar. Enjoy the scenic flight from Nyerere National Park to Zanzibar, marking the end of your safari adventure through Ruaha, Mikumi, and Nyerere National Parks. Upon arrival in Zanzibar our driver will be there for the drop off.
Activities
Real experiences included on this route.
Prices
Starting price guide before your custom quote.
Children are priced using this safari age policy: 5-13 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.
Your Ride
Transport on this route.
A private vehicle for your group — no sharing with strangers, and your driver-guide sets the pace around what you want to see.
Private vehicle with professional English-speaking driver-guide, game-drive ready.
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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