Tanzania's Southern Circuit safaris, tours & holiday packages
The southern parks: for second-time visitors to Tanzania
The southern parks present a wide range of experiences, from savannah to wetlands, walking safaris to river experiences
The south of Tanzania is mostly a destination for the second-time visitor. The south can also be combined with the Serengeti in the north or linked with the west if time and budget allow. The southern circuit includes parks and reserves that can be visited using Dar es Salaam as a starting point. There's Saadani National Park north of Dar, then two hours to the west the little park of Mikumi on both sides of the highway that meanders down to Iringa and Mbeya and eventually to Zambia or northern Malawi. The Selous Game Reserve to the south of Mikumi is great for river experiences on the Rufiji River and also for walking safaris. Udzungwa Mountains National Park is all about forests, waterfalls and weird endemics, while Ruaha National Park just west of Iringa is the gem of the southern circuit.
Popular Tanzania Southern Circuit safaris
These popular itineraries can be customised to match your budget and travel dates
Tanzania June/July Great Migration safari with HerdTracker
Explore the wonder of the great wildebeest migration from the best Tanzania has to offer
$ 5,720
£ 4,325
R 81,526
€ 4,935
per person
9 days10-day HerdTracker August great migration safari
Experience the drama of the nature's greatest spectacle in the Tanzania
$ 7,165
£ 5,417
R 102,121
€ 6,182
per person
10 daysFebruary Calving Season Safari in Tanzania
Visit Tanzania during the calving season to see wildebeest calves join the massive herds making their way through the Serengeti for the great migration.
$ 7,595
£ 5,742
R 108,249
€ 6,553
per person
9 daysHerdTracker February Calving Season in Tanzania
Travelling to Tanzania during the calving season is a sight to behold and something unique to the region
$ 9,960
£ 7,530
R 141,957
€ 8,594
per person
9 daysHerdTracker June/July Great Migration Safari in Tanzania
HerdTracker invites you to join them on a migration safari in Tanzania's Arusha, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park.
$ 7,240
£ 5,474
R 103,190
€ 6,247
per person
9 days9-day HerdTracker June/July great migration safari
If the great migration is on your travel bucket list, then this memorable safari in Tanzania is ideal for you.
$ 10,340
£ 7,817
R 147,373
€ 8,921
per person
9 days10-day HerdTracker July great migration safari
Experience the drama of the nature's greatest spectacle in the Serengeti National Park
$ 7,165
£ 5,417
R 102,121
€ 6,182
per person
10 daysMigration Safari in Kenya and Tanzania
See the beauty of nature's greatest wildlife spectacle on one of the grandest stages of them all
Price on Request
per person
8 daysHoneymoon safari in the Serengeti National Park
Enjoy a romantic honeymoon at the Ngorongoro Crater where you can spot the Big Five and experience the wildlife-rich Serengeti National Park
$ 3,250
£ 2,457
R 46,321
€ 2,804
per person
6 daysTanzania honeymoon safari
Enjoy the wildlife of Tanzania as well as the paradise of Zanzibar
Price on Request
per person
13 days
“Ruaha and the Selous would be such good first-time safari destinations but with the Serengeti easier to get to, it's hard to ignore the north if you haven't seen it. If you love walking and an authentic safari experience then go to the south of Tanzania and combine Ruaha with the Selous and Katavi.”
More on Tanzania Southern Circuit holidays
Ruaha is a remarkable dry season park and because of its remote location, it has very little tourist traffic. You can join one of our walking safaris to enjoy areas where hardly anyone ever goes. Ruaha is also part of the so-called Tabora species divide – the latitude line where Southern African species meet East African species. It's the only place, for instance, where you find lesser and greater kudu, roan and sable antelope all in one park, and it's the southernmost habitat for Grant's gazelle, although it's probably a sub-species. We recommend as much time as possible in Ruaha, especially now that the southern swamps and wetlands have been included, doubling the size of the park and making it the biggest in Tanzania. Ruaha would definitely be our first recommendation, followed by the Selous and then Saadani. Mikumi is hardly worth a visit unless you're stuck in Dar es Salaam and you only have a night or two, but even then it would be more rewarding to fly to Ruaha or the Selous.
Tanzania Southern Circuit Map
Tanzania Southern Circuit's location on Google Maps
Frequently Asked Questions about Tanzania Southern Circuit
Safari/bucket showers are common in mobile or tented camps where there is no permanent plumbing. They are an effective yet environmentally friendly way to shower where water is at a premium and provide plenty of hot water to wash… go there.
Safari lodges have guest rooms similar to a hotel with en-suite bathrooms. They are comfortably furnished with all facilities normally associated with a 3-star hotel. Tented lodges have rooms which are tents on a platform and with a roof and… go there.
Language The official language in Tanzania is Swahili but there are hundreds of other local dialects. English is the second official language and the country's commercial language. It is also the main teaching language used for all higher… go there.
A Grumeti safari is rewarding throughout the year. However, the best time to visit Grumeti Game Reserve is during the migration months of June and July - when massive herds of wildebeest arrive to cross the crocodile-infested Grumeti River… go there.
Family safaris in Africa are a worthwhile and meaningful experience. Aside from spending quality time with your nearest and dearest under a wide blue African sky, a safari in Africa offers invaluable experiences including unique cultural… go there.
The best time to visit Arusha National Park is from June to October, during the dry season. It is easier to spot the wildlife - since they normally gather around the waterholes, rainfall is minimal, vegetation is not too thick and mosquitos… go there.
The best time to visit Zanzibar Island is from June to October - during the dry months of spring. However, another popular time to visit the tropical Island is from December to February - when it’s hot and dry. go there.
Rubondo Island National Park is best visited in the dry months of July to February. The jungle is less humid - however, there are also less mosquito’s and the temperatures are not as extreme. go there.
June to August during the dry season, is the best time to visit Saanane Island National Park. This season is great for game drives, picnic as well as rock hiking. go there.
Reviews on our Tanzania Southern Circuit safaris
Discover Africa and Carel has put in such an effort for us to experience the annual wildebeest migration, meticulous planning and accurate predictions with logical and the best accommodation options both sides of the Mara River guaranteed us…
Jates and Hil Oettle
from South Africa
After initially contacting Discover Africa, Karl Svendsen contacted me and we started the process of getting a quote and defining an itinerary for a safari to Tanzania. Karl was extremely professional and timely in his responses and in short…
Fantastic safari and excellent logistics!
from United States
I just wanted to thank Discover Africa and Karl Svendsen - the safari was great - we saw many more animals than expected including cheetah, leopard, many lions and even a three-day old elephant calf. Additionally, we had our own hippo…
Margaret Dean
We had the most wonderful time in Tanzania. We left yesterday and miss it already. We saw the big 5 and felt super lucky to see the lions and leopard with their kill. Our guide was also wonderful. Thank YOU for planning our trip of a…
Debbie Wei
I am copying Megan in case she is back from maternity leave (congrats Megan!). We are having an absolutely WONDERFUL trip. It has far exceeded our expectations! Everything has been perfect, the accommodations, transport, tours, etc. We…
Monica
from South Africa
We could not have been more pleased with "Discover Africa." Our agent, Megan W, was knowledgeable, accommodating and highly responsive. She asked pertinent questions, listened carefully to our needs, then organized a personalized tour- the…
Margery
from United States of America
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