Southern Destination Circuit
Overview
The Southern Destination Circuit of Tanzania is a haven for travelers seeking vast, unspoiled wilderness and a more secluded safari experience. This region is home to some of the largest and most diverse national parks in Africa, offering a mix of landscapes, from rolling savannahs and dense forests to wetlands and mountains. The Southern Circuit is ideal for those looking to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations with rich wildlife, fewer crowds, and a more intimate connection with nature.
Expect to see
Wilderness of Southern Tanzania
Visitors to the Southern Circuit can expect breathtaking scenery, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife. Unlike the more famous Northern Circuit, the Southern parks provide a quieter, more exclusive safari experience. The region is known for its large elephant herds, big cats, wild dogs, and diverse bird species. Game drives, boat safaris, and walking safaris offer a range of ways to experience these untamed landscapes. Due to its remoteness, many of these parks are best accessed by small aircraft, adding an extra sense of adventure.
Destinations in Southern Tanzania
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park, covering over 20,000 square kilometers. It is famous for its rugged terrain, baobab-studded landscapes, and the Great Ruaha River, which attracts a high concentration of wildlife.
Visitors can expect to see large prides of lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, and one of Africa’s largest populations of wild dogs. The park’s remote nature makes it perfect for an exclusive and uncrowded safari experience.
Mikumi National Park
Often referred to as the gateway to the Southern Circuit, Mikumi is one of the most accessible parks in the region. The Mkata floodplain, reminiscent of the Serengeti, hosts a variety of wildlife, including giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, elephants, and predators like lions and leopards.
Mikumi is an excellent destination for short safaris and is ideal for travelers combining their visit with a trip to Ruaha or Nyerere National Park.
Nyerere National Park
Formerly part of the Selous Game Reserve, Nyerere is one of the largest protected areas in Africa. The Rufiji River, winding through the park, provides a unique setting for boat safaris, where visitors can see hippos, crocodiles, and a rich variety of birdlife.
The park is home to elephants, lions, leopards, and the elusive African wild dogs. Nyerere offers a combination of boat, walking, and traditional vehicle safaris for an immersive wilderness experience.
Kitulo National Park
Often called the “Serengeti of Flowers,” Kitulo is a botanist’s dream. This park is renowned for its vast meadows filled with wildflowers, orchids, and other rare plant species, particularly from November to April.
It is also home to rare bird species and provides a unique experience for those interested in floral diversity and scenic hiking.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Udzungwa is a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts. Unlike typical savannah parks, it features lush rainforests, waterfalls, and a high level of biodiversity, including rare primates such as the endemic Udzungwa red colobus monkey.
Trekking to Sanje Waterfalls, with its breathtaking views, is one of the highlights of a visit to this park.
