Wild Wonders of Southern Tanzania: Off-the-Beaten-Path Safari Adventures - 14 Days

Highlights

• Feel the pulse of Tanzania's city life as you explore Dar es Salaam and Iringa
• Spot Big Five safari animals on game drives throughout southern Tanzania
• Marvel at hippos and crocs as you safari the mighty Ruaha River 
• Soar over the vast African savanna in the basket of a hot-air balloon

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Dar es Salaam, Self-Guided City Tour

Karibu! Welcome to Tanzania! This East African nation is rich in heritage and unparalleled beauty. From the snowcapped table of Mount Kilimanjaro to the serene beaches of Zanzibar, each region offers singular allure. That goes double for Tanzania's UNESCO-listed Serengeti plains, which teem with wildlife and comprise one of the most popular safari destinations in the world. This region is also the site of the legendary Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest and zebras traverse its plains from June to November.

You'll arrive in Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania. At the airport, your driver will be waiting at the terminal—a harbinger of the personal attention you'll receive here—and transfer you to your hotel in the city. After checking in, you can venture out to experience some of this dynamic port city's cultural offerings on a self-guided tour.

For fun in the sun, head to Coco Beach. It's a great place to mingle with locals, sample street food, enjoy live music, and revel in waterfront nightlife. For more local flavor, browse the city's markets, like the Mwenge Market, which sells artisanal wood carvings and sculptures. The National Museum is another local highlight showcasing Tanzania's history and development. When hungry, head to a waterfront restaurant and indulge in Dar es Salaam's famous seafood.

Day 2: Transfer to Morogoro, Udzungwa National Park Half-Day Tour

Your very own Great Migration through southern Tanzania begins early with the 4.5-hour transfer by private vehicle inland to the Morogoro region. This area is home to Mikumi National Park, one of Tanzania's lesser-known gems that protects rare species like sable antelopes and African hunting dogs. You'll be staying just outside the park's gates at Camp Bastian Mikumi, an authentic family-run lodge with comfortable guest cottages. 

You won't wait long to see the area's natural wonders because after checking in, you'll meet a guide for a journey into the adjacent Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The park's 796 square miles (1,990 sq km) of rainforest-covered mountains are part of the Eastern Arc range, a biodiversity hotspot home to over 400 bird species and rare primates. On this half-day driving tour, you'll explore Udzungwa's unspoiled wilderness, stopping at viewpoints to admire its misty peaks and cascading waterfalls.

Day 3: Full-Day Guided Udzungwa Nature & Waterfall Hike

Udzungwa was made for nature hikes, and this morning, you'll set off on a full-day exploration of the park's highlights. After meeting your guide and gathering your gear, you'll trek to Udzungwa's premier landmark, Sanje Falls. This spectacular waterfall cascades 557 feet (170 m) over a series of rocky ledges, creating a mesmerizing spectacle against the backdrop of lush rainforest. Once there, you'll have time to hike around the falls and snap plenty of photos.

The rest of the day will be spent on trails beneath the verdant forest canopy. The habitats and ecosystems here support a rich tapestry of wildlife, and the area is particularly famous for its rare primate species. Spotting one or more of these charismatic monkeys in their natural habitat is a highlight of any African safari adventure. At the end of the afternoon, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 4: Half-Day Udzungwa Rare Primate Safari & Hike, Transfer to Iringa

Depart early with your guide and return to the park to view more exotic primates. You'll hike through the forest from a trailhead to specific areas and habitats where the endemic monkeys reside. Not only will you be able to witness entire families of colobus monkeys and mangabeys, but you'll also spend time observing their behavior. It's a great way to learn about the social structure and hierarchy these primates create in the forest. Don't worry—you'll observe the animals from a safe distance to ensure you don't upset their habitat. You'll return to the lodge at the end of this half-day hike.

Then, you'll meet your driver and leave the misty mountains of Udzungwa on a four-hour trip to Iringa. Nestled amid the rolling hills of Tanzania's southern highlands, this city is another fixture on the safari circuit and will be your base for excursions to more natural wonders. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel and have the evening free. If you like, venture out on a self-guided tour to discover the town's German/British colonial history.

Day 5: Iringa Culture Tour, Visit Isimila Stone Age Site, Explore Iringa

Start the day with a visit to the Iringa Boma Regional Museum and Cultural Centre. Housed in a historic German fort, here, you'll find that echoes of the past meet the pulse of the present. The museum portion preserves the history of the Iringa region through cultural artifacts, archaeological finds, and exhibits detailing colonial history. Additionally, there are educational programs and tours aimed at promoting cultural awareness and community engagement.

After a couple of hours at the museum, you'll continue walking in the footsteps of history at the Isimila Stone Age Site. Located just outside the city, this 1.2-square-mile (3 sq km) archaeological site is estimated to be over 60,000 years old, dating to the Middle Stone Age. During a walk around the ruins of sandstone pillars, you'll see its famous collection of ancient stone tools, artifacts, and fossilized remains, which offer a window into the lives and behavior of early human inhabitants of the region.

Later on, enjoy an afternoon stroll along Iringa's colorful streets. Mingle with friendly locals at the bustling Mlandege Market, where the air is fragrant with spices and the aisles overflow with colorful textiles. Also, the area's side-street eateries are excellent places to try hearty Tanzanian cuisine, such as the staple ugali (a dense maize porridge) or nyama choma (grilled goat meat). Cap the day with a trip to nearby Gangilonga Rock to watch the sunset over the city's patchwork of tin roofs bound by the threads of community and heritage.

Day 6: Transfer to Ruaha National Park, Evening Game Drive

Spend the day in Iringa exploring the city at your leisure. Later in the afternoon, meet your driver for the two-hour ride west to Ruaha National Park. Covering 7,809 square miles (20,225 sq km), this is one of the largest national parks in East Africa. Needless to say, there's a vast and diverse wilderness to explore, one home to large populations of elephants, lions, leopards, African wild dogs, buffalo, and various antelope. Upon arrival, you'll check into the riverfront Ruaha River Lodge, where you can relax after your journey and spot game from the comfort of your veranda.

A while later, you'll embark on a game drive with a twist. This evening safari showcases the behavior of big cats (like leopards) and other animals as they recover from their afternoon malaise. As the sun sets, you'll also witness nocturnal and crepuscular species, like genets, honey badgers, and African wildcats. Even at night, it's an excellent opportunity to do some wildlife photography.

Day 7: Ruaha Morning Game Drive, Transfer to Iringa

You've seen Ruaha at night; now it's time to visit when most animals awaken after their nightly slumber. This half-day game drive begins at dawn as you return to the park and traverse its vast savannas and rugged miombo forests in search of Big Five animals like lions, elephants, and buffalo as they congregate at water sources. You'll also spot zebras, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and other iconic species.

Alongside the more famous residents, Ruaha is home to rare species like the striped hyena and the sable antelope. The park is also a birder's paradise, with over 570 species on record—ranging from raptors and waterfowl to hornbills and secretary birds. After lunch back at the lodge, meet your driver in the early afternoon for the return drive to Iringa, where you'll settle into your hotel and overnight.

Day 8: Transfer to Mikumi National Park, Afternoon Game Drive

After an early wake-up call, you'll meet your driver for the five-hour drive back toward Morogoro and Mikumi National Park. It's a long but scenic drive, as along the way, you'll pass sprawling savanna grasslands where elephants and giraffes roam free. The route also offers glimpses into rural Tanzanian life while showcasing the natural splendor of the southern highlands.

Eventually, you'll arrive in Mikumi. This renowned wildlife destination covers 1,250 square miles (3,230 sq km) of riverine, grassland, and forest habitats. These are home to a diverse array of wildlife species, including zebras and wildebeests, as well as predators like lions and leopards. Over 400 bird species are recorded here, including dazzling and colorful specimens like the African fish eagle and lilac-breasted roller.

A few miles outside the park is the Mikumi Tan Lodge, a Swiss-inspired safari lodge, where you'll spend the next few nights. After dropping off your bags, you'll hop back in a 4WD vehicle for an afternoon game drive in Mikumi. The route will take you deep into the park to the open grasslands of the Mkata Floodplain, which is one of the best spots to view big game, as well as elephants, giraffes, and many more species. After this half-day safari, you'll return to the lodge, where you can cool off with a dip in the pool.

Day 9: Dawn & Afternoon Game Drives in Mikumi National Park

It's a full day as you set off at dawn for the first of two game drives. The early hour allows you to capitalize on the fact the animals are more active during these cooler hours. You'll likely spot African elephants bathing in watering holes and big cats taking their morning drink. If you're lucky, you might spot the elusive leopard, which typically spends the days relaxing in trees. 

Return to the lodge for lunch, then leave on an afternoon game drive. As you explore the savanna and follow the Mkata River and other waterways, you'll see plenty of animals up close, including hippos, Nile crocodiles, antelope, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, buffalo and others. A little while after sunset, you'll return to the lodge. 

Day 10: Transfer to Nyerere National Park, Relax at Your Lodge

Say goodbye to Mikumi as you meet your driver for the ride south to Nyerere National Park. Another of Tanzania's massive protected areas (it covers 11,917 sq miles/ 30,893 sq km), the park is filled with various habitats, ecosystems, and waterways. The most prominent is the mighty Rufiji River, the largest river in the country and the park's lifeblood.

The scenic journey to Nyerere will take around six hours, and you'll undoubtedly be tired when you arrive. Lucky for you, your accommodation is the luxurious Selous River Camp. Featuring jaw-dropping river views, there are many amenities to enjoy here, including an infinity pool. After checking in, feel free to relax on the expansive terrace, drink in hand as you enjoy the river views, and let the calls of fish eagles and the distant roar of lions lull you into a sense of perfect tranquillity.

Day 11: Full-Day Rufiji River Boat Safari, Riverbank Picnic Lunch

The highlights of this park are the animals you'll see in and around its riverine ecosystems. This morning, you'll board a boat for a full-day river safari. As you motor at a leisurely pace down the Rufiji, you'll observe various wildlife in their natural habitats, particularly aquatic animals like hippos and crocodiles.

You'll also find over 400 colorful bird species here, including water birds like kingfishers, herons, African fish eagles, and more. After a morning cruising the river, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch on the riverbanks, followed by more wildlife viewing until the end of the day. Dinner will be served back at the lodge amid river views.

Day 12: Dawn & Afternoon Game Drives in Nyerere National Park

Make the most of your time in Nyerere with a double bill of game drives. The first is a morning safari that starts around 6:15 am, just as the first light of day breaks. At this time, many of the most iconic animals, like elephants and giraffes, are just beginning their day, while certain predators, like lions and predators, are returning after their nightly hunt. The drive will last until around 10 am and will likely take you to watering holes and rivers like the Rufiji.

After returning to the lodge for lunch, you'll set out for a 3.5-hour game drive later in the afternoon. These safaris typically start around 3:30 pm, when the animals make the most of the last few daylight hours. And though big cats like lions are more lethargic now, you can get closer without spooking them. The drive concludes with another spectacular African sunset over the plains and rivers.

Day 13: Balloon Ride Over Nyerere National Park, Transfer to Dar es Salaam

What better end to the safari adventure of a lifetime than a dawn ride over the African savanna in a hot-air balloon? Leave the lodge early and transfer to the takeoff site on the plains, where you'll meet your pilot and hop in the basket. Then, as the sun begins to paint the sky with the first light of dawn, you'll ascend into the sky and enjoy bird's-eye views of the African bush below. As you soar through the air, you'll see herds of elephants, giraffes, and wildebeest grazing on the open plain—a sight unrivaled by any vantage point on the ground. 

After touching down on earth, you'll toast the experience with a champagne breakfast. Then, meet your driver for the five-hour transfer back to Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival, you'll check into your hotel, where the rest of the evening is free for you to relax or explore more of the city.

Day 14: Depart Dar es Salaam

Your grand Tanzania adventure ends right back where it began, in Dar es Salaam. After breakfast, meet your driver for the scenic ride out of the city to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home or onward to the next adventure. Safe travels!

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