Safari Overview
This safari takes you to the biggest parks in Tanzania’s southern circuit. You’ll enjoy a game drive and boat safari in Nyerere National Park and a game drive in Mikumi Park. You’ll overnight in lodges. You’ll end the trip relaxing on Kilwa Beach and pay visits to Kilwa Masoko and Kila Kisiwani before driving back to Dar es Salaam.
Three Destinations - Maximum Diversity - One Itinerary
This 7-day itinerary delivers what no single-destination safari can match - the contrast between Mikumi's savannah, Nyerere's river ecosystem, and Kilwa's Indian Ocean coastline and Swahili heritage. Safari, boat trip, beach, and history combine in one of southern Tanzania's most complete and rewarding itineraries.
Daily Itinerary
You’ll be picked up in Dar es Salaam at 6:00am and drive six hours to Mikumi National Park. We’ll stop in Morogoro for hot lunches and arrive in the park in time for an afternoon game drive. You’ll see herds of impala, elephants, Masai giraffes, lions, wildebeests, buffaloes, and many other animals. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at Camp Lilac Mikumi.
After breakfast at the lodge, we’ll depart with a packed lunch in hand for a full day game drive inside the park. Animals commonly found here include lions, eland, hartebeest, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, and elephants. You’ll eat lunch at the picnic site before driving to the hippo and crocodile pool. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at Camp Lilac Mikumi.
You’ll be picked up at the lodge at 6:30am and drive to Nyerere National Park. We’ll eat lunch at a restaurant along the way and then make our way to the lodge. We’ll arrive in the late afternoon in time for check in and an evening boat drive along the Rufiji River. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at the Selous Safari Lodge
After breakfast at the lodge, we’ll depart on a game drive with packed lunches in hand. You can expect to see lion, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, and hyena (among others). You will also see a large variety of birds and wonderful scenery with varied topography, including wetlands, dry grassland, light acacia forest, and higher ground with vast views of far-off mountains. You’ll eat lunch in the afternoon and rest before finishing your game drive and returning to the lodge.
After breakfast at the lodge, we’ll depart with lunch boxes in hand for Kilwa Beach. We’ll be staying at an excellent lodge located on the Indian Ocean. You can choose to visit the fish market or just spend the afternoon and evening at your leisure. You'll be staying at the lodge on a full board basis. Dinner and overnight at Kilwa Beach Lodge
After breakfast we’ll depart with a picnic lunch in hand to Kilwa Kisiwani. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its influence on the birth of Swahili culture, Kilwa Kisiwani is a fishing village that was once occupied by Arabs. They minted gold and sold spices, jewelry, and slaves—all while holding parties under the light of the moon. Songo Mnara, a neighboring small island close to Kisiwani, was a Swahili stone town that was founded in the early 19th century. Its comparatively short history compared to its more illustrious neighbor has allowed archaeologists to examine early Swahili houses within a specific time period. Dinner and your overnight stay will be at Kilwa Beach Lodge
After breakfast at the lodge, you’ll be transferred to Dar es Salaam with a packed lunch in hand. You’ll be dropped off at the hotel or the airport/ferry.
Wildlife & Highlights - The Best of Southern Tanzania
Southern Tanzania's Most Complete Itinerary
Combining Mikumi, Nyerere, and Kilwa in a single 7-day itinerary delivers what no shorter safari can match. Two days of Mikumi's open floodplain excellence, one Rufiji River boat safari evening, a full day of Nyerere's multi-habitat game driving, and two days of Indian Ocean coastline and Swahili heritage - the full spectrum of what southern Tanzania has to offer across landscapes, ecosystems, and centuries of history.
| Destination / Activity | Speciality | Key Species / Highlights | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mikumi - Day 1 Game Drive | Open savannah introduction | Lion, elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, buffalo, impala | Day 1 afternoon |
| Mikumi - Full Day Drive | Floodplain + hippo/croc pool | Lion, eland, hartebeest, buffalo, hippo, crocodile | Day 2 full day |
| Nyerere - Rufiji Boat Safari | River wildlife from water level | Hippopotamus, Nile crocodile, African fish eagle, waterbirds | Day 3 evening |
| Nyerere - Full Day Game Drive | Multi-habitat game drive | African wild dog, lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe | Day 4 full day |
| Kilwa Beach - Indian Ocean | Beach relaxation & fish market | Indian Ocean marine life - Traditional dhow fishermen | Day 5 |
| Kilwa Kisiwani - UNESCO Heritage | Swahili history & archaeology | Great Mosque - Husuni Kubwa Palace - Songo Mnara ruins | Day 6 |
Combined wildlife of Mikumi & Nyerere National Parks:
From Price
Minimum price only, based on 2 people sharing. Final pricing depends on season, availability and requested customizations.
| Package | From Price |
|---|---|
| Price for 2 People | From $1600.00 per person |
What's Included
Included in Your Price
Not Included
Best Time to Visit
Mikumi and Nyerere offer excellent game viewing year-round, while Kilwa Beach is wonderful in any season thanks to the warm Indian Ocean. The dry season (June - October) is peak for both parks - wildlife concentrates around water and predator activity peaks. The green season brings lush scenery and exceptional birding. Kilwa is best avoided during April - May's heaviest rains when coastal roads can become difficult, but is beautiful throughout the rest of the year.