7 Days Southern Tanzania Safari: Selous, Udzungwa & Ruaha

Embark on an exhilarating 7-day journey through the untouched wilderness of Southern Tanzania, exploring three of the region’s most captivating destinations: Selous Game Reserve, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, and Ruaha National Park.

Begin your adventure in the vast and wild Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park), where you’ll enjoy thrilling boat safaris and game drives among elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and lions. Continue to the lush and mountainous forests of Udzungwa, ideal for nature lovers and hikers, where you’ll trek to the scenic Sanje Waterfalls and encounter rare primates and endemic bird species.

The journey culminates in the iconic Ruaha National Park, one of Africa’s best-kept secrets. Here, amidst baobab-dotted landscapes, you’ll witness some of the highest concentrations of elephants and predators in East Africa, far from the tourist crowds.

This Southern Circuit safari offers an authentic and intimate experience with diverse ecosystems, rich wildlife, and a true sense of adventure. Perfect for seasoned safari-goers or travelers seeking a quieter, more exclusive safari experience.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Overview

This a 7 Days 6 Nights Southern circuit safari to Selous Game Reserve, Udzungwa Mountains National Park and Ruaha National Park

Day 1 :

Drive from Dar Es Salaam - Selous Game Reserve

Pick up 07:30 am at Hotel Slipway, and drive to the Selous (5-6 hrs). You will take part in an afternoon boat safari along the mighty Rufiji River. Where you can see plenty of hippos, crocodiles and bird life. Overnight at the Selous River Camp. All meals included.

Day 2 :

Selous Game Reserve

You will participate in a full game day drives private in Selous Game Reserve and boating safaris, Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuary, with an area of 54.600kms – bigger than Denmark and 4 times the size of Serengeti!. Selous has the world’s largest number of large game animals – elephant, buffalo, and rhinos. It also contains wildebeest, eland, giraffe, waterbuck, zebra, impala, hippo, leopard and lion, not to mention over 350 species of birds. Dinner and overnight at the Selous River Camp. All meals included.

Day 3 :

Drive to Udzungwa Mountains National Park

In the morning you will have game drive across Selous Game Reserve and later drive to Udzungwa Mountain National Park, arriving in the late evening.Overnight in the Udzungwa Forest Camp – All meals included.

Day 4 :

Hiking in Udzungwa - Sanje Waterfalls

After breakfast, drive to the park gate and start hiking into the superb primary forest to the base and then the top of the spectacular 180m Sanje Waterfall looking for primates on the way (Iringa Red Colobus and Sanje Mangabey). Swim in plunge pools, see endemic African Violets growing in the spray zones and have lunch in the forest on the top of the falls. Descend after enjoying superb views. Overnight in the Udzungwa Forest Camp – All meals included.

Day 5 :

Drive to Ruaha National Park (5-6 hours)

After breakfast, depart for Ruaha National Park, having lunch en-route. By afternoon you will have reached the Ruaha Hilltop Lodge and proceed to afternoon game drive in Ruaha National Park. Dinner and overnight at Ruaha Hilltop Lodge. All meals included.

Day 6 :

Full day game drive in Ruaha National Park

After breakfast, full days of game driving at Ruaha National Park, with picnic lunches. Ruaha has an area of 10,300 sq km, and is the second largest park, and second largest elephant sanctuary in Tanzania. The great Ruaha River that flows along its entire eastern border creates spectacular gorges and scenery, and features a large number of hippos and crocodiles. The wide variety of animals that inhabit the park include both Greater and Lesser Kudu, roan and sable antelope. Bird life is also rich, with over 370 species recorded. Dinner and overnight at Ruaha Hilltop Lodge. All meals included.

Day 7 :

Transfer to Iringa airport the flight to Dar Es Salaam

After breakfast transfer to Iringa airport for 11:30 Air Tanzania for the flight to Dar Es Salaam, arrive at 12:30.

7 Days Southern Tanzania Safari