A safari to Tanzania’s Southern and/or Western Safari Circuits may leave you feeling as if you have stumbled upon one of the best kept secrets in the world. Lesser known than the heavily marketed Northern Circuit, visitors who explore the National Parks that make up these 2 circuits come away with an overriding feeling of complete satisfaction.
Some may say that the Southern Circuit is better suited to a ‘second-timer’ on safari – we beg to differ. If you are adventurous, you want to escape the crowds, you are not scared of flying, and you want some of the best game viewing experiences Africa can offer, then there is no reason why you have to go somewhere else first.
Your starting point for any Southern Circuit safari is Dar es Salaam – and depending on your flight arrival time you can either overnight in the city or you can fly straight out to your first safari reserve. Staying one night in the city will, of course, give you the opportunity to relax and recharge after an overnight flight, but if you are keen to get on safari as soon as possible, this is also possible!
The Selous Game Reserve is one of Africa's largest game reserves and, at 4 times the size of the Serengeti, epic doesn't even begin to describe it. It's a beautiful, remote wilderness abundant in wildlife and packed with panoramas, as well as more than half of Tanzania’s elephant population and the largest wild dog population in the world.
Many people will fly just into and out of Selous then head to the beach, but for the die-hard safari enthusiast, we would urge you to continue to explore further!
Ruaha National Park is an untouched, even more remote reserve known for its undisturbed wildlife, offering truly authentic safaris in isolated, rugged surroundings.
The main draw of the Western Circuit is the true remoteness of the Parks - requiring a 4 hour flight to get here, it is no wonder that visitors are few and far between.
The Katavi National Park is a true safari hideaway. Miles from anywhere, Katavi is so seldom-visited that you'll feel like the only travellers in Africa! This is then combined with the superbly secluded Mahale Mountains National Park or the Gombe Stream National Park - both secret, scenic retreats on the waters of Lake Tanganyika with a cheeky chimp population.
Starting and ending in Arusha, flights to this far-flung corner of Tanzania depart just twice weekly on a Monday or a Thursday, making for a nice 7 night Western Circuit safari trip with either 3 night spent in Katavi and 4 trekking chimps, or visa versa.
After all the excitement of either circuit, some beach down time might be in order. The stretch of coastline south of Dar is home to soft white sand beaches lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, creating an idyllic barefoot paradise. Or hop across to Zanzibar, a breathtaking beach escape bursting with culture and history, coral reefs, palm-fringed beaches and crystal clear blue waters.
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Ruaha River Lodge
Ruaha National Park
Sunshine Hotel
Zanzibar
Destination: Tanzania.
Discover the wildlife of Ruaha over 3 nights at a camp which stretches along the Great Ruaha River bank, and in the dry seasons, you need almost not leave the camp to see good quantities of game, as they concentrate along the river to drink. Then discover complete luxury and the rare island beauty of Zanzibar with a 7 night stay at a beach garden hideaway on powder white sands.
This is a 10 night itinerary including Ruaha National Park and Zanzibar.
Combining a safari in the spectacular Selous Game Reserve, a World Heritage Site which covers more than 5% of Tanzania's total area, with a laid-back resort nestled on the beachfront of one of the finest beaches on the island of Zanzibar, this is the ideal trip to enjoy all that this extraordinary part of the world has to offer.
This is a 10 night itinerary including Selous Game Reserve and Zanzibar.
If you're looking to explore the seldom-visited corners of Southern Tanzania and stay at 5* luxury, and in addition minimise the number of flights, then staying on mainland Tanzania for the safari and the beach is the answer. From the unspoilt natural wilderness of the camps at Selous and Ruaha to the charming cottages and suites which overlook the Indian Ocean at Ras Kutani, these 3 camps naturally create a wonderful complementary 10 night itinerary to ensure you have a memorable African journey.
This is a 13 night itinerary including Selous Game Reserve, Ruaha National Park and Zanzibar.
Come on a journey to meet the most privileged primates on the planet - the wild chimpanzees of Mahale. Add onto this a safari in one of the more remote National Parks of the Southern Circuit and you have a safari holiday that is legendary beyond all belief.
This is a 8 night itinerary including Arusha, Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park.
If you are looking for something truly remote, yet wholly unique at the same time - then would tracking chimpanzees through a mountain forest appeal, combined with a stay in one of the most unspoilt and untouched National Parks in Tanzania appeal? If so... please read further!
This is a 8 night itinerary including Arusha, Katavi National Park and Mahale Mountains National Park.
Your starting point for any Southern Circuit safari is Dar es Salaam – and depending on your flight arrival time you can either overnight in the city or you can fly straight out to your first safari reserve. Staying one night in the city will, of course, give you the opportunity to relax and recharge after an overnight flight, but if you are keen to get on safari as soon as possible, this is also possible!
