Gip Adventure · Tanzania · Classic Wildlife Safaris
8-Day Southern Circuit: Mikumi, Ruaha & Selous
A grand tour of the south: the Rufiji waterways of Nyerere, the open plains of Mikumi and the wild, predator-rich landscapes of Ruaha.
- Nyerere
- Mikumi & Ruaha
- 8 Days / 7 Nights
- Private Safari
Tour overview
Three wild southern parks, from the Rufiji to the Great Ruaha.
Mikumi National Park is the most accessible part of a 75,000 square kilometre tract of wilderness that stretches east almost to the Indian Ocean. Ruaha, Tanzania's second-largest park after the great Serengeti, is home to a wealth of wildlife – most notably cheetah, leopard, lion, wild dog, hyena, hippo and giraffe – and more than 550 bird species, both resident and migratory, have been recorded there.
Nyerere National Park, formerly the Selous Game Reserve, is a special place for photographers and keen safari-goers alike – adventurous spirits, wildlife enthusiasts, solo travellers, honeymooners, families and groups who want to feel the thrill of Africa. Activities range from camping and walking safaris to boating and game viewing.
This eight-day journey begins on the Rufiji in Nyerere, moves west to Mikumi and on to Ruaha, then returns via Mikumi to Dar es Salaam. Immerse yourself in the uncrowded southern parks and enjoy the real awe of Africa.
- Start date
- Can start any day
- Duration
- 8 Days / 7 Nights
- Tour plan
- Customizable itinerary
- Transport
- Extended 4x4 safari vehicle
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Language
- English
Your route
East to west across the southern circuit and back again.
From Dar es Salaam you head to Nyerere National Park for two nights, then drive west to Mikumi for two nights and on to Ruaha for two. The return journey breaks with a final night in Mikumi before the drive back to Dar es Salaam.
- NyerereDays 1–2 · 2 nights
- MikumiDays 3–4 · 2 nights
- Ruaha National ParkDays 5–6 · 2 nights
- MikumiDay 7 · 1 night
Day by day
Your journey, day by day
Open each day to see the route, the safari experience and where you will sleep in each accommodation level.
Day01Arrival in Dar es Salaam and transfer to Nyerere National Park
Your Gip Adventure team member will meet you at 07:00 on arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, or collect you from your hotel in the city, for the road transfer to Nyerere National Park, with a packed lunch along the way.
On reaching your lodge inside the park, relax after the drive with a swim in the pool, then head out on an early-evening boat excursion on the river. Enjoy dinner and your first night in the wilderness.
Where you will be staying in Nyerere
Day02Nyerere National Park
After a hearty breakfast at around 08:00, set out on a full day of game drives with lunch at a picnic site. Enjoy everything Nyerere has to offer – its wildlife, plants, varied habitats, terrain and other natural features.
After lunch there is time for a shorter game drive before you return to your lodge. A walking safari may also be arranged. Enjoy dinner and overnight.
Where you will be staying in Nyerere
Day03Nyerere to Mikumi National Park
After breakfast at around 07:30, set off for Mikumi National Park with a packed lunch for the journey.
Game viewing begins en route as you enter Mikumi and make your way to your riverside camp. Settle in and enjoy dinner and overnight.
Where you will be staying in Mikumi
Day04Mikumi National Park
After a hearty breakfast at around 08:00, spend a full day exploring Mikumi National Park at a relaxed pace, making the most of everything the park has to offer, with a packed lunch along the way.
After lunch there is time for a shorter game drive before you return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Where you will be staying in Mikumi
Day05Mikumi to Ruaha National Park
After a warm breakfast at around 08:00, leave Mikumi for the drive to Ruaha National Park, with a packed lunch for the journey.
Your lodge sits along the riverbank, a peaceful place to unwind after a day on the road. Enjoy dinner and your first night in Ruaha.
Overnight
Ruaha National Park
Day06Ruaha National Park
After a warm breakfast at around 08:00, set out for a full day of game drives in the great Ruaha National Park and enjoy everything this magnificent park has to offer, from big cats and wild dogs to giraffe, hippo and its abundant birdlife.
Lunch is at a picnic site, followed by a shorter afternoon game drive before you return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight
Ruaha National Park
Day07Ruaha to Mikumi National Park
After a hearty breakfast at around 08:00, start the drive back to Mikumi with a packed lunch, enjoyed at a picnic site along the way.
In the late afternoon, enjoy a short game drive in Mikumi before continuing to your camp for dinner and overnight.
Where you will be staying in Mikumi
Day08Mikumi to Dar es Salaam and departure
After a warm breakfast at camp, drive to Dar es Salaam with a packed lunch for the journey.
On arrival you will be dropped off at your hotel or at the airport for your onward flight, bringing your southern Tanzania safari to an end.
Accommodation
Choose your accommodation level
Every night is matched to lodges in that exact area. Switch levels to see where you would stay.
Safari details
What is included in your safari
IncludedWhat is included
- Meet-and-greet service at the airport
- All transfers as per the itinerary
- Transport in an extended, spacious 4x4 safari vehicle
- Concession fees
- Full-board accommodation (per person sharing rates)
- Tanzania Tourism Development Levy
- Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Bottled water
- Snacks and light bites
- Game drives
- National park gate fees
- Professional safari guide
- Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Cultural tour
- Bonfire
Not includedWhat is not included
- Personal items and expenses
- Optional activities
- Tips and gratuities
- Laundry (can be arranged on request)
- Visa
Safari pricing
Price on request
Prices depend on your dates, group size and accommodation level. Tell us your plans and we will send an exact quote, usually within the hour.
Comfortable, well-run lodges and tented camps with great locations and real value.
Quote for SilverPremium lodges and camps with more space, better views and a touch of style.
Quote for GoldThe finest luxury lodges and camps, exceptional service and the best locations.
Quote for PlatinumStart planning
Ready to make this safari yours?
Send us your dates, group size and preferred accommodation level and we will tailor 8-Day Southern Circuit: Mikumi, Ruaha & Selous to your plans. No booking fees, and a real person replies, usually within the hour.
Guest experiences
What our travellers say
5.0 · Reviews on Tripadvisor, all rated 5 out of 5
- ★★★★★
Credits Gipson’s calm pacing and constant check-ins on summit night for getting the group to the top of Kilimanjaro.
- ★★★★★
Four friends took the 7-day Machame Route, were checked on regularly for their health, and all four reached the summit.
- ★★★★★
Climbed Kilimanjaro in 2017 and Mount Meru in 2019 with Gipson, then kept coming back to Tanzania with friends and family. Felt safe as a solo hiker.
- ★★★★★
A family of six climbed Kilimanjaro, trusted Gipson’s calls on health and weather, and now want to tackle Mount Meru with him.
- ★★★★★
Gipson led a group of friends to the top of Kilimanjaro. The trip was well organised and his passion for it showed.
- ★★★★★
Rain turned to snow on the climb, but the team kept everyone fed, monitored oxygen levels, and got them to the summit.
- ★★★★★
Felt safe on every day of the Kilimanjaro hike and was confident of summiting in Gipson’s care. Found him funny and knowledgeable.
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