Southern Tanzania Wilderness Safari

14 Days | 13 Nights

From $4,126 / person

Your trip overview

This 14-day adventure that takes you deep into the heart of Southern Tanzania, where the African wilderness remains pristine and untouched. This safari is designed for those who seek a more authentic and off-the-beaten-path safari experience in some of the country’s most remarkable and less-visited parks.

Your journey begins with a visit to Mikumi National Park, one of Tanzania’s most accessible and diverse parks, known for its sweeping savannas, abundant wildlife, and dramatic landscapes. Here, you’ll enjoy thrilling game drives that will bring you up close to elephants, lions, zebras, and a variety of bird species.

Next, you’ll head to Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s second-largest park, where rugged landscapes and an array of wildlife await.

With fewer tourists, Ruaha offers a truly immersive safari experience, where you can spot big cats like lions, leopards, and cheetahs, along with large populations of elephants, buffaloes, and giraffes.Its rivers, lush valleys, and remote wilderness areas make it a perfect destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers.

Finally, explore Katavi National Park, one of Tanzania’s hidden gems. Known for its raw beauty, vast open spaces, and remarkable wildlife sightings, Katavi is a haven for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. It’s also famous for its large numbers of hippos and crocodiles, especially in the rainy season, as well as its predator-prey interactions.

This 14-day Southern Tanzania Safari is perfect for travelers seeking remote, rugged beauty, and a true escape into nature. With its stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, and far less crowded parks, this safari promises a unique, off-the-grid experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories.

Trip Destinations

where to visit

Mikumi National Park

Tanzania

Ruaha National Park

Tanzania

Katavi National Park

Tanzania

Mikumi National Park

Tanzania

Planning Your Safari

Organizing a safari in Tanzania, can be overwhelming due to the many choices available for transport, accommodation, and activities.

Reviews and Rates

Full Itinerary

Day by Day

Day 1: Dar es Salaam

You will be picked up at the airport by a Sunday Safaris representative and drive to Slipway Hotel to rest and prepare yourself for the coming days. You will get the whole tour briefing once you are in Slipway Hotel. You will be picked up the next day ready to start the tour. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Slipway Hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Slipway

Where to stay

Hotel Slipway

Luxury View Hotel

Hotel Slipway

Luxury View Hotel

Day 2: Mikumi National Park

You will drive to Mikumi National Park after breakfast and take a packed lunch with you. You will enjoy the game drive after arriving at the park. Mikumi has many animals like elephants, lions, zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos and wildebeests.

Mikumi has a great landscape as well which is similar to Serengeti. After the game drive you will drive to Camp Bastian Mikumi for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi

Where to stay

Camp Bastian Mikumi

Luxury Tented Camp

Camp Bastian Mikumi

Luxury Tented Camp

Day 3: Mikumi National Park

After having breakfast, you will experience a full-day game drive with packed lunch in Mikumi National Park. Mikumi National Park has more than 400 different species of birds both resident and migratory.

It is 3230sq km in size and home to big African mammals like elephants, giraffes, elands and buffaloes which roam freely in superbly scenic plains.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Camp Bastian Mikumi.

Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi

Where to stay

Camp Bastian Mikumi

Luxury Tented Camp

Camp Bastian Mikumi

Luxury Tented Camp

Day 4: Ruaha National Park

After breakfast, you will drive to Ruaha National Park and stop at Iringa town for lunch before continuing to Ruaha National Park.
If there is a national park that explains the true hidden gems of Tanzania is Ruaha National Park. The park covers 20,226sq km (7, 809sq mi), Ruaha is famous for its unique wildlife like kudu, roan antelopes, as well as large herds of elephants. Ruaha has few tourists compared to other parks due to its remote location.

Ruaha gives you the true meaning of safari as you will be alone surrounded by big to small animals in an undisturbed natural environment.
You will have dinner and an overnight stay in Ruaha Cottage.

Where to stay

Ruaha Cottage

Luxury Rest House

Ruaha Cottage

Luxury Rest House

Day 5: Ruaha National Park

In the morning you will have breakfast while enjoying the view of the Great Ruaha River. Then you will leave for a game drive along the river where you will see rare animals like kudu.

After enjoying the game drive in the morning, you will drive back to Ruaha Cottage for a hot lunch. After lunch, you will have a short break and then continue with the game drive until sunset.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Ruaha Cottage.

Accommodation: TANAPA Ruaha Cottages

Where to stay

TANAPA Ruaha Cottages

Luxury Rest House

TANAPA Ruaha Cottages

Luxury Rest House

Day 6: Ruaha National Park

Today, you will have an early morning breakfast followed by a walking safari. The walking safari will be along the Great Ruaha River and will take approximately 2 to 3 hours. You will be accompanied by an armed ranger for safety reasons as you walk close to wild animals like giraffes, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles and zebras.
Once you’re done with the walking safari, you will drive back to the cottage for a hot lunch and after that, you will go for a game drive.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Ruaha Cottage.

Accommodation: TANAPA Ruaha Cottages

Where to stay

Paradise Beach Resort

Luxury Rest House

Paradise Beach Resort

Luxury Rest House

Day 7: Ruaha National Park

You will start your day with a full-day game drive after breakfast and enjoy the beautiful Ruaha National Park with animals like buffaloes, hippos, giraffes, elephants, kudus, roan antelopes, lions, leopards, cheetahs as well as more than 300 different species of birds.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Ruaha Cottage.

Accommodation: TANAPA Ruaha Cottages

Where to stay

TANAPA Ruaha Cottages

Luxury View Cottage

TANAPA Ruaha Cottages

Luxury View Cottage

Day 8: Ruaha to Mbeya Town

After breakfast in Ruaha, you will drive to Mbeya town. Mbeya is the biggest town in the Southern part of Tanzania. Today you will spend the night in a coffee plantation lodge.

Utengule Coffee Lodge is a small lodge within a coffee plantation. You will arrive at the lodge in the evening.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Utengule Coffee Lodge.

Accommodation: Utengule Coffee Lodge

Where to stay

Utengule Coffee Lodge

Luxury View Lodge

Utengule Coffee Lodge

Luxury View Lodge

Day 9: Katavi National Park

You will drive to Katavi National Park after breakfast and pass through small villages until you reach the park.
Katavi National Park is 4471sq km in size and the least visited park in the area making for a truly untouched wilderness, situated in the western area of Tanzania.
Massive herds of buffaloes, elephants and hippos are common animals in this truly wild park. You will also see lions, leopards, wild dogs and hyenas. You will have dinner and an overnight stay at Katavi Cottage.

Accommodation: Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Katavi National Park Bandas

Luxury View Cottage

Katavi National Park Bandas

Luxury View Cottage

Day 10: Katavi National Park

You will have a full-day game drive after breakfast and take packed lunch with you. You will drive to Katuma River to explore thousands of hippos living there. Apart from hippos, this part of the park has other animals as well as different species of birds.
You will have dinner and an overnight stay at Katavi Cottage.

Accommodation: Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Katavi National Park Bandas

Luxury View Lodge

Katavi National Park Bandas

Luxury View Lodge

Day 11: Katavi National Park

You will have a full-day game drive after breakfast and take a packed lunch with you. In the game drive, you will enjoy the untouched nature in Katavi and enjoy the big herds of buffaloes, zebras, and elephants as well as the scenic landscapes of this beautiful park.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Katavi Cottage.

Accommodation: Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Katavi National Park Bandas

Luxury View Cottage

Katavi National Park Bandas

Luxury View Cottage

Day 12: Katavi to Mbeya

You will drive to Utengule Coffee Lodge after breakfast. You will have a hot lunch somewhere on the way. Utengule Coffee Lodge is a good place to relax as it’s a farm lodge far away from the population. Utengule farm lodge belongs to Utengule farm coffee one of the biggest coffee farms in the Mbeya region.
You will have dinner and an overnight stay at Utengule Coffee lodge.

Accommodation: Utengule Coffee Lodge

Where to stay

Katavi National Park Bandas

Luxury View Lodge

Katavi National Park Bandas

Luxury View Lodge

Day 13: Mikumi National Park

You’ll drive to Mikumi town after breakfast stopping in Iringa town for a hot lunch and rest before continuing to Mikumi town. Once in Mikumi, you will check in at Camp Bastian, relax and get ready for the Journey to Dar es Salaam on the following day.
You will have dinner and an overnight stay at Camp Bastian.

Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi

Where to stay

Katavi National Park Bandas

Luxury View Cottage

Katavi National Park Bandas

Luxury View Cottage

Day 14: Dar es Salaam

You will drive to Dar es Salaam after breakfast. You will be dropped off at the airport ready to take your flight back home.

Accommodation: No accommodation
(End of tour)

Rates Per Person

Start Dates	Start dates 2 people 1 room
Jan 7, 2025 – Oct 31, 2025	$4,126

Safari/Trip

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

Park fees (For non-residents)

All activities (Unless labeled as optional)

All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)

A professional driver/guide

All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)

All Taxes/VAT

Roundtrip airport transfer

Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Drinks (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Exclusions

International flights (From/to home)

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour

Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)

Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)

Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

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Southern Tanzania Wilderness Safari

14 Days | 13 Nights

Your trip overview

Trip Destinations

where to visit

Mikumi National Park

Ruaha National Park

Katavi National Park

Mikumi National Park

Planning Your Safari

Reviews and Rates

Full Itinerary

Day by Day

Where to stay

Hotel Slipway

Hotel Slipway

Where to stay

Camp Bastian Mikumi

Camp Bastian Mikumi

Where to stay

Camp Bastian Mikumi

Camp Bastian Mikumi

Where to stay

Ruaha Cottage

Ruaha Cottage

Where to stay

TANAPA Ruaha Cottages

TANAPA Ruaha Cottages

Where to stay

Paradise Beach Resort

Paradise Beach Resort

Where to stay

TANAPA Ruaha Cottages

TANAPA Ruaha Cottages

Where to stay

Utengule Coffee Lodge

Utengule Coffee Lodge

Where to stay

Katavi National Park Bandas

Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Katavi National Park Bandas

Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Katavi National Park Bandas

Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Katavi National Park Bandas

Katavi National Park Bandas

Where to stay

Katavi National Park Bandas

Katavi National Park Bandas

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Inclusions & Exclusions

Enquire this Tour

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