Southern Circuit

Tanzania's Southern Circuit centres on three vast wilderness areas: Nyerere (formerly the Selous Game Reserve), Ruaha and Mikumi. Together they offer a wilder, far less crowded safari than Tanzania's northern parks.

The Southern Circuit offers immense, uncrowded wilderness with only a fraction of the visitor numbers found in the north. If you want a remote safari where you rarely see other vehicles, Nyerere, Ruaha and Mikumi are the strongest choice.

Mikumi is the most accessible by road, usually from Dar es Salaam, while Nyerere and Ruaha are commonly reached by light aircraft from Dar es Salaam or other Tanzanian hubs. Ecological Wilderness Adventure can build the transport and flights into a tailored itinerary for you.

Yes. Nyerere is best known for boat safaris along the Rufiji River and its network of lakes, plus guided walking safaris, and Ruaha also offers walking safaris in its rugged terrain. These activities let you experience the wilderness from the water and on foot rather than only from a vehicle.

The dry season, roughly June through October, is generally the best period for game viewing, as animals concentrate around rivers and water sources and vegetation thins out. Ruaha in particular is highly regarded in the dry months, while the greener season brings different scenery and birdlife.

Most travellers combine two or three of the parks, which usually means a week or more once travel between them is included. Ecological Wilderness Adventure can tailor and quote an itinerary to fit your available days and interests.