13 Days Ultimate Southern Tanzania Safari – Exploring the Best of The South!

Last updated on July 9th, 2025 at 08:08 pm

Experience Southern Tanzania’s unparalleled beauty and diversity with our carefully curated 13-Day Ultimate Southern Tanzania Safari.

From the untouched savannahs to thriving wetlands, we have planned an array of immersive experiences such as walking tours and boat trips, designed to connect you intimately with the wilderness.

Our Southern Tanzania Safari Tour will take you through remote, less-travelled national parks and game reserves teeming with wildlife.

This safari journey will guide you through Mikumi National Park, Udzungwa Mountains, Selous Game Reserve, and Ruaha National Park, unveiling the secret corners of wild Tanzania.

Join us as we explore the best of Southern Tanzania with our very own 13-day Southern Tanzania Safari Tour.

Day 1 – Arrival- Start of a Grand Adventure

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where the ultimate safari experience commences. After your journey, retreat to the tranquil surroundings of Moshi / Arusha, the gateway to the famous Tanzania National Parks. Here, marvel at the beauty of Kilimanjaro as you prepare for the adventures ahead.

Days 2,3 & 4 – Selous Game Reserve- The Heart of African Wilderness

Next on 13 Days—Southern Tanzania Safari, venture into the untouched beauty of the Selous Game Reserve, a World Heritage Site teeming with African wildlife. As you journey through its diverse landscapes – from the palm-dotted channels of the Rufiji River to the vast grasslands, woodlands, and swamps – you encounter one of Africa’s largest populations of elephants and lions.

Highlights:

• Explore the biodiversity of Selous Game Reserve with guided game drives and river cruises
• Experience intimate, under-the-stars accommodation in fly-camps
• Discover an array of bird species and learn about their habitats

Day 5 – Ifakara – An Encounter with a Unique Ecosystem

For the next destination on our 13 Days Ultimate Southern Tanzania Safari, travel to Ifakara and discover the area’s distinctive fauna. Embark on a canoe trip up the river and encounter hippos, crocodiles, Nile monitor lizards, and many birds, including the endemic Kilombero Weaver.

Highlights:

• Enjoy a leisurely boat ride on the river, observing the thriving wildlife
• Savour a peaceful picnic lunch on a sandbank
• Catch a possible rare sighting of a shoebill stork

Day 6 – Udzungwa Mountains National Park – A Walk in the Woods

Next, head to Udzungwa Mountains National Park, a hiker’s paradise. Immerse yourself in the park’s captivating beauty as you hike through lush forests and vast landscapes. Reach the pinnacle of the trek at Sanje Waterfalls and absorb the breathtaking views of the Kilombero Sugarcane Valley.

Highlights:

• Learn about the park’s unique plant and bird species on guided nature walks
• Enjoy the therapeutic effects of a waterfall bath at Sanje Waterfalls
• Get an insight into the traditional healing properties of various trees

Wild Tanzania isn’t just seen through a lens—it’s felt on riverbanks, heard in waterfalls, and remembered in footprints across Southern Tanzania’s most untouched and thrilling landscapes.

Days 7, 8 & 9 – Ruaha National Park into the Wild

Set off for Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest national park, as your next destination on your 13-day Southern Tanzania Wildlife Safari. Home to numerous species, Ruaha offers excellent game viewing opportunities. Spot elephants, buffalo, antelopes, wild dogs, and kudus amid the park’s stunning landscapes.

Highlights:

• Explore the park on foot and by vehicle on game drives
• Discover over 570 bird species in a birder’s paradise
• Stay in comfortable lodges nestled in the wilderness

Days 10 & 11 – Mikumi National Park – The Birdwatcher’s Haven

Continue to Mikumi National Park, renowned for its wealth of bird species. Along the way, make a stop at the ‘Isimila Stone Age Historical Site’. At Mikumi, come across large numbers of giraffes, buffalos, and elephants. Look out for lions, leopards, and African wild dogs too!

Highlights:

• Visit the ‘Isimila Stone Age Historical Site’, an archaeological gem
• Enjoy abundant birdwatching opportunities at Mikumi
• Spot a variety of wildlife on game drives across the Mkata River floodplain

Day 12 – Dar es Salaam – Cityscapes and Coastal Bliss

Return to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s bustling capital. Enjoy the last game drive in Mikumi before setting off. Back in the city, freshen up and relax, reminiscing about your unforgettable Safaris in Tanzania.

Day 13 – Departure: Until Next Time

Today, bid farewell to Tanzania as you are transferred back to Julius Nyerere International Airport. As you end your 13-Day Southern Tanzania Safari Tour, take with your memories of an unforgettable safari and a longing to return to the wild.

What’s Included and What’s Not in the 13-Day Tanzania Safari Package

Our Tanzania Safari Packages provide all the essentials for a comfortable and exhilarating experience. Here is a list of all the inclusions and exclusions in the 13 Days Ultimate Southern Tanzania Safari.

Quick Facts – Highlights of 13-day Ultimate Southern Tanzania Safari

Here’s a brief overview of the significant features of the 13-Day Ultimate Southern Tanzania Safari.

Duration: 13 Days & 12 Nights

Arrival: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Moshi / Arusha

Departure: Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), Dar es Salaam

Activities: Game drives in national parks, Guided nature walks, hiking in the Udzungwa Mountains, River cruises, visiting the ‘Isimila Stone Age Historical Site’, and bird watching

Attractions: Selous Game Reserve, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Ruaha National Park, Mikumi National Park, Ifakara’s river ecosystem, and Dar es Salaam cityscape

Southern Tanzania Safari Itinerary Comparison

At African Scenic Safaris, we present two sought-after Safari packages in Southern Tanzania – the 13 Days Ultimate Southern Tanzania Safari and the 10 Days Southern Tanzania Safari.

To assist our readers in understanding the differences and making an informed decision about the package that fits their needs, we’ll be contrasting these itineraries using a Safari Comparison Chart.

Experience the Magic of Southern Tanzania with Us

Step into an extraordinary adventure with our 13-Day Ultimate Southern Tanzania Safari. At African Scenic Safaris, we believe in creating not just safaris, but memories that are etched for a lifetime. So why wait?

The best of the South is waiting for you, ready to unveil its secrets and amaze you with its wonders. Book your dream Tanzania Safari Package today!

Simbo Natai, founder of African Scenic Safaris, crafts sustainable, meaningful Tanzanian journeys rooted in his deep local knowledge and passion.

Director, African Scenic Safaris