Instinct Tours Tanzania Safaris
The Southern
Circuit
Ten days through Tanzania's wildest, least-crowded parks — Nyerere, Mikumi and Ruaha — following the Rufiji and the Great Ruaha rivers to camps where the wilderness comes to your doorstep.
The Route
Saturday, September 4
Arrival Day
Welcome to Tanzania! Your safari begins in Dar es Salaam, the country's commercial capital. Upon landing at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), our private transfer team meets you and drives you to the Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel.
Fully included in your core safari package. Guests wishing to shake off jet lag early can arrange optional pre-nights at the hotel on request.
Meals: Dinner · Stay: Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel
Days 1 – 3
Nyerere National Park
September 5–8 · Rufiji River Camp
We depart Dar es Salaam after an early briefing and journey south through rural landscapes to Nyerere National Park — formerly the Selous Game Reserve, and a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its pristine wilderness. We reach camp on the palm-fringed banks of the wide Rufiji River in time to settle in and watch the sun go down over the water before dinner.
Sunday, September 5 · Day 1
Safari Departure
Vehicles depart Dar es Salaam and drive south into Nyerere, reaching camp in the late afternoon light.
Monday, September 6 & Tuesday, September 7 · Days 2–3
Deep Wilderness
Two full days of guided game drives through country famous for elephant herds, hippos, crocodiles and lions — plus leopards and African wild dogs for the patient eye.
Accommodation
Rufiji River Camp
There's no better place in Nyerere to unwind at day's end than the bar and gardens of Rufiji River Camp, just inside the main gate. Large tents and suites, a pool, and a base built for the park's dense populations of lions and elephants.
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Days 4 – 5
Mikumi National Park
September 9–10 · Vuma Hills Tented Camp
We pack up early and drive northwest toward the Southern Highlands, entering Mikumi — Tanzania's fourth-largest national park, nestled between savannah plains and baobab woodland. Our camp sits inside the park boundary, catching mountain breezes from private terraces.
Wednesday, September 9 · Day 4
Into the Southern Highlands
We travel from Nyerere to Mikumi, arriving at an intimate tented camp tucked inside the park.
Thursday, September 10 · Day 5
The Mkata Floodplain
A full day exploring Mikumi's plains. Fewer crowds than the northern parks make for relaxed photography of buffalo, giraffes and elephants.
Accommodation
Vuma Hills Tented Camp
One of the best-located camps for exploring Mikumi. Nicely appointed safari tents, some with park views from their terraces, canvas walls that catch the breeze, an open-sided restaurant and bar, and a pool.
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Days 6 – 9
Ruaha National Park
September 11–14 · Ruaha River Lodge
We venture deeper into the rugged interior, from Mikumi to the wilder landscapes of Ruaha, known for its ancient baobabs and dramatic river backdrops. Three full days here balance early-morning game drives with bush walks.
Friday, September 11 · Day 6
Transit to Ruaha
We travel further west, arriving at Ruaha River Lodge overlooking the Great Ruaha River.
Saturday, September 12 – Monday, September 14 · Days 7–9
The Golden Plains
Guided game drives and bush walks. Watch the landscape turn to gold at sunrise and sunset as buffalo herds and lion prides gather along the river. With over 450 bird species recorded, it's a rewarding park for bird photography.
Accommodation
Ruaha River Lodge
You couldn't get closer to wildlife coming down to drink than at Ruaha River Lodge. Stone chalets with large terraces overlook the Great Ruaha River from multiple points around the property. Service is personal, and the food is excellent.
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Tuesday, September 14
Departure Day
A final morning in the bush before we transfer to the local airstrip for the scheduled domestic flight from the Iringa region back to Dar es Salaam. Back in the city, a day room will be available to rest and freshen up, and dinner is available before you head to the airport for your international flight home. Most evening departures — on Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, Delta/KLM and others — line up comfortably with a day of rest and dinner first; a few routes depart in the early hours instead, in which case an overnight stay in Dar es Salaam may work better. We'll help coordinate the timing once we know your specific flight.
Meals: Breakfast · Lunch (timing depends on arrival) · Dinner (available, timing depends on your onward flight)
