Tanzania Safari Destinations

Unlike the North of Tanzania, the Southern part of the country offers some beautiful off-the-beaten-track safari experiences. Of the 20 national parks in Tanzania, five are located in the south – Nyerere, Mikumi, Ruaha, Udzungwa, and Kutulo which form the Southern Circuit. Huge craters and volcanoes testify to the tectonic forces that have shaped the landscape over millions of years.

The Gombe Stream and Mahale Mountains National Park are both located on the western circuit and can only be reached by boat from Kigoma. This also applies to Rubondo National Park, a mysterious, uninhabited island in the middle of Lake Victoria. An archaic Katavi National Park is also located here.

Tanzania’s eastern circuit includes Mkomazi and Sadaani National Park. The latter is the only park in which the beach meets the bush. It is the only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa with a beachfront on the Indian Ocean, and it possesses a beautiful tropical coastline. Mkomazi on the other hand is a vital refuge for two highly endangered species, the black rhino and African wild dog.

Zanzibar and Pemba Islands just off Tanzania’s coast offer incredible beach destinations from where you can relax after your safari. Zanzibar is booming as a destination, with backpackers and luxury beach vacationers. As a result, there are many fantastic Boutique hotels to choose from. Whether for honeymoon, family vacation, or relaxation after the safari there are many activities for every traveler.     

Mafia Island lies 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Dar-es-Salaam and opposite the mouth of the Rufiji River. Diving on Mafia Island is exceptional with the mighty whale sharks that are found from October to March every year.

The southern circuit is a wonderful destination to visit with some of the most remarkable sights in Africa. It is one of the best regions for sightings of rare African wild dogs. Nyerere National Park formerly known as Selous is well worth a visit. Apart from game drives, there are additional activities to do like a boat and a walking safari.

The northern and southern circuits each provide unique and distinct experiences. Between these two destinations, the northern circuit offers more classic safari options that the southern circuit which is famed for more off-the-beaten-track experiences in a truly wild setting.

While the northern circuit is very famous for the Great Wildebeest Migration that happens every single year in Serengeti National Park the southern circuit does not. The northern circuit is also popular for the ‘Big Five’ animals that including the lion, rhino, elephant, leopard, and the African buffalo.

The southern parks have more advantages of offering more tourist activities than the northern circuit considering that the private reserves and game parks there are less restricted as it is in the north. 

Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), Mikumi, Ruaha, and Udzungwa National Park are accessible by road from Dar es Salaam. Alternatively, there are daily scheduled light aircraft flights from Dar es Salaam, which makes it very easy to arrange safaris of any duration in these parks and also to combine them with a beach holiday on either the mainland coast or the Island of Zanzibar.

The west of Tanzania is more remote, both geographically and logistically – there are flights only twice a week from Arusha in the north. Parks here include Gombe, Mahale, and Katavi. Gombe and Mahale can also be reached from Kigoma by speedboat. Both parks can be accessible from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma by daily flights with Air Tanzania. Katavi is technically accessible by road, but it’s a long, rough ride and cannot be recommended to all but the hardiest of adventurers.

The cheapest way to get to Mafia Island from Nyerere National Park formerly known as Selous Game Reserve is by ferry departing from Nyamisati Ferry Terminal in Ikwiriri, Rufiji. The adventurous transfer takes about 4 hours to reach Mafia.