11-Day Southern Tanzania Birding & Photographic Safari

Upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy a brief introduction to Tanzania’s vibrant coastal city before preparing for your Southern Circuit safari adventure.

This safari explores two of Tanzania’s largest and most rewarding wilderness destinations — Nyerere National Park and Ruaha National Park — combining exceptional birding, wildlife photography, scenic landscapes, river systems, and authentic safari experiences.

Accommodation: Southern Sun Hotel

Meals & Drinks
Bed & Breakfast (Other meals not included).
Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

After an early breakfast, depart from Dar es Salaam for the scenic drive to Nyerere National Park, formerly part of the legendary Selous Game Reserve and now one of Africa’s largest protected wildlife areas.

The journey passes through local villages, coconut plantations, forests, and rural countryside before arriving in the lush and tropical landscapes surrounding the Rufiji River ecosystem. Nyerere National Park is situated between the Indian Ocean coastline and the Udzungwa Mountains and is characterized by diverse habitats, including miombo woodland, riverine forest, grassland, swamp, and Vachelia savanna.

Upon arrival at the lodge or tented camp, enjoy lunch and some relaxation before heading out for a scenic sunset boat safari on the Rufiji River. The river system and associated lakes, such as Lake Nzelekela & Lake Siwandu, attract incredible concentrations of birds and wildlife.

During the cruise, excellent photographic opportunities await as hippos, crocodiles, and aquatic birds gather along the waterways. Species commonly seen include African fish eagles, kingfishers, bee-eaters, herons, egrets, storks, skimmers, and pelicans. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight overlooking the Rufiji River.

Accommodation: Nyerere Tented Camp

Meals & Drinks
All meals included.
Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

After an early breakfast, depart for a full-day game drive and birding safari exploring the wetlands, floodplains, woodlands, and open savannahs of Nyerere National Park.

Nyerere offers exceptional birding with massive numbers of water-associated birds concentrated around shallow lakes and wetlands. One of the highlights is Lake Siwandu, famous for its incredible gatherings of pelicans, storks, spoonbills, ibises, herons, and egrets feeding in the shallow waters.

The park also provides excellent opportunities for close-up bird photography, particularly around the Rufiji River system, where kingfishers, bee-eaters, rollers, and weavers are commonly observed.

Wildlife sightings may include Maasai giraffes, plains zebras, hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes, bushpig, vervet monkeys, yellow baboons, and the striking black-and-white colobus monkeys.

Bird highlights may include Bohm’s Bee-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Racket-tailed Roller, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Grey-headed Kingfisher, Palm-nut Vulture, African Crowned Eagle, Pale-billed Hornbill, Northern Carmine Bee-eater, and African Skimmer.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush before continuing with afternoon game viewing and photography. Dinner and overnight at the lodge or camp.

Accommodation: Nyerere Tented Camp

Meals & Drinks
All meals included.
Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

These days are dedicated to a combination of game viewing and specialized birding excursions around the Lake Manze ecosystem. Early morning light provides exceptional conditions for photography as birds gather to feed in the shallow waters.

Throughout the day, your experienced safari guide will carefully position the vehicle for optimal birdwatching and photography. Picnic lunch will be served during the excursion before returning to camp in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Nyerere Tented Camp

Meals & Drinks
All meals included.
Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled bush flight westward over the Udzungwa Mountains to Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s second-largest national park and one of East Africa’s most spectacular wilderness areas.

Ruaha presents a dramatic contrast to the tropical landscapes of Nyerere. Located in the rain shadow west of the Udzungwa Mountains, the park is drier and more rugged, characterized by rocky hills, arid savannah, floodplains, swamps, and enormous baobab trees.

Upon arrival, meet your safari guide and transfer to the lodge or camp with a game drive en route along the Great Ruaha River, the park’s main water source and focal point for wildlife activity.

Ruaha is famous for its vast scenery, large elephant herds, buffalo, predators, and exceptional birdlife. Depending on arrival time, enjoy an introductory game drive before dinner and overnight at the lodge overlooking the riverbed.

Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Meals & Drinks
All meals included.
Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Today you begin your first full day exploring the immense wilderness of Ruaha National Park. After breakfast, depart for a full-day safari with picnic lunches, focusing on birding, wildlife viewing, and landscape photography.

Ruaha is renowned for its dramatic scenery dominated by giant baobab trees, rocky escarpments, dry river systems, and open savannah plains. The Great Ruaha River attracts a remarkable diversity of wildlife, especially during the dry season when animals gather around permanent pools.

The park supports outstanding birdlife, including classic East African dry-country species such as Yellow-collared Lovebird, Ashy Starling, Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, D’Arnaud’s Barbet, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, Grey-capped Social Weaver, White-headed Buffalo Weaver, Grey Kestrel, and Fischer’s Sparrowlark.

Wildlife sightings may include elephants, buffalo, giraffes, lions, leopards, plains zebras, and large herds of antelope. Return to the lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Meals & Drinks
All meals included.
Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

After breakfast, continue your exploration of Ruaha National Park with a full-day safari centered around the Great Ruaha River and surrounding wildlife-rich plains.

The river system provides exceptional opportunities for observing elephants crossing riverbeds, buffalo herds gathering near water, and predators approaching to drink. The scenery around the river, combined with the iconic baobab trees, creates some of Tanzania’s most rewarding wildlife photography settings.

Birding remains excellent throughout the park with opportunities to observe Southern Ground Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Lilac-breasted Roller, Meyer’s Parrot, Buff-crested Bustard, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, and various raptors. Picnic lunch will be enjoyed in the bush while surrounded by Ruaha’s vast and remote landscapes. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Meals & Drinks
All meals included.
Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Today offers another exciting opportunity to explore the immense wilderness of Ruaha National Park with special focus on predator tracking and bird photography.

Ruaha is particularly famous for its African Wild Dogs, and sightings of packs moving through the savannah are among the highlights of the safari experience. Lions, leopards, hyenas, and cheetahs are also present within the park, although sightings depend largely on luck and wildlife movements.

The combination of massive baobab trees, dry riverbeds, rocky hills, and abundant wildlife creates endless opportunities for dramatic safari photography. Birdlife remains highly rewarding with numerous colorful bush birds and raptors frequently encountered during the safari. After a full day exploring the park, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Meals & Drinks
All meals included.
Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Enjoy your final full safari day exploring the spectacular landscapes and wildlife habitats of Ruaha National Park. This final day offers another opportunity to search for elusive species, revisit favorite areas along the Great Ruaha River, and capture memorable images of Tanzania’s southern wilderness.

The combination of epic scenery, abundant birdlife, iconic baobabs, and exceptional wildlife encounters makes Ruaha one of East Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations. After a rewarding day in the bush, return to camp for your final safari evening, followed by dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Meals & Drinks
All meals included.
Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft flight from Ruaha National Park back to Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival in Dar es Salaam, connect with your international departure flight or continue with onward travel arrangements.

This marks the end of your unforgettable Southern Tanzania Birding & Photographic Safari through the magnificent wilderness areas of Nyerere and Ruaha National Parks.

Accommodation: No Accommodation

Meals & Drinks
Breakfast & Lunch (Dinner not included)
Drinks not included.