+255 747 516 280 [email protected] ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.9/5 (40+ Reviews)

9 Day Tanzania Southern Parks Safari – Drive-in-Fly-out to Zanzibar

0
Private Safari
From$2,420
Lead's Traveler Name*
Email Address*
Country of Residence*
When?*
Adults*
Children
Your Enquiry*
* I agree with Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step
Save To Wish List

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

451
9 Day,8 Night
Availability : Jun, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February, & March
Dar es Salaam
Nyerere National Park > Mikumi National Park > Udzungwa Mountains National Park > Ruaha National Park > Dar es Salam or Zanzibar
Min Age : 5+
Max People : 12
This 9-day lodge safari explores Tanzania’s wild and less-traveled Southern Circuit, combining scenic road transfers, remote wildlife experiences, and a bush flight to the spice island of Zanzibar. Designed for travelers seeking fewer crowds and vast, untouched landscapes, this journey delivers exceptional game viewing across diverse ecosystems.
From the mighty Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park to the open plains of Mikumi National Park, the rainforest-covered mountains of Udzungwa Mountains National Park, and the predator-rich wilderness of Ruaha National Park, this safari offers extraordinary ecological variety. You will enjoy comfortable lodge accommodations with en-suite facilities, professional guiding, a 4×4 safari vehicle, and carefully paced travel that balances adventure and relaxation.
OverviewItineraryMapPhotosReviews
Tour Highlights

Explore Tanzania’s rich and diverse landscapes on this 9-day safari combining the vast wilderness of Nyerere National Park, the classic savannah of Mikumi, the lush forests of Udzungwa Mountains, and the vast beauty of Ruaha National Park. Conclude your adventure with a scenic flight to Zanzibar Island for beach relaxation and cultural experiences.

Departure & Return Location

Dar es Salaam & Zanzibar Island

Departure Time

7:30 am

Price Includes

  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during safari days
  • Accommodation in mid-range lodges/tented camps
  • Park fees for all listed national parks
  • Private 4x4 safari vehicle with open roof
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide
  • Guided hikes in Udzungwa Mountains
  • Domestic flight from Ruaha to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar
  • Airport transfers in Dar es Salaam & Zanzibar
  • Bottled drinking water during game drives

Price Excludes

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Drinks at lodges (unless specified)
  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, etc.)
  • Optional activities

Tips and Recommendations

  • Luggage limit for domestic flights is 15 kg per person (soft bags recommended).
  • Pack a swimsuit for Udzungwa waterfalls.
  • Sturdy walking shoes are essential for hiking in Udzungwa.
  • Use neutral-colored clothes during game drives to blend in and avoid insects.
  • A fleece or warm layer is useful for cooler evenings in Ruaha.
  • Don’t forget sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, and sunglasses.
  • Binoculars and a camera will enhance your wildlife and landscape experiences.
What to Expect

This 9-day adventure offers a unique blend of Tanzania’s diverse ecosystems from riverbanks and open savannahs to lush rainforests and rugged highlands. You’ll track big game in Nyerere, Mikumi, and Ruaha, hike through Udzungwa’s misty trails to hidden waterfalls, and end your journey with a relaxing escape to Zanzibar. Expect close-up wildlife encounters, rich birdlife, striking scenery, and cultural contrasts all in one epic safari.

  • Big game safaris in Nyerere, Mikumi, and Ruaha
  • Guided hikes and waterfall swims in Udzungwa Mountains
  • Boat safari on the Rufiji River
  • Comfortable mid-range camps and lodges
  • Scenic flight from Ruaha to Zanzibar
Itinerary

Day 1Dar es Salaam – Nyerere National Park + Sunset Boat Safari

Your safari begins in Dar es Salaam with an early morning departure by road toward Nyerere National Park, Africa’s largest protected wildlife area. The drive passes through rural villages, palm groves, and open countryside before arriving at your lodge in time for lunch.
 
In the late afternoon, enjoy a sunset boat safari along the Rufiji River. This unique experience allows you to observe hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of waterbirds from a different perspective. Elephants and buffalo frequently gather along the riverbanks to drink as the sun sets in golden hues across the water.
 

Accommodation: Nyerere Tented Camp

Meals & Drinks

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Day 2Full Day Safari in Nyerere National Park

Today is dedicated to exploring Nyerere’s vast wilderness. The park’s landscapes include river channels, lagoons, open plains, and miombo woodlands. Game drives offer opportunities to see elephants in large family herds, giraffes browsing on acacias, buffalo gatherings, and predators such as lions and leopards. Nyerere is also one of the best places in Tanzania to spot endangered African wild dogs. The sense of scale here is immense — wildlife roams freely across enormous untouched terrain, creating a true wilderness atmosphere.
 

Accommodation: Nyerere Tented Camp

Meals & Drinks

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Day 3Nyerere to Mikumi National Park

After breakfast, depart by road for an 8 to 9-hour drive to Mikumi National Park. The journey offers scenic views of southern Tanzania’s varied landscapes. Mikumi is often compared to the Serengeti due to its wide open plains and excellent visibility. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon game drive across the Mkata Floodplain, where zebras, wildebeests, impalas, and buffalo graze in large numbers. Predators such as lions are commonly sighted, often resting on termite mounds, scanning the plains.
 

Accommodation: Camp Bastian

Meals & Drinks

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Day 4Full Day Safari in Mikumi National Park

A full day of exploration allows you to discover more of Mikumi’s ecosystems, including woodland areas and seasonal waterholes. Elephants move between forest patches, giraffes stride gracefully across the plains, and hippos gather in muddy pools. The park is also rich in birdlife, with eagles, hornbills, and colorful rollers frequently spotted. With fewer vehicles than in northern parks, wildlife sightings here feel intimate and unhurried. Return to your lodge for relaxation and overnight.
 

Accommodation: Camp Bastian

Meals & Drinks

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Day 5Mikumi to Udzungwa Mountains National Park

After breakfast, drive to Udzungwa Mountains National Park, part of the Eastern Arc Mountain range. Unlike traditional safari parks, Udzungwa is best explored on foot. Upon arrival, embark on a guided hike through tropical rainforest trails. The park is home to endemic primates such as the Iringa red colobus monkey and Sanje mangabey. The highlight of the hike is the spectacular Sanje Waterfalls, cascading dramatically from the forest canopy. The panoramic views from the upper falls are breathtaking. Overnight at a lodge near the park.
 

Accommodation: Udzungwa Forest Lodge

Meals & Drinks

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Day 6Udzungwa – Ruaha National Park

Today’s journey takes you west toward Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s second-largest national park and one of Africa’s best-kept safari secrets. As you enter Ruaha, the landscape shifts to rugged terrain, baobab-studded hills, and the life-sustaining Great Ruaha River. Afternoon game drives begin immediately upon arrival. Ruaha is known for its high concentration of predators, particularly lions, and large elephant populations. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
 

Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge

Meals & Drinks

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Day 7Full Day in Ruaha National Park

Spend the day exploring Ruaha’s dramatic and varied landscapes. The Great Ruaha River attracts abundant wildlife, especially during the dry season. You may encounter large prides of lions, leopards in riverine trees, cheetahs on open plains, and substantial herds of buffalo. Ruaha is also home to rare antelope species such as sable and roan. The park’s remote nature ensures an authentic safari atmosphere with minimal vehicle traffic.
 

Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge

Meals & Drinks

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Day 8 Second Full Day in Ruaha National Park

A second full day allows deeper exploration into more remote sections of Ruaha. Early morning and late afternoon game drives maximize predator activity. The park’s baobab-dotted scenery provides exceptional photographic opportunities. Elephant herds often dig in dry riverbeds for water, and crocodiles bask along riverbanks. With its combination of raw wilderness and wildlife density, Ruaha delivers one of Tanzania’s most rewarding safari experiences. Overnight at your lodge.
 

Accommodation: Ruaha River Lodge

Meals & Drinks

  • All meals included
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included).

Day 9 Fly-out to Zanzibar Island

After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for a scheduled bush flight to Zanzibar. As you soar above Tanzania’s landscapes, reflect on the diverse ecosystems experienced — river safaris, open plains, mountain forests, and predator-rich wilderness. Upon arrival in Zanzibar, you will be transferred to your hotel and continue your journey with beach relaxation, historical and cultural exploration, or other tours. This marks the end of your Southern Parks drive-in-fly-out safari adventure.
 

Accommodation: No Accommodation

Meals & Drinks

  • Breakfast
  • Drinking water (Other drinks not included).
Map
Photos
Read More

Related Tours

Private Safari

7-Day Safari, Mikumi, Udzungwa & Ruaha | Fly-out to Zanzibar

From$1,750
7 Days,6 Nights
Availability : Jun, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February, & March
Dar es Salaam
Mikumi > Udzungwa > Ruaha > Zanzibar

This 7-day southern Tanzania safari offers a perfect blend of wildlife, nature, and relaxation, combining three unique destinations with a seamless fly-out to Zanzibar. Starting in Mikumi National Park, you’ll enjoy classic game drives across open plains often compared to the Serengeti, with chances to see lions, elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes. Continue to the lush and biodiverse Udzungwa Mountains National Park, where guided hikes lead you through tropical forests to spectacular waterfalls, home to endemic primates and bird species.

The journey then takes you to the remote and wild Ruaha National Park, one of the Tanzania’s largest national park, known for its dramatic landscapes and high concentration of predators, especially lions. After immersive game drives in this untamed wilderness, conclude your adventure with a scenic flight to Zanzibar, where white sandy beaches and turquoise waters provide the perfect tropical escape. This itinerary is ideal for travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path safari experience followed by coastal relaxation.

4-Day Midrange Nyerere Safari from Dar es Salaam

From$992
4 Day,3 Night
Availability : Jun, July, August, September, October, November, Decemberc, January, February, March
Dar es Salaam
Nyerere National Park

Embark on a 4-day midrange Nyerere National Park safari from Dar es Salaam, exploring the park’s savannahs, rivers, and general landscape. Enjoy a sunset boat safari on the Rufiji River, game drives spotting wildlife like elephants and lions, a hot spring visit, and nature walks. Stay in authentic tented accommodation and return to Dar es Salaam on Day 4 with unforgettable memories to share with family or friends.

1 travellers are considering this tour right now!

Proceed Booking