The protected areas located in southern Tanzania are both beautiful and wild, and they typically receive far fewer visitors in comparison to the more famous and “popular” northern parks. The roads in the southern parks are often in poor condition and the distances between them are much greater than those in the northern circuit. As a result, many travellers opt to fly from one park to another. The Southern Safari Circuit of Tanzania, however, features more off-the-beaten-track safari destinations that are generally less explored. These parks are ideal for those seeking a wilder and more unique safari experience. Two of the most sought-after gems in southern Tanzania are the Ruaha National Park and Selous Game Reserve. Dubbed the “best-kept safari secrets” of Tanzania, these parks are often on the bucket lists of many seasoned safari-goers.
If time and budget permit, the southern circuit can also be combined with the Serengeti in the north or linked with the west. Some parks and reserves can be visited using Dar es Salaam as a starting point, including Saadani National Park located north of Dar es Salaam. Additionally, two hours to the west is the little park of Mikumi, which is situated on both sides of the highway that meanders down to Iringa and Mbeya, eventually leading to Zambia or northern Malawi.
Overview
A Southern Tanzania Safari is very highly regarded by safari enthusiasts for several reasons. Firstly the game viewing – these areas offer a good variety and density of game, an interesting crossover of eastern and southern Africa species, and plenty of predator action. In addition, open-sided safari vehicles enhance the viewing experience, in contrast to the closed-sided vehicles used in the north.