Southern Circuit
.. Overview ..
Tanzania southern circuit safaris, is home to several national parks and game reserves, each offering a distinct and unforgettable safari experience. Nyerere Nationalpark, the largest park in Tanzania, is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Spanning over 30,000 square kilometers, Nyerere is home to a vast array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, hippos, and crocodiles. The park also boasts a diverse bird population, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Visitors can explore the reserve through game drives, boat safaris, and walking safaris, allowing for a more intimate and immersive experience with nature.
Tanzania Destinations - Southern Circuit
The lush, high-elevation rain forest of Udzungwa National Park is an excellent location for moderate trekking and strolling. It is one of the 200 ecoregions of global critical concern recognised by the World Wildlife Federation and one of the 34 "World Biodiversity Hotspots." The Uluguru and Usambara mountains stretch northward from the Southern Highlands to Pare, and the Udzungwa forest is a section of this mountain range, known as the Eastern Arc. Numerous native species of plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, butterflies, and insects live in the forest; some of these species are unique to this part of the globe.
Udzungwa is a distinctive cultural monument because it has caves that have been used for many years by the local tribes' spiritual traditions and ceremonies. These caves have been conserved, allowing visitors to experience the ancient religious customs.
The second largest park in Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is situated in the centre of the country, approximately 130 kilometres from Iringa, and spans an area of more than 13,000 km2. Large baobab trees, acacia grasslands, and Miombo woodland are the three main vegetation types of Ruaha.
These areas are home to a wide variety of animal species. Large numbers of elephants, giraffes, impalas, buffalo, lions, leopards, and hunting dogs are a few of the main draws. Residents of the park to the east are crocodiles and hippos, who live along the Great Ruaha River. Ruaha is a highly sought-after location for avian enthusiasts, since 436 species have been identified to date.
Mikumi National Park is bordered to the south by Selous Game Reserve, the two areas forming a unique ecosystem. The vegetation of this area consists of savannah dotted with acacia, baobab, tamarinds, and some rare palm. Mikumi was named a National Park in 1967 and currently has an approximate size of 3,230 km2. Mikumi offers a unique wildlife experience with a large number of herbivores (buffaloes, giraffes, elephants and zebra) and a rich variety of bird species (more than 400) identified. On the hunt for all the herbivores, you will find large crocodiles, and of course lions and leopards.
With a total area of over 55,000 km2, or nearly four times the size of the Serengeti, Selous Game Reserve is the largest wildlife reserve in the world. A select few are fortunate enough to be able to go on a safari in the pristine and untamed wilderness of Selous, which is significant enough to be recognised as a World Heritage Site.
The Englishman Sir Frederick Selous, a well-known big game hunter and pioneering conservationist whose adventure writings on Africa became best-selling in Victorian England, is honoured by the reserve's name. One of the reserve's distinctive features is that it is home to one-third of the world's population of African hunting dogs. While you're here, take in the grandeur of massive elephant migrations, get up close and personal with all five of the Big Five, and even go game fishing.
Quick Links
Affiliation
© Wazo Safaris 2025. all rights reserved.