This is the Southern Circuit in full — three parks, three distinct landscapes, one continuous journey. You'll ease into the pace of southern Tanzania overland through Mikumi's open plains and wooded foothills, a gentle start before the wilderness deepens. From there, a scenic flight carries you into Nyerere, where mornings mean boat safaris on the Rufiji River — hippo pods, fish eagles, and crocodiles sunning on the banks — and a dawn walking safari puts you on foot in lion country, guided by an armed ranger who reads the bush like a map. A final flight west into Ruaha closes the trip with big-cat game drives through dramatic, baobab-dotted terrain along the Great Ruaha River, tracking healthy lion prides and searching the riverbeds for elephant and kudu.

 

Every transfer is scheduled and met — you're never left figuring out logistics on your own. This is the itinerary for travelers who've already done a Northern Circuit safari and want the fuller, wilder version of Tanzania that most visitors never see. Short on time? Compress it to seven days by shortening the Mikumi stay. Have an extra day? Add a Udzungwa rainforest hike (see Package 4) for a genuine change of pace.