Getting to the Southern Circuit: Flights, Roads and What to Expect

One reason the south stays quiet is that it takes a little more planning to reach. The good news is that we handle most of it, and understanding the shape of the journey makes it far less daunting.

Almost every Southern Circuit trip starts in Dar es Salaam. Nyerere and Ruaha are typically reached by short scheduled light-aircraft flights, which are scenic and quick compared with long drives. Mikumi is the exception: it’s reachable by road from Dar es Salaam in about four to five hours, which makes it a popular, budget-friendly entry point. Udzungwa sits roughly an hour and a half from Mikumi by road.

If you’re flying in internationally, you’ll arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. A Mufindi representative can meet you there or at your hotel. We suggest building in a night in Dar es Salaam before a morning bush flight, because it takes the pressure off if an international flight runs late.

The most important thing to know about bush flights is the luggage limit. It’s usually around 15kg per person including carry-on, in soft-sided bags. We’ll confirm the exact allowance for your flights before you travel.

For documents, make sure your passport has enough validity beyond your arrival date and a spare blank page or two, as many operators recommend six months of validity. Check Tanzania’s current visa process before you go, as it can change, and look up the current vaccination guidance for your own country, including any yellow fever certificate requirements for travellers arriving from certain countries. Ask your doctor about malaria prevention well ahead of departure. And take out travel insurance that covers medical care and evacuation.

Schedules and rules change, so we confirm current details when we build your itinerary rather than relying on old information.