11-Day Southern Tanzania Self-Drive Safari

No reviews yet
11 days 10 nights
10
Gallery Image
Gallery Image
Gallery Image
Destination: Tanzania
Duration
11 Days / 10 Nights
Group Size
1-10 travelers
Price
$ 3,250.00

Overview

11-Day Southern Tanzania Self-Drive Safari: Remote Parks & Rainforests

Discover the untamed beauty of Southern Tanzania on this 11-day self-drive safari designed for adventurous, independent travelers. This off-the-beaten-path route takes you deep into lesser-known national parks—Nyerere, Mikumi, Ruaha, and Udzungwa Mountains. It’s the ideal safari for those seeking solitude, raw wilderness, and authentic cultural encounters.

Drive your own 4x4 through remote landscapes, camp under the stars, or stay in cozy lodges. With wildlife-rich plains, tropical rainforests, and ancient archaeological sites, this Southern Tanzania self-drive safari offers a truly unique experience.

Nyerere National Park

Begin your adventure in Nyerere National Park, Africa’s largest protected area, where vast wilderness and low visitor numbers create an authentic safari atmosphere. The Rufiji River winds through the park, offering ideal conditions for boat safaris and close encounters with elephants, lions, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife.

Mikumi National Park

As you head north, Mikumi offers a more relaxed safari experience with open terrain that makes wildlife spotting easy and rewarding. Often compared to the Serengeti for its landscapes, but far less crowded, this park is home to zebras, giraffes, elephants, and lions, making it a great destination for self-drivers and wildlife photographers alike.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha stands out as one of Tanzania’s wildest and most remote parks. Known for its rugged beauty and high concentration of predators and elephants, it offers a deep immersion into the untamed heart of the country. With its iconic baobab-dotted landscapes and complete sense of isolation, Ruaha promises a raw and unforgettable safari experience.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

To round out your journey, the Udzungwa Mountains provide a lush and refreshing contrast to the drier plains. Covered in tropical rainforest, the park is a hotspot of biodiversity, home to rare primates and endemic bird species. It’s an excellent destination for hiking, with scenic trails leading to waterfalls and panoramic viewpoints.

Rates vary based on group size, season, and accommodation choice. Please contact us for a detailed quote tailored to your preferences.  With over two decades of expertise in crafting immersive journeys across East Africa, we ensure every detail is thoughtfully planned — from a seamless vehicle handover to curated accommodations that reflect the authentic character of each destination. Enquire this 11 days safari in Tanzania to start your journey to these great places.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival day

Arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport. Meet & greet and transfer to your hotel. Relax after your flight and receive your safari briefing.

Lodge Serena Hotel

Day 2

Nyerere National Park

Pick up your fully-equipped 4x4 and begin your journey to Nyerere National Park, Africa’s largest protected wildlife reserve.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Africa Safari Selous Lodge

Day 3

Nyerere National Park

Full day to explore Nyerere on game drives. Optional boat safari on the Rufiji River offers views of crocodiles, hippos, and birds.

Camping Lema Eco Camp

Lodge Africa Selous Lodge

Day 4

Mikumi National Park

Drive through the scenic Morogoro region and Uluguru Mountains to Mikumi National Park. Afternoon game drive.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Karatu Tented Lodge

Day 5

Mikumi National Park

Explore Mikumi’s savannahs with giraffes, elephants, zebras, lions, and wildebeest.

Camping Camp Bastian campsite

Lodge Vuma Hills Lodge

Day 6

Ruaha National Park

Drive through Iringa and across the Great Rift Valley into the heart of Ruaha.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Day 7

Ruaha National Park

Full-day game drive in one of Tanzania’s most spectacular wildlife havens, home to lions, wild dogs, kudu, and vast elephant herds.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Day 8

Ruaha National Park

Another day for deep exploration of Ruaha’s rugged terrain and abundant wildlife.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Ruaha Hilltop Lodge

Day 9

Udzungwa Mountains

Drive to Iringa with a stop at the fascinating Isimila Stone Age archaeological site. Continue to Udzungwa Mountains for an overnight stay.

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Udzungwa Falls Lodge

Day 10

Udzungwa Mountains – Dar es Salaam

After a morning hike in the rainforest to Sanje Waterfalls, return to Dar es Salaam via Morogoro

Camping Public campsite

Lodge Mediterraneo Hotel

Day 11

Last day

Transfer to Julius Nyerere International Airport for your onward journey or extend your stay with a Zanzibar beach add-on.

Included

Location

Map location not available

Important Info

Essential information you need to know before booking this trip

Age Requirements

Minimum Age: 0
Maximum Age: 99 years

Downloads

No downloads available for this trip.

FAQ

This itinerary is best suited for confident drivers with prior off-road or overland experience. The southern parks are remote with limited infrastructure, but our GPS system, backup support, and thorough briefing make it manageable for capable self-drivers.
Yes. All nights can be upgraded to comfortable mid-range or luxury lodges. We offer both full camping and mixed lodge-camping options depending on your comfort and budget.
You’ll drive a Toyota Land Cruiser with either a rooftop tent or a pop-up roof for game viewing. Each vehicle is equipped with recovery gear, fridge, dual battery system, and Tracks4Africa navigation.
Yes, with preparation. Roads are often in fair to rough condition, but security is not a concern in the national parks. We provide 24/7 support and route briefings to ensure your safety.
The dry season (June to October) offers the best wildlife viewing and road conditions. The green season (November to March) has fewer tourists, lush scenery, and excellent birding.
Absolutely. After returning to Dar es Salaam, we can assist with ferry or flight arrangements to Zanzibar for a relaxing beach extension.

Story

No story available for this trip yet.

Special

No special features listed for this trip yet.

Testimonials

No testimonials yet

Be the first to share your experience on this amazing trip!

Write a Review

Reviews

0.0 /5

based on 0 reviews

Rating breakdown

0
0
0
0
0

No reviews yet. Be the first to review this trip!

Write a Review

Similar Adventures