Southern Circuit Wilderness

Ruaha and Nyerere National Park — vast, uncrowded wilderness far from the tourist trail.

7 days Mid-range Ruaha & Nyerere National Parks From $3,100 per person

Southern Circuit Wilderness · 7 days

Package Overview

For travelers who want Tanzania's wildlife without the crowds, the Southern Circuit is the answer. Ruaha is one of Africa's largest national parks and one of its least visited, while Nyerere (formerly Selous) offers boat safaris along the Rufiji River alongside classic game drives. Expect long horizons, huge cat densities, and very few other vehicles.

Highlights

One of Africa's highest lion and wild dog densities
Boat safari on the Rufiji River in Nyerere
A fraction of the vehicle traffic of the Northern Circuit
Fly-in options available to save travel time

Route map

Day 1-2 Ruaha National Park → Day 3-6 Nyerere National Park

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 • Arrival and transfer to Ruaha

Ruaha National Park

Fly or drive into Ruaha National Park and settle into camp ahead of an afternoon game drive.

Day 1 Accommodation, Ruaha Meal Plan: Full board

Day 2 • Full day Ruaha game drives

Explore Ruaha's baobab-studded landscape, known for exceptional lion and wild dog sightings.

Day 2 Accommodation, Ruaha Meal Plan: Full board

Day 3 • Ruaha game drive and transfer toward Nyerere

Morning game drive, then transfer toward Nyerere National Park.

Day 3 Accommodation, Nyerere Meal Plan: Full board

Day 4 • Nyerere game drives

Game drives through Nyerere's woodlands and open plains.

Day 4 Accommodation, Nyerere Meal Plan: Full board

Day 5 • Rufiji River boat safari

Rufiji River

A boat safari along the Rufiji River, tracking hippos, crocodiles and riverside wildlife.

Activity · RUFIJI RIVER BOAT SAFARI

A guided boat safari along the Rufiji River, Nyerere's wildlife corridor, tracking hippo pods, crocodiles and riverside birdlife from the water.

Day 5 Accommodation, Nyerere Meal Plan: Full board

Day 6 • Final game drive in Nyerere

One last game drive before settling in for the evening.

Day 6 Accommodation, Nyerere Meal Plan: Full board

Day 7 • Departure

Transfer back to the airstrip for your onward flight.

Included

✓All park and conservation fees
✓Private 4x4 safari vehicle
✓English-speaking driver-guide
✓Full board accommodation
✓Boat safari activity fees

Not included

✕International flights
✕Domestic flights (unless specified)
✕Tanzania visa
✕Tips for guides

Reviews of this trip

★★★★★ 4.8 · 612 reviews

All reviews →

miko pico / Tanzania · Oct 2026

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Southern Circuit Wilderness

Priya Patel / Canada · Sep 2026

Three other vehicles in five days

We saw three other vehicles in five days in Ruaha. Coming from a Serengeti trip years ago that felt more like a parking lot, this was the wilderness experience we didn't know we still wanted.

Southern Circuit Wilderness