Tanzania – National parks in the south

You will be picked up from Dar es Salaam airport and driven to your hotel in Dar es Salaam. Depending on your arrival time, you have the option of relaxing by the pool, going on a city tour of Tanzania’s largest city or traveling to one of the two nearby islands of Mbudya or Bongoyo.

In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel by your driver and drive to Mikumi National Park. On the way to the national park you will see giraffes, antelopes and the yellow baboons typical of the south. Enjoy the view of the Uluguru mountains. In the afternoon, you will experience your first game drive in Mikumi National Park, which was established in 1963.

Driving time: approx. 4-5h Distance: 230 km Game drive: 2-3h

As soon as the morning sun bathes the surroundings in vibrant colors, you set off on an early morning game drive. Hippos frolic in the waterhole and crocodiles wait for their prey at the edge of the bank. A few impressive elephants stand in the shade of the tamarind trees, and buffalo, antelopes and zebras can also be observed.
Game drive: 6-8h or 2x 3-4h

Immediately after breakfast, drive to the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The protected mountain range is known as the “Galapagos Islands of Africa” and is a unique, exciting wilderness paradise in the mountains, which can only be explored on foot. In the afternoon, you can take a hike of several hours to the Sanje waterfalls, which cascade down 330 meters over 3 cascades. Or you can take a walk to the nearby Mangùla village.

Today you will spend the day at the foot of the Udzungwa Mountains. You have the opportunity to decide the day’s program yourself. You can choose from the following excursions: a visit to a rubber plantation, hiking trip to the Magombero forest or a guided tour with bird watching A minimum of 2 participants per activity is required.

After breakfast, drive to Ruaha National Park, which you will reach in the afternoon. Shortly after the park entrance there are an impressive number of hippos. Ruaha National Park is believed to have the highest concentration of elephants in East Africa. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, eland antelopes, impalas and jackals can also be seen in large numbers.

Travel time: approx. 6-7h Distance: 370 km Game drive: 2h

Today you will spend the day in the Ruaha National Park, which is rich in game. You can go on a full day game drive or return to the lodge around midday to enjoy lunch on the lodge terrace. The landscapes in the park range from semi-desert scrubland to the extensive Miombo woodlands and vast plains. The Ruaha River characterizes the landscape with a length of 160 km and is the lifeline for crocodiles, hippos, elephants and the greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), among others, which cannot be found in any other national park.

Game drive: 6-8h or 2x 3-4h

With numerous new memories and breathtaking photos of the last few days, you set off on the next day’s stage. The journey for via Mikumi to Morogoro. You will reach your lodge in the evening.

Travel time: approx. 6-7h Distance: 380 km

Enjoy today in the relaxed surroundings of the farm. You can enjoy the view of the Uluguru Mountains from the pool, go on a mountain bike tour, play golf and tennis or take a guided tour of the chili farm. In addition to chili peppers, lemongrass is also grown for export. Those interested in birdwatching will enjoy the farm grounds – 230 different bird species have already been spotted there.

The drive to the Selous begins in the early hours of the morning. Unlike other protected areas in Tanzania, the Selous is not a national park but a game reserve and is around three times the size of the Serengeti. Its remote location in the south has preserved the wildlife’s indomitable nature to this day. The route over the Uluguru Mountains is particularly scenic. Here you can see an unspoiled population along the slightly widened road, which is now passable even when it rains. You spend the night at the gates of the Selous.
Travel time: approx. 4-5h Distance: 180 km

The game drive begins in the northern part of the Selous. Large herds of buffalo, elephant and eland can often be seen in the area, which is characterized by the Miombo woodland. Kudus and other antelope species can also be found here. Around midday you will reach the hot springs near Lake Tagalala. The surrounding lakes and the Rufiji River have an enormous concentration of hippos, crocodiles, lions, zebras and giraffes.
Game drive: 6-8h

The day begins with a game drive in the area surrounding the lodge. With a bit of luck you will see lions, leopards or wild dogs, for which the Selous is a last refuge. The density of animals is not only high on land, but there is also plenty of life in the water. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to observe animals from the boat. You will be able to see crocodiles and hippos. A boat safari is the best way to approach the colorful birds (e.g.: kingfisher and roseate) undisturbed.

Game drive: 4-5h Boat safari: 1h

After breakfast, you leave the impressive Selous Game Reserve and drive to Dar es Salam. In the coastal region, coconut palms, hardwood trees and sisal in particular are cultivated. On the way, you can buy hand-woven baskets and other decorative items. In the late afternoon, you will reach the bustling city of Dar es Salaam and board your flight to Zanzibar or back to Europe.

Travel time: approx. 4-5h Distance: 230 km