Southern Circuit  

The awe-inspiring Tanzania is a superb safari destination with numerous wilderness regions and wildlife reserves and does not stop to impress. 

An absolute must is the fantastic Selous Game Reserve, the epitome of the true African safari and the oldest as well as largest game reserve in Africa which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. 

The phenomenal volume of wildlife, exceptional sceneries and the diversity of safaris make it such a sought-after, original African safari destination. Whether you want to go on safari in Africa with the whole family or experience a romantic honeymoon in the African bush, this is the place to be. Fantastic game viewing can be done via bush walks or walking safaris, on regular game drives in a 4x4 safari vehicle, by boat or via a fly-in safari. Amongst others, lions, elephants and buffalos can be seen here all year round in exceptionally great numbers as well as wild dogs. 

Close to Selous and partially a part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, the Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a highly biodiverse, off the grid reserve with highlands, a large tropical rainforest, waterfalls, miombo woodlands, grassland and steppe as well as different primates and bird species. This is not your usual game viewing park and a hikers heaven with superb forest trails, for example to the 170 metres high Sanje Waterfall. Speaking of primates, the Iringa red colobus and Sanje Crested Mangabey are endemic to this area. 

Continue your Tanzanian safari by driving 65 kms northeast and you will reach Mikumi National Park, the most accessible game reserve from Dar es Salaam by tar road. It borders the Udzungwa Mountains National Park and the Selous Game Reserve and affords you the opportunity to spot the big five as well as hippos and also offers great bird watching. Some even compare the game rich Mkata Floodplain in the centre of this fabulous national park with the Serengeti plains. 

Following the A7, which connects Dar es Salaam with Mikumi and the town of Iringa in south-westerly direction, you will reach Tanzania’s largest protected area, the Ruaha National Park. This famous wilderness area entices visitors with rare game viewing, magnificent landscapes, the Great Ruaha River and other rivers as well as a relatively unspoiled ecosystem, thus providing unique safari experiences. 

This amazing game reserve can be accessed via a gravel road from Iringa, a town in the Southern Highlands region that overlooks the Ruaha River Valley from its elevated position on a hill. Enjoy panoramic views over the town from Gangilonga Rock, formerly a meeting point for the chief. Other attractions in Iringa comprise a popular market and German colonial buildings. 

Just 22 km southwest of town, the Isimila stone age site is a must see. Join a guided canyon tour of this important archaeological site to impressive stone pillar formations. Visit the little museum where you can see the fossils and tools that were found here.