Tanzania‘s Southern Circuit is the perfect alternative safari destination to the famous parks of the north such as Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. This region, made up of the Selous, Ruaha and Mikumi parks and reserves, is located in the southern parts of Tanzania and is easily accessible via Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. It is home to large tracts of wilderness, which are home to exceptional densities of game and bird species. The region is also significantly less crowded than the northern regions of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, making it ideal for a more relaxed safari and wilderness experience.
Tanzania‘s Selous Game Reserve is the largest game reserve in Africa. This gem of a park, which often flies under the radar, is a hotspot for wildlife populations, with extremely high densities of game species. These include the famous Big 5, as well as large populations of hippo and crocodile in the Rufiji River, which runs through the park. The park’s savannah plains, open floodplains and thornveld thickets are also home to notable bird populations. The park is also situated conveniently close to Dar es Salaam, making it the perfect destination for the safari enthusiast.
Ruaha National Park is a nature and safari paradise. This vast Tanzanian wilderness is home to an astonishing array of wildlife species, including over 500 species of birds, 1400 species of plants, and a host of mammal species that include the African Big 5. The landscapes in the park are also truly stunning, as it is home to the Rift Valley, with the Great Ruaha River running through the park. Large prides of lion can be seen roaming through the wilderness.
Mikumi National Park is located on the border of Selous Game Reserve, and lies a just a few hour’s drive away from Dar es Salaam making it conveniently located and very easy to access by road. The park is made up of a host of different ecosystem types, including grasslands, miombo woodlands, and open floodplains. These give rise to a variety of wildlife species, including large herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as smaller game such as kudu and antelope. The park is also a superb birding destination, with over 400 species recorded.
