8-Day Southern Tanzania Adventure

Overview

What makes this journey special

Wildlife safaris in Ruaha and MikumiSanje Waterfalls hike & mountain campSunrise at Sanje · Kilombero boat dayDar connection to Zanzibar or flight

Ruaha and Mikumi wildlife, Udzungwa rainforest hiking, Sanje Waterfalls camping, a Kilombero River boat day and sunrise in the mountains – a complete southern Tanzania journey away from the busy northern circuit.

This eight-day adventure combines exceptional game viewing in Ruaha and Mikumi with the Eastern Arc forests of Udzungwa and the bird-rich Kilombero Valley. You spend two nights in Ruaha, hike to Sanje Falls with a mountain camp night, then drop to the river for a boat safari before Mikumi’s classic Mkata plains.

Southern Tanzania offers huge parks, fewer vehicles and landscapes that shift from Miombo woodland to rainforest gorge to wide savannah in a single week. Wild Gaze guides from Iringa know Ruaha’s river circuits and the logistics of the Udzungwa hike and Kilombero boat operators.

The tour finishes in Dar es Salaam in time for an evening boat to Zanzibar or your onward flight. Share your dates and lodge preferences for a tailored quote – pricing depends on season, group size and accommodation level.

See the journey

Destinations you will visit on this safari

Ruaha National Park Explore destination →

Udzungwa Mountains Explore destination →

Mikumi National Park Explore destination →

Day by day

Your itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park

Drive to Ruaha National Park and arrive in time for an afternoon game drive, depending on arrival time. Explore baobabs, the Great Ruaha River and diverse wildlife. Overnight in Ruaha National Park.

Afternoon game drive

Day 2

Full-day safari in Ruaha

Ruaha National Park

Full-day game drive with a picnic lunch, searching for elephant, lion, buffalo, giraffe, kudu, hippo and more across different areas of the park. Overnight in Ruaha National Park.

Full-day safariPicnic lunch

Day 3

Ruaha to Udzungwa Mountains

Ruaha · Southern Highlands · Udzungwa

After breakfast, depart Ruaha and drive towards Udzungwa Mountains National Park through the Southern Highlands. Arrive in the Udzungwa / Mang'ula area later in the day, relax and prepare for the mountain adventure. Overnight near Udzungwa.

Scenic transfer

Day 4

Sanje Waterfalls hiking & camping

Udzungwa Mountains · Sanje Falls

Early guided hike towards spectacular Sanje Waterfalls through rainforest, birdlife and Udzungwa's unique primates, with views over the Kilombero Valley. Continue to the camping area for a night in the mountains. Overnight at Sanje / Udzungwa camping.

HikingMountain camping

Day 5

Sunrise at Sanje · transfer to Ifakara

Sanje · Ifakara · Kilombero

Wake early for a peaceful sunrise around Sanje Waterfalls over forest and valley. After breakfast, descend and continue towards Ifakara / Kilombero. Afternoon free to rest or explore locally before the river safari. Overnight Ifakara / Kilombero.

SunriseValley transfer

Day 6

Kilombero River boat safari · Mikumi

Kilombero River · Mikumi National Park

Morning boat safari on the Kilombero River – river birding, crocodiles, hippos and unique valley scenery. Return for lunch, then drive to Mikumi National Park. Arrive in the afternoon and relax at lodge or camp. Overnight Mikumi National Park.

Boat safariTransfer to Mikumi

Day 7

Full-day game drive in Mikumi

Mikumi National Park

Early breakfast and a full-day game drive on the Mkata floodplain and surrounding areas – elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, lion, hippo and more, with a picnic lunch before the afternoon drive. Overnight Mikumi.

Full-day safari

Day 8

Mikumi to Dar es Salaam · departure

Mikumi · Dar es Salaam

After breakfast, depart Mikumi for Dar es Salaam with time for a lunch stop en route. Arrive in Dar in time for an evening flight or boat transfer to Zanzibar. End of tour.

Road transferDeparture

Getting there

Arrival & transfers

Most guests start with a road transfer or flight into Ruaha and finish in Dar es Salaam. Wild Gaze can arrange Iringa or Dar pick-ups, domestic flights and your Zanzibar ferry timing in the quote.

Inclusions