8-Day Tanzania Southern Safari: Nyerere & Ruaha
Boat, walking and game-drive safaris in two of Tanzania's wildest, least crowded parks.
Go beyond the expected.
A southern safari for travellers who prefer space and quiet. Nyerere National Park adds river cruises and walking safaris to game drives, while Ruaha's dry, rugged country is known for elephants, greater kudu and lions. Visitors usually fly between the parks.
- Boat safari on the Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park
- Walking safari and game drives in Nyerere
- Game drives in Ruaha National Park among baobabs and rocky hills
- Small camps and few other vehicles
- Light-aircraft flights between the parks
What's included
Included
- All accommodation as specified
- Private 4x4 safari vehicle with driver-guide
- Park and reserve entrance fees for the activities listed
- Guided activities as listed in the day-by-day itinerary
- Meals as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
- Light-aircraft flights between Dar es Salaam, Nyerere and Ruaha
Not included
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic beverages
Confirm current park fees, permit availability, accommodation and pricing before booking, since these can change with season and demand. Access to remote areas should be confirmed before travel.
Day by day
Day 1 Arrival in Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Arrive and transfer to your accommodation, with time to rest and meet your guide for a briefing on the days ahead.
Day 2 Fly to Nyerere
Nyerere National Park
Fly to Nyerere National Park, with an afternoon game drive or boat safari on arrival.
Day 3 Boat safari and game drive
Nyerere National Park
A morning boat safari on the Rufiji River, where hippos, crocodiles and water birds are easy to see, followed by an afternoon game drive.
Day 4 Walking safari
Nyerere National Park
A guided walking safari with an armed ranger, learning about tracks, plants and insects, followed by a game drive in the late afternoon.
Day 5 Fly to Ruaha
Ruaha National Park
Fly from Nyerere to Ruaha National Park, with a game drive on arrival across the dry savannah and along seasonal rivers.
Day 6 Ruaha game drives
Ruaha National Park
A full day of game drives in Ruaha, looking for elephant, lion, greater kudu, sable and roan antelope, and a variety of birds among baobabs.
Day 7 More of Ruaha
Ruaha National Park
A final morning game drive or guided walk, then a rest before the flight back to Dar es Salaam.
Day 8 Return and departure
Dar es Salaam
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
On this safari
Places you will visit
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Questions about 8-Day Tanzania Southern Safari: Nyerere & Ruaha
Can I combine a Tanzania safari with Zanzibar?
Yes, this is one of the most popular East African combinations — a Serengeti or Ngorongoro safari followed by several days on Zanzibar’s beaches, connected by a short flight.
Do I need a visa to visit Tanzania?
Most nationalities need a visa for Tanzania, commonly available as an e-visa applied for online before travel. Requirements vary by nationality, so confirm current guidance for your passport ahead of your safari.
How many national parks does Tanzania have?
Tanzania protects its landscapes across more than twenty national parks, alongside conservation areas and game reserves that together cover roughly a third of the country’s total area — one of the highest proportions of protected land of any country in the world.
Is climbing Kilimanjaro part of a normal safari?
Kilimanjaro is usually planned as its own multi-day trek (typically 6–9 days depending on route) either before or after a separate safari itinerary, rather than combined into the same days, since it requires its own acclimatisation schedule.
Is Tanzania or Kenya better for a first safari?
Both offer excellent safaris across largely the same ecosystem, and the choice often comes down to which side of the Serengeti-Mara border better fits your dates and interests — we’re happy to talk through the trade-offs for your specific safari.
What is the best time to visit the Serengeti?
The Serengeti has strong wildlife viewing year-round, but timing depends on what you want to see: the calving season is roughly January–March in the southern plains, and the dramatic river crossings typically happen around June–September in the north as the migration moves toward Kenya.