Southern & Western Circuit

Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park, located in southern Tanzania near the city of Morogoro, is the fourth-largest national park in the country, covering an area of about 3,230 square kilometers. Established in 1964, the park is part of the larger Selous ecosystem and is bordered by the Uluguru Mountains to the northeast and the vast Selous Game Reserve to the south. It is easily accessible from Dar es Salaam, making it a popular weekend getaway for both local and international visitors.

The park is known for its open grasslands and rich wildlife, which includes elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, and a variety of antelope species. The Mkata Floodplain, one of the most scenic parts of Mikumi, offers excellent game viewing and photography opportunities. Birdwatching is also rewarding, with over 400 recorded species.

Mikumi is often considered a great introduction to a Tanzanian safari due to its accessibility, diverse habitats, and high concentration of wildlife. Guided game drives and walking safaris offer visitors a chance to experience Tanzania’s natural beauty and wildlife up close.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park, located in central Tanzania, is the largest national park in the country, covering over 20,000 square kilometers. It is part of the greater Ruaha ecosystem, which includes the adjacent Rungwa and Kizigo game reserves. Named after the Great Ruaha River, which runs along its southeastern border, the park offers a diverse landscape of rolling hills, baobab-studded plains, rocky escarpments, and seasonal rivers.

Ruaha is renowned for its high density of elephants, large predator populations, and untouched wilderness. It is one of the best places in East Africa to see lions, including large prides, as well as leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and the endangered African wild dog. The park also hosts a variety of herbivores, such as kudu, roan and sable antelopes, and over 570 species of birds.

Despite its vast size and rich biodiversity, Ruaha remains less visited than parks in northern Tanzania, offering a more remote and exclusive safari experience. It is ideal for travelers seeking solitude, abundant wildlife, and unspoiled African landscapes far from the crowds.

Kitulo National Park

Kitulo National Park, located in southern Tanzania on the Kitulo Plateau, spans approximately 413 square kilometers and sits at an altitude of around 2,600 meters. Established in 2005, the park is often referred to as the “Serengeti of Flowers” and locally known as Bustani ya Mungu, meaning “The Garden of God.” It is the first national park in tropical Africa established primarily for the protection of flora. The park is globally recognized for its spectacular wildflower displays, particularly during the rainy season from November to April, when orchids, lilies, irises, and other endemic plants bloom in vibrant colors.

Kitulo’s highland grasslands and montane forests support a unique range of biodiversity. While large mammals are scarce, the park is home to eland, mountain reedbuck, and primates such as blue and colobus monkeys. It is also a haven for birdwatchers, hosting rare species like the blue swallow, Denham’s bustard, and the Kipengere seedeater. Visitors can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, and exploring waterfalls and nearby forests. Kitulo offers a tranquil alternative to traditional safaris, ideal for botanists, hikers, and nature enthusiasts seeking beauty and solitude.

Katavi National Park

Katavi National Park, located in remote western Tanzania, is the country’s third-largest national park, covering approximately 4,471 square kilometers. Established in 1974 and expanded in 1997, it remains one of Tanzania’s most untouched and least-visited wilderness areas, offering a truly raw and authentic safari experience. The park centers around the Katuma River, Lake Katavi, and Lake Chada, which become vital water sources during the dry season (June to October), attracting huge concentrations of wildlife.

Katavi is renowned for its massive buffalo herds—sometimes numbering over 1,000—alongside elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and various antelope species such as sable, roan, and eland. Predators including lions, leopards, hyenas, and African wild dogs are also commonly seen. The park hosts over 400 bird species, making it a rewarding destination for birdwatching, particularly in the wet season.

Due to its remote location, Katavi sees few visitors annually, providing exceptional solitude and unspoiled nature. Activities include game drives, walking safaris, and seasonal boat trips.

Selous game Reserve

Selous Game Reserve (now part of Nyerere National Park) is one of Africa’s largest protected wildlife areas, located in southern Tanzania. Covering over 50,000 square kilometers, it is roughly the size of Switzerland and boasts a diverse landscape of savannahs, woodlands, rivers, and wetlands. The reserve is named after British explorer and conservationist Frederick Selous.

Selous is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including large populations of elephants, lions, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and the endangered African wild dog. The Rufiji River, which runs through the reserve, supports a wide range of aquatic and bird life and is a vital ecological feature.

Unlike more commercialized parks, Selous offers a quieter and more remote safari experience, with activities such as boat safaris, walking tours, and fly camping. In 2019, a large part of the reserve was renamed and upgraded to national park status as Nyerere National Park to boost conservation and tourism efforts. Selous remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its ecological importance and wildlife diversity.

Gombe Stream National Park

Gombe Game Reserve, also known as Gombe Stream National Park, is a small but biologically rich protected area located in western Tanzania, along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Covering just 52 square kilometers, it is best known for its population of wild chimpanzees and for being the site of Dr. Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking primate research, which began in 1960.

The reserve is primarily composed of steep valleys, tropical forest, and grassland, making it a unique habitat for a variety of wildlife. Apart from chimpanzees, Gombe is home to olive baboons, red colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and over 200 bird species. Its remote location and lush vegetation offer a peaceful and immersive nature experience.

Chimpanzee trekking is the main attraction, allowing visitors to observe one of our closest animal relatives in their natural habitat. Due to its scientific significance and conservation value, Gombe remains a symbol of wildlife research and environmental awareness. The park’s intimate size and personal encounters with primates provide a rare and unforgettable safari experience.

Mahale Mountains National park

Mahale Mountains National Park is a remote and stunningly beautiful protected area located on the eastern shores of Lake Tanganyika in western Tanzania. Covering approximately 1,613 square kilometers, the park is dominated by the dramatic Mahale Mountains, which rise steeply from the lakeshore and are covered in lush tropical forests.

The park is most famous for its wild chimpanzees, with one of the largest protected populations in Africa. Visitors can trek through the forest to observe these primates up close, a rare and deeply rewarding experience. The research on chimpanzees here, started in the 1960s by Japanese scientists, continues to this day. In addition to chimpanzees, Mahale is home to other wildlife, including red colobus monkeys, leopards, and over 350 species of birds. The clear waters of Lake Tanganyika offer excellent swimming, snorkeling, and fishing opportunities.

Accessible only by boat or small aircraft, Mahale’s remote location ensures a secluded and authentic wilderness experience. Its combination of mountain scenery, lake views, and unique wildlife makes it one of Tanzania’s most exceptional and unspoiled national parks.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

Udzungwa Mountains National Park, located in south-central Tanzania, spans approximately 1,990 square kilometers and is part of the ancient Eastern Arc Mountains. Often referred to as the “African Galápagos,” the park is celebrated for its exceptional biodiversity and high levels of endemism. It features a range of habitats including tropical rainforest, mountain forests, miombo woodlands, and grasslands.

The park is home to over 2,500 plant species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Wildlife includes unique primates like the Udzungwa red colobus and the Sanje crested mangabey, alongside elephants, leopards, bushbucks, and more than 400 species of birds. Unlike other parks, Udzungwa has no roads or vehicle access, making it ideal for trekking and nature exploration.

One of its major attractions is the Sanje Waterfalls, a stunning 170-meter cascade offering scenic views and refreshing swimming spots. The park’s diverse landscapes and remote tranquility make it a haven for hikers, birdwatchers, and researchers seeking an immersive experience in one of Africa’s most ecologically important mountain regions.

INAFRICA SAFARIS

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Tanzania

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