Tanzania Southern Parks Safari
Nyerere and Ruaha: wild Tanzania without the crowds
Your Route
Dar es Salaam → Nyerere (Selous) → Ruaha → Dar es Salaam
Route Details
Nyerere National Park (Selous)
Nyerere
Africa's largest protected area with boat safaris and wild dogs.
Highlights
- Boat safaris on the Rufiji River
- Walking safaris through pristine wilderness
- Wild dog populations
- Massive buffalo and elephant herds
Ruaha National Park
Ruaha
Tanzania's largest national park with incredible predator action.
Highlights
- Large lion prides and leopard sightings
- Great Ruaha River wildlife concentrations
- Baobab-studded landscape
- Remote wilderness atmosphere
A Typical Day
Sample from Nyerere National Park (Selous)
5:30–6:30
Walking safari at first light
7:00–12:00
Boat safari on the Rufiji
12:00–15:00
Lunch at camp, siesta
15:00–18:00
Game drive through the reserve
18:00–21:00
Sundowners on the riverbank
Activities
Included Activities
Optional (additional cost)
Is This Right for You?
Best for
Repeat Tanzania visitors, those avoiding crowds, walking safari enthusiasts, and photographers seeking wild dog and predator action.
Not ideal for
First-timers wanting Serengeti, those on tight budgets, or travelers wanting the classic northern circuit.
Trade-offs
Like what you see?
We'll customize this route around your preferences
Best Time to Go
Dry Season
Best wildlife concentrations at rivers
Early Dry
Good wildlife, shoulder season rates
Why This Itinerary Works
Every Vurara Safaris itinerary reflects specific trade-offs. Here is the reasoning behind this route:
10 days balances depth at each location against travel fatigue. Shorter trips sacrifice wildlife time; longer trips face diminishing returns.
Segment order minimizes backtracking and positions high-density wildlife areas at optimal points in the journey.
Premium positioning in private concessions or exclusive-use camps. Higher cost buys exclusivity, flexibility, and guide expertise.
Repeat Tanzania visitors, those avoiding crowds, walking safari enthusiasts, and photographers seeking wild dog and predator action.
Why each segment was chosen:
Nyerere National Park (Selous)
Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.
Ruaha National Park
Location selected for wildlife density, logistical efficiency, and alignment with stated priorities.
These decisions are not arbitrary. They reflect documented trade-offs from thousands of safari conversations.
How Vurara Safaris makes decisionsCustomization Options
Accommodation Options
Travel Modes
Available Extensions
Zanzibar Beach Extension
Add beach time after safari
Mikumi National Park
Add accessible park en route
Cost Context
$8,000–$15k/pp
Per person estimate
This cost band represents typical per-person pricing for this itinerary pattern. Actual costs vary based on accommodation tier, travel mode, season, and party size.
Excluding international flights, includes internal charters
Related Decisions
Questions to consider before booking