11 Days Paradise in the Wilderness – Tanzania Explore: Kilimanjoro, Arusha, Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro. 11 Days Paradise in the Wilderness
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TANZANIA SOUTHERN CIRCUIT
Far from the well trodden paths of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, Tanzania’s southern circuit unfolds like a well-kept secret -vast untamed and breathtakingly wild. The southern circuit is a mixture of pure adventure, stepping into a realm where nature reigns supreme together offering tourists with unforgettable experiences.
In this article we are going to look out mainly for the southern circuit. The southern circuit harbors a variety of game parks, reserves and the cities. Some of the attractions include Ruaha national park, Katavi national park, Nyerere national park, Dar es salaam, Zanzibar and many more.
Why go on a Southern Tanzania Safari?
Safari lovers hold Southern Tanzania safaris in the highest respect for several captivating reasons including the predator activity, a decent variety and density of game, and an intriguing crossing of species from eastern and southern Africa in these locations. Furthermore, compared to the closed-sided safari vehicles utilized in the north, open-sided vehicles improve the viewing experience.
Secondly, compared to the more populated northern parks, the enormous parks and reserves provide visitors with a more exclusive and uncrowded game viewing experience, with fewer cars and tourists, and a clearer picture of the size of the African wilderness. Lastly, compared to the strictly regulated national parks in the north, the south and west of Tanzania provide a greater variety of activities such as the daytime game drives, walking safaris, boating safaris, fly camping, and mountain hiking.
The Ngorongoro Crater and the iconic Serengeti in the north are more famous due to their out standing features thus discouraging many tourists from discovering the Unique southern parts of Tanzania. Although we disagree, some agents believe that the south and west are better suited for experienced safari travellers and do not suggest them to first timers.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the captivating wonders of Tanzania’s Southern Circuit, exploring its must-see destinations, unique experiences, and why this part of the country deserves a spot on every traveller’s itinerary.
SELOUS GAME RESERVE.
Tanzania’s southern region is a home to the largest wildlife sanctuary (Selous game reserve) spanning over 54000 sqkm and is suited in the south of Mikumi. The park is 4 times big compared to Serengeti national park. It derives its name from Frederick Courtney Selous, an Englishman, a hunter, explorer, conservationist, and author whose adventure tales about Africa hit the bestseller list in Victorian England.
The best bush scenery, untouched by time, may be seen in Selous. Approximately 1700 plant species have been documented, despite it being one of Africa’s least scientifically studied regions. The Selous has become a superb habitat for animals, birds, insects, and reptiles in the extreme south due to the reserve’s size and general inaccessibility. Because of its exceptional biological significance, the reserve was named a ‘World Heritage Site’ by the UN in 1982.
The largest concentration of big game remaining on Earth can be found in Selous and some of them include elephants, buffalo, rhinos, sable antelope, wild dogs, hippopotamus, and lions there than anywhere else in the world. Selous game reserve still serves as the best birding destination in Africa with a multiple of bird species such as the fish eagle, secretary bird, kingfisher, sunbird, hornbill, bill stork, hammer and many more.
RUAHA NATIONAL PARK
Ruaha National Park is the second largest park in Tanzania, situated in the Central Tanzania 128 kilometres west of Iringa.
The park spans approximately 10,300 square kilometres of conservation land in the southwest of the nation. It is a special transition zone where Eastern and Southern fauna and flora species converge against a striking topography.
This is one of the few Tanzanian parks where sightings of the rarer antelope, such as the Sable, the Roan and both Lesser & Greater Kudu and many more. The park is also a renown habitat for a variety of bird species. Activities to do in Ruaha include game viewing, bird watching, and many more.
UDZUNGWA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
This is the most extensive and biodiverse mountain range in Southern Tanzania sheltering many endemic species of birds, primates, plants, amphibians, butterflies and reptiles including the Pygmy Bearded Chameleon.
Known as the Galapagos of Africa, the Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a section of the Eastern Arc Mountain Range. This place is an ornithological wonderland, home to more than 400 different species of birds including The Udzungwa Red Colobus, the Highland Mangeby, the Sanje Crested Mangeby, the Matundu Dwarf Galgo, and the Mountain Dwarf Galgo are a few examples of endemic primates.
The Rufous Winged, Udungwa Partridge and many more.
Hiking along natural trails, visiting the several waterfalls, birdwatching, cycling, village tours, fishing, and fly camping are all exciting things to do in Udzungwa.
SAADANI NATIONAL PARK
Situated on the north coast, roughly 100km northwest of Dar es Salaam as the crow flies, and a similar distance southwest of the port of Tanga. The park covers an area of 1,062 sq. km. Protected as a game reserve since the 1960s, Saadani was gazetted as a national park in 2002, when it was expanded to cover twice its former area. The reserve suffered greatly from poaching prior to the late 1990s, but recent years have seen a marked turnaround, due to a concerted clampdown on poachers, based on integrating adjacent villages into the conservation drive.
Game drives and walks are among the popular activities done with in Saadani national park. During the game drive you have a chance to view several wildlife such as giraffe, buffalo, warthog, common waterbuck, reedbuck, elephants, lions, hartebeest, wildebeest, red duiker, greater kudu, eland, sable antelope, yellow baboon, vervet monkey and many more.
Boat trips on the mangrove-lined Wami River come with a high chance of sighting hippos, crocodiles and several marine and riverine birds, including the mangrove kingfisher and lesser flamingo and many more.
Activities that can be done in Saadani are game drives, guided walks, boat trips, swimming, visit the Saadani fishing village and many more.
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