Southern Tanzania Tourist Circuit 

For many years, tourism in Tanzania was confined to either the northern game sanctuaries or along the coast. Recently, however, there has been a growth of interest
in the southern circuit, which has large unexploited areas of beauty and wildlife to offer. Safaris to the south are becoming increasingly popular. The areas’ isolation is in fact, part of its attraction. Those who wish to avoid the well-worn tourist routes head for Ruaha National park, the Selous Game Reserve or the Scenic southern Highlands.

Another advantage of using Dar-Es-Salaam instead of Arusha as the base for an itinerary is the relatively easy access to the coast and Islands. It is therefore, quite feasible to combine Coastal, Historical and Wildlife itineraries on one circuit.

Selous Game Reserve
This enormous reserve in South Tanzania first established in 1922, is the largest in Africa and the second largest in the world covering an area of 55,000 square
Kilometers. This makes it about twice the size of Denmark. The park is named after a Captain Fredrick Selous who was killed in action in 1917 whilst scouting in the area.
There are supposed to be over a million animals in this park and it is probably best known for its large numbers of Elephants. Perhaps the first thing to strike any visitor to the Selous is the sudden immersion into solitude. The impact of nature on the senses is irrefutable. The reserve gives the impression described by Erick Robbins in his book, “Secret Eden”. “…. Its petrified forests so ancient and authentic looking that one expects to see pre-historic Monsters”. The most exciting experience the Selous Game Reserve has to offer, however, must be the walking Safari. Walking through the bush the only protection a Ranger with his gun, must feel like being one of the early explorers braving the wild to discover its secrets. Game drives and boat trips are also organized.

Ruaha National Park
Ruaha National Park is located 130 km west of Iringa and from there it is a drive of about 4 hours. It is the most remote park in Tanzania. Only those of the Selous and the
Serengeti surpass its ecosystem. The park is bounded by the great Ruaha river in the south and the Njombe river in the northwest. The park’s bird life is especially rewarding with over 400-recorded species, many which are not found in other National Parks. The park vegetation also covers a spectacular variety with over 1650 species of plants