Tanzania’s Southern Circuit is home to national parks offering a wide array of activities, from savannah to wetlands, walking safaris to river safaris. Unlike the more frequented northern circuit, which includes iconic destinations like Mt. Kilimanjaro and Serengeti National Park, the southern circuit attracts fewer visitors, providing a more secluded safari experience.
Southern Circuit Parks
Tanzania’s Southern Circuit includes several renowned parks: Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), Ruaha National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Mikumi National Park, and Kitulo National Park. These parks are characterized by their vast, remote, and pristine landscapes teeming with diverse wildlife, making them perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path safari adventure.
Major Attractions in Tanzania’s Southern Circuit
Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve)
As one of Africa’s largest and most protected wildlife parks, Nyerere National Park is home to vast herds of hippos, elephants, buffaloes, wild dogs, and a wide variety of birds. The park’s landscapes include forests, meadows, and palm groves, offering excellent opportunities for water-based animal viewing. The Rufiji River, Acacia Savannah, and wetlands are major attractions, with walking and boat safaris being particularly popular. The best time to visit is between June and December when you can see hippos playing in the pools and birds chirping in the evening.
Ruaha National Park
Spanning over 40,000 square kilometers, Ruaha National Park is renowned for its large elephant population and diverse wildlife, including wild dogs, ostriches, cheetahs, antelopes, and over 400 bird species. The park’s wild and dramatic landscapes are best explored along the river and its surroundings. Bird-watching here is exceptional, and you can also spot animals like crocodiles and elephants. The ideal time to visit is during the dry season from June to November when wildlife viewing and bird-watching are at their best.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Udzungwa Mountains National Park offers a unique hiking experience away from the crowds. The park’s forest-covered mountains are home to diverse flora and trees, with Sanje Falls and Prince Bernhard Falls being the main attractions. Visitors can enjoy swimming and camping here, with the best time to visit from late June to October.
Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is the most accessible part of the southern circuit, offering year-round wildlife viewing. The park is home to numerous buffaloes, wildebeests, zebras, and other wildlife, as well as excellent bird-watching opportunities. It also serves as an educational and research center, with ongoing studies like the long-term field study of yellow baboons. Mikumi is open all year, but the best time to visit is from January to December.
Kitulo National Park
Known as ‘The Garden of God,’ Kitulo National Park is celebrated for its spectacular floral displays. Botanists refer to it as one of the world’s great floral spectacles, featuring over 350 vascular plants, including 45 terrestrial orchids and other wildflowers. The park is a haven for bird lovers, with rare species like Denham’s bustard, as well as numerous butterflies, chameleons, lizards, and frogs. The best time to visit is from December to April, when the flora is most vibrant and diverse.
Conclusion
For those seeking a less crowded environment with diverse safari options and exclusive, remote locations, Tanzania’s southern circuit offers a unique and unforgettable experience. The best time to explore this paradise is from December to April, when the vegetation is at its most lush and diverse. While the northern circuit may be more popular, the southern circuit provides a more serene and intimate safari adventure.
