16-Day Northern and Southern Tanzania Major Parks Safari

Overview

This trip is designed to satisfy your African wilderness thirst as it will take you to all the big parks in Tanzania. Hand-picked parks, lodges, and cottages are all selected to give you a true African safari feeling. You will visit Ngorongoro and Serengeti in the north, Ruaha and Selous (Nyerere Park) and Mikumi National Park in the south enabling you to experience the true taste of safari seeing many small and big animals, different species of birds and scenic landscapes.

Route

Start	Arusha (Day 1)
Day 2-3	Serengeti NP
Day 4	Ngorongoro Crater
Day 5	Dodoma (City)
Day 6-9	Ruaha NP
Day 10	Mikumi (Town)
Day 11	Mikumi NP
Day 12-15	Nyerere NP
Day 16	Dar es Salaam Airport (Dar es Salaam)
End	Dar Es Salaam (Day 16)

Tour Features

Budget tour: This budget tour includes camping and lodges.
Private tour: This tour will be organized exclusively for you and won't be shared with others.
Can start any day: If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
Can be customized: You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Not for solo travelers: Solo travelers cannot book this private tour.
Minimum age of 4 years: The minimum age for this tour is 4 years.

Activities & Transportation

Activities: game drives, walking safaris (with an armed guide) & boat trip
Game drives: pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle
Getting around: pop-up roof 4x4 vehicle & boat
A transfer from and back to the airport is included

Accommodation & Meals

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost

Day	Accommodation	Meals
1	Kiboko Lodge Budget lodge near Arusha (City) Dining room Terrace Self contained room View of Mount Meru from Kiboko Lodge	All Meals Included
2-3	Baobab Serengeti Camp Mid-range tented camp inside Central Serengeti NP	All Meals Included
4	Baghayo Garden Suites Mid-range lodge 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater	All Meals Included
5	Morena Hotel Mid-range hotel in Dodoma (City)	All Meals Included
6-9	TANAPA Ruaha Cottages Budget cottage inside Ruaha NP	Day 1-7: All Meals Included Day 8: Breakfast & Lunch Included Day 9: Meals at Own Expense
10-11	Camp Bastian Mikumi Mid-range lodge just outside Mikumi NP Standard chalets Swimming pool	All Meals Included
12	Africa Safari Selous (Campsite) Budget camping just outside Nyerere NP	All Meals Included
13-15	Africa Safari Selous Camp Mid-range lodge just outside Nyerere NP Poolside - Overview Restaurant - Bar Area	All Meals Included
16	End of tour (No accommodation)	Breakfast & Lunch Included

Day by Day

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)
You'll be collected from the airport.
Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1 – Arusha Town
You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro Airport and driven to Kiboko Lodge in Arusha. Kiboko Lodge is situated close to Mount Meru, surrounded by nature, and is a great place to relax before you start a safari. You will receive a briefing on the entire tour on this day. You will have dinner, relax, and prepare yourself for the coming days. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Kiboko Lodge.
Main Destination: Arusha (City)
Accommodation: Kiboko Lodge
Budget lodge located near Arusha (City)
Dining room
Terrace
Self contained room
View of Mount Meru from Kiboko Lodge

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 2 – Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, you will drive to Serengeti National Park. You will enjoy a long drive passing through jaw-dropping landscapes like the Rift Valley, Ngorongoro Highlands, and the savannah. You will arrive in the afternoon in the Serengeti. This land of big cats and wildebeests is the best safari destination in Africa. The Serengeti is also famous for its scenic landscapes, a large number of animals, and more than 300 different species of birds.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Baobab Camp Serengeti.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Baobab Serengeti Camp
Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 3 – Serengeti National Park
You will have a full-day game drive in Serengeti National Park, taking a packed lunch with you. The Serengeti is home to thousands of animals, as well as birds and reptiles. You will spend your day seeing different animals like buffalo, giraffes, zebra, elephants, wildebeests, hippos and impalas. The Great Migration is in Serengeti, where big herds of wildebeests, zebras and antelopes migrate between Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya and Serengeti in Tanzania searching for green pasture and water. Serengeti National Park has great landscapes which are covered by short grass and beautiful acacia trees, as well as kopjes. Being home to the African big cats, the Serengeti offers a great opportunity to see how predators hunt their prey.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Baobab Camp Serengeti.
Main Destination: Serengeti National Park
Accommodation: Baobab Serengeti Camp
Mid-range tented camp located inside Central Serengeti NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 4 – Ngorongoro Crater
You will drive to Ngorongoro Crater for a game drive, taking a packed lunch with you. Ngorongoro Crater is a volcano which collapsed about two million years ago and later became home to different species of animals and birds. Common animal sightings include rhinos, elephants, zebras and lions, which can be spotted in this beautiful World Heritage Site.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Baghayo Suites Lodge.
Main Destination: Ngorongoro Crater
Accommodation: Baghayo Garden Suites
Mid-range lodge located 1-2hr drive from Ngorongoro Crater

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 5 – Dodoma Town
You will drive to Dodoma town after breakfast, taking a packed lunch with you. Dodoma is the capital of Tanzania and a small town, but very important politically. Dodoma is famous for its grape plantation, as it's the only place in the country where grapes grow.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Morena Hotel.
Main Destination: Dodoma (City)
Accommodation: Morena Hotel
Mid-range hotel located in Dodoma (City)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 6 – Ruaha National Park
After breakfast, you will drive to Ruaha National Park and stop at Iringa town for lunch before continuing to Ruaha National Park. If there is a national park that explains the true hidden gems of Tanzania, it is Ruaha National Park. The park covers 20,226sq km (7,809sq mi). Ruaha is famous for its remote location and a high number of wildlife such as kudus, roan antelopes, and elephants. Ruaha has few tourists compared to other parks. Ruaha gives you the true meaning of safari as you will be alone, surrounded by big to small animals in an undisturbed natural environment.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Ruaha Cottage.
Main Destination: Ruaha National Park
Accommodation: TANAPA Ruaha Cottages
Budget cottage located inside Ruaha NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 7 – Ruaha National Park
After breakfast, with a view of the great Ruaha River, you will start a game drive along the river, where you will see rare animals like kudus. You will have a game drive until lunchtime. You will drive back to Ruaha Cottage for a hot lunch. After lunch, you will have a short break and continue with the game drive until the evening.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Ruaha Cottage.
Main Destination: Ruaha National Park
Accommodation: TANAPA Ruaha Cottages
Budget cottage located inside Ruaha NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 8 – Ruaha National Park
You will enjoy breakfast and start the day with a game drive. In the full-day game drive, you will enjoy sightings of animals like buffaloes, hippos, giraffes, elephants, kudus, roan antelopes, lions, leopards and cheetahs as well as more than 300 different species of birds.
Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Ruaha Cottage.
Main Destination: Ruaha National Park
Accommodation: TANAPA Ruaha Cottages
Budget cottage located inside Ruaha NP

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included), Drinks not included
Day 9 – Ruaha National Park
Today, you will have an early morning breakfast followed by a walking safari. The walking safari will be along the Great Ruaha River and will take approximately 2 to 3 hours. You will be accompanied by an armed ranger for safety reasons as you walk close to wild animals like giraffes, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and zebras. You will drive to Mikumi town after the walking safari.
Main Destination: Ruaha National Park
Accommodation: TANAPA Ruaha Cottages
Budget cottage located inside Ruaha NP

Meals & Drinks: Meals at own expense, Drinks not included
Day 10 – Mikumi Town
You will have breakfast in the morning and pack your bags, ready to drive to Mikumi town. You will stop in Iringa for a hot lunch and have a short break before you continue to Mikumi town. You will enjoy the jaw-dropping landscapes in southern Tanzania. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Camp Bastian Mikumi.
Main Destination: Mikumi (Town)
Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi
Mid-range lodge located just outside Mikumi NP
Standard chalets
Swimming pool

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 11 – Mikumi National Park
You will drive to Mikumi National Park after breakfast and take a packed lunch with you. You will enjoy the game drive after arriving at the park. Mikumi has many animals like elephants, lions, zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos and wildebeests. Mikumi has a great landscape as well, which is similar to the Serengeti. After the game drive, you will drive to Camp Bastian Mikumi for dinner and an overnight stay.
Main Destination: Mikumi National Park
Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi
Mid-range lodge located just outside Mikumi NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 12 – Selous Nyerere National Park
After breakfast, you will drive through Mikumi National Park and Morogoro town before you reach Selous. Selous is the biggest national park in Tanzania, and the biggest source of water in this park is the Rufiji River, which is the biggest river in Tanzania as well. Selous is a true wilderness and an untouched natural wonder. Once in Selous, you will drive directly to the lodge for relaxation after a long drive. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Africa Safari Selous Lodge.
Main Destination: Nyerere National Park
Accommodation: Africa Safari Selous (Campsite)
just outside Nyerere NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 13 – Selous Nyerere National Park
After breakfast, you will leave your lodge for a full-day game drive in Selous (Nyerere National Park). You will take a packed lunch with you. Selous (Nyerere National Park) is an untouched wilderness and a great place to do a safari. The park has different species of flora and fauna, from crocodiles to big herds of elephants, which are often seen along the river. Rufiji River is home to hippos and crocodiles as well as thousands of aquatic birds which are seen along the river trying to catch some fish. Big cats like lions and leopards are also common in this beautiful park.
Main Destination: Nyerere National Park
Accommodation: Africa Safari Selous Camp
Mid-range lodge located just outside Nyerere NP
Poolside - Overview
Restaurant - Bar Area

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 14 – Selous Nyerere National Park
After breakfast, you will leave your lodge for a full-day game drive in Selous (Nyerere National Park). You will take a packed lunch with you. Selous (Nyerere National Park) is an untouched wilderness and a great place to do a safari. The park has different species of flora and fauna, from crocodiles to big herds of elephants, which are often seen along the river. The Rufiji River is home to hippos and crocodiles, as well as thousands of aquatic birds, which are seen along the river trying to catch some fish. Big cats like lions and leopards are also common in this beautiful park.
Main Destination: Nyerere National Park
Accommodation: Africa Safari Selous Camp
Mid-range lodge located just outside Nyerere NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 15 – Selous Nyerere National Park
You will do a full day boat safari in Rufiji River, Rufiji is the largest river in Tanzania, which gives you an opportunity to do a Boat safari and experience big herds of hippos, crocs, as well as big Flocks of water birds. The boat safari ride will take you to the major lakes in the park where thousands of animals come to drink every day.
Main Destination: Nyerere National Park
Accommodation: Africa Safari Selous Camp
Mid-range lodge located just outside Nyerere NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included, Drinks not included
Day 16 – Dar es Salaam Airport
You'll drive to Dar es Salaam Airport after breakfast, where you will take a flight back home or to other destinations.
Main Destination: Dar Es Salaam Airport (Dar es Salaam)
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included), Drinks not included
End of tour (See Getting There for more details)
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
You'll be dropped off at the airport.

Important to Know

This tour is not available to solo travelers or groups larger than 2 people.
Rates are per person and exclude the international flight from/to your home country.
This tour accepts children who are 4 years and older. Children under 14 receive a discount and children under 5 are free.

Rates Per Person

Start dates	Solo 1 room	2 people 1 room	3+ people
Jan 1, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026	n/a*	$6,650	n/a*

*n/a = not available. This tour is unavailable for solo travelers or groups larger than 2 people.

Included

Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)

Excluded

International flights (From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks

Getting There

This tour starts in Arusha and ends in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Tanzania Destination Operators can help select your international flights, but you'll have to book them yourself
Fly to Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) (Check price) near Arusha. Or fly to Arusha Airport (ARK) (Check price) via Dar es Salaam or Nairobi (Kenya)
Fly back from Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR) (Check price) in Dar es Salaam
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost