Explore the Southern Tanzania Circuit: The Southern Tanzania Circuit, while not as popular as the Northern Circuit, encompasses a bunch of untouched geography, packs impressive wildlife, and offers a unique perspective on the safari. Among its features, it has the world’s largest game reserve – Selous Game Reserve and several other outstanding places which gives a touch of adventure and calmness amidst the beautiful nature. For a more adventurous kind of safari then the Southern Circuit is the one to visit. Here’s a one-stop portal on how best to tour Tanzania’s Southern Circuit more so the Selous Game Reserve and other ideal places to visit.

Explore the Southern Tanzania Circuit

Selous Game Reserve: The fabulous adventure world specially designated for animal lovers and their loves ones is known as A Wildlife Wonderland

The Selous Game Reserve, newly called Nyerere National Park, is one of the biggest conservation areas in Africa sizeable in excess of 50,000sqkm. It is famous for the abundance of its bio-territory that covers savannahs and woodlands, wetlands, and riverine landscapes. It is a World Heritage Site and is among the few and best reservations for true and wild Tanzanian safaris.

 – Wildlife Encounters: As far as wildlife is concerned, it boasts a wide list of animals such as elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and buffaloes. The reserve contains a relatively large population of African wild dogs, which are among the most rare and shy inhabitants of Africa. Tourists may also sight hippos and crocodiles in the Rufiji River that runs through the reserve area.

 – Safari Activities: In contrast to some other destinations for the safari, Selous provides a number of special options. Apart from the standard game drives, guests have the opportunity to go on a boat safari where the Rufiji River is used as a highway, guided walking safaris, and fly camping. Such activities give an opportunity to see the reserve in a different way and also the probability of meeting the wildlife.

 – Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Selous is from June to October when it is dry season and animals congregate round the water point in large numbers. The wet season from November to May is characterized by very heavy rainfall and turns the area to a birders paradise with different ones from the Dry Season.

Explore the Southern Tanzania Circuit
Boat cruise in River Rufiji

Ruinsori National Park: One of the underrated gems of the series is

To the west of Selous, the Ruinsori National Park will still be as interesting though relatively unknown. The park possesses hilly terrains, large cover of forests and extensive tracts of wetlands. It is equally perfect for all people in search of a quiet place where no crowds and tourist attractions would be sighted.

 – Wildlife and Birdwatching: Prolific birdlife along with sable and eland antelopes inhabit this place and it is fondly called Ruinsori. Many bird and wildlife enthusiasts will not have a monotonous experience when they visit this park because they will be able to see some gigantic water birds, the Great White Pelican as well as being able to get a glimpse of the endangered Black Rhinoceros. While the park covers quite a large area of land, it has wetlands that allow visitors to have a closer look at water birds and other marshland animals.

 – Activities: It also has a provision of guided nature walks and bird watching including a variety of bird species. These activities can take place in the park where people can walk round the park, look at different features of the park, and see wildlife when the park is quiet. Due to its natural beauty and serenity, the park has been a relieve for those who wish to enjoy the ever busy and common Safari zones.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park: A Home for Walkers

Another attractive park is the Udzungwa Mountains National Park located to the southeast of the Selous area, where one can go in for hiking or, generally, explore the natural beauty. It is endowed with spectacular mountains, natural vegetation, and densities of wildlife species as well as a variety of ecological systems.

 – Hiking Trails: You will find some several trails when you visit Udzungwa; these include simple strolls to the most complicated hikes. One of them is the Sanje Waterfalls Trail; this is a track that takes adventurers through the forest to a beautiful waterfall, which has spectacular view deck at the top. Eagles’ trail for the more experienced is a trail up the Udzungwa Mountains offering views from the top and a sample of the park’s plant and animal life.

 – Flora and Fauna: Endemisms of the park are many, and among them are the rare Udzungwa Red Colobus and the even scarcer Iringa Red Colobus. Some of the natural features or ecosystems include rain forests, mountain forests, and heath land all of which have aquatic as well as terrestrial life forms.

 – Best Time to Visit: It is advisable to visit Udzungwa during the dry season which is from June to September as the trails are easy to cross and the weather is comfortable. So, when hiking is wetter part of the trails can be muddy during the period from November to May, but the scenery is very different.

Mikumi National Park: Navigational Route to the Southern Circuit

Mikumi National Park is usually the first on the Southern Circuit with the other parks and reserves being comparatively more distant. Only a few hours’ drive from Dar es Salaam, Mikumi is one of the easiest parks to access in Tanzania.

 – Wildlife Viewing: Mikumi Wildlife – Lions, wild elephants, giraffes, wild buffaloes and different types of antelopes. There, the large open grasslands of the park offer excellent opportunities for game viewing with vehicles, on road circuits.

 – Activities: Other activities that are afforded by the facility include the guided walking safaris and the bird watching. The park also shares its border with the Udzungwa mountain range making it possible to come for a Mikumi park tour and also go hiking in the mountains of Udzungwa.

 – Best Time to Visit: Like in Selous, the best time to visit Mikumi with the view of sighting most wildlife is during the dry season from June to October. The vegetation is influenced by the wet season and there are an increased number of migratory birds during this period.

Useful Advise When Organizing Your Tour In The Southern Circuit

 – Travel Logistics: The Northern Circuit is easier to get around than the Southern Circuit, even though the latter has a more delicate route. There are local connection flights from Dar es Salaam to Selous, Mikumi, and other sectors, though road shuttles are sometimes required in some territories. Besides, do not forget about the means of transport and a place to stay when planning your travel.

 – Accommodations:; In the Southern circuit of Tanzania, there are available options that include luxurious lodges and tented accommodating facilities and the less luxurious ones. Every country has its own set of lodges that are comfortable and offer breathtaking views to give the visitors a full experience on their safari.

 – Health and Safety: Vaccinations and malaria prophylaxis should also be recommended otherwise, proper health measures should be observed. The steep terrain and confined areas may not have adequate health care facilities of services available; hence, it is necessary to carry at least a simple first aid kit.

Explore the Southern Tanzania Circuit: Conclusion

Tanzania’s Southern Circuit presents a more rewarding and pluralistic adventure for anyone willing to go past the mainstream Northern Circuit. Selous is a vast Savannah that stretches to the border of Mozambique, Ruinsori is a picturesque hike whereas Udzungwa is rich in bird and wildlife. For those who seek adventure in the wilderness, the breathtaking sceneries of Tanzania, or the dusty roads of some challenging trails of the Southern Circuit offers and experience of a lifetime in the heart of Africa. Time to introduce you the Tanzania’s Southern Circuit and unveil secrets of the area that is worth to visit.

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