Tanzania offers almost everything you might want for a safari vacation in Africa. The Northern Circuit is where the majority of tourists go. This includes the expansive Serengeti National Park, home to the world-famous wildebeest migration, and the striking Ngorongoro Crater. Despite how amazing these well-known destinations are, Tanzania has a lot more to offer. Visit the nation’s lesser-known but breathtaking and wildlife-rich Southern Circuit if you want to get away from the tourists. It encompasses Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) and Ruaha National Park.

Nyerere National Park (Selous)

With an area of almost 30,000 km2, Nyerere National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But photographic safaris can only access a portion of it. However, don’t let this deter you.

The river and a series of lakes dominate the beautiful surroundings in this enchanted location, which is also a great site to see wildlife. Because it is a reserve rather than a national park, it permits fly-camping, boat excursions, and walking safaris—all of which add to the unique feeling of exploration and a genuine wilderness experience.

Wildlife in Nyerere

East of the reserve, near Lakes Manze and Nzerakera, are some of the greatest places to see animals. While enjoying your sundowner cocktails on boat rides, be careful not to dip your fingers in the water because hundreds of crocodiles can be found in these lakes. Numerous aquatic birds congregate on the lakeshore, lions wait for prey to arrive so they may drink, and hippos harrumph and hide underwater.

The tiny bush animals, like insects and birds, that are rarely visible from a car are revealed during walks throughout the area. You’ll also encounter a lot of larger animals on game drives. It’s one of the locations where you may see untamed canines, oddball carnivores with peculiar saucer-shaped ears, and animals with unusual brown, black, and white coat patterns.

Before poachers stepped in, elephants were abundant, but keep an eye out for offspring in the herds, which is a surefire indication that the pachyderms are now more at ease. Additionally, there are a lot of giraffes here; they appear to be exploring every area.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha is the second-largest national park in Tanzania, with an area of more than 20,000 square kilometers. Ten percent of Africa’s lions and the largest number of elephants in East Africa can be found in this enormous bushland, which is roughly the size of New Jersey.

They have picked a lovely house. The terrain is dotted with bulbous baobabs and skinny palm trees, and it is bounded by far-off hills and granite kopjes. The center of the park is the Ruaha River. It attracts wildlife because it tumbles over rough boulders during the rainy season and turns into a wide sand river during the dry season.

Wildlife in Ruaha

Ruaha is situated on a sort of transitional area where South Africa and East Africa converge. Because of this, the wildlife is especially diverse here. During game drives and walking safaris, you may observe roan and sable antelopes, which are quite attractive, or greater kudu, which have enormous spiraling horns. With more than 580 species identified, the birdlife is also incredibly varied.

Ruaha is among the best spots in Africa to watch wild dogs, despite its size. It is common to see leopards, who spend the day sleeping in the trees and the night skulking across the plains. Additionally, keep an eye out for sizable lion prides, especially in the vicinity of the Mwagusi and Mdonya Rivers.