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Join us to explore Tanzania beyond the Serengeti! We are thrilled to announce this exciting and popular safari is back, timed to coincide with Southern Tanzania’s dry season, a time when wildlife and birds are concentrated along waterways. During this time we also have more complete access to several stunning national parks that are too wet in other seasons. We have prime tented camps and lodges booked and are excited to explore Tanzania’s wildest and less-traveled terrain, a stronghold for African wildlife species including predators. To include habitat diversity, we also visit a coastal park on the Indian Ocean and isolated mountain ranges that feature unique flora and fauna. Our route samples a great mix of habitats including Miombo forest, giving us a rich array of birds as well as mammals, including some isolated endemics and species not found in northern parts of the country.
From the modern and bustling city of Dar es Salaam, enjoy a boat ride in the mangroves of a coastal park at Saadani where the ocean meets the bush. Driving inland, on this Tanzania wildlife safari we sample Afromontane forests in the foothills of the largest and most diverse range of Africa’s Eastern Arc, the Udzungwa Mountains. From here we visit three famous national parks with ample time for finding wildlife and birds of savannah, acacia woodland, and Miombo woodland at Ruaha, Mikumi, and Nyerere (formerly Selous Game Reserve) National Parks.
This is a new Tanzania safari trip for Naturalist Journeys, but well researched and we are confident it is a superb opportunity. We are once again teaming up with Cisticola Tours to pair their local expertise with that of our company founder, Peg Abbott, veteran of over twenty Africa trips. We travel in rugged and well-equipped land cruisers between parks. The group size is limited to just 10 participants in two vehicles.
“Throughout the journey, you are immersed in the splendor of wildlife, both mammals and birds, and our timing is set for the peak of the great Wildebeest migration. Because of this timing, we must confirm our tour early; we visit at PRIME time! East Africa is still the ultimate safari experience, hands down.”
— Peg Abbott, Owner of Naturalist Journeys
![African Fish Eagle, Tanzania, Tanzania Safari, African Safari, Naturalist Journeys](/img/tours/photos/24113.jpg)
![Crowned Crane, Tanzania, Tanzania Safari, African Safari, Naturalist Journeys](/img/tours/photos/24114.jpg)
![African Elephant, Tanzania, Tanzania Safari, African Safari, Naturalist Journeys](/img/tours/photos/24115.jpg)
![Lion Cub, Tanzania, Tanzania Safari, African Safari, Naturalist Journeys](/img/tours/photos/24116.jpg)
Tour Highlights
- Explore the more remote reaches of Tanzania, beyond the Serengeti
- Visit key national parks and conservation sites known for abundant wildlife
- Join expert local birding guides who have deep experience with the region
- Find wading birds as you boat through coastal mangroves and wetlands north of Dar es Salaam at Saadani National Park
- Search for unique forest birds in the Udzungwa Mountains, the largest of Africa's isolated chain of mountains known as the Eastern Arc
- Spend three nights in Ruaha National Park, known for its Lions, Leopards, and classic grazing mammals
- Find Zebra, Wildebeest, Giraffe, and beautiful, colorful birds at Mikumi National Park
- Watch for wildlife along the Sand Rivers of Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), made famous in the writings of Peter Matthiesson
- Stay 3 nights in well-appointed safari tents at Rufiji River Camp with a river view; dine under the stars
- Bird in Miombo Woodland and watch for stately Ground Hornbill on more open plains
- Surrender to the rhythm of safari life; renew your spirits on this NEW! African journey
![Yellow-billed Stork Rookery, Tanzania, Tanzania Safari, African Safari, Naturalist Journeys](/img/tours/photos/24117.jpg)
![Zebra, Tanzania, Tanzania Safari, African Safari, Naturalist Journeys](/img/tours/photos/24118.jpg)
![European Bee-eater, Tanzania, Tanzania Safari, African Safari, Naturalist Journeys](/img/tours/photos/24119.jpg)
![Wildebeest, Tanzania, Tanzania Safari, African Safari, Naturalist Journeys](/img/tours/photos/24120.jpg)
Cost of the Journey
Cost of this Tanzania safari is $TBD DBL (singles are limited, please ask for pricing), from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This cost includes accommodations for 15 nights, all meals as specified in the itinerary, professional guide services, other park and program entrance fees and miscellaneous program expenses.
Tour cost do not include: round-trip transportation from your home city to Dar es Salaam, optional activities, or items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges, gratuities for guides, lodges and drivers, or beverages from the bar; personal, medical, cancellation insurance.
Travel Details
Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.
Plan to arrive in Dar es Salaam at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in time for a welcome dinner on September 7. Most flights from the USA will originate one or two days ahead of time to get you in September 7. If you would like to arrive early, please let us know and we can help you book additional nights at our hotel (additional cost). Please ask to be connected with our travel agent if you would like help booking your flights; we’ll pay her ticketing fee.
Please plan departure flights after 8:00 PM on September 22. We can help you book an additional night’s hotel if you need to fly out the next day.
Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.
Tanzania
- February 2017
- February 2018
- February 2019
- February 2020
- February 2023
- February 2024
Southern Tanzania
- September 2023
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Dave Mehlman
Dave is a naturalist with interests in birds, migration, ecosystems and natural disturbances, plants, and gardening. He holds a PhD from the University of New Mexico. Dave worked for The Nature Conservancy for 25+ years as Director of its Migratory Bird Program. He has researched in Latin American and the Caribbean. An avid birder, Dave enjoys teaching about natural habitats and local cultures. He has published papers in scientific and popular journals.
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Photo credits: Banners: Elephants by Peg Abbott; Saddle-billed by Greg Smith; Africa Pygmy Kingfisher, by Gisela Gerson Lohman-Braun; Wildebeest and Zebra by Peg Abbott; Giraffes under Baobab by Peg Abbott; Leopard by Greg Smith; African Fish Eagle, Crowned Crane, Elephant with Infant, Lion Cub, Yellow-billed Stork Rookery, Zebra Greeting, European Bee-eater, Wildebeest and Calf by Peg Abbott; Secretary Bird, Peg Abbott; African Hoopoe, Peg Abbott; Knob-billed Duck, Peg Abbott; Yellow-necked Spurfowl, Peg Abbott; Gazelle, Peg Abbott; Malachite Kingfisher, Peg Abbott; Red-billed Hornbill, Greg Smith; Arusha National Park, Peg Abbott; Striped Kingfisher, Peg Abbott; Black-and-white Colobus, Peg Abbott; Lilac-breasted Roller, Peg Abbott; Ndutu Sunrise, Peg Abbott; Zebra, Peg Abbott; Wildebeest, Peg Abbott; Kori Bustard, Peg Abbott; Tawny Eagle, Peg Abbott; Red-cheeked Cordon-blue, Peg Abbott; Fork-tailed Drongo, Peg Abbott; Rosy-breasted Longclaw, Peg Abbott; Bar-throated Apalis, George Bakken; Giraffe, Peg Abbott; African Fish Eagle, Peg Abbott; Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Washington Wachira; Saddle-billed Stork, Peg Abbott; Greater Flamingo, Bob Rodrigues; Chestnut-banded Plover, Bob Rodrigues; Bat-eared Fox, Peg Abbott; Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Peg Abbott; Brown-crowned Tchagra, Peg Abbott; Crowned Crane, Peg Abbott; Hammerkop, Peg Abbott; Helmeted Guineafowl, Peg Abbott; Ostrich, Peg Abbott; Red-billed Oxpecker, Peg Abbott; Sandgrouse, Peg Abbott; Yellow-billed Stork, Peg Abbott; Red-headed Barbet, Peg Abbott.