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Abandon the beaten path and explore the vast national parks that most visitors to Tanzania miss! These remote southern parks are rarely visited, offering spectacular wildlife viewing without the crowds, and the local knowledge of our guides ensure our game drives go to the most fruitful viewing locations. Isolated in the ancient forests along the Rift Valley escarpment, Udzungwa Mountain National Park is often referred to as the “Galápagos of Africa” for the dozens of unique species that are found here—from exotic birds to newly-discovered primates. The Southern Highlands boast tea plantations and remote villages for you to explore by horseback, mountain bike, or on foot. And Katavi—a park so remote that it receives fewer than 300 visitors a year—literally thumps with wildlife, as herds of buffalo, zebra, and giraffe thunder across the plains and drink from rivers thick with huge “monster” crocodiles. Ruaha, our final stop, straddles the boundary between southern and eastern Africa, providing staggering biological diversity. This breathtaking trip is far-flung Tanzania at its unspoiled best.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience Tanzania’s wild and rugged southern parks, untouched by most safari tours
• See an astounding variety of wildlife—all the big game, plus dozens of endemic birds and varieties of kudu, antelope, and hartebeest found nowhere else
• Explore local agricultural communities seldom visited by Westerners
• Hike in the Udzungwa Mountains—the Galápagos of Africa!

Day 1 ~ Arrive in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Days 2-4 ~ Fly to Mikumi National Park (part of the huge Selous Game Reserve ecosystem) and explore its vast plain surrounded by a ring of mountains. The park boasts 60 different mammals and more than 400 species of birds. While here, you’ll trek in Udzungwa Mountain National Park, traversing varied ecosystems from rainforests to pristine montane treescapes. Rare monkeys abound here, and the overall biodiversity is unparalleled. Be on the lookout for the Highland mangabey—the first new African mammal identified in 20 years!

Days 5-7 ~ Explore the tea- and coffee-growing region of the Southern Highlands by bike, horseback, or on foot (your choice!); meet the local farmers and artisans in the traditional rural subsistence village of Igoda, with a chance to see a local school or orphanage.

Days 8-10 ~ Fly to Katavi Park and explore on foot and by open vehicle. The herds of grazing animals here are some of the largest found anywhere in Africa. Our camp overlooks the Katisunga floodplain and a parade of animals wanders past your private veranda.

Days 11-13 ~ Head to Ruaha, recently expanded to become the biggest national park in Africa. Following the winding, rocky course of the Great Ruaha River you’ll look for hippos and crocs in the water and everything from antelope to elephants on land.

Day 14 ~ Fly to Dar es Salaam and depart on homeward-bound flight.

Photo Credits
Both images: ©C.S. Bettencourt (MTS staff)