The wild south east
This roadtrip starts and ends in Dar es Salaam and covers the far less visited parks of south east Tanzania. Ideal for those that want to get of the tourist trail for friendly prices. Go on world class safari in Ruaha, often cited as Tanzania’s best-kept game viewing secret and Selous Game Reserve, thrice as large as the Serengeti. Experience local village life by spending the night in two typical highland villages, and go birding and primate trekking in the Udzungwa Mountains.
Scroll down below to see the detailed day-to- day route with lot's of insider travel tips. The price includes car rental with mid-range accomodation. The selected lodges are hand picked by us and the places we like to stay when we are roadtripping; small-scale, good price-quality ratio and owner-managed when possible.
Check the day to day itinerary
What to expect on this self-drive adventure in Tanzania?
Travel time and road conditions
13 days / 11 car rental days is the minimum to follow this route.
The Tanzam Highway - the inland road from Dar es Salaam to Iringa - is asphalted and in good condition. The park entrance of Ruaha lies 100 km west of Iringa along a fair dirt road that takes about 2,5 hours and requires a 4x4. As for Selous, you will enter the park from the west coming from Morogoro. Its 140 km on a dirt road. Exploring Selous requires a Landcruiser because of river floodings and deep sandy tracks.
Want to limited your budget? Go with a RAV4 and skip Selous.
Best time to visit the south east of Tanzania?
Selous is a highly seasonal game-viewing destination and it tends to be hotter than any other park in Tanzania due to its low altitude. The optimum time to visit is during dry season from June to September. Game viewing is as good over October and early November, but it becomes extremely hot. Wildlife spotting is a bit less reliable from November to February, but the scenery is lovely and green and birdlife is at its finest. Roads become very challenging and many camps close during April and May.
Ruaha is best visited between July and November.
Prices
Rest of year
Price is per person, in US Dollars.
Price includes 12 nights accommodation on the basis of Bed & Breakfast, except for Selous and Ruaha (Full Board), 11 day car rental, Selous quote, delivery & drop off fee Dar es Salaam.
Do you want to explore the south east with a RAV4? Then we exclude Selous. The trip includes 10 nights accommodation with meal plan as above, 9 day RAV4 rental, delivery & drop off fee Dar es Salaam.
Do you want to explore the south east with the company of a driver-guide? Add US$ 440 |$ 360
RAV4 | Landcruiser | |||
2 persons | 4 persons | 2 persons | 4 persons | |
Mid range | $ 1,700 | $ 1,340 | $ 2,130 | $ 1,560 |
Low season | March - May
Price is per person, in US Dollars.
Price includes 12 nights accommodation on the basis of Bed & Breakfast, except for Selous and Ruaha (Full Board), 11 day car rental, Selous quote, delivery & drop off fee Dar es Salaam.
Do you want to explore the south east with a RAV4? Then we exclude Selous. The trip includes 10 nights accommodation with meal plan as above, 9 day RAV4 rental, delivery & drop off fee Dar es Salaam.
Do you want to explore the south east with the company of a driver-guide? Add US$ 440 |$ 360
RAV4 | Landcruiser | |||
2 persons | 4 persons | 2 persons | 4 persons | |
Mid range | $ 1,600 | $ 1,290 | $ 2,010 | $ 1,510 |
Create & Book
Book the Wild South East as a fully accommodated road trip in mid-range accommodation. Or just hire a car and use this suggested route for inspiration only.
Book your roadtrip
Included
- Mobile phone with local SIM
- Roadmap and Bradt Travel Guide
- Comprehensive car insurance
- Airport transfers
- Bed & Breakfast
Optional
- Electrical fridge
- Driver-Guide