Thirteen local operators list Ruaha, Nyerere (Selous), Mikumi or Udzungwa on their own websites; four publish a price for a southern trip: Kihindo Tours and Safaris, Uwanda Tours and Safaris, SafariBando and Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency. The others name the parks without a priced trip, so check each licence on the TATO listing shown on its card or by its licence number; ask every operator to itemise park fees.
Which safari companies are best for southern Tanzania, including Ruaha and Nyerere?
Kihindo Tours and Safaris prices private Mikumi, Ruaha, Udzungwa and Nyerere trips, Uwanda Tours and Safaris prices Nyerere trips from Dar es Salaam and a Zanzibar fly-in, SafariBando prices a 3-Day Nyerere trip from Dar es Salaam and Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency shows a 3-day Southern Circuit safari from Zanzibar.
Who is on this page and why. Uncompromised Travel read the websites of 13 safari operators with trips in Tanzania that run their own trips on 29 October 2026, with their reviews on SafariBookings, Google and Trustpilot and their listing on the TATO register where there is one. The table holds the safari operators named in ChatGPT answers on two or more days in October 2026 and the most-reviewed East African operators on SafariBookings; this page carries every one of them filed under Tanzania whose own website publishes a trip, a price, a start point or a page for Ruaha, Nyerere (Selous), Mikumi or Udzungwa (a park named in a blog, an FAQ or a home-page list does not count). Cards are in alphabetical order. Prices are shown as each company published them, in its own currency, never converted.
Lists Nyerere, Ruaha and Mikumi among its Tanzania parks, beside the northern circuit.
Why choose them
Its cost guide prices private and group trips separately per person per day, from $250 for group budget camping up to $1,075 for private Luxury Plus. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 347 reviews; Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 56 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Arusha; trips start around Arusha and Kilimanjaro airport
Register
Listed by TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators) as a licensed member, read 29 October 2026.
Ask for
Ask who holds the trust behind the '100% Financial Protection' its about page claims, as no trustee, bond or insurer is named.
Not the fit if
Children under 5 on a balloon safari, which has a minimum age of 5.
Published price
12 Days Luxury Family Safari Kenya & Tanzania from $5768 per person (US dollars).
Offers walking safaris in Ruaha and Nyerere, with an armed ranger on its Nyerere package.
Why choose them
Its site says its founder, Alex John Laizer, has guided Kilimanjaro over 580 times and chaired the Kilimanjaro Guides Association between 2018 and 2025. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 753 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Arusha; guests are met at Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha, with a Nairobi start on one Kenya and Tanzania trip
Register
Listed by TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators) as a licensed member, read 29 October 2026.
Ask for
Ask which trips run in its own vehicles, as its terms call it a travel planner and booking intermediary.
Not the fit if
No limits published on its website.
Published price
3-day Southern Circuit safari from Zanzibar, $1519; its site gives no per-day figure.
Starts trips in Dar es Salaam by road, rail or air, with Morogoro for Mikumi and Iringa for a 1 day Ruaha trip.
Why choose them
It sells a private day trip to Mikumi by SGR train, from $352 per person. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 880 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 220 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Dar es Salaam; trips also start from Zanzibar, Morogoro, Iringa or Arusha
Ask for
Ask for the deposit and payment terms in writing, as its site does not state a deposit.
Not the fit if
No limits published on its website.
Published price
3 days Nyerere from $798; 4 days Mikumi and Ruaha from $1,155; 7 days Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha from $2,475 (US$ per person, private, no season or group size stated).
Names Ruaha and Nyerere as its southern parks, beside the northern circuit and Zanzibar.
Why choose them
It says it gives 3% of profits per trip to community support. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 372 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.3 out of 5 from 7 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Arusha; guests are met at Kilimanjaro or Arusha airport
Register
Listed by TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators) as a licensed member, read 29 October 2026.
Ask for
Ask which deposit applies, as its terms give a non-refundable USD 100 per person and a payment guide gives 15% of the total.
Not the fit if
Travellers who want a full refund on cancellation: a minimum 10% service fee is always kept.
Published price
No fixed trip prices; sample packages per person in USD: 3-day budget camping $600 to $900, 5-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro $2,500 to $4,000, no season given.
Lists Ruaha, Mikumi, Selous and Nyerere on its pages.
Why choose them
Its budget 5-day safari is listed at $1250 per person for 2 to 4 people. SafariBookings: 4.7 out of 5 from 475 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.7 out of 5 from 1 review, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
No office address given; trips start from Arusha, Moshi and Kilimanjaro International Airport
Ask for
Ask for its company licence details, as its site names TALA licences for its guides but no company licence.
Not the fit if
No limits published on its website.
Published price
Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro 4 days $1350 and 7 days $2200; 14-day Tanzania safari and Zanzibar $3600 (US$, listing prices).
Lists Ruaha and Nyerere/Selous among 20 Tanzania destinations.
Why choose them
Its accessibility statement describes modified vehicles with wheelchair lifts and tie-downs and partner lodges with roll-in showers and ground-floor rooms. Google: 5 out of 5 from 44 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.5 out of 5 from 14 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Moshi, Kilimanjaro region; no Kenya office or departure city stated
Register
Listed by TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators) as a licensed member, read 29 October 2026.
Ask for
Ask which payment date applies, as its terms say 40 days before arrival and its pricing and FAQ pages say 60 to 90 days.
Not the fit if
Travellers who depend on a particular mobility device: it says not all destinations can accommodate all mobility devices.
Published price
Northern Circuit Safari, 7 days, from USD $4,200 per person.
Runs Southern Circuit, Nyerere and Ruaha departures from its Dar es Salaam office.
Why choose them
Its contact page gives a TALA licence number, 036819. SafariBookings: 4.8 out of 5 from 11 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 13 reviews; Trustpilot: 3.8 out of 5 from 2 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Moshi head office; offices in Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kigoma
Ask for
Ask for the invoice price early, as its terms say website prices are indicative only.
Not the fit if
Late bookers who want to pay a deposit: bookings within 25 days of departure pay in full at confirmation.
Published price
3-Day Nyerere from Dar es Salaam, $650 per person (USD, from price, no season given).
Offers Selous (Nyerere), Ruaha and Mikumi beside its northern parks; its site publishes no trip prices for them.
Why choose them
It says its driver-guides are all Wildlife College graduates who speak at least three languages. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 861 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 426 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Arusha (Engosheraton); guests are met at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Ask for
Ask to pay by wire transfer, as card payments carry a 5% commission on top of the price.
Not the fit if
Travellers who want a refundable deposit: its 30% safari deposit is non-refundable.
Published price
No trip prices; indicative averages for 2 people: mid-range from roughly 450 USD and luxury from roughly 600 USD per person per day (on a page headed 2021/2022).
Offers walking safaris as extras in Selous and Ruaha, among other places.
Why choose them
Its guides are employed; the four it names have between 8 and 17 years of experience. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 560 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Arusha, where its itineraries are composed
Ask for
Ask what the Pesapal card service fee is, as its site does not give the amount.
Not the fit if
Travellers who may cancel late: it charges 75% at 7 to 14 days and 100% with less than a week's notice.
Published price
Indicative bands per person per day, international flights excluded: Standard $350 to $500, Comfort $400 to $600, a third level $450 to $800 and Premium $600 to $1100; season and year not given.
Lists Selous/Nyerere, Ruaha and Mikumi among its Tanzania parks.
Why choose them
Its newer packages list Flying Doctor and Air Ambulance cover as included. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 357 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 64 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Arusha (Block No. 09, Sakina)
Register
Listed by TATO (Tanzania Association of Tour Operators) as a licensed member, read 29 October 2026.
Ask for
Ask for a price on itineraries such as the 6 Days Budget Safari, whose page shows none.
Not the fit if
Wheelchair users: its jeeps have no wheelchair lift and it has no wheelchairs.
Published price
Per person prices in US dollars by group size, 2 pax to 7 pax, on many itinerary pages; some pages show no price.
Sells a 2-Day Budget Safari Dar es Salaam to Nyerere, a 1-Day Mikumi trip by SGR train and a 3-Day Zanzibar to Nyerere fly-in.
Why choose them
It publishes child prices per safari, such as $299 per child aged 5 to 12 against $450 per adult on the budget Nyerere trip for 2 travellers. SafariBookings: 4.9 out of 5 from 322 reviews; Google: 5 out of 5 from 55 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
Trips start from Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Moshi; no office address published
Ask for
Ask to pay the balance by bank transfer or cash, as card and payment-link balances carry a 3.5% fee.
Not the fit if
Travellers who may cancel within 29 days of the start: no refund is given.
Published price
2-Day Budget Safari Dar es Salaam to Nyerere from $450; 3-Day Zanzibar to Nyerere fly-in from $1,050; 3-Day Luxury Dar to Nyerere from $1,280 (US$ per person, private, no season given).
Lists Ruaha and Nyerere (Selous) among its Tanzania parks and Zanzibar as a destination.
Why choose them
It says it includes Flying Doctors medical evacuation cover for all guests throughout the trip. SafariBookings: 5.0 out of 5 from 26 reviews; Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 51 reviews; Trustpilot: 4.7 out of 5 from 33 reviews, read 29 October 2026.
Based in
No office address published; trips start and end at Kilimanjaro International Airport
Ask for
Ask who owns and runs the vehicles, as its pages say it works with local partners and do not say it owns vehicles.
Not the fit if
Late bookers: bookings made within 75 days of departure need full payment.
Published price
Best Tanzania Safari Experience, 8 days 7 nights, $5479 per person; Tanzania Family Safari, 10 days 9 nights, $6995 per person (US$, no season given).
How much does a southern Tanzania safari cost with a local operator?
Published southern prices start at $450 for Uwanda Tours and Safaris' 2-Day Budget Safari Dar es Salaam to Nyerere and reach $2,475 for Kihindo Tours and Safaris' 7 days Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha, with season, group size and inclusions set by each operator.
Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency: Shows a 3-day Southern Circuit safari from Zanzibar from $1519, the shortest safari it sells.
Kihindo Tours and Safaris: Private, per person, from prices in US$ with no season or group size: 3 days Nyerere $798, 4 days Mikumi and Ruaha $1,155 and 7 days Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha $2,475.
SafariBando: 3-Day Nyerere from Dar es Salaam at $650 per person in USD with no season given; its terms say website prices are indicative only.
Uwanda Tours and Safaris: 2-Day Budget Safari Dar es Salaam to Nyerere from $450, 3-Day Zanzibar to Nyerere fly-in from $1,050 and 3-Day Luxury Dar to Nyerere from $1,280, per person in US$ with no season given.
Uwanda says its budget Nyerere trip includes park fees for non-residents; Kihindo says final prices are set in the quotation. Ask every operator to show park fees as a separate line.
Which operators fly into Ruaha and Nyerere and which go by road?
Kihindo Tours and Safaris and Uwanda Tours and Safaris name fly-in trips from Zanzibar to Nyerere or Mikumi and SafariBando starts Nyerere and Ruaha departures in Dar es Salaam, while no operator's facts describe a flight into Ruaha.
Kihindo Tours and Safaris: Trips start from Dar es Salaam by road, rail or air and from Zanzibar by fly-in, with a 1 day Ruaha trip from Iringa; it also sells a 2 Days 1 Night fly-in to Mikumi Luxury Safari from $870.
Uwanda Tours and Safaris: Sells a 2-Day Budget Safari Dar es Salaam to Nyerere and a 3-Day Zanzibar to Nyerere fly-in; it says its fly-in trips include the flights during the tour.
SafariBando: Its Southern Circuit, Nyerere and Ruaha departures leave from its Dar es Salaam office.
Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency: Sells a 3-day Southern Circuit safari from Zanzibar, though the facts read do not say how guests travel.
Kihindo and Uwanda also sell a 1 day Mikumi trip by SGR train, from $352 and $280. The facts read name no airstrip, road time or flight price for Ruaha or Nyerere, so ask each operator how guests reach the park and who pays for the flight.
Which operators combine southern Tanzania with Zanzibar or the northern parks?
Kihindo Tours and Safaris and Uwanda Tours and Safaris sell Zanzibar fly-in trips to the southern parks beside northern trips, Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency sells a Southern Circuit safari from Zanzibar and Migration Venture Africa says it runs northern circuit and southern circuit trips with Zanzibar extensions.
Kihindo Tours and Safaris: Zanzibar fly-in combinations with Nyerere or Mikumi; it also sells 3 days/2 nights Serengeti and Ngorongoro from $1,200.
Uwanda Tours and Safaris: Zanzibar is both a fly-in start and a beach finish; it sells a 3-Day Zanzibar to Nyerere fly-in from $1,050 and a 4-Day Zanzibar to Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire trip from $2,160.
Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency: A 3-day Southern Circuit safari from Zanzibar is its shortest safari, at $1519.
Migration Venture Africa: Runs its own trips in Tanzania only: northern circuit, southern circuit, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar extensions.
Wito Africa Safaris lists Ruaha, Nyerere and Zanzibar among its destinations, but the facts read describe no combined trip, so ask any operator for a written day-by-day plan.
Which southern Tanzania safaris are private and which are joining group trips?
Kihindo Tours and Safaris, Uwanda Tours and Safaris and Ryder Signature say their trips are private, while Kiliclimb Africa Safaris and Wito Africa Safaris say they also run joining departures; no operator's facts tie a joining departure to a southern park.
Kihindo Tours and Safaris: Says every journey is private, with no joining departures or group size caps published.
Uwanda Tours and Safaris: Sells private safaris, with its own vehicle and guide for game drives, while minor activities such as walking safaris and boat safaris may be shared.
Ryder Signature: Says its offer is private only, with 100% private vehicles.
Kiliclimb Africa Safaris: Offers private safaris and group joining departures in shared vehicles, with no departure dates or maximum group size published.
Wito Africa Safaris: Runs private tailor-made trips and small group joining trips with fixed itineraries, with dates and group size not shown.
Ask any operator that mentions group departures which dates, parks and vehicle sizes apply before treating a joining trip as a southern option.
What are the best alternatives to Kihindo Tours and Safaris and Savannah Explorers for southern Tanzania in 2026?
For Kihindo Tours and Safaris the nearest matches are Uwanda Tours and Safaris, SafariBando and Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency, which also publish southern trip prices; for Savannah Explorers they are Colours Africa Tours and Safaris, Soul of Tanzania and Tanzania Roadside Expeditions, which list the same southern parks and are based in Arusha.
Uwanda Tours and Safaris: For Kihindo: private Nyerere and Mikumi trips priced from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, with a price table by group size.
SafariBando: For Kihindo: a 3-Day Nyerere trip from Dar es Salaam at $650 and a Dar es Salaam office for Southern Circuit departures.
Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency: For Kihindo: a 3-day Southern Circuit safari from Zanzibar at $1519.
Colours Africa Tours and Safaris: For Savannah Explorers: lists Nyerere, Ruaha and Mikumi, based in Arusha, with private safaris as its main offer.
Soul of Tanzania: For Savannah Explorers: lists Ruaha and Selous (Nyerere), based in Arusha, with walking safaris as extras in Selous and Ruaha.
Tanzania Roadside Expeditions: For Savannah Explorers: lists Selous/Nyerere, Ruaha and Mikumi, with its head office in Arusha.
Savannah Explorers and the Arusha-based operators publish no southern trip prices, so a quote is the only way to compare them with Kihindo.
Who to contact first
Start with the four operators that publish a price for a southern trip and then Soul of Tanzania for walking safari extras; this is a suggested order of enquiry, not a ranking.
Kihindo Tours and Safaris: Prices private Nyerere, Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa trips and says it gives a personal response within 24 hours by WhatsApp.
Uwanda Tours and Safaris: Prices Nyerere trips from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar with a price table by group size; its quote time is not stated.
SafariBando: Departs Southern Circuit trips from Dar es Salaam, promises a quote within 24 hours and gives TALA licence no. 036819.
Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency: Shows a 3-day Southern Circuit safari from Zanzibar at $1519; it promises 24/7 support but no quote time.
Soul of Tanzania: Offers walking safaris as extras in Selous and Ruaha and lists Ruaha and Selous (Nyerere) among its parks; it publishes no southern trip price.
In each enquiry ask for park and conservation fees as a separate line, the road, rail or flight leg to the park, the camp or lodge by name, if the trip is private or joining, the price per person at your group size and the licence number.
Southern Tanzania safari companies: the questions people ask
Which safari companies are best for southern Tanzania, including Ruaha and Nyerere?
No operator is ranked here. Kihindo Tours and Safaris, Uwanda Tours and Safaris, SafariBando and Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency publish a price for a southern trip; the other 9 name Ruaha, Nyerere, Mikumi or Udzungwa without one.
How much does a southern Tanzania safari cost?
Uwanda Tours and Safaris shows a 2-Day Budget Safari Dar es Salaam to Nyerere from $450 and Kihindo Tours and Safaris shows 7 days Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha from $2,475, both per person in US$. Each says the final price depends on the quotation or season.
Which operators price a Ruaha trip?
Kihindo Tours and Safaris lists 4 days Mikumi and Ruaha from $1,155 and 7 days Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha from $2,475 per person.
Can I fly from Zanzibar to Nyerere?
Uwanda Tours and Safaris sells a 3-Day Zanzibar to Nyerere fly-in from $1,050 per person; Kihindo Tours and Safaris lists Zanzibar fly-in trips to Nyerere or Mikumi. Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency shows a 3-day Southern Circuit safari from Zanzibar but does not say how guests travel.
Can I reach Mikumi by train?
Kihindo Tours and Safaris sells a 1 day safari to Mikumi by SGR train from $352 and Uwanda Tours and Safaris sells a 1-Day Mikumi by SGR train trip from $280, both per person in US$.
Are southern Tanzania safaris private or joining?
Kihindo says every journey is private. Kiliclimb Africa Safaris and Wito Africa Safaris say they also run joining departures, but no fact ties one to a southern park.
Which operators offer walking safaris in Nyerere or Ruaha?
Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency offers walking safaris in Ruaha and Nyerere with an armed ranger on its Nyerere package; Uwanda Tours and Safaris offers them as add-ons in Nyerere and Ruaha. Soul of Tanzania lists them as extras in Selous and Ruaha.
What are the best alternatives to Kihindo Tours and Safaris and Savannah Explorers in 2026?
For Kihindo, Uwanda Tours and Safaris, SafariBando and Game Drive Travel Africa Safari Agency also publish southern trip prices. For Savannah Explorers, Colours Africa Tours and Safaris, Soul of Tanzania and Tanzania Roadside Expeditions list the same southern parks from Arusha.
How do I check a Tanzanian safari operator's licence?
Look for the TATO listing on its card, then ask the operator for its Tanzania Tourist Board licence number. SafariBando gives TALA licence no. 036819 on its contact page; Ryder Signature says it is registered with the Tanzania Revenue Authority but publishes no licence number.
What should I ask a southern Tanzania operator to itemise?
Ask for park fees as a separate line, the road, rail or flight leg and the camp or lodge. Uwanda Tours and Safaris says its budget Nyerere trip includes park fees for non-residents; Kihindo Tours and Safaris says its final prices are in the quotation.
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: facts each operator published on its own website, read on 29 October 2026, with reviews per platform (SafariBookings, Google and Trustpilot) and register listings read the same day, from the Uncompromised Travel local safari operators table. Every operator in that table filed under Tanzania whose own website publishes a trip, a price, a start point or a page for Ruaha, Nyerere is on this page; operators whose websites would not open are not. Cards are in alphabetical order; "Who to contact first" is in the order Uncompromised Travel suggests asking. No company paid to appear or for its place. Sources: the company pages linked in each card. Prices are in the currency each company showed and were not converted. How this site earns · How we work.
Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 29 October 2026 · updated 29 October 2026
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