...

Exploring Tanzania’s Hidden Safari Gems: The Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park

Looking for off-the-beaten-path safari destinations in Tanzania? Discover the wild beauty of Selous Game Reserve and Ruaha National Park — two of Tanzania’s best-kept safari secrets.

Why Go Beyond the Serengeti?

While the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are world-famous safari destinations, Tanzania holds hidden gems that offer equally thrilling — and far less crowded — wildlife experiences. Two standout parks in southern Tanzania, the Selous Game Reserve (now part of Nyerere National Park) and Ruaha National Park, are perfect for travelers looking for raw wilderness, fewer vehicles, and intimate encounters with nature.

These destinations offer a different kind of safari: wild, authentic, and deeply immersive.

Benson Safaris | Safari in Hell's Gate national park in Kenya. Off road jeep car, savannah and mountain view

Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park)

Once one of Africa’s largest game reserves, Selous is now known as Nyerere National Park, covering over 30,000 square kilometers of pristine wilderness. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse areas in East Africa.

Wildlife Highlights:

  • Home to one of Africa’s largest populations of elephants.
  • Regular sightings of lions, African wild dogs, giraffes, hippos, and crocodiles.
  • Ideal for spotting birdlife with over 400 species.

Unique Activities:

  • Boat safaris on the Rufiji River — a rare experience in East Africa.
  • Walking safaris with armed guides.

Fly-camping under the stars in complete solitude.

Benson Safaris | Boat safari

Ruaha National Park

Remote, rugged, and breathtaking, Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park, but also one of its least visited. Located in the south-central region, Ruaha offers dramatic landscapes with baobab trees, rocky escarpments, and the Great Ruaha River flowing through the park.

Wildlife Highlights:

  • One of the best places in Africa to see lion prides (some with over 20 members).
  • High density of leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, and elephants.
  • Rare antelope species like sable, roan, and kudu.

What Makes It Special:

  • Few tourists = private sightings and a deeper sense of wilderness.
  • Real “big game” safari in a remote setting.
  • Excellent for photographers and seasoned safari-goers.
Benson Safaris | Pride of lions resting

How to Get There

Access:

  • Selous/Nyerere: Fly from Dar es Salaam to the park’s airstrips (approx. 1 hour).
  • Ruaha: Fly from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, or Serengeti to Msembe Airstrip.

These destinations are best accessed by small aircraft, as road travel is long and challenging — but that’s part of the adventure!

When to Visit

  • Dry Season (June to October): Best for wildlife visibility as animals gather near rivers and waterholes.
  • Green Season (November to April): Lush landscapes, migratory birds, and fewer visitors — a photographer’s dream.

Where to Stay

Both Selous and Ruaha offer a range of accommodations, from luxury lodges to rustic tented camps.

Top Picks:

  • Selous Serena Camp – Luxury tents near the river.
  • Beho Beho – Exclusive, intimate, and beautifully remote.
  • Jongomero Camp (Ruaha) – Elegant, off-grid luxury with riverfront views.
  • Ruaha River Lodge – Great value and stunning location.
Benson Safaris | Budget Safari tent in South Africa for family vacations in the nature , Safari tented camp

Who Should Visit Selous and Ruaha?

These parks are ideal for:

  • Experienced safari-goers looking for a new adventure.
  • Wildlife lovers and photographers seeking rare sightings.
  • Couples and honeymooners wanting privacy and exclusivity.

Anyone who wants to avoid the crowds and enjoy a truly wild safari.

Final Thoughts: Tanzania’s Untamed South

Selous and Ruaha are two of Tanzania’s best-kept safari secrets, offering some of the most raw, rewarding, and uncrowded wildlife experiences in Africa. If you’re looking to go beyond the usual routes and see a wilder side of Tanzania, the south is calling.

Ready to discover Tanzania’s hidden safari gems? Contact us to help plan a custom journey into Selous, Ruaha, or both — with flights, lodges, and guides arranged just for you.

Join Benson Safaris for a 6 day adventure in Tanzania’s Serengeti, witnessing the awe-inspiring Wildebeest Migration with prime viewing spots guaranteed.

Discover Tanzania’s wildlife wonders with our 5-day budget safari. Choose mid-range camping or lodge for budget-friendly comfort and adventure.

Embark on a 5-day Tanzanian adventure in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, choosing tented camp or mid-range lodge accommodations. Cherish the journey.

Send Us A Message

EXCELLENT
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5
Based on 126 reviews
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
m c profile picture
m c
13 June 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
good safari experience Very professional team, Daphne is the sales she is very helpful and thoughtful, always respond fast even on weekends. Charles is very experienced tour guide, he can spot lions on the tree from hundres meters away with his eagle eyes. He can also detect animals simply by his nose which is amazing to us. During the safari, we saw a pride of over 20 lions, which is extremely rare, and we saw a leopard and a lion lying on the same tree... Overall I'm glad to choose Benson safari especially with the help from Daphne.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Chloe S profile picture
Chloe S
3 March 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Incredible experience! We had the most incredible safari in Tanzania with Benson Safaris, and we honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the very beginning, they tailored the entire trip exactly to what we wanted. They were always available to answer our questions before and during the trip, constantly checking in and making sure everything was perfect. That level of care and attention made us feel completely at ease. Exploring the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater, we saw more animals than we could have ever imagined — lions, elephants, giraffes, and so much more. Our guide, Liberatus, was truly fantastic — so knowledgeable, and passionate. He made every game drive exciting and shared incredible insights about the wildlife and surroundings. We especially loved that Benson is locally owned. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and we can’t recommend them highly enough.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Lisa J profile picture
Lisa J
28 February 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Begeistertert! Wir haben im Februar eine einwöchige Safari mit Bensons gemacht und sind hoch zufrieden! Die Safari hat all unsere Erwartungen übertroffen, wir haben alle dort vorkommenden größeren Tierarten gesehen und viel über die Tiere, die Natur und deren Schutz in den Nationalparks gelernt. Dabei geht ein großes Dankeschön an Simba, unseren hervorragenden Guide! Er wusste unglaublich viel und hat all unsere vielen Fragen geduldig und mit viel Hintergrundwissen und Erfahrung beantwortet. Auch die Lodges waren ausnahmslos super, mitten drin in der Natur, alle mit wlan, Heißwasser, Moskitonetzen in Mückengebieten und bequemen Betten. Das Personal war sehr bemüht und meist gab es abwechslungsreiche Buffets. Unsere Tour beinhaltete die Nationalparks Tarangire, Ndutu, offene Serengeti und den Ngorongoro-Krater. Alles sehr zu empfehlen, Bensons hat uns eine super Route zusammengestellt und all unsere Wünsche möglich gemacht. Ganz vielen Dank, wir kommen auf jeden Fall wieder!!
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Anders O profile picture
Anders O
9 February 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Bensons is the top notch Exellent arragement with perfect accommodations and the tour guide Leberatus was fantastic. His skills to find animals and he was a great driver that make us safe.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Emma C profile picture
Emma C
25 January 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Once in a lifetime experience. From the initial contact to the final drop off Benson Safaris were friendly, helpful & professional. Every effort was made to unsure our comfort & enjoyment of our safari & stay in Tanzania. Zablon worked hard to find us not just the ‘big five’ but also the birds & small animals to show the full ecology of the area. The hotels they chose for our mid-level pricing were very comfortable & clean. The food was fairly basic at the tented safari camps especially the lunches but this may be a common theme due to their resources. I would definitely recommend Benson Safaris.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
matte profile picture
matte
22 January 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Perfect tailor-made moneymoon safari! ​We chose Banson Safari for our 6-day honeymoon tour through Tarangire, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro, including amazing stops at Lake Manyara and Kilimanjaro. It was an incredible experience from start to finish. Benson was fantastic and surprised us with a lovely and much appreciated gift for our honeymoon, but a special mention must go to our guide, Liberatus. ​Liberatus is truly "number one"—his knowledge of the local flora and fauna is unmatched, and his ability to spot wildlife is legendary. Thanks to him, we saw the Big Five, including the black rhino and the leopard. As a photography enthusiast, I also truly appreciated how he positioned the vehicle to ensure I got the perfect shots. If you want a professional and personalized safari in Tanzania, we cannot recommend Banson Safari and Liberatus enough!
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Anja B profile picture
Anja B
16 January 2026
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Ein wahrlich wahnsinnig schöner Urlaub Bei Benson Safaris haben wir für Silvester eine außergewöhnliche Safari gebucht. Die freundliche Mitarbeiterin Dolphine hat uns eine mega Reise geplant. Neben den tollen Parks u.a.. Serengeti konnten wir den Massai, einem Jägerstamm im Busch und einen Schmied besuchen. Dank ihrer zuverlässigen Unterstützung fühlte sich die Expedition von Anfang an perfekt betreut an, und selbst nach dem ersten Tag stand sie bereit, um Fragen zu klären und den Ablauf reibungslos zu gestalten. Z.B. haben wir spontan ein tansaniisches Restaurant besucht - klasse Essen in sehr schönem Ambiente. Unser Urlaub war eine unvergessliche Erfahrung, dank ihres Engagements und ihrer Kompetenz sowie unserem Guide, der ihre Planung und unsere zusätzlichen Wünsche ( lokalen Markt besuchen, gutes Restaurant heraussuchen und uns hinfahren, denn 10000 Elefanten und Löwen beachten, die Big 5 suchen und finden und und und) umsetzte. Unser Guide Francis war einfach super. Er hat uns sehr viel auf Deutsch erklärt und Informationen nachgeschlagen, wenn er sie nicht auf deutsch sofort wusste (englisch geht aber auch) Sehr erfahren in allen Parks, ein toller Fahrer, der Tiere entdeckt hat, die wir so nicht gefunden hätten. Er hat unsere Wünsche wahr werden lassen ( big5 finden) und die Safari dadurch besonders unvergesslich gemacht. Francis ist sehr fleißig und überraschte uns jeden Tag mit neuem Wortschatz. Seine Bereitschaft, Neues zu lernen, motiviert uns alle Tausende von Fragen zu stellen, die er uns dann auf deutsch beantwortete. Mit seiner freundlichen und lustigen Art erklärte er Zusammenhänge verständlich und sorgte dafür, dass jeder Schritt der Reise lehrreich und spannend blieb. Trotz jeden Tag stundenlanges Tiere jagen, war die Zeit sehr kurzweilig. Wir schätzen seine Begeisterung und das Engagement, das er jeden Tag für unsere Safari zeigte. Die geplanten Lodges auf unserer Reise sind für jeden ein Traum gewesen. Wir wurden kulinarisch sehr verwöhnt, der Ausblick auf die Natur war grandios und wir kamen aus dem Schwärmen überhaupt nicht raus. Die Kombination aus super Essen, Komfort und mega Ausblicken machte die Reise unvergesslich. Wir mussten nicht einmal auf eine warme Dusche in der Serengeti verzichten. Vielen Dank an Dolphine, Francis, unserem lokalen Guide bei den Jägern und allen, die uns so einen tollen Urlaub ermöglicht haben.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
DN profile picture
DN
26 December 2025
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Een geweldig Tanzania-ervaring! We hebben een heerlijke trip naar Udzungwa en Mikumi gehad. Het contact en de adviezen per mail vooraf waren zeer goed, vriendelijk, efficiënt en zeer service-gericht. Dankzij een hele fijne gids, Abelli👌, hebben we supertrip gehad. Abelli had duidelijk plezier in zijn werk, was een zeer goede chauffeur (niet onbelangrijk als je zoals wij vanaf Dar es Salaam naar Udzungwa rijdt en weer terug), had veel kennis en luisterde goed naar onze wensen. Top! Absolute aanrader en voor herhaling vatbaar. Wij hebben bewust gekozen voor een lokale reisorganisatie, we reizen veel door Tanzania en ook dit keer was het een geweldige ervaring, dank daarvoor Benson Safaris!!!
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Julie K profile picture
Julie K
17 December 2025
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Fantastic tour, highly recommend! We had excellent and professional service from Benson Safaris. Our driver and guide made sure we had everything possible to facilitate our stay throughout the trip. Even when we had some travel hiccups at the end of our trip (NOT Benson's fault), the company worked with us directly to develop alternative plans - always keeping our safety and enjoyment first. Our trip was spectacular from start to finish. The accommodations were beautiful and truly more luxurious than I could have expected. The daily visits in the incredible parks were filled with animals and finding and spotting interesting creatures was a special talent of our guide, Zablon. We always felt very well taken care of. The overall experience was a fantastic one - highly recommend this tour and Benson's Safaris for your next trip!
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Lars M profile picture
Lars M
17 December 2025
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Safari und Strand – eine wunderbare Kombination Wir hatten einen wunderschönen Aufenthalt in Tansania. Über Benson Safari haben wir eine Safari im Tarangire-Nationalpark gemacht – inklusive Transfer und einem sehr schönen Mittagessen. Die Safari war ein echtes Highlight mit tollen Eindrücken und vielen besonderen Momenten. Im Anschluss waren wir im Kipepeo Beach nahe Dar es Salaam. Auch hier hat BensenSafari alles organisiert: den Transfer, die Betreuung vor Ort und die Übernachtungen. Wir hatten jederzeit einen festen Ansprechpartner, haben uns immer gut betreut und sicher gefühlt. Der Aufenthalt am Meer war einfach großartig, die Fahrt dorthin angenehm und gut organisiert. Auch der Rücktransfer zum Flughafen lief völlig unkompliziert. Insgesamt ließ sich alles entspannt und zuverlässig über BensenSafari planen und buchen. Eine rundum gelungene Reise mit vielen schönen Erinnerungen – wir können Benson Safari absolut weiterempfehlen.