In Southern Circuit of Tanzania, tourist can enjoy seeing several beatifuly topographical features such as mountains, hills and plateaus covered with thick forest, grasses, flowers and different wildlife species such as elephants, lions, leopards, girraffe, buffallos, hipopotamus, zebras and many others . Also, tourist can observe nice looking lakes such as like Nyasa, Tanganyika, Rukwa, Ngosi, Ngwazi and attractive rivers basins like Rufiji, Ruaha, Kalambo, Ruhuhu, Ruhuji and Kilombero to mention few. Tourists can enjoy diverse cultural activities from different tribes in Morogoro, Iringa, Njombe, Ruvuma, Mbeya, Songwe, Rukwa and Katavi regions.
Tourist are encouraged to go in Morogoro, Iringa, Njombe, Ruvuma, Mbeya, Songwe, Rukwa and Katavi regions. In these areas will visit National Parks (Nyerere, Mikumi, Udzungwa, Ruaha, Kitulo, Katavi, Mahale), Forest nature Reserves, Village land forest reserves, Game Reserves (with Selous and Mpanga Kipengele), two rift valley lakes (Nyasa, Tanganyika, Rukwa, Ngosi, Ngwazi) and areas of cultural interest.
Morogoro region
Morogoro Region is the second largest Region in the Country after Tabora covering an area of 73,039 km2 which is equivalent to 7.7% of the total area of Tanzania Mainland. In Morogoro Region tourist are enjoying seeing various tourist attractions including protected areas with high biodiversity and scenery beauty such as Eastern arc mountains, waterfalls, wetlands, wildlife, various types of birds, historical sites and Slave routes. The Protected areas include Nyerere, Mikumi and Udzungwa National Parks; Selous Game Resrves; Kilombero Game Controlled Area; Forest Nature Reserves namely Uzungwa Scarp, Kilombero, Magombera, Mkingu and Uluguru. Also, the region has three Wildlife management Areas which are managed by communities under the concept of Community Based natural Resource.
Iringa Region
Iringa region is situated in Southern highland of Tanzania between latitude 6.540 and 100 and longitude 33 and 370- 000 East. The region covers an area of 58,936 sq. km. Iringa is a charming town which lies at the heart of Tanzania’s tea industry. Set on the slopes of a cliff above the Little Ruaha River, this is the main centre for travel to the Ruaha National Park. A mix of faded Bavarian and vibrant African architecture distinguish Iringa from most Tanzanian towns, and the place has a rich history. It was near here that in 1894, Hehe Chief Mkwawa built a 13km long and four meter high stockade in an attempt to fight off the advance of German colonization. In 1898, after nine years of harassing the Germans in a series of guerrilla wars, Mkwawa was cornered, and committed suicide by shooting himself through the head. For archaeology buffs, a trip to Isimila, 15km west of Iringa, is mandatory. Besides the astonishing free-standing natural rock pillars formed by millions of years of weathering, this is one of Africa’s most important sites for exploring the relics of the Acheulean Age (about 60 000 years ago) and the site is littered with hand axes, hammers, cleavers and stone picks. Iringa has two National Parks namely Ruaha and Udzungwa National Parks, forest reserves, protected areas, sao hill forest plantation. Enjoy being in Iringa.
Njombe Region
The region is located in Southern Highlands Zone bordering Iringa Region in the north, Morogoro Region in the east and Ruvuma region in the south. The region lies between latitude 08o 50’ and 10o 30’ south of the equator and between longitude 33o 45’ and 35o 45’ east of Greenwich. Njombe Region has many tourist attractions ranging from the ecological, landscape, to cultural ones. In Makete District, the establishment of Kitulo National Park and Mpanga/Kipengere Game Reserve that are famous for their unique birds and flowers are among the attractions. The region also have attractions for tourists such as Kimani waterfalls and Lake Nyasa beaches, Kipengere and Livingstone Mountain ranges, German Bomas (Milo and Manda) and ritual sites for instance Nyumbanitu.
Ruvuma region
The region extends between latitudes 9035' to 11045' South of Equator and longitudes 34035' to 38010' meridian. The attractions found are The Matogoro forest reserve is located in Songea region, South East of Songea district. It is 15km from Songea town and lies between latitude 10040’’ South and longitude 35o40" East. The Gesimasowa-Litumandyosi Game Reserve, covering 1,258 km2, is amongst the largest protected areas in Ruvuma region and is relatively undisturbed by human impact. Ruhila Game Sanctuary is a wild animal’s park located 9kms from the urban area of the Songea Municipality. The Majimaji Memorial Museum located in Songea Municipality was firstly opened to the public on 6th July 1980. Since then its ownership has been changing back and forth between the Regional authority, the Elders Council and the Songea Municipality. The Chandamali Millitary Museum is located at the Chandamali Army Base in the Songea Municipality. Liuli Beach has an attractive white sandy beaches and very beautiful scenery. The beach covers almost 2km stretch, privately owned and invested in tourism facilities such as Pomonda Raha Eco- Camp.
Mbeya region
The Region is located in the South Western Corner of the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The Region lies between Latitudes 7o and 9o 31’ South of Equator, and between Longitudes 32o and 35o East of Greenwich. Potential attractions are Mount Rungwe Nature Reserve which is located in Rungwe district around. Mount Rungwe is the third highest peak in Tanzania reaches 2981 metres high. The climb is beautiful and rewarding due to its zoological affiliations and its botanical biodiversity. Lake Ngosi is situated in the Mporoto Ridge Forest Reserve. Lake Ngosi is the second largest Crater Lake in Africa, with the depth of 74M, 2.5Km long and 1.6 Km wide has the African Map look like shape, this crater lack the outlet and inlet. Kiwira God’s Bridge a natural wonder of a large bridge that was formed naturally without any human engineering. Others attractions includes Matema beaches, various waterfall, traditional ceremony.
Songwe region
Songwe Region borders the countries of Zambia and Malawi to the south: Tunduma is the main entry point into Zambia while Isongole is the main entry point into Malawi. The attractions fount are are Lukwati Reserve, Lake Rukwa Rift Valley Pangala; Mbozi meteorite- The Eighth by size Worldwide at – Ndolezi; Hot Water Spring at – Ifwenkenya; Patamela forest reserve, Mount Kwimba which used by Wabungu tribe for traditional healing and rituals; Hot Water Spring at Nanyala; Caves With big Bats (very nice site cave deep and big) underground at – Nanyala; Chumwa Range Forest Reserve – Namlonga (Nanyala); Utambalila Forest Reserve; Stone Foot Print at- Nkangamo; Old Stone Drawings at – Nkangamo; Ivuna North & South Forest Reserve; Isalalo Forest Reserve; Sangena Bwenda Water Falls Can support hydro electric power; and Katengele natural forest reserve and kabulo mountain range to Kiwira Coal Mine. Tourist areencouraged to visit these attractions
Katavi Region
Katavi region lies between Latitudes 50 15’’ to 70 03’’ South of Equator and Longitude 300 to 330 of East of Greenwich. These sites and tourists’ attractions include: Roman Catholic Missionaries in Karema (1885 to-date); the remains of Doctor Adrian Atmani (1866 to 1956); Katavi National Park; Nkondwe falls; Colonial and Chiefs Administrative Forts and Nkamba forest reserve; major catchment areas of Rungwa and Kavuu Rivers; and Hot spring at Migunga village where the water is hot enough to boil an egg. Other attractions are Rukwa Game Reserve, Forest Reserves with a status of Game Controlled Areas, availability of many chimpanzees and variety species of wildlife. There are great rivers such as Ugalla, Katuma, Mnyamasi and Rungwa. Presence of a Twins river (Lugonesi River) whereby it is believed whoever drinks water from that river for the belief of getting baby twins must be able to give birth to baby twins. You are warmly welcomed to visit Katavi.
Rukwa Region
The region is located in the south- western part of Tanzania between 050S – 090S and 30 - 330 E. Attraction found are Kalambo waterfalls located 120km from Kalambo district headquarters and 170km from Sumbawanga municipality. The Kalambo Falls on the Kalambo River is a 772ft (235m) single drop waterfall on the border of Zambia and Tanzania. Kalambo Falls is one of the most attractive sites in Africa. Others, are Lake Tanganyika is the second deepest and, by volume, the second largest lake in the world (after Siberia's Lake Baikal in both respects), lake Rukwa, The Old Bismark fort is located in Kasanga and was built by German around 1880’s; however currently under the Military protection (it is used by Military as a temporary residential place). The region have various waterfall, reserves, diverse culture, birds species.
IMPROVEMENT OF ROAD NETWORKS
Southern Circuit is well connected to other tourism zones through land and air transport. In recent years, through sustained programmes, there have been major developments of quality road networks from major cities to the Southern Circuit. This has helped to ensure timely travel opportunities and exploration of the South by visitors.