NYERERE & MIKUMI HIGHLIGHTS
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Destination to Visit
Dar es salaam, Nyerere and Mikumi National Parks
Start / Finish in
Start in Dar es salaam & End in Dar es salaam
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Overview
Southern Tanzania offers a quieter safari experience compared to the northern parks, with wider spaces, fewer vehicles, and a stronger sense of remoteness. This safari is a perfect combo of Nyerere and Mikumi national parks, two game reserves connected by geography yet different in many ways.
Nyerere, covering more than 30,000 square kilometres, is one of Africa’s largest protected wildlife areas and is characterized mostly by the river systems, while Mikumi’s open plains resemble parts of the Serengeti and allow easy wildlife viewing. The itinerary balances game drives with boat and walking activities, giving a broader understanding of how wildlife and landscapes connect across southern Tanzania.
Day By Day
Day 1: Arrival - Pick Up and Transfer to Hotel in Dar
Upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Dar es Salaam.
Dar es Salaam functions mainly as a gateway to southern parks rather than a safari destination itself, and tonight allows time to prepare comfortably for the days ahead. A short briefing is provided either this evening or the following morning by your safari guide.
Day 2: Transfer to Nyerere National Park
After breakfast, you travel to Nyerere National Park either by scheduled flight or by road depending on a preferred style. The flight offers views of rivers, forests, and scattered villages below, while the drive gradually transitions from coastal landscapes into wilder terrain.
Upon arrival, lunch is served at the lodge followed by an afternoon game drive introducing the park’s varied habitats, from open floodplains to woodland and river channels. Nyerere supports large populations of elephants, buffalo, and hippos, and it is also known for African wild dogs, a species rarely seen elsewhere. The day ends at camp with dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Nyerere National Park Activities
The day is spent exploring Nyerere through a mix of activities that may include morning and afternoon game drives, a boat safari along the Rufiji River, or a guided walking safari depending on camp arrangements. The river is central to life here, supporting one of East Africa’s largest hippo populations along with crocodiles often seen resting on sandbanks.
Boat safaris provide a different perspective compared to vehicle viewing, allowing quiet observation of birdlife and animals coming to drink. Walking safaris focus on smaller details such as tracks, plants, and animal behaviour, offering insight into the ecosystem beyond large mammals while maintaining a relaxed and unhurried pace.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Transfer to Mikumi National Park
After breakfast, you depart Nyerere and travel toward Mikumi National Park, either by road through changing landscapes or via connecting flight arrangements. The drive passes rural settlements and open countryside, giving a broader sense of daily life outside protected areas.
Mikumi lies along the northern edge of the Selous ecosystem and covers about 3,230 square kilometres. Upon arrival, an afternoon game drive begins across the Mkata Floodplain, an open area where wildlife is often visible from a distance. Zebras, wildebeest, giraffes, and buffalo are commonly seen here, and lions are frequently spotted resting on termite mounds that rise above the grassland.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Mikumi National Park - Full Day
Today is dedicated to exploring Mikumi with morning and afternoon game drives. The park’s relatively open terrain makes wildlife viewing straightforward, and animals tend to remain visible even during warmer hours. Mikumi is home to over 400 bird species and a healthy population of herbivores that attract predators throughout the year. Elephants move between woodland and floodplain areas, while hippos gather in permanent pools during the dry season.
With fewer visitors compared to northern parks, sightings often feel calm and uninterrupted. A picnic or lodge lunch breaks the day before continuing with afternoon exploration and returning to camp before sunset.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Return to Dar Es Salaam - Departure
After breakfast, you begin the return to Dar es Salaam by road or scheduled flight. The drive allows time to reflect on the contrast between southern Tanzania’s river systems, woodland habitats, and open savannah landscapes experienced over the past days.
Arrival in Dar es Salaam is expected in the afternoon, followed by transfer to the airport or hotel depending on onward plans. The safari concludes here, leaving flexibility for international departures or additional coastal stays if desired.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
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RECOMMENDED FOR
- Anyone looking to immerse themselves in Tanzania wilderness.
- People who want an authentic safari adventure.
- Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
PRICE INCLUSION
- All Game Drives;
- Accommodation At Lodges/Tented Camps
- English Speaking Driver/Guide;
- All Food; Drinking Water;
- 18% VAT Tax;
- At Least 1 Pair Of Binoculars;
- Accommodation In Moshi/Arusha;
- Airport Transfers;
PRICE EXCLUSIONS
- International flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities (guide, driver, lodge staff)
- Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, souvenirs)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks (unless stated)
- Optional activities