5 Days Ruaha & Mikumi Safari Package

Ideal for wildlife lovers and nature seekers, this Southern Tanzania safari adventure explores the remote beauty of Ruaha and Mikumi National Parks. Ruaha National Park offers dramatic landscapes, baobab-filled valleys, and is home to Tanzania’s largest elephant population, as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, and rare antelopes like sable, roan, and greater kudu. The Great Ruaha River flows through the park, attracting crocodiles, hippos, and over 400 bird species including the Racket-Tailed Roller and Shelley’s Sunbird.

Mikumi National Park, often referred to as the Mini Serengeti, features the open Mkata Floodplain, where elephants, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, and lions roam freely. Birdlife here exceeds 300 species, with highlights like the Lilac-Breasted Roller and Bateleur Eagle. A must-see is the Hippo Pool, where you can watch hippos up close. This tour is the perfect blend of wildlife, landscapes, and authentic safari experience in Southern Tanzania.

Day 1: Dar es salaam to Mikumi - 6 hr drive

Your journey begins with an early morning drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park, a 6-hour scenic route through the Morogoro region. Arrive in Mikumi by early afternoon for lunch and a short rest. In the late afternoon, enjoy your first game drive across the Mkata floodplain, home to elephants, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and hippos at the waterholes. The landscape opens wide, making wildlife easy to spot. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight, surrounded by savannah views and the sounds of the wild.

Accommodation: Mikumi Wildlife Camp or Tan-Swiss Lodge
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Mikumi Safari + Maasai Village Visit → Iringa

Start your day with a sunrise game drive, when wildlife activity is at its peak. Spot predators winding down after the night hunt and herbivores gathering near waterholes. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then visit a nearby Maasai village for an enriching cultural experience. After lunch, depart Mikumi and head toward the southern highland town of Iringa. Enjoy a scenic 4–5 hour drive through mountainous terrain, passing villages and farms. Arrive in Iringa by evening, where you’ll settle in for dinner and a peaceful night’s rest.

Accommodation: Neema Crafts Guest House or Iringa Sunset Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Iringa to Ruaha National Park – Afternoon Safari

After breakfast, drive 2.5–3 hours to Ruaha National Park, where Tanzania’s largest national park awaits with dramatic landscapes and rich wildlife. Check in at your lodge and enjoy lunch before setting out on an afternoon game drive. Ruaha’s remote terrain is home to large elephant herds, big cats, and unique antelope species like roan and sable. Bird enthusiasts will find paradise with hundreds of species across the riverbanks and woodlands. Return to your lodge as the sun sets for dinner and overnight in the heart of the wilderness.

Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge or Ruaha River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Full-Day Safari in Ruaha National Park

Spend a full day exploring Ruaha’s rugged and untamed terrain. Begin with an early morning game drive to catch predators in action. Traverse the Great Ruaha River and scattered baobab forests in search of elephants, lions, leopards, and more. Enjoy a packed picnic lunch in a quiet area of the park, surrounded by nature. In the afternoon, continue your search for rare antelope and prolific birdlife. The park’s isolation ensures a unique, crowd-free safari experience. Return to camp in the evening for dinner and your final overnight stay in Ruaha.

Accommodation: Ruaha Hilltop Lodge or Ruaha River Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Morning Game Drive – Return to Dar es Salaam

Wake up for one last morning game drive in Ruaha, catching early light over the baobabs and final glimpses of roaming wildlife. After breakfast, check out and begin your return journey to Dar es Salaam. Depending on your preference, the return can be made by road or via a short domestic flight from Msembe Airstrip (additional cost). Arrival in Dar es Salaam will be in the late afternoon, marking the end of your Southern Tanzania adventure with memories and photos to last a lifetime.

Accommodation: Not included (optional hotel booking in Dar upon request)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch