5-Day Southern Tanzania Safari with Rufiji Boat and Walking Safari

5 Days Round trip from Dar es Salaam Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore two spectacular national parks in Southern Tanzania
02 Enjoy a boat safari along the Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park
03 Experience a guided walking safari in the African wilderness
04 Search for elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and buffaloes on game drives
05 Discover the famous Mkata Floodplain in Mikumi National Park
06 Travel through scenic rural landscapes and traditional local communities
07 Enjoy a private safari with a professional English-speaking guide

Discover the wild beauty of Southern Tanzania on a 5-day safari from Dar es Salaam, combining classic game drives with immersive experiences on land and water. Travel to Nyerere National Park for a scenic boat safari on the Rufiji River, then explore its vast wilderness in search of elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and more. Continue to Mikumi National Park for full-day game drives across the famous Mkata Floodplain, known for excellent wildlife viewing and photography. With a guided walking safari in the bush, scenic rural landscapes, comfortable lodge stays, and picnic lunches along the way, this itinerary offers a well-rounded Southern Tanzania safari experience.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Dar es Salaam, Mikumi National Park, Uluguru Mountains

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park and Rufiji River Boat Safari

After an early breakfast at your hotel in Dar es Salaam, meet your professional safari guide and depart for Nyerere National Park. Enjoy the scenic journey through rural Tanzania, passing traditional villages and beautiful landscapes along the way.

Arrive at Mloka Safari Lodge in time for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy a memorable boat safari along the Rufiji River, where you can look out for hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants drinking along the riverbanks, and colourful birdlife.

Accommodation: Mloka Safari Lodge

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 02

Full-Day Wildlife Adventure in Nyerere National Park

After an early breakfast, set out for a full-day wildlife adventure in Nyerere National Park. Explore its remarkable wilderness in search of elephants, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, and other wildlife.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness before continuing your exploration. Nyerere is also an important habitat for African wild dogs, offering a special opportunity to learn about one of Africa's most fascinating predators.

Return to camp in the late evening for dinner and relaxation.

Accommodation: Mloka Safari Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 03

Walking Safari and Transfer to Mikumi National Park

Start your morning with a guided walking safari accompanied by an armed park ranger and an experienced walking guide, subject to park regulations and availability.

Discover the smaller details of the African wilderness, from animal tracks and bird calls to medicinal plants and fascinating insects. Walking through the bush offers a different perspective from traditional vehicle-based game viewing.

After breakfast, depart for Mikumi National Park with a packed lunch. Enjoy the scenic drive through the countryside and the Uluguru Mountain region. Arrive at your lodge in the evening, followed by dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 04

Full-Day Game Drive on the Mkata Floodplain

After breakfast, head into Mikumi National Park for an exciting full-day game drive. Explore the famous Mkata Floodplain, where open grasslands create excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.

Search for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, impalas, and lions. You may also encounter hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species around the park's water sources.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the park before continuing your afternoon game drive. Later, return to your lodge for dinner and your final overnight stay.

Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05

Mikumi National Park to Dar es Salaam Departure

Enjoy an early breakfast at your lodge before beginning your journey back to Dar es Salaam.

Depending on your departure schedule, you may enjoy a short morning game drive before leaving Mikumi. Travel through Tanzania's beautiful countryside, with a lunch stop along the way.

Arrive in Dar es Salaam and transfer to your hotel, airport, or preferred drop-off point, marking the end of your memorable Southern Tanzania safari.

Meals: Breakfast & Picnic Lunch

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Dar es Salaam 3 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Private 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof.
Professional English-speaking safari driver-guide.
Accommodation for four nights.
Meals as specified in the itinerary.
All applicable national park entrance fees.
Rufiji River boat safari.
Guided walking safari, including required ranger fees.
All scheduled game drives.
Bottled drinking water during the safari.
All government taxes and applicable levies.
Transfers from and to Dar es Salaam.

What's Not Included

International and domestic flights.
Visa fees.
Travel insurance.
Tips for safari guides and lodge staff.
Alcoholic and premium beverages.
Personal expenses.
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary.

What to bring

To make your 5-day Southern Tanzania safari comfortable and enjoyable, we recommend packing light, practical clothing and essential personal items. The weather can vary between warm days and cooler mornings and evenings, so it is best to be prepared.
Clothing
- Lightweight, breathable shirts and T-shirts.
- Comfortable safari trousers or shorts.
- Neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, beige, olive, or brown).
- A light jacket or sweater for cool mornings and evenings.
- Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots for the walking safari.
- Sandals or comfortable shoes for relaxing at the lodge.
- A wide-brimmed hat or cap for sun protection.
- Swimwear, if your accommodation has a swimming pool.
Essential safari items
- Sunglasses with UV protection.
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher).
- Insect repellent.
- Binoculars for spotting wildlife and birds.
- Camera, spare batteries, and memory cards.
- Small daypack for personal belongings.
- Reusable water bottle.
- Flashlight or headlamp.
Personal items
- Personal toiletries and hand sanitizer.
- Prescription medication and basic personal first-aid supplies.
- Wet wipes and tissues.
- Personal travel documents and identification.
- Travel insurance details.
- Some cash in Tanzanian shillings or US dollars for tips and personal expenses.
For the boat and walking safaris
- Lightweight, quick-drying clothing.
- Comfortable closed walking shoes.
- A small waterproof bag for cameras and phones.
- A light long-sleeved shirt for protection against insects and the sun.
A few packing tips
- Choose neutral colours and avoid very bright clothing during walking activities.
- Avoid heavy luggage; a soft-sided travel bag is more practical.
- Carry essential medication and valuables in your hand luggage.
- Bring a light rain jacket, particularly if travelling during the rainy season.
- Our recommendation: Pack comfortably and travel light. Kiliholidays provides bottled drinking water, a well-equipped safari vehicle, and a knowledgeable professional guide to help make your Southern Tanzania adventure memorable.

Know before you go

The best time for wildlife viewing is generally during the dry season, from June to October.
Nyerere National Park was formerly known as part of the Selous Game Reserve.
The Rufiji River boat safari is one of the most memorable experiences in Southern Tanzania.
Walking safaris are subject to park regulations, ranger availability, and weather conditions.
Road transfers between Nyerere and Mikumi can take several hours, depending on the route and road conditions.
Wildlife sightings are natural experiences and cannot be guaranteed.
You can customize this safari with budget camping, comfortable lodges, or luxury tented camps.

Logistics