Tanzania · Safari

5-Day Mikumi and Ruaha Wildlife Safari from Dar es Salaam

5 Days Round trip from Dar es Salaam Easy pace

Zebras & Giraffes at Mikumi National Park

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Experience multiple game drives in Mikumi and Ruaha National Parks
02 Admire varied Southern Circuit landscapes with a chance to see the Rift Valley
03 Spend a full day exploring Ruaha, Tanzania's largest national park
04 Visit a Maasai Boma and share in their traditional life

Experience multiple game drives through Mikumi and Ruaha National Parks on this 5-day Southern Circuit safari from Dar es Salaam. Travel through varied landscapes with a chance to see the Rift Valley, admire Tanzania's wildlife and African wilderness, and enjoy time in both parks with overnight stays along the route. The journey also includes a stop at a Maasai Boma to share in their traditional life, making this safari a blend of wildlife, scenery, and local culture.

Ruaha National Park covers an area of 20,000 sq. km and is a vast and magnificent wilderness area, as well as Tanzania's largest national park.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Dar es Salaam, Iringa, Mikumi National Park, Ruaha National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi and Afternoon Game Drive

Morning pick-up from your hotel, airport, or ferry terminal, followed by a drive to Mikumi National Park, approximately 5 hours from Dar es Salaam.
On arrival, head out for an afternoon game drive in Mikumi National Park before your overnight stay at Tan-Swiss Lodge on a full-board basis.

Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Main Destination: Mikumi National Park

Accommodation: Tan-Swiss Lodge (budget lodge located outside Mikumi NP)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included and non-alcoholic drinks

Day 02

Travel to Ruaha via Iringa with a Game Drive on Arrival

After breakfast, drive to Ruaha National Park with a stop in Iringa for lunch.
Upon arrival, begin with a game drive en route to Ruaha Tanapa Cottage.

Dinner and overnight at Ruaha Tanapa Cottage on a full-board basis.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Main Destination: Ruaha National Park

Accommodation: Ruaha Bandas (budget banda located inside Ruaha NP)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included and non-alcoholic drinks

Day 03

Full-Day Game Drive in Ruaha National Park

After breakfast, go for a full-day game drive in Ruaha National Park with a packed lunch. Ruaha National Park covers an area of 20,000 sq. km and is a vast and magnificent wilderness area, as well as Tanzania's largest national park.
Enjoy your lunch at one of the picnic sites chosen by your guide.

Dinner and overnight inside the park at Ruaha Tanapa Cottage on a full-board basis.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Main Destination: Ruaha National Park

Accommodation: Ruaha Bandas (budget banda located inside Ruaha NP)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included and non-alcoholic drinks

Day 04

Early Morning Game Drive and Return to Mikumi Town

Go for an early morning game drive.
Head back to the camp for a late breakfast.
Enjoy a game drive en route to the main gate, then proceed to Mikumi town for your overnight stay.
On the way back to Mikumi, stop at a Maasai Boma and share in their traditional life.

Dinner and overnight at Tan-Swiss Lodge on a full-board basis.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Main Destination: Mikumi National Park

Accommodation: Tan-Swiss Lodge (budget lodge located outside Mikumi NP)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included and non-alcoholic drinks

Day 05

Return from Mikumi to Dar es Salaam

After breakfast, drive back to Dar es Salaam.
Upon arrival in Dar es Salaam, you will be dropped off at your hotel, the ferry terminal for the last ferry to Zanzibar, or the airport for your flight back home.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Main Destination: Dar es Salaam

Accommodation: No accommodation

Meals & Drinks: All meals included and non-alcoholic drinks

Where this trip takes you

Mikumi National Park, Ruaha National Park, Maasai Boma, Rift Valley

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Dar es Salaam 4 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Park fees (for non-residents)
All activities (unless labelled as optional)
All accommodation (unless listed as an upgrade)
Professional English-speaking Tanzanian guide/driver
All transportation (unless labelled as optional)
All taxes/VAT
Round-trip airport transfer
Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks (as specified in the day-by-day section)

What's Not Included

International flights (from/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (tipping guideline: US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Any government-imposed increases in taxes and/or park fees

Know before you go

This tour starts and ends in Dar es Salaam.
This operator can help select your international flights, but you will need to book them yourself.
Fly to/from Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR - Check price) in Dar es Salaam.
A transfer from and back to the airport or hotel is included.
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost.
Mikumi National Park is Tanzania's fourth-largest national park and the most accessible from Dar es Salaam, covering 3,230 sq. km.

Logistics