5-Day Mikumi & Ruaha National Park Safari Itinerary

This itinerary offers a blend of Mikumi’s open plains and Ruaha’s vast wilderness, ideal for travelers seeking a true connection to nature and abundant wildlife sightings.

Day 1: Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park

Your safari begins with an early departure from Dar es Salaam, heading west towards Mikumi National Park. The drive covers approximately 300 km and takes about 6-7 hours by road, passing through scenic countryside and small towns . Upon arrival, you’ll check into your lodge or camp located inside or near the park. After lunch and a brief rest, embark on an afternoon game drive. Mikumi is known for its open plains, often compared to the Serengeti, and offers excellent opportunities to spot zebras, giraffes, elephants, and elands grazing near the Mkata floodplain. Lions and buffalo are frequently seen near the Acacia woodlands. Mikumi also boasts a great variety of animals, including the “Big Five” (leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino), and a higher chance of encountering tree-climbing lions compared to other parks.

Day 2: Full-Day Safari in Mikumi National Park

Dedicate a full day to exploring Mikumi’s rich savannahs. Your game drives will lead you to waterholes where hippos bathe and crocodiles sunbathe. Keep an eye out for wildebeest herds and families of baboons. Bird enthusiasts will enjoy spotting diverse species such as lilac-breasted rollers, bateleur eagles, and hornbills. A picnic lunch will be enjoyed in the bush, allowing for continuous wildlife viewing. The Mkata flood plain is particularly reliable for sighting the powerful eland, the world’s largest antelope. Other animals to look for include greater kudu and sable antelope in the miombo woodlands.

Day 3: Mikumi National Park to Ruaha National Park

After an early breakfast, depart from Mikumi and drive southwest towards Ruaha National Park. This scenic drive covers approximately 320 km and takes about 7-8 hours by road, passing through Iringa town, rugged hills, dry plains, and rural villages. Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park and is known for its remote setting and peaceful atmosphere, far from major tourist trails. Upon arrival in the late afternoon, you’ll check into your safari lodge or camp, often located near the Ruaha River, and can enjoy the sunset views. The Great Ruaha River is a crucial feature of the park, attracting a high concentration of wildlife.

Day 4: Full-Day Safari in Ruaha National Park

Spend a full day exploring the vast wilderness of Ruaha National Park. Ruaha is home to a significant population of African elephants, possibly more than any other park in East Africa, and nearly 10% of Africa’s lion population. Your game drives will focus on tracking elephants as they dig in dry riverbeds and observing prides of lions stalking prey across golden grasslands. With luck, you might spot endangered African wild dogs or leopards in the rocky outcrops. The park is also a birdwatching paradise, with over 570 bird species, including fish eagles, kingfishers, and colorful bee-eaters. The diverse landscape features acacias and numerous baobab trees, with over 1,650 identified plant species. Other notable mammals include kudu, sable, and roan antelopes, which are not found in many other national parks. Zebras, elands, impalas, bat-eared foxes, and jackals are also common.

Day 5: Ruaha National Park to Dar es Salaam

On your final day, you can opt for an early morning sunrise game drive in Ruaha National Park. After breakfast, you will either transfer to the airstrip for a charter flight back to Dar es Salaam, or begin the long drive back by road, which takes approximately 10-11 hours. The safari concludes upon your arrival in Dar es Salaam