This 6-day safari covering Selous/Nyerere, Mikumi, and Udzungwa Mountain Safari is probably the only classic safari to the southern circuit of Tanzania. Starting and ending at Dar es Salaam, this safari takes you to the greater Selous ecosystem and gives you the rare chance to experience real African wilderness in the few untouched areas of Tanzania. This safari allows you to be in the secluded middle of an African wilderness with the whole savannah almost for your own.
You will be picked up from the hotel at 8:00 am and driven to Nyerere, which will take 5 hours. You'll arrive at the lodge in time for a hot lunch. At 4:00 pm you will have a boat safari in the Rufiji River, where you can see hippos, crocodiles, birds, and others. At 6:30 pm, after sunset, you'll go back to the lodge for dinner and an overnight stay at Mloka Safari Lodge.
Mloka Safari Lodge—Budget lodge located less than a 1-hr drive from Nyerere NP
After breakfast at 8:30 am with your lunch packed, you will drive to Nyerere National Park, formerly Selous Game Reserve, for a full day of wildlife viewing. The park is famous for its elephants, lions, wild dogs, buffaloes, bushbuck, impalas, elands, baboons, zebras, and greater kudus. It was originally set aside as a hunting area where animals are abundant but more shy than in the northern parks. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at Mloka Safari Lodge.
Mloka Safari Lodge—Budget lodge located less than a 1-hr drive from Nyerere NP
You'll have an early morning tea or coffee at the camp, then start bushman walking safaris at 6:00 am. This is one of the most exciting experiences unique to Tanzania. You will walk for 2 hours and then go back to the camp for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast, you will start 8 hours of driving to Mikumi through Morogoro, where you can see good views of the Uluguru Mountains on the way. You'll arrive in Mikumi in the evening at around 6:30 pm. Your dinner and overnight stay will be in Camp Bastian.
Camp Bastian Mikumi—a mid-range lodge located just outside Mikumi NP
Today after breakfast with lunch packed, you will have a full day of wildlife-viewing drives at Mikumi National Park. There is a rich variety of bird species and large numbers of giraffes, buffaloes, and elephants close to the waterholes, as well as lions, leopards, and hippos. Furthermore, you can also see zebras, lions, wild dogs, pythons, hartebeests, wildebeests, elephants, impalas, warthogs, eland, and other antelopes. Several observation towers enable you to look at the park in its entirety. Mikumi National Park is mostly miombo woodland with gently rolling hills. Your dinner and overnight stay will be at the Mikumi Camp Bastian.
Camp Bastian Mikumi - a mid-range lodge located just outside Mikumi NP
In the morning after breakfast at 7:00 am, with lunch packed, you will drive one and a half hours to Udzungwa to hike Mountain Udzungwa through Sanje waterfalls. You'll take 6 to 7 hours to reach the top and come down. The Udzungwa Mountain is not very steep. It is vertical mountain trekking and there is a nice view and waterfalls. You can spend time there. At the same time, you may swim before you have lunch. Later, you will drive back to Mikumi Camp Bastian.
Camp Bastian Mikumi—a mid-range lodge located less than a 1-hr drive from the Udzungwa Mountains
In the morning after breakfast at 7:30 am, you will drive back to Dar es Salaam. You'll have a packed lunch on the way, arriving around 3:00 pm. You'll be dropped off at the hotel or airport.
No accommodation (end of tour)
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost, and a transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
Inclusions and Excluded
Inclusions
- Private transport throughout the safari (SGR train, road transfers, and game drive vehicle)
- Park entry fees for Mikumi and Nyerere National Parks
- Game drives in both parks with a professional English-speaking guide
- Boat safari in Nyerere National Park (subject to water levels)
- Walking safari in Nyerere (optional, guided by park rangers)
- Accommodation for 5 nights in safari lodges or tented camps
- All meals during the safari (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Bottled drinking water during game drives and transfers
- Maasai village visit or cultural interaction (if included in itinerary)
- Government taxes and service charges
Excluded
- International or domestic flights
- Visa fees and travel insurance
- Personal expenses (e.g., souvenirs, laundry, tips)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks are not included in meals.
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Frequently Asked Questions – 6-Day Nyerere, Mikumi & Udzungwa Safari
This itinerary combines savannah game drives, river safaris, and rainforest trekking, offering a rare blend of wildlife, landscapes, and adventure. You’ll explore the vast wilderness of Nyerere, the open plains of Mikumi, and the lush waterfalls of Udzungwa Mountains.
Expect to see elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, and possibly wild dogs in Nyerere. Mikumi offers classic big game sightings, while Udzungwa is home to rare primates, endemic birds, and stunning forest scenery.
The Sanje Waterfalls hike is moderately challenging, with uphill sections and forest trails. It’s suitable for most active travelers and rewards you with panoramic views and a refreshing waterfall swim.
Yes, the package includes all park entry fees, private transfers, game drives, boat safaris, and guided hikes, plus accommodation and meals throughout the trip.
Bring lightweight clothing, a hat, insect repellent, comfortable hiking shoes, and a daypack for the Udzungwa trek. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars for wildlife and birdwatching.
