Highlights
- Witness Big Five safari animals in Mikumi and Nyerere National Parks
- Embark on a real-life "jungle cruise" down the Rufiji River
- Find your cultural feet with a self-guided tour of vibrant Dar es Salaam
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Dar es Salaam, Relax & Explore the City | Dar es Salaam |
| Day 2 | Self-Guided Tour of Dar es Salaam, Transfer to Mikumi National Park | Mikumi National Park |
| Day 3 | Dawn & Afternoon Game Drives, Mikumi National Park | Mikumi National Park |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Nyerere National Park, Afternoon at Leisure | Nyerere National Park |
| Day 5 | Full-Day Rufiji River Boat Safari, Riverbank Picnic Lunch | Nyerere National Park |
| Day 6 | Dawn & Afternoon Game Drives in Nyerere National Park | Nyerere National Park |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Dar es Salaam, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Dar es Salaam, Relax & Explore the City
Karibu! Welcome to Tanzania! If you've only got a week to enjoy the safari adventure of a lifetime, then this is the best country for it. Its diverse national parks and reserves are easily accessible and located relatively close to one another. In fact, there's an entire "safari circuit" in this country, and you'll arrive at the main embarkation point: the east coast city of Dar es Salaam.
At the airport, your driver will be waiting at the terminal for the transfer to your hotel in the city. Take the rest of the day to relax and adjust to the time difference. When you get hungry, do like the locals and head to a food stall for ugali (a dense maize porridge) or nyama choma (grilled goat meat).
Day 2: Self-Guided Tour of Dar es Salaam, Transfer to Mikumi National Park
Rise and shine! Your first tour in Tanzania is a leisurely self-guided walk around Dar es Salaam. For fun in the sun, head to Coco Beach. It's a great place to mingle with locals, sample street food, enjoy live music, and revel in waterfront nightlife. For more local flavor, browse the city's stalls, like the Mwenge Woodcarvers Market, which sells artisanal wood carvings and sculptures. The National Museum is another highlight, showcasing the history and development of Tanzania.
After lunch (head to a beach bar for fresh seafood), you'll meet your driver and venture inland on a 3.5-hour drive to Mikumi National Park. The drive is long but scenic, and along the way, you'll pass sprawling savanna grasslands where elephants and giraffes roam free. The route also offers glimpses into rural Tanzanian life while showcasing the natural splendor of the southern highlands.
Eventually, you'll arrive in Mikumi. This protected area covers 1,250 square miles (3,230 sq km) of riverine, grassland, and forest habitats. These are home to a diverse array of wildlife species, like zebras and wildebeests, as well as predators, including lions and leopards. Upon arrival, you'll check into your safari lodge, Camp Bastian Mikumi, decked out with welcome amenities, including a large and inviting swimming pool. Dinner will be served at the lodge.
Day 3: Dawn & Afternoon Game Drives in Mikumi National Park
You've got a full day of safari fun in store as you set off at dawn in an open-topped 4WD vehicle for the first of two game drives. The early hour allows you to capitalize on the fact the animals are more active during these cooler hours. While not as famous as some other national parks in the country, Mikumi is home to the legendary Big Five game animals: lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos. You'll likely spot some (if not all) of these iconic African creatures enjoying their morning drink at watering holes.
Return to the lodge for lunch, then leave on an afternoon game drive. As you explore the savanna and follow the Mkata River and other waterways, you'll see plenty of animals up close, including hippos, Nile crocodiles, antelope, wildebeests, zebras, giraffes, and others. A little while after sunset, you'll return to the lodge.
Day 4: Transfer to Nyerere National Park, Afternoon at Leisure
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Say goodbye to Mikumi as you meet your driver for the ride south to Nyerere National Park. Another of Tanzania's massive protected areas at 1,917 square miles (30,893 sq km), the park is filled with various habitats, ecosystems, and waterways. The most prominent is the mighty Rufiji River, the largest river in the country and the park's lifeline.
The scenic journey to Nyerere will take around five hours, and you'll undoubtedly be tired when you arrive. Lucky for you, your accommodation is the luxurious Selous River Camp right on the river. There are many amenities to enjoy, including an infinity pool. After checking in, feel free to relax on the expansive terrace, drink in hand as you enjoy the river views, and let the calls of fish eagles and the distant roar of lions lull you into a sense of perfect tranquillity.
Day 5: Full-Day Rufiji River Boat Safari, Riverbank Picnic Lunch
The highlights of this park are the animals you'll see in and around its riverine ecosystems. This morning, you'll board a boat for a full-day river safari. As you motor at a leisurely pace down the Rufiji, you'll observe various wildlife in their natural habitats, particularly aquatic animals like hippos and crocodiles.
You'll also find over 400 colorful bird species here, including water birds like kingfishers, herons, African fish eagles, and more. After a morning cruising the river, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch on the riverbanks, followed by more wildlife viewing until the end of the day. Dinner will be served back at the lodge amid river views.
Day 6: Dawn & Afternoon Game Drives in Nyerere National Park
Make the most of your final full day in Nyerere with a double bill of game drives. The first is a morning safari that starts around 6:15 am, just as the first light of day breaks. At this time, many of the most iconic animals, like elephants and giraffes, are just beginning their day, while certain predators, like lions, are returning after their nightly hunt. The drive will last until around 10 am and will likely take you to watering holes and rivers like the Rufiji.
After returning to the lodge for lunch, you'll set out for a 3.5-hour game drive later in the afternoon. These safaris typically start around 3:30 pm, when the animals are making the most of the last few daylight hours. And though big cats like lions are more lethargic at this time, it also means you can get closer without spooking them. The drive concludes with another spectacular African sunset over the plains and rivers.
Day 7: Transfer to Dar es Salaam, Depart
Pack your bags because you're leaving early on a transfer from your lodge to the airstrip. There, you'll board a charter plane for the ride back to Dar es Salaam, arriving in time to catch your flight home or on to the next adventure. Safe travels!
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