6-Day Southern Tanzania Safari - Nyerere, Mikumi & Udzungwa Mountains

Your safari begins with a drive from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere (Selous) National Park, one of Africa's largest protected areas. Upon arrival, check in at your camp and in the late afternoon enjoy a sunset boat safari along the Rufiji River. The Rufiji is one of the most wildlife-rich river environments in East Africa, with hippos, Nile crocodiles, and an outstanding variety of waterbirds easily encountered from the boat.

Distance: Approximately 240 km from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere, around 4-5 hours

Activity: Rufiji River sunset boat safari

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in Nyerere (Selous) National Park

Meals: Full Board

A full day exploring the vast landscapes of Nyerere (Selous) National Park. The park is home to exceptional biodiversity: elephant herds, prides of lions, leopards, giraffes, buffalo, and some of the best-known populations of the endangered African wild dog in the world. The Rufiji floodplains and surrounding miombo woodland create a dramatically different landscape from the northern circuit parks, with excellent game drives throughout the day.

Distance: Game drives within Nyerere National Park

Activity: Full-day game drives

Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp in Nyerere (Selous) National Park

Meals: Full Board

After breakfast, the drive heads toward Mikumi National Park. En route you choose between two optional activities: a guided walking safari in Nyerere for an up-close bush experience with a park ranger, or a Maasai cultural visit near Mikumi to learn about traditional pastoralist life. You arrive in Mikumi in the afternoon to settle in for the evening.

Distance: Approximately 200 km from Nyerere to Mikumi

Activity: Optional guided walking safari in Nyerere or Maasai cultural visit near Mikumi; afternoon arrival in Mikumi

Accommodation: Lodge or camp in Mikumi National Park

Meals: Full Board

A full day exploring Mikumi National Park. The park's open savannah plains support large populations of lions, zebras, wildebeest, elephants, hippos, giraffes, impalas, and buffalo. The landscape resembles the southern Serengeti in character, with wide plains offering excellent visibility for wildlife sightings and photography. Hippo pools along the Mkata River are a reliable highlight.

Distance: Game drives within Mikumi National Park

Activity: Full-day game drives

Accommodation: Lodge or camp in Mikumi National Park

Meals: Full Board

The morning drive takes you to Udzungwa Mountains National Park for a half-day guided hike through dense tropical rainforest to the Sanje Waterfalls, which plunge over 170 metres in a dramatic two-tier cascade. Udzungwa is home to several endemic primates including the Sanje Mangabey and the Udzungwa Red Colobus, found nowhere else on earth, alongside rare orchids and plant species. After the hike you return to Mikumi for the evening.

Distance: Approximately 60 km from Mikumi to the Udzungwa trailhead

Activity: Half-day guided hike to Sanje Waterfalls

Accommodation: Lodge or camp in Mikumi National Park

Meals: Full Board

After breakfast, transfer to Morogoro Railway Station for your Tanzania Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train journey back to Dar es Salaam — a scenic and comfortable two and a half hour ride through the eastern plains. The SGR is one of East Africa's newest and most modern rail services, and the journey offers a pleasant and efficient conclusion to the safari.

Distance: Approximately 100 km from Mikumi to Morogoro; approximately 2.5 hours by SGR to Dar es Salaam

Activity: Transfer to Morogoro station; SGR train to Dar es Salaam

Accommodation: N/A – return to Dar es Salaam

Meals: Breakfast

Extend your trip

Add a Zanzibar beach extension after this safari, or combine with the northern circuit for a full Tanzania experience. For shorter Mikumi-focused options, see our Mikumi SGR safari packages.