10 Days Midrange Tanzania Safari from Dar Es Salaam Through Ruaha,Udzungwa Mountains and Mikumi National Park in Southern Tanzania

Depart Dar es Salaam on the confirmed SGR train to Dodoma. On arrival, meet your driver and continue directly by road towards Ruaha National Park via Iringa. There is no overnight stay in Dodoma. The combination of rail and road travel makes this a long day, so the transport connections, daylight, road conditions and park-entry arrangements must be checked in advance. If you reach Ruaha in time and park access permits, enjoy a short introductory game drive. If not, continue to your confirmed accommodation and begin the main wildlife activities the following morning.

Main Activities: SGR train journey, direct road transfer via Iringa and introductory game drive if feasible
Time: Full travel day, depending on the confirmed train timetable, road conditions and park access
Park/Location: Dar es Salaam to Dodoma by SGR, followed by road transfer towards Ruaha National Park via Iringa
Attractions: Southern Tanzania scenery, baobab landscapes and potential wildlife sightings

Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Overnight:

Ruaha River Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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Explore Ruaha National Park on guided game drives through accessible woodland, open areas and riverine habitats. Look for elephants, giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, birds and predators while learning about the park’s wildlife and ecology. Depending on the season and access, areas around the Great Ruaha River may provide further opportunities for land-based wildlife observation. Your guide will select suitable routes and include time for photography and breaks. Return to your confirmed lodge after the planned safari.

Main Activities: Full-day game drives, wildlife observation, birdwatching and photography
Time: Morning and afternoon, with suitable breaks
Park/Location: Ruaha National Park
Attractions: Great Ruaha River areas where accessible, baobab scenery, wildlife habitats and birds

Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Overnight:

Ruaha River Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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If formally authorised and confirmed with a qualified guide or park ranger, take part in a guided walking safari in Ruaha National Park. Learn about animal tracks, plants and ecological details while following the approved route and all safety instructions. The activity is subject to park regulations, guide availability and the conditions on the day. After the walk and a suitable rest, enjoy an afternoon game drive if time and access permit. If walking is unavailable, arrange a vehicle-based nature experience or an additional game drive. Return to your confirmed accommodation after the planned activities.

Main Activities: Authorised walking safari, nature interpretation and afternoon game drive if feasible
Time: Morning walk and afternoon safari, subject to confirmation
Park/Location: Ruaha National Park
Attractions: Animal tracks, native vegetation, wildlife habitats and baobab scenery

Destination:

Ruaha

Overnight:

Ruaha River Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Begin with an early morning game drive in Ruaha National Park before travelling by road towards Iringa. The safari provides another opportunity to observe wildlife before leaving the park area. If the schedule, site access and daylight permit, visit Isimila Stone Age Site to explore its archaeological surroundings and sandstone formations. The visit should remain optional because the day combines an early safari with a substantial road transfer. On arrival in Iringa, check into your confirmed accommodation and rest.

Main Activities: Sunrise game drive, road transfer and optional Isimila Stone Age Site visit
Time: Early morning safari followed by road travel and sightseeing if feasible
Park/Location: Ruaha National Park, Iringa town and Isimila Stone Age Site if visited
Attractions: Ruaha wildlife, Isimila archaeological surroundings, sandstone formations and Iringa scenery

Destination:

Ruaha National Park

Overnight:

Iringa Sunset Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Travel by road through the Southern Highlands from Iringa towards Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Enjoy the changing scenery along the route, with suitable breaks according to road conditions. Upon arrival, check into your confirmed accommodation and review the following day’s trail and guiding arrangements. Confirm access, weather conditions and the walking requirements for the hike towards Sanje Waterfalls before the excursion.

Main Activities: Road transfer, countryside sightseeing and accommodation check-in
Time: Daytime, depending on road conditions and transfer arrangements
Park/Location: Iringa town to the Udzungwa Mountains National Park area
Attractions: Southern Highlands scenery, rural landscapes and Udzungwa forest surroundings

Destination:

Iringa Attractions

Overnight:

Hondo Hondo Udzungwa Forest Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Join an authorised guide for a hike towards Sanje Waterfalls in Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Follow the designated rainforest trail, observing vegetation, forest birds and the mountain scenery along the route. Some sections may be steep or uneven, so suitable footwear, drinking water and reasonable fitness are important. The hike is subject to weather, trail access and park regulations. After the excursion, return to your confirmed accommodation and prepare for the cultural activity and transfer to Mikumi.

Main Activities: Guided rainforest hike, Sanje Waterfalls visit, birdwatching and nature observation
Time: According to the selected route and trail conditions
Park/Location: Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Attractions: Sanje Waterfalls, rainforest vegetation, forest birds and mountain scenery

Destination:

Udzungwa Mountains

Overnight:

Hondo Hondo Udzungwa Forest Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Participate in a pre-arranged cultural activity in or around Mang’ula if a willing local host and programme have been confirmed. Depending on the arrangement, learn about local traditions, crafts or daily life. Respect the community’s preferences and seek permission before taking photographs. Afterwards, travel by road towards Mikumi National Park. An afternoon game drive may be possible if the timing, road conditions and park-entry arrangements permit. Otherwise, check into your confirmed accommodation and start the main Mikumi game drives the next day.

Main Activities: Pre-arranged cultural visit, road transfer and afternoon game drive if feasible
Time: According to the cultural programme, road conditions and park access
Park/Location: Mang’ula, followed by the Mikumi National Park area
Attractions: Cultural experience if arranged, rural scenery and Mikumi wildlife habitats

Destination:

Udzungwa Mountains

Overnight:

Mikumi Wildlife Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Spend the day exploring Mikumi National Park on guided game drives. Travel through accessible grasslands and woodland habitats while looking for elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, antelopes and birds. The guide will choose suitable routes according to wildlife activity, park rules and road conditions. Allow time for wildlife observation and photography, with suitable breaks throughout the day. Return to your confirmed accommodation in the Mikumi area after the safari.

Main Activities: Full-day game drives, wildlife observation, birdwatching and photography
Time: Morning and afternoon, with suitable breaks
Park/Location: Mikumi National Park
Attractions: Grasslands, woodland habitats, elephants, zebras, giraffes and other potential wildlife sightings

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Mikumi Wildlife Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Enjoy another full day in Mikumi National Park, allowing additional time to explore accessible habitats and search for wildlife. Your guide can select routes according to the previous day’s observations, animal activity and conditions. The additional day offers opportunities for photography, birdwatching and a more relaxed safari without moving to another town. After the day’s drives, return to the same confirmed accommodation in Mikumi for the final night.

Main Activities: Extended game drives, wildlife observation, birdwatching and photography
Time: Morning and afternoon according to the agreed safari schedule
Park/Location: Mikumi National Park and confirmed accommodation in the Mikumi area
Attractions: Mikumi wildlife habitats, grasslands, woodland scenery and birds

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Mikumi Wildlife Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

If the train timetable permits, enjoy a final early morning game drive in Mikumi National Park. Afterwards, travel by road to Morogoro railway station and board the confirmed evening SGR train to Dar es Salaam. Plan the transfer to allow enough time for road conditions, possible delays, luggage arrangements and station check-in. If the schedule is too tight for the game drive, leave the park earlier to protect the train connection. The safari ends on arrival in Dar es Salaam, with no overnight stay in Morogoro.

Main Activities: Final morning game drive if feasible, road transfer to Morogoro railway station and evening SGR train journey
Time: Early morning safari followed by road travel and the confirmed train timetable
Park/Location: Mikumi National Park, followed by Morogoro railway station and the SGR journey to Dar es Salaam
Attractions: Final wildlife viewing in Mikumi and countryside scenery along the railway route