4 Days Mikumi and Udzungwa Long Weekend Safari from Dar Es Salaam

06:00–12:00 | Long weekend departure:

Your guide collects you from the agreed location in Dar es Salaam and travels towards Mikumi. Make comfort stops along the way while watching the city give way to countryside. Your guide will explain the weekend plan and introduce Mikumi’s wildlife. Stop for lunch after arrival before entering the park.

13:00–16:00 | First game drive:

Explore accessible areas of the Mkata Floodplain, looking for elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and zebras. Your guide will pause when wildlife appears so you can observe behaviour and take photographs. Birds and antelope may add to the sightings as you travel through the grassland.

16:00–18:00 | Later light on the plains:

Continue the drive as the afternoon progresses, enjoying broad views and any wildlife encountered along the route. Take photographs at suitable stops before leaving the park within operating hours. Continue to your lodge, check in and rest after the first day’s travel and game viewing.

Activities: Transfer, afternoon game drive, photography.
Distance: Approximately 300 km from Dar es Salaam, plus driving inside Mikumi.
Time: Around 5–7 hours by road and approximately 3–4 hours on the game drive.
Attractions: Mkata Floodplain, elephants, giraffes, buffaloes and zebras.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Wellworth Mikumi Wildlife Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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06:30–10:00 | Morning game drive:

 Begin early to look for wildlife in the cooler hours. Your guide will scan the open plains for herds and woodland edges for elephants or giraffes. Stop at sightings worth watching and enjoy photographs in the morning light. Birdlife adds interest between mammal encounters.

10:00–13:00 | More of Mikumi and picnic lunch:

 Continue through accessible habitats across the Mkata Floodplain. Watch for buffaloes, zebras, antelope and possible predators while your guide explains what you see. Stop for a picnic lunch at an approved location and rest before the afternoon drive. The full day allows time for more than one game-drive route.

13:00–17:00 | Hippo Pool viewpoint and afternoon safari:

Visit the Hippo Pool viewpoint if accessible, watching for hippos and birds from the permitted area. Continue looking for wildlife along another route and enjoy the changing light across the plains. Return to the lodge after a complete day in Mikumi.

Activities: Full-day game drive, birdwatching, picnic lunch, Hippo Pool viewpoint when accessible.
Distance: Varies by route and sightings.
Time: Approximately 9–10 hours in the park, including stops and lunch.
Attractions: Mkata Floodplain, Hippo Pool viewpoint, birds and large mammals.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Wellworth Mikumi Wildlife Lodge

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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07:00–09:30 | Journey to the rainforest:

 Leave Mikumi and travel towards Udzungwa’s forested slopes. Your guide will introduce the Sanje Waterfalls hike and explain how the habitat differs from the savannah. Meet the authorised hiking guide, review trail conditions and prepare water and suitable walking shoes.

09:30–15:30 | Guided Sanje Waterfalls hike:

Follow the designated trail through the rainforest. Listen for birds, watch for primates and learn about plants your guide points out along the way. Take breaks during the climb and enjoy the forest scenery before reaching a Sanje Waterfalls viewpoint. Spend time at the waterfall, then return carefully along the trail.

15:30–evening | Lodge rest:

 Continue to your lodge near Udzungwa or Mang’ula and freshen up after the hike. Look through photographs from the plains and rainforest, then rest before the return journey. Your guide will confirm the next morning’s hosted activity.

Activities: Transfer to Udzungwa, guided rainforest hike, Sanje Waterfalls visit.
Distance: Local driving and hiking distances depend on lodge and trail route.
Time: Around 2–3 hours for the local transfer and much of the day for the guided hike.
Attractions: Sanje Waterfalls, rainforest, birds and primates when seen.

Destination:

Udzungwa Mountains

Overnight:

Udzungwa Falls Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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08:00–10:00 | Mang’ula community visit:

Meet local hosts for an activity confirmed before travel. Listen to their explanations and learn about an aspect of daily life, which may include food, crafts or farming. Ask questions and enjoy this final experience near Udzungwa before leaving the area.

10:00–12:00 | Begin the journey home:

Collect your luggage and travel towards Dar es Salaam. Your guide will arrange stops for lunch and comfort along the route. Enjoy views of the foothills as they give way to the countryside.

12:00–evening | Return to Dar es Salaam:

 Continue the journey with breaks as needed. Revisit favourite wildlife sightings and memories from the waterfall hike during the drive. Arrival depends on road conditions and traffic. Your guide drops you at the agreed location.

Activities: Mang’ula hosted visit, lunch stop, return transfer.
Distance: Varies by lodge location and route.
Time: Around 2 hours for the visit, followed by several hours on the road.
Attractions: Mang’ula community, Udzungwa foothills and Southern Tanzania’s scenery.