4 Days Private Mikumi Safari and Udzungwa Hike from Dar Es Salaam

06:00–12:00 | Private journey to Mikumi:

Your guide collects you from your agreed location in Dar es Salaam and begins the drive towards Mikumi. As the city gives way to Southern Tanzania’s countryside, you can stop for comfort and refreshments along the route. Discuss the wildlife you most hope to see and how you prefer to spend time at sightings. On arrival, pause for lunch and prepare for your first drive. The park’s open grassland provides an immediate change from the morning’s journey.

13:00–16:00 | First game drive:

Explore accessible routes across the Mkata Floodplain and nearby woodland edges. Your guide will look for elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras and antelope while scanning for birds and possible predators. When wildlife appears, there is time to watch its behaviour, ask questions and take photographs before moving on. The broad views let you appreciate animals within the wider landscape rather than only from one close viewpoint.

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

 Continue the drive as the light changes across Mikumi. Your guide may return to an active area or explore another accessible route, depending on what you have seen. Stop for suitable photographs while following park rules and operating hours. Travel to your lodge after the drive and settle in for the evening.

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

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 wildlife search:

Leave the lodge early to explore while temperatures are cooler. Your guide will look for animals feeding or moving between open areas and woodland. Watch for elephants, giraffes and herds on the plains, pausing whenever a sighting offers something worth observing. Birds and tracks may reveal wildlife activity between encounters with larger animals.

10:00–13:00 | Mkata Floodplain and picnic lunch:

Continue across accessible parts of the floodplain, following promising sightings without needing to rush back to the lodge. Your guide can explain how different species use the grassland and help identify birds you encounter. Stop for a picnic lunch at an approved location and take time to rest. Afterwards, discuss which areas you would like to explore during the remainder of the day.

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

Visit the Hippo Pool viewpoint if it is accessible, looking for hippos and waterside birds from the permitted area. Continue game viewing across another accessible route, watching for species missed in the morning. Your guide will leave time for final photographs before returning to the lodge after a full day in Mikumi.

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

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 Udzungwa:

 Leave Mikumi’s open plains and travel towards Udzungwa’s forested foothills. Your guide will explain how the environment changes as you approach the mountains. Meet the authorised hiking guide, review the Sanje trail and prepare suitable shoes and water. The walking pace can be discussed before setting out.

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

 Follow the designated rainforest trail, stopping to listen for birds and watch for primates in the canopy. Your guide will point out plants, animal signs and viewpoints along the way. The route involves climbing, so take breaks as needed and enjoy the forest rather than concentrating only on reaching the waterfall. Spend time at a suitable Sanje Waterfalls viewpoint before descending carefully. Primate sightings depend on animal movement and cannot be guaranteed.

15:30–evening | Lodge arrival and rest:

After the hike, travel to your lodge near Udzungwa or Mang’ula. Freshen up and rest after the walking day. Your guide will confirm the hosted activity planned for the following morning and the return route to Dar es Salaam. Enjoy the quieter forest setting after two days on Mikumi’s open plains.

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

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 | Hosted Mang’ula activity:

Meet local hosts for the experience arranged before travel. Depending on the confirmed programme, they may introduce you to food preparation, farming, crafts or another part of daily life. Listen to their explanations and ask questions about what they choose to share. This visit gives you a perspective on the community around Udzungwa after spending the previous day inside the forest.

10:00–12:00 | Prepare for departure:

Collect your belongings and leave the Udzungwa area. Your guide will plan comfort and lunch stops according to the journey ahead. Watch the forested foothills give way to countryside as you begin travelling towards Dar es Salaam.

12:00–evening | Return transfer:

Continue through Southern Tanzania with breaks when needed. Look through photographs from Mikumi, Sanje Waterfalls and Mang’ula during the drive. Arrival depends on traffic and road conditions. Your guide drops you at the agreed location.

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