6 Days Mikumi & Ruaha Midrange Lodge Safari: Drive-in Drive-Out

Depart Dar es Salaam early for the journey to Mikumi, stopping for refreshments and lunch along the way. After completing park entry, begin an afternoon game drive through the plains and woodland edges, looking for giraffes, zebras, elephants and other wildlife. Your guide will allow time for observation while keeping the outing within the available daylight and park hours. Afterwards, continue to your booked midrange lodge in the Mikumi area. Settle into your room, freshen up after the road journey and enjoy dinner before resting. The lodge provides your base for two nights, allowing a full day of exploration tomorrow.

Distance: Approximately 300–320 km, excluding game-drive tracks and lodge access.
Time: Around 6–7 hours by road; approximately 2–3 hours of afternoon game viewing if arrival permits.
Attractions: Mikumi plains, giraffes, elephants, zebras and the surrounding landscape.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Matembezi Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast at the lodge, leave with a packed lunch for a full day in Mikumi. Explore the Mkata Floodplain and other accessible habitats, watching for buffalo, antelope and giraffes while remaining alert for predators. Visit a suitable hippo viewing area and enjoy birdlife around the water before stopping for lunch at a designated picnic site. Continue the game drive through the afternoon, allowing the day’s sightings to determine which areas deserve more time. Return to your lodge before evening for dinner and another overnight stay, with the convenience of keeping the same room throughout your Mikumi visit.

Distance: Variable game-drive routes, plus transfers between the lodge and viewing areas.
Time: Approximately 7–9 hours, including lunch and wildlife stops.
Attractions: Mkata Floodplain, hippo pools, buffalo, antelope and birdlife.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Matembezi Safari Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Enjoy an early breakfast and check out before travelling towards Ruaha via Iringa. The journey passes through changing countryside, with stops for refreshments, lunch and stretching before the final approach to the park. If you arrive with sufficient time, enjoy a short late-afternoon game drive before continuing to your booked midrange lodge. Look for elephants and other animals among the woodland and baobabs as your guide introduces the area. Settle into your room and enjoy dinner after the transfer. Your lodge location will determine the exact arrival route and the amount of game viewing possible before evening.

Distance: Approximately 320–350 km, depending on the selected lodges.
Time: Around 6–8 hours by road; a short arrival game drive if time allows.
Attractions: Southern Highlands scenery, baobabs, woodland and possible elephant sightings.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Hodi Hodi Ruaha Bush Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Start early from your lodge with a picnic lunch for a full day exploring Ruaha. Your guide will select routes through river surroundings, woodland and open areas, looking for elephants, buffalo, giraffes and possible predators. The day offers time to appreciate both wildlife and the landscapes between sightings, including mature baobabs and rocky features. Stop for lunch at an approved picnic location before continuing through the afternoon. Later, return to your midrange lodge, freshen up and enjoy dinner. Staying a second night at the same property keeps the focus on the safari experience rather than another accommodation transfer.

Distance: Variable game-drive distance, plus lodge access where applicable.
Time: Approximately 8–9 hours, including lunch and viewing stops.
Attractions: Great Ruaha River surroundings, elephants, buffalo, baobabs and possible lion sightings.

Destination:

Ruaha

Overnight:

Hodi Hodi Ruaha Bush Camp

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Enjoy a final morning game drive before departing the Ruaha area. Breakfast and checkout arrangements will be coordinated with the lodge, allowing a practical start without losing the opportunity for early wildlife viewing. Your guide will choose a nearby route and then begin the journey towards Iringa, with lunch along the way or after arrival. Check into your midrange hotel during the afternoon and take time to relax after several days on safari. This town stay provides a comfortable break before the long drive to Dar es Salaam and positions you for the following morning’s visit to Isimila.

Distance: Approximately 130 km from the main Ruaha access area to Iringa, plus lodge and game-drive distances.
Time: Around 2–3 hours of game viewing and 3–4 hours of road travel.
Attractions: Morning wildlife, woodland scenery and the highlands around Iringa.

Destination:

Iringa Attractions

Overnight:

Iringa Sunset Hotel

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Have an early breakfast at the hotel and check out before visiting Isimila Stone Age Site. Learn about its archaeological significance and, where conditions permit, follow a suitable walking route towards the earth pillars. This final stop adds historical interest and a different landscape to the wildlife experiences of the previous days. Afterwards, continue by road to Dar es Salaam with lunch and refreshment stops en route. Arrival will be in the evening or late evening, depending on traffic and road conditions. Your safari ends at the agreed city location; accommodation in Dar es Salaam can be arranged separately if required.

Distance: Approximately 540–570 km, including the Isimila detour.
Time: Around 1–1.5 hours at Isimila, plus approximately 9–11 hours of road travel and breaks.
Attractions: Isimila archaeological heritage, earth pillars and scenery along the return route.