8 Days Big Five Luxury Safari Through Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha

Begin your Southern Tanzania safari with a road transfer from Dar es Salaam towards Mikumi National Park. As you leave the coastal city, the scenery gradually changes into rural settlements, cultivated land, small towns and open countryside. This journey introduces you to the landscapes and communities of Southern Tanzania before reaching the wildlife areas of Mikumi. After arrival, continue with an afternoon game drive through suitable areas of Mikumi National Park. The afternoon offers an opportunity to explore the park’s savannah and woodland habitats, where wildlife may include elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes and predators, depending on animal movements and current conditions. Your guide will select appropriate routes and viewing areas based on available time and recent wildlife activity. As the afternoon progresses, enjoy the scenery and opportunities for wildlife photography before returning to your accommodation to relax after the journey.

Time: Morning road transfer; afternoon game drive.
Main Activities: Road transfer, afternoon game drive, wildlife observation.
Distance: Long road transfer; exact distance depends on route and accommodation.
Attractions: Mikumi National Park, savannah, woodland, wildlife.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Vuma Hills Tented Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Lunch, Dinner

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Spend the full day exploring Mikumi National Park, focusing on the Mkata Floodplain and its surrounding grassland and woodland habitats. The open landscape provides broad views across the plains and opportunities to observe how wildlife uses the floodplain, vegetation and nearby water sources. Continue towards the Hippo Pool viewpoint, where you may have an opportunity to observe hippos and other water-associated animals. Throughout the day, your guide will select suitable routes according to wildlife movements, weather and park conditions. The extended game drive provides time to observe animals, take photographs and learn more about the ecological importance of Mikumi’s different habitats. The day is designed to provide a deeper experience of the park, allowing you to explore more than one habitat while enjoying the natural scenery and wildlife encounters along the way.

Time: Full day.
Main Activities: Full-day game drive, Mkata Floodplain, Hippo Pool viewpoint, wildlife observation.
Distance: Varies according to game-viewing routes.
Attractions: Mkata Floodplain, Hippo Pool viewpoint, Mikumi wildlife.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Vuma Hills Tented Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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After breakfast, travel from Mikumi to Udzungwa Mountains National Park, where the landscape changes from open savannah and woodland to lush mountain rainforest. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and prepare for the hike towards the impressive Sanje Waterfalls. Follow natural rainforest trails through rich vegetation and mountain scenery. During the hike, there may be opportunities to observe birds, primates, butterflies and other signs of forest life. The experience provides an opportunity to appreciate the distinctive biodiversity of the Udzungwa Mountains while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the rainforest. The trail may include uneven, rocky or steep sections, so suitable hiking footwear, drinking water and reasonable fitness are important. Your guide will manage the pace according to the trail, weather and group conditions. After enjoying the waterfall and surrounding scenery, return along the trail as directed by your guide.

Time: Road transfer; daytime hike.
Main Activities: Transfer, Sanje Waterfalls hike, rainforest walk, primate viewing.
Distance: Road and hiking distances vary by route.
Attractions: Udzungwa Mountains, Sanje Waterfalls, rainforest, primates.

Destination:

Mikumi Natinal Park

Overnight:

Udzungwa Falls Lodge

  mid rage 3 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Depart Udzungwa and continue by road towards Ruaha National Park via Iringa. The journey passes through the changing scenery of the Southern Highlands, including rural communities, cultivated areas, upland landscapes, small settlements and open countryside. This is a substantial transfer day connecting the rainforest environment of Udzungwa with the drier woodland, riverine habitats and expansive wilderness of Ruaha. Along the route, enjoy views of the region’s varied geography and observe the transition between different landscapes. Suitable rest stops can be arranged according to road conditions and the travel schedule. Upon reaching the Ruaha area, settle into your accommodation and prepare for the wildlife experiences planned for the following days.

Time: Full-day road transfer.
Main Activities: Road transfer via Iringa, scenic viewing, arrival in Ruaha area.
Distance: Long road transfer via Iringa.
Attractions: Iringa, Southern Highlands, rural landscapes, Ruaha.

Destination:

Udzungwa Mountains

Overnight:

Kigelia Ruaha

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Spend the day exploring Ruaha National Park on a full-day game drive, focusing on areas around the Great Ruaha River and nearby wildlife habitats. The riverine environment, open spaces and woodland create varied settings for wildlife observation and landscape photography. Continue through baobab woodland and other suitable areas selected by your guide. Depending on animal movements, season and current conditions, the drive may provide opportunities to encounter elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and predators. The guide will interpret wildlife behaviour and explain how animals use the river, woodland and surrounding habitats. The full-day schedule allows time to explore different areas of the park, enjoy scenic stops and observe the distinctive landscapes that make Ruaha an important wilderness destination in Southern Tanzania.

Time: Full day.
Main Activities: Full-day game drive, Great Ruaha River exploration, wildlife viewing, photography.
Distance: Varies according to game-viewing routes.
Attractions: Great Ruaha River, baobab woodland, Ruaha wildlife.

Destination:

Ruaha

Overnight:

Kigelia Ruaha

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Begin the day with a guided walking safari in Ruaha National Park, accompanied by an authorized guide and following applicable park safety procedures. Exploring the wilderness on foot provides a different way to experience the environment, with closer attention to animal tracks, plants, birds, insects and other natural details that may be less noticeable from a safari vehicle. During the walk, your guide will explain the signs of wildlife activity, the characteristics of local vegetation and the relationships between different elements of the ecosystem. The walking route and duration will depend on park regulations, safety requirements and prevailing conditions. After the walking experience, take time to rest before setting out on an afternoon game drive. The guide will select a suitable route based on wildlife activity and available time. A sundowner may be possible if it is included in the arrangements and permitted under local conditions, providing an opportunity to enjoy the surrounding wilderness before returning to the accommodation.

Time: Morning walking safari; afternoon game drive; optional sundowner.
Main Activities: Guided walking safari, nature interpretation, afternoon game drive, optional sundowner.
Distance: Depends on walking and game-drive routes.
Attractions: Ruaha wilderness, animal tracks, woodland, wildlife.

Destination:

Ruaha

Overnight:

Kigelia Ruaha

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Start early with a sunrise game drive in Ruaha National Park. The cooler morning period may offer opportunities to observe active wildlife and appreciate the changing light across the park’s woodland and open landscapes. Your guide will select a route that fits the available time and recent wildlife activity. After the game drive, begin the return road transfer towards Mikumi via Iringa. The journey passes through the scenic Southern Highlands, rural settlements and changing countryside, offering another perspective of the region beyond the national parks. The road transfer is substantial, and arrival time will depend on road conditions, rest stops and the distance to the selected accommodation. Upon arrival in Mikumi, settle in and enjoy time to relax after the day’s activities and journey.

Time: Sunrise game drive; later road transfer.
Main Activities: Sunrise game drive, wildlife viewing, road transfer via Iringa.
Distance: Long road transfer.
Attractions: Ruaha, Iringa, Southern Highlands, Mikumi.

Destination:

Ruaha

Overnight:

Vuma Hills Tented Camp

  luxury 4 star lodge

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

❮ ❯

Enjoy a final morning game drive in Mikumi National Park, making use of the remaining time for wildlife observation and photography. The route will be selected according to the schedule, park conditions and current animal movements, offering a final opportunity to appreciate Mikumi’s savannah and woodland environment. After the morning drive, leave Mikumi and travel by road back to Dar es Salaam through the countryside of Southern Tanzania. Along the way, observe rural settlements, cultivated areas and the changing landscapes as the route approaches the coast. The safari concludes upon arrival in Dar es Salaam. Actual arrival time depends on road conditions, traffic and any planned stops, bringing your eight-day journey through Mikumi, Udzungwa and Ruaha to an end.

Time: Morning game drive; return road transfer.
Main Activities: Final morning game drive, wildlife observation, road transfer to Dar es Salaam.
Distance: Long road transfer; exact distance depends on route and destination in Dar es Salaam.
Attractions: Mikumi National Park, Southern Tanzania countryside, Dar es Salaam.