5-Day Ruaha National Park and Mikumi Wildlife Safari Itinerary
5-Day Ruaha National Park and Mikumi Wildlife Safari Itinerary
Ruaha and Mikumi safari. Embark on a five-day journey through the wild heart of Southern Tanzania. This safari blends Ruaha’s vast wilderness with Mikumi’s open plains, offering raw adventure, big game sightings, and immersive landscapes. It’s ideal for travelers seeking fewer crowds and a true connection to nature. By road or flight from Dar es Salaam via Iringa (Ruaha) and Morogoro (Mikumi).
Day 1: Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park
- Distance: ~300 km (6–7 hours by road)
- Activities: Afternoon game drive
- Accommodation: Lodge or camp inside or near the park
Depart early from Dar es Salaam. Travel west through small towns and scenic countryside toward Mikumi. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, head out for a game drive. Watch for zebras, giraffes, elephants, and elands grazing near the Mkata floodplain. Lions and buffalo often appear near the Acacia woodlands.
Day 2: Full-Day Safari in Mikumi
- Activities: Full-day game drive with picnic lunch
- Accommodation: Same lodge or tented camp
Explore Mikumi’s rich savannahs. Follow trails that lead to waterholes where hippos bathe and crocodiles sun. Look out for wildebeest herds and families of baboons. Bird lovers will enjoy spotting lilac-breasted rollers, bateleur eagles, and hornbills. Enjoy lunch in the bush and continue your search for lions or, if lucky, leopards resting in the trees.
Day 3: Mikumi to Ruaha National Park
- Distance: ~320 km (7–8 hours by road)
- Activities: Scenic drive with stops, evening rest
- Accommodation: Safari lodge or camp near the Ruaha River
Depart after an early breakfast. Drive southwest through Iringa town, passing rugged hills, dry plains, and rural villages. Arrive at Ruaha in the late afternoon. Relax at your lodge and enjoy the sunset views. Ruaha’s remote setting offers a peaceful atmosphere far from major tourist trails.
Day 4: Full-Day Safari in Ruaha
- Activities: Morning and afternoon game drives
- Accommodation: Same lodge or tented camp
Spend a full day exploring Ruaha, Tanzania’s largest national park. Track elephants as they dig in dry riverbeds. Watch pride of lions stalk prey across golden grasslands. With luck, spot endangered African wild dogs or leopards in the rocky outcrops. Over 570 bird species fill the skies—watch for fish eagles, kingfishers, and colorful bee-eaters.
Day 5: Ruaha to Dar es Salaam (Flight or Road)
- Options: Charter flight to Dar es Salaam or drive back (~10–11 hours)
- End of safari
After breakfast, transfer to the airstrip for your return flight to Dar es Salaam. Alternatively, begin your long drive back with scenic stops along the way. Your safari ends upon arrival.
Safari Highlights
- Witness Tanzania’s southern parks, less crowded but full of game.
- Track lions, elephants, giraffes, and rare antelope in open terrain.
- Enjoy diverse habitats—from wetlands to baobab-dotted hills.
- Birdwatching paradise with hundreds of unique species.
- Experience local culture en route through rural regions of Tanzania.
Accessibility
- By Road: Easily accessible by 4×4 from Dar es Salaam. Roads are mostly paved until Mikumi; rough terrain after Iringa.
- By Air: Daily flights to Iringa (for Ruaha) and Mikumi Airstrip available via local carriers (Auric Air, Safari Air Link). Advance booking recommended.
What to Bring
- Neutral-colored clothing
- Binoculars and camera
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Reusable water bottle
- Safari hat and sunglasses
- Light jacket for evening chill