4-Day Budget Mikumi and Ruaha Safari from Dar Es Salaam

Your driver-guide picks you up in the morning from your hotel or the airport in Dar es Salaam. The road runs west through Morogoro, at the foot of the Uluguru Mountains, and on to Mikumi National Park, about 280 km from the city. After check-in you head out on your first game drive across the Mkata floodplain, the open grassland that gives Mikumi the nickname Little Serengeti. Look for elephants, giraffes, zebras and buffalo. Dinner and overnight at your camp.

Accommodation

Camp Bastian Mikumi Tented Camp Mid-range

+2 +1

After an early game drive in Mikumi, continue west through the Kitonga Gorge and the highland town of Iringa to Ruaha National Park. It is a long drive through farmland, hills and baobab country, with a stop for lunch. You arrive in the afternoon and, time permitting, go on a short game drive along the Great Ruaha River before dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Accommodation

Ruaha Hilltop Lodge Lodge Mid-range

+5 +4

Spend the day exploring Ruaha National Park, one of the largest and wildest parks in Tanzania. Morning and afternoon game drives take you through river valleys, open woodland and plains dotted with baobab trees. Your guide searches for large elephant herds, lions, leopards and both greater and lesser kudu. Return to the lodge for lunch and a rest in the heat of the day, then go out again in the afternoon light. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.

Accommodation

Ruaha Hilltop Lodge Lodge Mid-range

+5 +4

After an early breakfast, leave Ruaha and begin the drive back to Dar es Salaam via Iringa and Morogoro. This is a long day on the road, so we start early and stop for lunch along the way. You arrive in Dar es Salaam in the evening, and your driver-guide drops you at your hotel or at the airport. We recommend booking onward flights for the next day, as the journey time depends on traffic and road conditions.