Wildlife Safari 7-Day Southern Tanzania Safari: Mikumi & Ruaha
Dar Es Salaam · Mikumi National Park (2) · Ruaha National Park (3)
Explore Destination · Tanzania
Mikumi National Park
Mikumi safari: Mikumi National Park is 3,230 km² of grassland and woodland about 280 km west of Dar es Salaam.
- CountryTanzania
- Best timeJune to October, when the grass is short and animals stay near the hip...
- Trips4 sample trips
- Destinations nearbyUdzungwa Mountain National Park, Udzungwa Mountains
Mikumi safari: what to know
Mikumi National Park is 3,230 km² of grassland and woodland about 280 km west of Dar es Salaam. The main highway to Zambia runs straight through it, so it is the most accessible park in southern Tanzania: four to five hours by road from the city.
What to know before you go
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The Mkata floodplain
The heart of the park is the Mkata floodplain, open grassland ringed by the Uluguru and Rubeho mountains and often compared with the Serengeti plains on a small scale. Game is easy to see here: herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and impala, plenty of giraffe, and lions that sometimes rest in trees or on termite mounds for a view over the grass. Two hippo pools a few kilometres from the main gate also draw crocodiles and waterbirds.
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What else to look for
Mikumi has eland, greater kudu and sable antelope in the miombo woodland on its fringes, and wild dogs pass through from Nyerere National Park, which borders it to the south. More than 400 bird species have been recorded, with lilac-breasted rollers and bateleur eagles among the most visible.
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How Mikumi fits into a trip
Two nights is enough to cover the park. It is a practical weekend safari from Dar es Salaam, and the usual first stop on a road safari that continues to the Udzungwa Mountains, an hour away, and on to Ruaha.
When to visit Mikumi National Park
June to October, when the grass is short and animals stay near the hippo pools and waterholes. The park is open all year; from March to May parts of the floodplain are waterlogged.
Where It Is
Mikumi National Park and the other places we travel to nearby.
Mikumi National Park
Trips that include Mikumi National Park
Sample itineraries. Every trip is private, so we change the days, lodges and pace to suit you.
Wildlife Safari 
Wildlife Safari 9-Day Southern Tanzania Safari: Mikumi, Ruaha & Nyerere
Dar Es Salaam (2) · Mikumi National Park (2) · Ruaha National Park (2) · Nyerere National Park (2)
Wildlife Safari 8-Day Southern Tanzania Safari: Mikumi, Udzungwa & Ruaha
Dar Es Salaam (2) · Mikumi National Park (2) · Udzungwa Mountains · Ruaha National Park (2)
Wildlife Safari 10-Day Southern Tanzania Safari: Mikumi, Udzungwa, Ruaha & Nyerere
Dar Es Salaam (2) · Mikumi National Park (2) · Udzungwa Mountains · Ruaha National Park (2) · Nyerere National Park (2)
Plan Your Safari to Mikumi National Park
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Questions about Mikumi National Park
How far is Mikumi from Dar es Salaam?
About 280 km, or four to five hours by road on the main highway. The standard-gauge railway to Morogoro can shorten the first part of the journey.
Can you see the Big Five in Mikumi?
Four of them: lion, elephant, buffalo and, with luck, leopard. There are no rhino in Mikumi.
Is Mikumi good for a short safari?
Yes. Its open plains make animals easy to find, and it is close enough to Dar es Salaam for a two- or three-day trip.
Shall we plan your trip?
Tell us your dates and what you would like to see. A specialist in Arusha sends a route and a clear proposal within 24 hours.
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