6 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere National Park Mikumi & Ruaha

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6 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere National Park Mikumi & Ruaha | 6 Days 5 Nights South Tanzania Safari Nyerere (Selous), Mikumi & Ruaha | Tanzania Road Safaris | Tanzania Southern Circuit Safaris | Tanzania Safari Holidays & Tours

Regarded as the ultimate Southern Tanzania Safari, this 6-day tour takes you to the biggest, wildest, and most remote game reserves and national parks in Tanzania Southern Circuit.

Explore the vast Nyerere National Park (formerly called “Selous Game Reserve) to see the abundance of diverse wildlife on its undisturbed grasslands and at its lakes. Visit Mikumi National Park to see a multitude of big mammals and birds on the Mkata Plains, where wildebeests, elephants, buffalos, zebras, and antelopes roam.

Take unforgettable 4×4 game drives in remote Ruaha National Park to spot predators hunting in the wild, from lions and cheetahs to leopards and endangered wild dogs.

Beginning and ending in Dar es Salaam,  we drive to our first safari destination, Nyerere National Park in the Southern Region of Tanzania. Nyerere National Park was formerly called “Selous Game Reserve (30,893km2) and is the largest national park in Africa. 

The park, which encompasses the mighty Rufiji River, is home to a diverse range of wildlife with huge populations of Hippo and Giraffe as well as Elephant, Buffalo, and Lion among many others and together with the remaining part of Selous, Nyerere National Park is the last true stronghold for African wild dog.

On Day two, we embark on 4×4 game drives in open-sided safari vehicles with picnic lunches spending two full days on safari in this vast, undisturbed wilderness area. One of the most special things about visiting this vast national park is the absence of crowds.

Nyerere National Park is home to the Big Five of Africa, wild dogs (painted wolves), hyenas, jackals, and elusive leopards. Other large mammals commonly sighted include giraffes, zebras, hippos, wildebeest, and a variety of other antelopes such as impalas, sable, puku, greater kudu, eland, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, bushbuck, oryx, and waterbuck.

We exit Nyerere National Park on day three and head to Mikumi National Park. Located on the northern border of Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park forms part of the larger Selous Ecosystem.

Our game drives take us to the open grasslands of the Mkata Plains, where are likely to see numerous herbivores including wildebeest, buffalo, zebra, and eland (Africa’s largest antelope), amongst other antelopes. Elephants are also commonly sighted in Mikumi.

We may be lucky enough to see lions and even leopards or wild dogs. Other carnivores found here include jackals, hyenas, and crocodiles. Mikumi hosts over 400 bird species too.

On day four we leave Mikumi behind and make our way further west to the more remote Ruaha National Park of southern Tanzania.  Reaching Ruaha we proceed to our camp located inside the national park (in season) or a tented lodge bordering on the park. Keep an eye out for huge bull elephants, hunting lions, and leopards lazing in the trees as this is big game territory!

We spend day five on game drives in search of the diverse wildlife and birds of Ruaha in our 4×4 safari vehicles. Ruaha is known for its exceptional predator sightings, hosting large populations of Africa’s big cats. One of Africa’s largest lion populations is found in the park, representing 10% of the wild lions left on earth.

Ruaha is home to one of only four sizeable cheetah populations (over 200 adults) found in East Africa. Plus the park hosts the third-largest population of endangered African wild dogs (painted wolves) in the world. To top it off Ruaha also serves as a stronghold for spotted hyena and leopard populations.

In addition to its impressive predator populations, Ruaha also provides sanctuary to over 10000 African elephants. Optional activities available at an extra cost include walking safaris in Ruaha, night game drives, and even hot-air balloon safaris!

On day six, we make our way back to Dar es Salaam taking a picnic lunch along for the journey. Our 6 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere National Park Mikumi & Ruaha comes to a close back in the big city of Dar es Salaam at around 1800 hours.

Summary Itinerary

Day 1: Dar Es Salaam – Drive to Nyerere National Park (Selous Game Reserve)
Day 2: Explore Nyerere National Park (Selous Game reserve)
Day 3: Nyerere – Drive to Mikumi National Park 
Day 4: Mikumi – Drive to Ruaha National Park
Day 5: Explore Ruaha National Park
Day 6: Ruaha National Park – Drive to Dar Es Salaam

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Dar-es-Salaam – Drive to Nyerere National Park (Selous)

Meet your guide in Dar es Salaam where your 6 days Southern Tanzania Safari begins. The travel time/ distance is approximately (6-7Hours / 575 km). From the bustling metropolis of Dar es Salaam, we drive southwest to Nyerere National Park (Selous).

Arriving at the lodge/ camp, your guide briefs you on the camp and upcoming activities at Selous. After a delicious lunch, we embark on a leisurely late afternoon boat cruise along the Rufiji River encountering hippos and crocodiles in good numbers. Some 350 bird species have been recorded in the Nyerere National Park.

These are typical of miombo woodlands, and the birdlife supported by swamplands is of particular interest. After the boat cruise, we return to the lodge for dinner and a relaxing evening around the campfire.

Overnight Accommodation
Luxury Tented Camps & Lodges; Beho Beho Camp, Kiba Point Selous, Sand Rivers Selous

Mid-range Camps & Lodges; Serena Mivumo River Lodge, Selous Serena Camp, Selous Impala Camp
Budget Camps & Lodges; Lake Manze Camp, Rufiji River Camp, Selous River Camp

Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}


Day 2: Full day at Nyerere National Park (Selous)

On day two we explore the vast Nyerere National Park on 4×4 game drives taking a picnic lunch with us on our full-day safari. The largest single-national park in Africa, Nyerere National Park is a truly massive wilderness area covering some 54 600 km². It is larger than Switzerland, covering an area more than three times the size of Serengeti National Park at 14 760 km².

This southern Tanzania game reserve is largely unspoiled and crowd-free, especially in comparison with the famous Serengeti Park and other northern safari destinations of Tanzania. Nyerere National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982 and was declared as such for its outstanding diversity, wildness, and size.

It is recognized as one of Africa’s largest undisturbed wilderness areas showing minimal signs of human impact. This huge game reserve encompasses a variety of terrains and habitats including mountains, forests, watercourses, lakes, and plains. Selous is also valued for its high diversity of plant and wildlife species.

On our full-day safari in Nyerere National Park, we experience some of the diverse habitats and vegetation ranging from grassland plains and swamps to woodlands and riverside forests. Along the way, we pause to watch the wild animals, birds, and other creatures of Selous. Our lunch stop is at a scenic viewpoint looking out over the bush and lakes.

Nyerere National Park hosts an abundance of large mammals, including Africa’s Big Five animals. Elephants and buffalos are commonly seen, along with lions. Leopards are more elusive and rhinos are only found in the south of the reserve. Other wild animals that we are likely to see include giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, and a variety of other antelopes.

Nyerere National Park also hosts a sizeable population of endangered African wild dogs and other carnivores include spotted hyenas and jackals. In terms of antelopes, impalas are common, and we may see sable, puku, greater kudu, eland, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, bushbuck, oryx, waterbuck, duiker, klipspringer. At the end of our rewarding day of game viewing in Selous, we return to the lodge along the Rufiji River.

Overnight Accommodation
Luxury Camps & Lodge; Beho Beho Camp, Kiba Point Selous, Sand Rivers Selous
Mid-range Camps & Lodge; Serena Mivumo River Lodge, Selous Serena Camp, Selous Impala Camp
Budget Camps & Lodge; Lake Manze Camp, Rufiji River Camp, Selous River Camp

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}


Day 3: Nyerere – Drive to Mikumi National Park

After breakfast, we drive to Mikumi National Park arriving in time for lunch. Later we enjoy a game drive. Mikumi National Park is about 3 230 km² (1 247 mi²) in size and forms part of the greater Selous Ecosystem. Our game drives take us across the Mkata Plains where herds of herbivores graze, attracting large predators. These grassy plains are often compared with the Serengeti Plains as they also feature iconic African savannahs dotted with acacias and baobabs.

Common wildlife sightings in Mikumi Park include elephants, buffalos and lions (three of Africa’s Big Five), and potentially leopards, although these big cats are more elusive. Other animals we are likely to see are wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, crocodiles, and various antelopes.

Mikumi is also home to endangered wild dogs, jackals, hyenas, hippos, baboons, and vervet monkeys. Twitchers can look forward to excellent sightings here with more than 400 bird species recorded in Mikumi.

Common sightings include yellow-throated long claws, lilac-breasted rollers, bateleur eagles, black-bellied bustards, guinea fowls, African fish eagles, marabou storks, oxpeckers, straw-tailed whydahs, and Boehm’s bee-eaters.

As the sun begins to set, we make our way back to the lodge near Mikumi for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Overnight Accommodation
Luxury Camps & Lodge; Vuma hills tented camp, Foxes Safari camp, Mikumi Wildlife lodge 
Mid-range Camps & Lodge; Angalia Tented Camp, Mikumi Adventure lodge 
Budget Camps & Lodge; Mikumi Bush Camp, Asante Africa camp, Genesis Motel

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}


Day 4: Mikumi – Drive to Ruaha National Park

Drive to Ruaha National Park with a picnic lunch. The travel time/distance is approximately (5 Hours / 430 km).  We arrive in the wild Ruaha National Park with a game drive en route to our camp/ lodge.

This lesser-known safari destination is considered one of East Africa’s hidden gems, hosting diverse wildlife, birds, and flora. It offers a far more remote safari experience than the often-crowded, famous game parks of northern Tanzania.  In Ruaha, we are almost sure to encounter elephants, buffalos, and lions (three of Africa’s Big Five), and possibly leopards too.

Other commonly sighted animals in Ruaha include wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, and antelopes of various kinds. We stay at a camp/ lodge inside or outside Ruaha National Park

Overnight Accommodation
Luxury Camps & Lodge; Kwihala Camp, Jabali Ridge, Mwagusi Camp
Mid-range Camps & Lodge; Mdonya Old River, Kichaka Camp, Ruaha Hill Top Lodge
Budget Camps & Lodge; Ruaha National Park cottage, Mabata Makali lodge, and campsite

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}


Day 5: Full Day in Ruaha National Park

Today is dedicated to wildlife viewing in Ruaha, Tanzania’s best-kept safari secret. The game viewing program is flexible allowing you to choose the timing and type of safari activities that suit you best. Pick between full-day or half-day game drives (included cost) and picnic lunches in the bush or hot lunches back at camp.

Optional activities available at an extra cost include walking safaris in Ruaha, night game drives, and even hot-air balloon safaris! The Ruaha National Park is known for its large elephant and buffalo populations as well as the exceptionally high number of predators found here.

Lions are especially abundant in Ruaha, which is said to host the second largest lion population on the planet. This is also a stronghold for endangered African wild dogs, as well as hosting impressive cheetah populations and numerous leopards.

Ruaha is situated in a transitional zone where eastern and southern ecosystems overlap resulting in an unusual mix of habitats and accompanying inhabitants, hence its remarkable diversity of plants, animals, and birds. It is one of the few parks where both greater and lesser kudu can be found, as well as rare sable and roan antelopes.

Ruaha also offers outstanding bird watching opportunities given the diversity and abundance of species. Over 580 bird species have been recorded, rare and endangered species included. We stay at a fully-serviced canvased camp inside Ruaha National Park (in season), enjoying a secluded Tanzania safari experience.

Overnight Accommodation
Luxury Camps & Lodge; Kwihala Camp, Jabali Ridge, Mwagusi Camp
Mid-range Camps & Lodges; Mdonya Old River, Kichaka Camp, Ruaha Hill Top Lodge
Budget Camps & Lodges; Ruaha National Park cottage, Mabata Makali lodge, and campsite

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}


Day 6: Ruaha National Park – Drive to Dar Es Salaam

Wake up in the heart of the untamed African bush one last time and tuck into a hearty breakfast. Then, we exit the park and return to Dar es Salaam where our 6 day Southern Tanzania Safari adventure comes to a close.

Meal Plan: {Breakfast}

6 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere National Park Mikumi & Ruaha Prices

6 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere National Park Mikumi & Ruaha Prices Include;

All park entrance fees + All game drives as per itinerary + Transport in 1 x 6 Seater 4×4 vehicle + Arrival and departure airport transfers in Dar-es-salaam  + 2 Night full board accommodation at Nyerere National Park + 2 Nights’ full board accommodation at Ruaha National Park + 1 Night accommodation at Mikumi National Park + Services of a qualified English Speaking African Spice Safaris Driver Guide & 1 Litre bottle of mineral water per person per day

Dates From Dates To Single Room
(1 Guest)
Double Room
(2 Guests)

Child Aged
(3 to 11 Years)

1st Jan 2022

31st Dec 2022 Request for rates Request for rates Request for rates

Notes:

* Optional Extras and Excursions include Boat Safari at Nyerere National Park, night game drive in Ruaha, Hot air balloon safaris at Ruaha, and Half-day walking safaris in Ruaha/ Nyerere National Park


6 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere National Park Mikumi & Ruaha Prices Excludes;

* Visas
* All International Flights + Taxes
* Complimentary Vintage Africa Hat
* Travel & Personal accident insurance
* Optional flight from Serengeti to Arusha
* Excursions not detailed in the above program
* Gratuity & personal expenses such as telephone calls etc.
* Complimentary Detailed Day to Day Safari Africa Safari Guide Book

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