7 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere National Park Mikumi & Ruaha

7 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere National Park Mikumi & Ruaha | 7 Days 6 Nights Tanzania Road Safari Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park & Mikumi National Park | Southern Tanzania Safari | Tanzania Road Safaris | Dar es Salaam Road Safaris | Tanzania Safari Tours & Holidays

This 7 day Tanzania road safari takes you to the biggest, wildest, and most remote national parks of southern Tanzania. Explore the vast Nyerere National Park 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 to spot predators hunting in the Wild, from Lions and Cheetahs to Leopards and endangered Wild Dogs.

Our Southern Tanzania safari begins from Dar es, Salaam, where we drive to Nyerere National Park. On game drives, enjoy a sunset boat cruise on the Rufiji River passing pods of Hippo cooling off underwater. 

Day two is set aside for exploring Nyerere National Park, Tanzania’s hidden treasure. One of Africa’s oldest and wildest protected areas, Selous is the largest National Park on the continent. We embark on 4×4 game drives in open-sided safari vehicles with picnic lunches spending a full day on safari in this vast, undisturbed wilderness area.

Nyerere National Park is inhabited by a huge number of wild animals, including the Big Five of Africa. Numerous Elephants are found here, along with large herds of Buffalos. Nyerere is a stronghold for Lion and wild dog (painted wolf) populations, hosting some of the highest concentrations in Africa. There are also spotted Hyenas, Jackals, and elusive Leopards in Nyerere.

Other large mammals commonly sighted in Nyerere 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.

On day three we head to Mikumi National Park. Located on the northern border of Nyerere National Park, Mikumi forms part of the larger Nyerere Ecosystem.

On day four, we embark on 4×4 game drives in Mikumi, going in search of the abundant wildlife and birds found here. On the open grasslands of the Mkata Plains, we 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.

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

Day five begins with a drive to the more remote Ruaha National Park of southern Tanzania. This southern Tanzania national park remains one of the wildest and most unspoilt wilderness areas in Africa.

On day six, we go in search of the diverse wildlife and birds of Ruaha in our 4×4 safari vehicles. This massive national park covers about 20 226 km² (7 809 mi²) of the uninhabited African wilderness, including vast open plains and rocky hills dotted with baobab trees.

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. In addition to elephant herds, buffalos are also commonly sighted, as well as various antelopes, giraffes, and zebras.

On day seven we drive back to Dar es Salaam taking a picnic lunch along for the journey. Our 7 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere National Park Mikumi & Ruaha comes to a close back in the big city of Dar es Salaam.

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

Begining from Dar es Salaam, you will be driven to Nyerere National Park with a picnic lunch en route. The drive takes five to six hours. Mid-afternoon, you will embark on a boat safari along the mighty Rufiji River, bringing you into close contact with hippo, crocodile, and fantastic birdlife.

Crocodiles bask on the river banks or glide into the water as your boat approaches and hippo appear nearby, grunting and blowing water. Check in to your lodge/ camp.

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: {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Full Day Safari in Nyerere National Park

Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3: Nyerere National Park (Selous) – Drive to Mikumi National Park

Today we return to Nyerere National Park for a half-day wildlife safari in this diverse Park. Our extensive game drive takes us north where we exit Nyerere National Park and head to Mikumi National Park. Located on the northern border of Nyerere National Park, Mikumi forms part of the larger Nyerere Ecosystem.

Later this afternoon we settle in at our next comfortable lodge in Mikumi National Park and rest after our early morning start.

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: Explore Mikumi National Park

On day four we embark on 4×4 game drives in Mikumi, going in search of the abundant wildlife and birds found here. Established in 1964, Mikumi National Park covers about 3 230 km² (1 247 mi²). On the open grasslands of the Mkata Plains, we 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. Bird sightings include yellow-throated long claws, bateleur, and African fish eagles, black-bellied bustards, lilac-breasted rollers, marabou storks, oxpeckers, straw-tailed whydahs, and Boehm’s bee-eaters.

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 5: 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 6: Explore 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 7: 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 7 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere National Park Mikumi & Ruaha comes to a close.

Meal Plan: {Breakfast}