6 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere Mikumi & Udzungwa

6 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere Mikumi & Udzungwa | 6 Days 5  Nights Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park & Udzungwa Mountains National Park | South Tanzania Safari Selous, Ruaha, Mikumi, Udzungwa | Tanzania Road Safaris | Tanzania Safari Holidays & Tours

This wonderful 6-day road safari takes you to the Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit which offers some of the best safaris in Africa. You will visit three less-crowded southern Tanzania game parks – Nyerere National Park (Selous), Mikumi National Park, & Udzungwa Mountains National Park.

The highlights of this tour include wildlife viewing in Africa’s largest National Park, Nyerere National Park (former Selous) then 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.

Hike to Sanje Waterfalls through the lush forests of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park where you can see rare and endemic species, including unique primates and birds. From big herds of elephants and buffalos to prowling lions and cheetahs and Sanje crested mangabeys unforgettable wildlife sightings await!

Beginning in Dar es Salaam we drive southwest to Nyerere National Park. After a delicious lunch, we embark on a leisurely late afternoon boat cruise along the Rufiji River.

We spend day two on game drives where we search for  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.

Day three sees us setting off on a half-day game drive through Nyerere National Park. We make our way through the reserve to the northern gate watching for big game and birds as we go. Then we exit Nyerere National Park and proceed to Mikumi National Park which shares unfenced borders with Nyerere National Park.

We spent day four in Mikumi National Park on game drives. Our game drives take us across the Mkata Plains where herds of herbivores graze, attracting large predators. 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.

On day five, we transfer to the open plains to the lush forests of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The mountainous Udzungwa Park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and scenic forest hikes.

We hike up to the impressive Sanje Waterfalls, the highest waterfall in the Udzungwa Mountains. Take a refreshing dip in the pools of the waterfalls and look out for birds and animals in this unique wild habitat. Udzungwa is home to about 10 primate species including three endemic species – the Iringa red colobus, the Matunda galago, and the Sanje crested mangabey.

Baboons and vervet monkeys are often seen and we may also spot endemic butterflies, birds, amphibians, and reptiles in this less-visited park. Then there are about 400 species of birds, including several endemic species.

On day six, we drive back to Dar es Salaam taking a picnic lunch along for the journey. Our 6 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere Mikumi & Udzungwa comes to a close back in the big city of Dar es Salaam. 

Day 1:  Dar Es Salaam – Drive to Nyerere National Park
Day 2: Full day safari in Nyerere National Park
Day 3: Nyerere – Drive to Mikumi National Park
Day 4: Full day Safari in Mikumi National Park
Day 5: Mikumi – Drive to Udzungwa Mountains National Park Hike Sanje Waterfalls
Day 6: Udzungwa – Drive to Dar Es Salaam

Day 1: Drive from Dar Es Salaam – Nyerere National Park

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 at the Selous Tented Camp, Selous Mapumziko Lodge, or Selous Serena Camp
Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Full Day Safari in Nyerere National Park

Overnight at the Selous Tented Camp, Selous Mapumziko Lodge, or Selous Serena Camp
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 3: Drive from Selous Game Reserve – 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 in Camp Bastian Mikumi, Stanley Kopje Camp, or Tan-Swiss Lodge
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 4: Full Day Safari in 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 in Camp Bastian Mikumi, Stanley Kopje Camp, or Tan-Swiss Lodge
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 5: Mikumi – Drive to Udzungwa Mountains National Park (Hiking in Udzungwa – Sanje Waterfalls)

Day five takes us from the open plains to the lush forests of the Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The mountainous Udzungwa Park is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and scenic forest hikes. Although this relatively small Tanzanian national park only covers about 1990 km² it incorporates diverse habitats, including tropical rainforest, mountain forest, miombo woodland, steppe, and grassland.

This afternoon we hike up to the impressive Sanje Waterfalls, the highest waterfall in the Udzungwa Mountains. Take a refreshing dip in the pools of the waterfalls and look out for birds and animals in this unique wild habitat. The Udzungwa Mountains are nicknamed the ‘Galapagos Islands of Africa’ given the high levels of endemism and rich biodiversity.

Udzungwa is home to about 10 primate species including three endemic species – the Iringa red colobus, the Matunda galago, and the Sanje crested mangabey. Baboons and vervet monkeys are often seen and we may also spot endemic butterflies, birds, amphibians, and reptiles in this less-visited park.

More than 2500 plant species have also been recorded in the Udzungwa Mountains Park, a quarter of which are only found here. Then there are about 400 species of birds, including several endemic species.

After our beautiful hike in the Udzungwas, we return to our lodge.

Overnight in Udgzungwa Mountain View Camp, Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp, or Udzungwa Falls Lodge
Meal Plan: {Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner}

Day 6: Udzungwa – Transfer to Dar Es Salaam

On day 6 we have breakfast at the lodge before driving back to Dar es Salaam taking a picnic lunch along for the journey. Our 6 Day Tanzania Safari Nyerere Mikumi & Udzungwa comes to a close back in the big city of Dar es Salaam.

Meal Plan: {Breakfast & Lunch}