7-Day Safari to Mikumi, Udzungwa Mountains and Ruaha National Parks

Overview

The National Parks and game reserves of the southern circuit are arguably the hidden treasures of Tanzania’s authentic Africa. These parks are enormous, with some of the highest concentrations of animals anywhere in Africa and a spectacular diversity of wildlife including roan antelope, lion, sable antelope, big herds of elephants, African wild dogs (cape hunting dogs) and a multitude of colourful birdlife.

Included

Transport and game drives in clean well maintained 4WD Land Cruiser with photographic roof hatch
Services of a professional English speaking safari guide
All game reserve entry fees
All game drives as mentioned
02 x FB at safari lodges or tented camp as per your itinerary
One and a half liter mineral water per person / day during game drives
Flight
Roundtrip airport transfer

DAY 1: Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park.

Pick up from Dar es Salaam airport or ferry and leave for Mikumi National Park, which takes approximately 5-6 hours. Stop for lunch and then head off for a late afternoon game drive to Visada, Kisungura Circuit, Mkata Drive, and Obama Circuit.

Birdlife in this woodland savannah is spectacular from the Lilac-breasted rollers, Hadeda ibises and saddle-billed storks, often spotted in nearby hippo pools. Animals such as hippos can be seen for 3 hours until sunset, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at Mikumi bands.

DAY 2: Mikumi Game Drive and Maasai Village Tour.

After breakfast, we start on a full-day game drive to spot animals in Mikumi national park. One of Mikumi’s features is that it’s stretched across a big plain, so you have the ability to spot a lot of animals. Mikumi National Park hosts animals like lions, elephants, buffalo, impalas, zebras and many other wild animals. Enjoy your lunch at the picnic campsites in Mikumi national park. In the evening you will go to visit Masai village (boma) then Head to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay at Camp Bastian Mikumi.

Activities:

1. Full-day animal viewing (game drive in Mikumi national park)
2. Visiting Masai boma.

DAY 3: Camp Bastian Mikumi to Ruaha National Park.

Pick up from the hotel, breakfast, and then departure for Ruaha National Park Approximately 5 Hours. Followed by lunch upon arrival. We will start with an afternoon to evening game drive. The eponymous Great Ruaha River serves as a lifeline for the park’s wildlife.

Although it’s one of the largest national parks in the country and rich in wildlife, Ruaha is one of the least busy places to visit in Tanzania, so safaris here feel remote and exclusive. Dinner and overnight stay in Ruaha park cottages.

DAY 4: Full-day Game Drive in Ruaha National Park.

Full day safari in Ruaha National Park, your activities will basically concentrate along the Great Ruaha River, Mwagusi Sand River and Mdonya River: Lunch in the middle of nowhere followed by more drive to the homes of buffaloes, elephants, lions, leopards, and antelopes, colourful birds and plants until 6.30 pm for the beautiful sunset in the East African Great Rift Valley enjoy your Dinner and overnight stay at Ruaha Cottage.

DAY 5: Morning Game Drive And transfer to Camp Bastian Mikumi

Work up for early morning Ruaha game drive until 08:30hrs then drive back to the camp, lodge or cottage for breakfast.

After breakfast, you will continue with the game drive until lunch time then starts to drive to Camp Bastian Mikumi town for dinner and an overnight stay at Camp Bastian Mikumi.

DAY 6: Full-Day Udzungwa Mountain Hike & Waterfalls

Leave the lodge after breakfast then transfer to Udzungwa Mountains National Park which takes about 45 minutes, check in at the gate and head out to the Sanje waterfalls, which is a 3 to 4-hour trek through the green forest.

Expect to see monkeys, including rare indigenous Iringa red colobus, and some ancient trees some of them 200 years old! Explore tropical forests until evening then transfer to Mikumi for Dinner and overnight stay at Camp Bastian Mikumi.

DAY 7: Camp Bastian Mikumi to Dar es Salaam.

After breakfast, we will start a 5 – 6 hour drive to Dar es Salaam a mid-now-familiar landscape and colourful villages. We will have one stop for lunch and continue the journey to Dar es Salaam.
The adventure comes to an end.

Matembo Tours & Safaris representative will assist you to the ferry, airport or to your hotel and shall look forward to receiving you soon for your next adventure. There is so much more to discover and enjoy in Tanzania!