Nyere and Mikumi National Park – Safari in the South of Tanzania
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Arrival in Mikumi National Park
After arriving in Dar es Salaam, you’ll leave the former capital and head into the greener, lesser-known region of South Tanzania. With binoculars in hand, you’ll spend the next few days searching for the Big Five in two of the best national parks around. The 4×4 vehicle you will be travelling in is equipped with everything you will need for the ultimate safari experience including the bonus of a fridge to keep your food and drinks cool. Before the sun sets, you will have time for a short game drive in Mikumi National Park, which is often compared to the Serengeti due to the Mkata Floodplain. You’ll be surrounded by breathtaking open landscapes, dotted with acacia, baobab and tamarind trees. Keep an eye out for wildlife including elephants, lions, giraffes and zebras. The following day you will have the whole day for further safari adventures.
Day 2 – Safari in Mikumi National Park
This morning, after a tasty breakfast, you’ll head out on a safari in Mikumi National Park. After getting acquainted with the park yesterday, today you’ll get a full day to experience the incredible wildlife and breathtaking scenery at your own pace. Along with a guide, you can observe over 400 species of birds such as ostriches, pelicans and vultures, and if you tell your guide which animals you’d like to see, they will try their best to find these animals for you. Of course, a little luck is also involved and sightings are never guaranteed.
In the evening you return to your comfortable tent camp. Here you can reflect on the day’s experiences while enjoying dinner in the restaurant or relaxing by the small swimming pool, surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Day 3 – On to Nyerere National Park
The journey to your next destination is an adventure in itself, with landscapes changing from the majestic, misty Uluguru Mountains near Mikumi, to green valleys and tropical forests as you get closer to Nyerere National Park. The road conditions are also changeable, starting off on paved roads and continuing onto dusty dirt tracks that wind through remote villages and open savannahs. Your tented camp for the night is simple but idyllically located, offering sweeping views over the national park from a hilltop.
Day 4 – Away from the crowds in Southern Tanzania
Today, you will be exploring one of the largest game reserves in the world, which is rarely visited due to its isolation. A huge variety of animals call this area home, including wildebeest, giraffes, leopards, and rhinos. There is so much to discover here.
After an exciting day of game drives, you will spend the next two nights at a riverside lodge. You will stay in a homely cottage with a veranda, an ideal place to relax and listen to the sounds of the wild.
Day 5 – Rufiji River safari
Another day of safari awaits today, during which you will travel along the Rufiji River (the largest river in Tanzania) and discover the diverse wildlife and changing landscapes from the water. Gliding along the river’s channels, you’ll likely encounter hippos wallowing in the water and Nile crocodiles basking in the sun, as well as spotting elephants, buffaloes and antelope having a drink along the banks. The Rufiji River is also a haven for bird-watching, with a huge variety of bird species to be found here, including African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons and bee-eaters. Your knowledgeable guide will help you to identify different species and give you insights into the animals’ behaviours, sharing fascinating facts about the ecosystem along the river.
Day 6 – Panoramic flight and onward journey
On your final day, you will be collected and taken to the nearby Selous airfield, where you will be taking to the skies on a small propeller plane. Once in the air, you’ll experience a unique perspective of Tanzania’s vast wilderness, with breathtaking views of the river channels below, surrounded by savannahs, woodlands and wetlands. Once back on the ground, you’ll begin the journey to your next destination.
Accommodation
