Mikumi National Park Safari from Dar es Salaam: 3 Days

Game drives and hippo pools: what you'll stand in front of over three days

A 3-day, 2-night safari from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park with private transportation, English or French-speaking guide, and accommodation at Camp Bastian. You'll spend two full days on game drives searching for elephants, giraffes, lions, buffaloes and over 300 bird species, and visit the Hippo Pool where hippos wallow at close range. The park is open year-round and accessible from Dar es Salaam with a single transfer.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel to Mikumi and game drive

• Pick up from Dar es Salaam
• Transfer to Mikumi National Park
• Stop for lunch en route
• Arrive at Mikumi National Park
• Game drive in the park
• Return to lodge for dinner
• Overnight at Camp Bastian Mikumi

Day 2 — Full day safari in Mikumi

• Breakfast at lodge
• Morning game drive in Mikumi
• Lunch break
• Visit Mkata, Chamgore, and flood plains
• Return to lodge for dinner
• Overnight at Camp Bastian Mikumi

Day 3 — Return to Dar es Salaam

• Breakfast at lodge
• Transfer back to Dar es Salaam
• Lunch stop at Msolwa Cafe
• Drop off in Dar es Salaam

The Experience

The drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi takes most of the first day, with lunch stops built in. You arrive in the afternoon and head straight into a game drive to start spotting wildlife—buffaloes, giraffes, lions and whatever else is moving through the park that hour. Dinner and an overnight stay at Camp Bastian Mikumi follow, so you're rested before the full safari days begin.

Day two is the core of the trip: an early breakfast, then a full day in the park on game drives. The landscape of Mikumi is open and serene, which means sightings happen regularly—wildebeests, elephants, giraffes, lions and buffaloes are commonly seen. You'll also visit the Mkata flood plains and Chamgore, a place known for pythons. The Hippo Pool is the main draw: you stand close enough to watch hippos snorting and wallowing in the water, a moment most travelers remember. A lunch break happens mid-day, and you return to the lodge for dinner and another night.

On day three, an early breakfast precedes the drive back to Dar es Salaam, with a lunch stop at Msolwa Cafe on the way. The whole trip runs on a fixed schedule—your guide handles the route, the timing and the wildlife search—so you're not building the day yourself. Over 300 bird species live in Mikumi, including saddle bill storks, malachite kingfishers and lilac-breasted rollers, so even the quiet moments carry sightings. If luck holds, you'll see a lion; if you're very lucky, a leopard.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi and back.
• two nights' accommodation at Camp Bastian Mikumi.
• a guide who speaks English or French.
• all national park fees and taxes.
• game drives on days one and two.
• a visit to the Hippo Pool.
• lunch stops on the drive days.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mikumi Holiday Safaris

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or French, so you'll understand the wildlife commentary and the route without translation delays—book this one if you want the narration to flow in your language rather than rely on a translator or miss what's being pointed out.

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Top questions

What animals am I most likely to see on a Mikumi safari?

Elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, wildebeests, elands, crocodiles, hippos and baboons are commonly seen on game drives in Mikumi. Lions appear regularly, and leopards are possible but rare. Over 300 bird species live in the park, including saddle bill storks, malachite kingfishers, lilac-breasted rollers and yellow-throated long-claws.

How much time do I spend actually driving and looking for wildlife?

Day two is a full day of game drives with a lunch break in the middle. Day one includes an afternoon game drive after you arrive, and day three is the return journey. Most of your wildlife viewing happens on day two, when you're in the park from early morning until evening.

What is the Hippo Pool and why is it a main attraction?

The Hippo Pool is a location in Mikumi where hippos gather to wallow and rest. You stand at close range and watch them snorting and moving in the water—it's one of the most direct wildlife encounters the park offers and a highlight most visitors mention.

Is Mikumi accessible year-round, or are there seasons I should avoid?

Mikumi National Park is accessible throughout the year, so you can book this safari whenever your schedule allows. There are no closed seasons or times when wildlife viewing becomes unreliable.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay separately?

Private transportation from Dar es Salaam, all park fees and taxes, accommodation at Camp Bastian Mikumi, and a guide are included. Tips and alcoholic drinks are not covered and are your own expense.

Do I need to speak English or French to understand the guide?

Your guide speaks either English or French—you'll choose which language when you book. The guide will narrate the game drives and explain what you're seeing in your chosen language throughout the three days.