3-Day Mikumi Safari from Dar es Salaam: Game Drives & Hippo Pool

Summary

Mikumi National Park Wildlife Safari: Elephants, Lions & Hippos

If you want real wildlife moments close to Dar es Salaam without spending weeks or breaking your budget, this 3-day Mikumi safari is it. You’ll get up close with elephants and hippos, see lions if you’re lucky—and experience Tanzania’s wild side with guides who know every hidden corner.

What’s the experience like?

The road out of Dar es Salaam gets busy before sunrise—our driver weaved through the early morning bustle as we left the city behind. Once we hit the open highway, the air felt lighter. We stopped at a roadside café for chai and chapati; you could smell fried dough mixing with diesel from passing trucks. By early afternoon, the landscape had shifted—acacia trees scattered across golden grass, and somewhere in the distance, I caught my first glimpse of giraffes moving like shadows. Our guide, Joseph, seemed to know every bump in the road. He pointed out a herd of buffalo lounging under a baobab tree just before we rolled into Camp Bastian Mikumi for the night.

The next morning started with birdsong—honestly, I’d never heard so many at once. After breakfast (eggs and strong Tanzanian coffee), we set off for a full day in Mikumi National Park. The game drive felt like a treasure hunt: wildebeest crossing muddy tracks, elephants flapping their ears near the waterholes, zebras flicking their tails at flies. Joseph slowed down by the Mkata floodplains so we could watch hippos snorting in the pool—one let out a noise that sounded like an old engine starting up. We even spotted a lilac-breasted roller flash past us in blue and purple streaks. Lunch was simple but filling; rice and beans eaten right out of lunchboxes while watching baboons try their luck near parked jeeps.

On our last morning, there was still time for one last look at Mikumi’s wide-open spaces before heading back to Dar es Salaam. The drive home felt quieter—maybe it was just everyone replaying lion sightings or that moment when we saw a crocodile slip beneath the water’s surface near Chamgore. We stopped at Msolwa Café for lunch; nothing fancy, but after days outdoors, even cold soda tasted special. By late afternoon, city traffic signaled our return to reality—but honestly, I still had dust on my shoes and wild stories to tell.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Transfer to Mikumi National Park

• Transfer from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park with lunch stop
• Afternoon game drive in Mikumi National Park
• Dinner and overnight at Camp Bastian Mikumi

Day 2 — Full Day Safari in Mikumi

• Morning game drive in Mikumi National Park
• Lunch break
• Visit Mkata, Chamgore, and Mkata flood plains
• Dinner and overnight at Camp Bastian Mikumi

Day 3 — Return to Dar es Salaam

• Breakfast and transfer back to Dar es Salaam with lunch stop at Msolwa Cafe

Top questions

What animals can I expect to see on this Mikumi safari?

You’ll likely spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest, antelope—and if luck’s on your side—lions or even a leopard. Hippos are almost guaranteed at the Hippo Pool.

Is this tour suitable for families or kids?

Yes! The tour is family-friendly and suitable for most fitness levels. Just keep in mind infants need to sit on an adult’s lap during drives.

What’s included in the price?

Your private transport from Dar es Salaam and back is covered, along with park fees and taxes. Meals are provided as per itinerary.

When’s the best time to visit Mikumi National Park?

Mikumi is accessible all year round—the dry season (June–October) makes wildlife easier to spot but any time works for this trip.

What’s included

This trip covers private transfers between Dar es Salaam and Mikumi National Park (no crowded buses), all park entry fees and taxes are sorted for you too. Meals during your stay are included as per itinerary—plus comfy accommodation at Camp Bastian Mikumi both nights.