5-Day Safari to Selous & Mikumi from Dar es Salaam

Walk and drive through two reserves, sleep where the wildlife roams.

A 5-day safari from Dar es Salaam takes you into Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park with a driver-guide, 4x4 Landcruiser and all transport between parks included. You'll spend two nights at Selous Tented Camp and two at Camp Bastian in Mikumi, moving between early morning walking safaris, afternoon game drives and boat trips on the Rufiji River to spot hippos, crocodiles, lions, elephants and buffalo in their natural habitat. The route crosses the Uluguru Mountains and passes through small villages on the way south, ending back in Dar es Salaam on day five.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Selous and boat safari

• Pick up from Dar es Salaam
• Drive to Selous Game Reserve
• Enjoy afternoon boat safari on Rufiji River
• Dinner and overnight at Selous Tented Camp

Day 2: Walking safari and game drive in Selous

• Early morning walking safari
• Return to lodge for breakfast
• Afternoon game drive in Selous
• Dinner and overnight at Selous Tented Camp

Day 3: Game drive and travel to Mikumi

• Breakfast at Selous
• Game drive in Selous en route to Mikumi
• Drive via Morogoro and Uluguru Mountains
• Sunset game drive in Mikumi National Park
• Dinner and overnight at Camp Bastian Mikumi

Day 4: Full day game drive in Mikumi

• Breakfast at Camp Bastian
• Full day game viewing in Mikumi National Park
• Dinner and overnight at Camp Bastian Mikumi

Day 5: Morning game drive and return

• Early morning sunrise game drive
• Late afternoon game drive en route to Dar es Salaam

The experience

The safari starts with a five-hour drive from Dar es Salaam through some of Tanzania's least explored terrain, arriving at Selous in time for an afternoon boat safari on the Rufiji River. That first evening sets the rhythm: water and wildlife in the same frame, hippos and crocodiles visible from the boat as the light drops. You stay at Selous Tented Camp, which sits inside the reserve itself.

Day two splits the morning and afternoon. An early walking safari takes you on foot through the reserve before breakfast, then a game drive follows in the afternoon through grassland where buffalos, lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes and impalas move across the flood plain. Day three is the transition: another game drive through Selous in the morning, then the drive south toward Mikumi, crossing the Uluguru Mountains and passing through local villages and farmland. If the timing works, you catch a sunset game drive in Mikumi the same evening.

The final two days are built around Mikumi's flood plain and mountain ranges. A full day of game viewing on day four puts you in front of lions, elands, hartebeest, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, hippos and the park's grazing elephants. Day five starts with a sunrise game drive, then the return journey to Dar es Salaam in the late afternoon. Your driver-guide speaks English or French and handles all the navigation. The 4x4 Landcruiser has a pop-up roof so you can stand and shoot or simply watch without the windscreen in the way.

What’s included

• Transport from Dar es Salaam to both parks and back.
• 4x4 Landcruiser with pop-up roof and driver-guide speaking English or French.
• four nights of accommodation at Selous Tented Camp and Camp Bastian.
• bottled water throughout the safari.

Information

Lasts 5d, runs every day at 07:30, from US$ 1,999 per person, with a live guide in English and French, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 1211 private ›

Live guideEnglish and FrenchOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 to 95 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gecko Adventure Tanzania

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a five-day safari across two reserves with your own vehicle and driver throughout, rather than joining a rotation of larger groups.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between a walking safari and a game drive on this tour?

The walking safari on day two morning takes you on foot through the Selous reserve, moving slowly through the landscape. The game drives use the 4x4 Landcruiser to cover more ground and reach different areas of both parks. Walking gives you a different pace and perspective, while driving lets you travel farther and spot animals across a wider range of habitat.

How much time do I actually spend watching wildlife versus traveling between places?

The five-hour drive from Dar es Salaam to Selous happens on day one. The drive from Selous to Mikumi on day three crosses the mountains and passes villages, taking several hours but includes a game drive en route. Days two and four are dedicated to game viewing in each park. Day five includes a sunrise game drive before the afternoon return to Dar es Salaam. Most of the middle days are spent in the reserves themselves.

What animals am I most likely to see in Selous versus Mikumi?

Both reserves hold hippos, crocodiles, lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes and buffalo. Selous is known for its boat safaris on the Rufiji River, where hippos and crocodiles are especially visible from the water. Mikumi's flood plain is the main feature, and the park's elephants are primarily grazers. The reserves overlap in wildlife but offer different landscapes and viewing angles.

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

Transport from and to Dar es Salaam, the 4x4 Landcruiser with driver-guide, bottled water and all accommodation at Selous Tented Camp and Camp Bastian are included. Gratuities, drinks, laundry and travel insurance are not covered and are your own expense.

How long is the drive from Dar es Salaam to the first camp?

The drive to Selous Game Reserve takes about five hours on day one, passing through untouched areas of Tanzania. You arrive in the afternoon in time for the boat safari on the Rufiji River.