5-Day Selous & Mikumi Safari from Dar es Salaam: Real Wildlife

Summary

Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park Safari Adventure

If you want real wildlife moments—not just ticking boxes—this 5-day safari through Selous and Mikumi is hard to beat. You’ll get close to hippos on the Rufiji River, walk where lions roam at dawn, and watch elephants graze across endless plains—all with guides who know these parks inside out.

What’s the experience like?

The day started early in Dar es Salaam—still a bit hazy from the city’s morning humidity. Our guide, Juma, picked us up right on time. The drive out toward Selous felt like slipping into another world: dusty roads, tiny roadside stalls selling mangoes, and kids waving as we passed by. Five hours later, we reached the edge of Selous Game Reserve just as the sun was starting to dip. There’s this earthy smell near the Rufiji River that hits you before you even see the water. We hopped onto a small boat for an afternoon safari—hippos snorted nearby and crocodiles slid off muddy banks with barely a ripple. Dinner back at Selous Tented Camp tasted even better after all that fresh air.

Next morning was crisp—almost chilly before sunrise. We set out on foot with our ranger, who pointed out fresh lion tracks in the sand (honestly gave me goosebumps). Birds were everywhere; I remember hearing a fish eagle before I saw it swoop low over the reeds. After breakfast back at camp, we switched gears for a game drive. Giraffes moved in slow motion across open plains while zebras kicked up dust behind them. Juma knew every shortcut through the bush and somehow always spotted animals before anyone else.

The third day was mostly on the road again—leaving Selous behind and heading toward Mikumi via Morogoro town. The scenery changed fast: green hills around Uluguru Mountains, then tiny farms with maize drying on tarps outside simple houses. We rolled into Camp Bastian just in time for sunset and caught glimpses of wildebeest grazing near the park edge.

Mikumi’s floodplain is huge—you can see forever here. After breakfast, we spent hours watching elephants graze (they barely notice you if you stay quiet). Lions lounged under acacia trees; sometimes you’d spot just a tail flicking above tall grass. The guides here really know their stuff—they explained how Mikumi elephants don’t damage trees like others do elsewhere in Africa.

On our last morning, we squeezed in one more game drive at sunrise—the light turns everything gold for about half an hour, then it’s gone. By late afternoon we were heading back to Dar es Salaam, tired but honestly wishing we could stay another week.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Drive to Selous and Boat Safari

• Drive from Dar es Salaam to Selous Game Reserve
• 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 and game drive in Selous
• Overnight at Selous Tented Camp

Day 3 — Game Drive and Travel to Mikumi

• Breakfast at lodge
• Game drive in Selous en route to Mikumi via Morogoro
• Sunset game drive in Mikumi National Park (if time permits)
• Overnight at Camp Bastian Mikumi

Day 4 — Full Day Game Drive in Mikumi

• Full day game viewing in Mikumi National Park
• Overnight at Camp Bastian Mikumi

Day 5 — Morning Game Drive and Return

• Early morning game drive and drive back to Dar es Salaam

Top questions

How long is the drive from Dar es Salaam to Selous?

It takes about five hours by road from Dar es Salaam to reach Selous Game Reserve.

What kind of animals will I see?

You’re likely to spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas—and plenty of birds too.

Is this safari suitable for families?

The tour is suitable for most ages but isn’t recommended for infants or travelers with certain health conditions due to long drives and walking safaris.

Are meals included during the trip?

Dinners are served at your camps each night; lunches are usually packed for travel days or served at camp depending on timing.

What’s included

Your trip covers all transport from Dar es Salaam in a 4x4 Landcruiser with pop-up roof for easy viewing, bottled water throughout each day, guided safaris (both walking and by vehicle), boat ride on Rufiji River, plus overnight stays at Selous Tented Camp and Camp Bastian Mikumi.