Mikumi & Udzungwa: Safari tour with waterfalls + pickup

Summary

Wildlife, baobabs, and waterfalls—three days in southern Tanzania

You’ll wake up early for wildlife in Mikumi National Park, eat lunch under ancient baobabs, hike through Udzungwa’s forests to swim beneath waterfalls, and share laughs with your local guide along the way. With hotel pickup and group vibes included, this is one of those trips you’ll remember long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

It’s funny what sticks in your mind after a trip like this. For me, it was the way the morning air felt—kind of sharp and dusty—when our driver picked us up in Dar es Salaam before sunrise. I barely remember getting into the van (it was 4:30am), but I do remember the first glimpse of Mikumi National Park through the window hours later: flat grasslands, a few giraffes just standing there like they’d been waiting for us. Our guide, Juma, grinned and said something about “Mikumi traffic”—meaning zebras blocking the road. He wasn’t kidding.

The game drive lasted most of the day, but it didn’t feel long. There were these huge baobab trees where we stopped for lunch—honestly, I’d only seen them in photos before. The bark is rougher than I expected; I ran my hand over one while Juma told us about how locals use the fruit for juice (I tried to pronounce it in Swahili and got a laugh out of him). The animals weren’t always close, but when an elephant wandered by as we ate sandwiches, nobody said anything for a minute. It just felt right to be quiet.

The next day was all about Udzungwa National Park. The hike up to the waterfalls took a couple hours—hotter than I thought it would be—and there were these bursts of birdsong that made me stop more than once. The water at the falls was cold enough to make you gasp if you jumped in (I did). Some people just sat on rocks with their feet dangling in; everyone seemed happy to go at their own pace. There’s something about swimming under those falls that makes you forget your phone exists.

On our last morning heading back toward Dar es Salaam, Juma mentioned we could visit a Maasai village or even a snake park if we wanted (not included in the price). A few people went for it—I skipped because honestly, my legs were still tired from hiking and I just wanted to watch Tanzania roll by out the window one more time. Three days isn’t much, but somehow it felt like enough to get under your skin a little bit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Drive to Mikumi & Game Drive

• Transfer to Mikumi National Park
• Full day game drive
• Lunch at Baobab Trees

Day 2 — Hike Udzungwa National Park

• Drive to Udzungwa National Park
• Hike and visit waterfalls

Day 3 — Return to Dar es Salaam

• Optional visit to Maasai village or snake park
• Transfer back to Dar es Salaam

Top questions

How long does the Mikumi & Udzungwa safari tour last?

The tour lasts 3 days with overnight stays near Mikumi National Park.

Is hotel pickup included from Dar es Salaam?

Yes, hotel pickup from Dar es Salaam is included at around 4:30am on day one.

Do I need to be very fit for the Udzungwa waterfall hike?

The hike is suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries.

Are meals provided during the tour?

Lunch is provided during stops such as at the baobab trees in Mikumi National Park.

Can I swim at Udzungwa Waterfalls?

Yes, swimming at the waterfalls is possible during the hike in Udzungwa National Park.

Is visiting a Maasai village or snake park included?

No, visits to a Maasai village or snake park are optional and not included in the main price.

What’s included

Your three days include early morning hotel pickup from Dar es Salaam, all transfers between parks with an experienced local guide leading game drives and hikes, entry fees for both Mikumi National Park and Udzungwa Mountain National Park, plus lunch stops—including one under giant baobab trees—before returning back to your starting point.