Private Safari to Mikumi National Park from Dar es Salaam

One day, four to five hours in the park, lions and elephants without the Serengeti crowds

A private full-day safari from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park, Tanzania's third-largest park and closest to the city, with hotel pickup at 4 AM, park entry, lunch, and a guide leading a four- to five-hour game drive. Mikumi hosts lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, hippos and over 300 bird species, with fewer crowds and lower costs than the Serengeti. The full day runs 16 hours door-to-door, including the five- to six-hour drive each way and a lunch stop in Morogoro town.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day safari trip to Mikumi Park

• Pickup from Dar es Salaam at 4:00 AM
• Drive 5-6 hours to Mikumi via Morogoro
• Stop for lunch in Morogoro town
• Enter Mikumi National Park
• 4-5 hours safari tour in the park
• Drive 5-6 hours back to Dar es Salaam
• Drop off at hotel/airport/residence

The experience

How do you fit a safari into a single day from Dar es Salaam? Mikumi National Park sits closer to the city than any other major park in Tanzania, which is why this tour leaves your hotel at 4 AM and reaches the park entrance by mid-morning. The drive covers five to six hours each way through Morogoro town, where you stop for lunch on the return leg. That timing lets you spend four to five hours actually inside the park with your guide, watching for the animals that show up most reliably: lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, hippos, elands, hartebeest, warthogs and impalas, plus over 300 bird species moving through the acacia and grassland.

This is a private tour, meaning your group travels alone with one guide and one vehicle. You pick the pace and the stops. The guide reads the animals and the landscape. Mikumi draws fewer visitors than the Serengeti and costs less to enter, so a day here works for travelers who want a real safari but have limited time or budget. The park's open plains and scattered woodland make wildlife visible without the long waits you might face elsewhere. By 4 PM you start the drive back, arriving at your hotel or airport by late evening.

What’s included

• Park entry to Mikumi National Park.
• hotel pickup at 4 AM and drop-off at your hotel or airport.
• lunch and refreshments in Morogoro town.
• unlimited bottled water.
• a private vehicle and English-speaking guide for the full day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (under 6)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 5 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TanzAmerica Safaris Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you have one day and want to see African wildlife without leaving Dar es Salaam for a week. The early 4 AM pickup and long drive are what make a real game drive possible in a single day. The private format means your group sets the rhythm and your guide focuses only on you.

Traveler reviews

4.89★★★★★★★★★★

65 verified traveler reviews

5 ★61

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 6).

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 animals am I likely to see on a Mikumi safari?

Lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo and hippos are frequently spotted in Mikumi. The park also hosts elands, hartebeest, impalas, warthogs and over 300 bird species, so you will see a mix of large mammals and birdlife depending on the season and where your guide takes you during the four- to five-hour game drive.

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

The drive takes five to six hours each way. You leave your hotel at 4 AM and reach the park by mid-morning, then spend four to five hours on the game drive. The return journey starts around 4 PM, with a lunch stop in Morogoro town on the way back to Dar es Salaam.

Is Mikumi less crowded than other Tanzanian parks?

Yes. Mikumi is Tanzania's third-largest park and sits closer to Dar es Salaam than the Serengeti or other major reserves, yet it draws fewer visitors and offers lower entry fees. The combination makes it a good choice for a single-day safari without the crowds or the cost of more famous parks.

What is included in the tour price?

Park entry, hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, bottled water throughout the day, and a guide in English are all included. The guide leads the game drive and travels with your group the entire day.