Tanzania Safari
Tanzania Safari

Mikumi National Park Safari

Day trip, 2-day and 3-day Mikumi safari packages from Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, with a private 4x4, an expert guide and park fees included.

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Mikumi National Park Safari from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar

Mikumi National Park is Tanzania's most accessible safari destination, and a Mikumi safari is the easiest way to see lions, elephants, giraffes and zebras without a long flight or a big budget.

Set in the south of Tanzania, the park is dominated by the Mkata Floodplain, often called the "Little Serengeti" for its wide grasslands and good wildlife density. Because the park lies only a half-day drive from Dar es Salaam, you can leave after breakfast and be on a game drive the same afternoon. Monda Africa Tours & Safaris is a Zanzibar-based tour operator, so we also help guests who are staying on Zanzibar combine a beach holiday with a Mikumi safari.

Choose one of our three ready-made Mikumi safari packages below, or ask for a custom quote built around your dates, budget and group.

Mikumi Safari Packages

Safari vehicle on a game drive in Mikumi National Park
1 Day

Mikumi Day Trip

Dar es Salaam – Mikumi – Dar es Salaam

A full-day Mikumi safari for travellers short on time, with hotel pick-up and drop-off in Dar es Salaam.

  • Full-day game drive on the Mkata Floodplain
  • Picnic lunch and park entry fees included
  • Same-day return to your hotel
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Elephant grazing in Mikumi National Park
2 Days / 1 Night

Mikumi 2 Days Safari

Overnight at Vuma Hills or similar

Sunrise and sunset wildlife viewing with one night near the park, the best balance of time and value.

  • Afternoon and early-morning game drives
  • 1 night full board accommodation
  • 4x4 pop-up roof vehicle and guide
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Zebras grazing in Mikumi National Park
3 Days / 2 Nights

Mikumi 3 Days Safari

Overnight at Tanapa Bandas or similar

Our most popular Mikumi package, with time to explore different areas of the park at a relaxed pace.

  • A full day exploring the Mkata Floodplain
  • 2 nights full board accommodation
  • Hippo pool visit and extra game drives
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Which Mikumi Safari Is Right for You?

PackageDurationAccommodationBest for
Mikumi Day Trip1 dayNone (same-day return)Travellers with limited time
Mikumi 2 Days Safari2 days, 1 nightFull board, Vuma Hills or similarSunrise and sunset game drives
Mikumi 3 Days Safari3 days, 2 nightsFull board, Tanapa Bandas or similarA relaxed, thorough safari

About Mikumi National Park

Established in 1964, Mikumi is Tanzania's fourth largest national park, covering roughly 3,230 square kilometres. It is framed by the Uluguru and Udzungwa mountains and forms part of a much larger ecosystem that includes the Selous.

The heart of the park is the Mkata Floodplain, where open grassland, acacia woodland and seasonal waterholes make wildlife easy to see from a safari vehicle. The park is also known for its hippo pools and for more than 400 recorded bird species, so every game drive offers something different.

Mikumi is less crowded than the northern circuit parks, which means quieter game drives and more time with the animals.

Mikumi Quick Facts

  • Location: Southern Tanzania, Morogoro Region
  • Size: about 3,230 km²
  • From Dar es Salaam: about 280 km, 4 to 5 hours by road
  • Best time: June to October (dry season)
  • Main habitat: Mkata Floodplain
  • Open: all year round

Wildlife You Can See on a Mikumi Safari

Mikumi is home to lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards (the Big 4), together with giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos, elands, impala, kudu and hartebeest. Wild dogs are also seen in the park, and the birdlife includes the lilac-breasted roller and bateleur eagle.

Rhinos are not found in Mikumi, but the open landscape makes it one of the easiest parks in Tanzania for photographing everyday African wildlife.

  • Lions and leopards
  • Elephant herds
  • Giraffes and zebras
  • Hippo pools
  • Buffalo and wildebeest
  • 400+ bird species
Elephant family in Mikumi National Park Buffalo herd at a waterhole in Mikumi

Best Time for a Mikumi Safari

Dry season: June to October

The most popular months. Vegetation is thinner and animals gather around water sources, so lion, elephant and hippo sightings are at their best. Days are warm and dry.

Green season: November to May

The park turns green and quiet, with excellent bird watching and good rates. Some roads can be muddy in the heaviest rains of March to May, so ask us for advice on timing.

How to Get to Mikumi National Park

From Dar es Salaam: we collect you from your hotel or residence and drive to Mikumi, about 4 to 5 hours, with a stop on the way. The day trip leaves early in the morning and returns to Dar es Salaam in the evening.

From Zanzibar: travel to Dar es Salaam by flight or ferry and we organise your pick-up and the transfer to the park. We can plan the whole trip so your safari fits neatly between beach days. Ask us about Zanzibar–Mikumi–Zanzibar packages.

Why Book Your Mikumi Safari with Monda Africa Tours & Safaris

Private 4x4 with pop-up roof for clear views and photography.
Professional English-speaking guide and driver.
Park and conservation fees included in our packages.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Dar es Salaam.
Small groups of up to 5 guests per vehicle.
Locally owned Zanzibar tour operator and active member of ZATO.

What to Bring on a Mikumi Safari

Neutral-coloured clothing, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, binoculars and a camera with a good zoom. A light jacket is useful for early-morning game drives.

Mikumi National Park Safari FAQs

The price depends on the package (day trip, 2 days or 3 days), the number of travellers, the accommodation level and your start point. Send us your dates and group size on WhatsApp or through the booking form and we will reply with a quote.

A Mikumi day trip gives you a full day of game drives and returns the same evening. We recommend 2 days (1 night) to enjoy both sunrise and sunset game drives, and 3 days (2 nights) for the most relaxed and thorough visit.

The dry season from June to October is the best time for a Mikumi safari, because animals gather around the remaining water sources and the grass is shorter. The green season (November to May) offers lush scenery and excellent bird watching, and the park is open all year.

Mikumi is roughly 280 km west of Dar es Salaam, about 4 to 5 hours by road, which makes it the most accessible safari park from the city.

Yes. Many guests combine Zanzibar with Mikumi. You travel from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam by flight or ferry and we arrange your pick-up and the drive to Mikumi. Ask us about Zanzibar–Mikumi–Zanzibar packages.

Mikumi is home to lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards (the Big 4). Rhinos are not found in the park, but giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hippos and hundreds of bird species make up for it.

Packages include a private 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, a professional English-speaking guide and driver, park entry and conservation fees, meals and bottled water as listed for each package, and hotel pick-up and drop-off in Dar es Salaam. Check each package page for the exact inclusions.

Yes. We can extend your trip with Udzungwa Mountains, Selous Game Reserve, Ruaha National Park or a Zanzibar beach stay, change the accommodation level or arrange a private departure for your group. Tell us what you need and we will prepare a custom quote.

Extend Your Southern Tanzania Safari

Add more wildlife to your trip with Mikumi & Udzungwa 3 Days, Mikumi & Udzungwa 4 Days, Selous 3 Days, Selous 4 Days or Ruaha 4 Days, or finish with a beach stay on Zanzibar's north coast.

Ready for Your Mikumi National Park Safari?

Book one of our packages or tell us what you need and we will send a custom quote.

Request a Custom Quote Booking Form