Mikumi Safari From Dar es Salaam - Compare 119 Tours

Mikumi National Park is one of Tanzania’s (and perhaps even one of East Africa’s) most underrated wildlife destinations. It is often compared to the world-famous Serengeti National Park in the country’s north. That’s partly because of the sheer number of animals you can see while you’re in Mikumi, and also because of the wide-open landscapes of Mikumi’s floodplains. But Mikumi gets only a small fraction of visitor numbers compared with the Serengeti, which can make for a truly magical experience. The park is also very easy to get to from Dar es Salaam, making it the perfect southern Tanzanian safari destination.

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5 Questions About Mikumi Safaris From Dar es Salaam

Expert

Answered by

Anthony Ham

Anthony has written numerous Lonely Planet guidebooks, including ‘Tanzania’ and ‘East Africa’. He writes about Tanzania and the wider region for magazines and newspapers worldwide. He is also the author of ‘The Last Lions of Africa’, part of which is set in southern Tanzania.

› More about Anthony

Which animals can I expect to see on a Mikumi National Park safari?

“Mikumi National Park is a wonderful place to go looking for animals. There’s a very good chance that while you’re here you might see elephant, buffalo, impala, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and hippo. Of the big cats, lion is the easiest to see, with some large prides in the park, while leopard is also a possibility. The park also has some other species that might be difficult to find elsewhere. These could include eland, greater kudu (with its extravagantly horned males), sable antelope and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. Mikumi is also an outstanding birding destination, with over 400 different species having been recorded in the park. If you’re here between November and April, you’ll see lots of migratory species that spend these months in the park.”

How many days do I need for a Mikumi safari from Dar es Salaam?

“The ideal minimum for a Mikumi safari from Dar es Salaam is 3 days. A 3-day safari will mean that you travel on day 1 from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi and return (or continue your onward journey elsewhere) on day 3. This leaves you with 1 full day and 2 nights (and around 2 half days) in the park. This is enough time for at least four game drives at the best time of day: early morning and late afternoon, when the animals are at their most active and easiest to see. You could make a 2-day Mikumi trip from Dar es Salaam work, but this would mean you have only 1 night to enjoy the park (and probably only time for two game drives). You could, of course, add extra days. Any extra time you can spare will repay you many times over with more wildlife encounters and a richer, less hurried safari experience.”

Is it recommended to drive or fly from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi?

“You can fly or drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi, and each has its own pros and cons. The advantage of flying is that you get there quickly, leaving you more time to enjoy exploring Mikumi, rather than traveling to get there. This is especially an issue when your safari is short and you’re eager to maximize time spent looking for animals. Another benefit of flying is that an air transfer becomes a scenic flight, and you get some fabulous views on the way in and out. The major downside of flying is the cost: an air transfer is rarely conducive to a cheap or more affordable safari. If you drive, you’ll get to see more of the country up close, with the possibility of meeting more locals on your trip across the country.”

How long does it take to get from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi?

“If you’re flying between Mikumi and Dar es Salaam, your flight should take no more than an hour. The only exception to this is that some flights travel a loop that takes in other parks (e.g. Nyerere National Park, formerly Selous Game Reserve, and Ruaha National Park), and the flight could end up taking longer if Mikumi turns out to be a later stop on the plane’s daily itinerary. You also need to factor in all the time you’ll spend at Dar es Salaam’s airport checking in and waiting for your flight to depart. Even with all of these things to consider, flying will almost always be quicker than driving. To drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi takes around four hours. Remember, however, that Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest and busiest city, and traffic can be a problem. On days of peak traffic, it could take an hour just to get out of the city, before you even begin the 300km/186mi trip from Dar to the park.”

How much will my Mikumi safari from Dar es Salaam cost?

“It might be possible to find budget camping tours for your Mikumi safari from Dar es Salaam for around US$100 to US$150 per person per day. For this price, you’ll be traveling by road (as opposed to flying) and you may need to help around camp with tasks such as putting up and taking down tents, cooking and washing up. Fly-in safari packages could start at around US$350 to US$400 per person per day. It could also cost significantly more than this if you pay for luxury accommodation, travel in high season (June to October) and choose a private safari (where you pay to have the guide, driver and vehicle just for you) instead of a group safari. Make sure you know what’s included in any prices you’re quoted for your safari. Transfers, guide, driver, game drives, food and some drinks, park entry fees (US$20/10 per adult/child per day) and accommodation (including, where applicable, camping equipment) should all be included, but always ask.”

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Mikumi Safari From Dar es Salaam - Compare 119 Tours

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3-Day Mikumi Safari with a Night Game Drive

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4-Day Super Tour - Mikumi NP and Selous GR + Boat Safari

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4-Day Nyerere and Mikumi National Parks

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3-Day Mikumi Wildlife Safari - Mid-Range

3-Day The Best of Mikumi National Park

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4-Day Mikumi NP + Sanje Waterfalls + Maasai Culture

3-Day Wonderful Mikumi NP plus Night Game Drive

3-Day Mikumi National Park and Maasai Village

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5 Questions About Mikumi Safaris From Dar es Salaam

Answered by

Anthony Ham

5 Questions About Mikumi Safaris From Dar es Salaam

Which animals can I expect to see on a Mikumi National Park safari?

How many days do I need for a Mikumi safari from Dar es Salaam?

Is it recommended to drive or fly from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi?

How long does it take to get from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi?

How much will my Mikumi safari from Dar es Salaam cost?