10 Days Nyerere, Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa Mountains Safari in Tanzania
This 10-days Tanzania safari covers 4 of the Southern Tanzania’s top safari parks and mountain destinations. You will visit Nyerere National Park (2 nights within/outside the park), Mikumi National Park (1 night within/outside the park), Ruaha National Park (3 nights within/outside the park) and Udzungwa Mountains National Park (2 nights near the park) with additional 1 night stay in Dar es Salaam city on arrival day before the safari begins. The tour starts with airport pick up from Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) and ends with airport drop off at the end of the safari. With our Certified, professional, experienced and passionate safari guides, it will be a trip of a lifetime.
10 Days Tanzania Safari at a Glance
- Safari Name: 10 Days Nyerere, Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa Mountains Tanzania Safari
- Starting Point: Dar es Salaam City
- Ending Point: Dar es Salaam City
- Accommodation Before Safari: Overnight stay in Dar es Salaam
- Night 1: Lodge / Hotel in Dar es Salaam City
- Night 2: Lodge / Tented Camp within or outside Nyerere National Park
- Night 3: Lodge / Tented Camp within or outside Nyerere National Park
- Night 4: Lodge / Tented Camp within or outside Mikumi National Park
- Night 5: Lodge / Tented Camp within or outside Ruaha National Park
- Night 6: Lodge / Tented Camp within or outside Ruaha National Park
- Night 7: Lodge / Tented Camp within or outside Ruaha National Park
- Night 8: Lodge / Tented Camp near Udzungwa Mountains National Park
- Night 9: Lodge / Tented Camp near Udzungwa Mountains National Park
- Main Attractions: Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, Ruaha National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park
- Wildlife: Elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs if lucky, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, antelopes, baboons, monkeys, and many bird species
- Best For: Wildlife lovers, photographers, couples, families, solo travelers, nature lovers, adventure travelers, repeat safari travelers, and Southern Tanzania safari explorers
Important Travel Information
| Location | Distance & Travel Time |
|---|---|
| Julius Nyerere International Airport to Dar es Salaam City | Approximately 15 km | About 30 minutes to 1 hour drive depending on traffic and road conditions |
| Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park | Approximately 230 km to 300 km | About 5 to 7 hours drive depending on route, traffic, stops, and road conditions |
| Nyerere Game Drives | Full-day wildlife exploration around river systems, woodland areas, open plains, lakes, wetlands, and predator territories |
| Nyerere Boat Safari | Scenic boat safari along the Rufiji River with opportunities to see hippos, crocodiles, water birds, river landscapes, and wildlife along the banks |
| Nyerere National Park to Mikumi National Park | Approximately 300 km to 350 km | About 6 to 8 hours drive depending on route, stops, and road conditions |
| Mikumi Game Drive | Half-day to full-day wildlife exploration across open plains, woodland zones, waterholes, and scenic safari routes |
| Mikumi National Park to Ruaha National Park | Approximately 320 km to 380 km | About 6 to 8 hours drive depending on route, traffic, stops, and road conditions |
| Ruaha Game Drives | Full-day wildlife exploration around river valleys, baobab landscapes, rocky hills, open plains, woodlands, and predator-rich areas |
| Ruaha National Park to Udzungwa Mountains National Park | Approximately 330 km to 400 km | About 6 to 8 hours drive depending on route, stops, and road conditions |
| Udzungwa Mountains Hiking Experience | Guided forest hiking to waterfalls, viewpoints, primate habitats, birding areas, and beautiful mountain scenery |
| Udzungwa Mountains Exploration | Forest walks, waterfall visits, photography, birdwatching, primate viewing opportunities, and scenic mountain experiences |
| Udzungwa Mountains National Park to Dar es Salaam | Approximately 350 km to 400 km | About 6 to 8 hours drive depending on traffic, stops, and road conditions |
Places You Will Visit on This 10 Days Tanzania Safari
Dar es Salaam City – Gateway to Southern Tanzania Safari
Dar es Salaam City is the main starting point for many Southern Tanzania safaris and serves as an important travel gateway for visitors arriving through Julius Nyerere International Airport. The city offers easy access to Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, Ruaha National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, and other southern safari destinations.
Most travelers spend a night in Dar es Salaam before the safari begins, allowing time to rest and prepare before traveling into Southern Tanzania’s wilderness areas.
Nyerere National Park – Rufiji River, Wildlife and Boat Safari
Nyerere National Park is one of Tanzania’s largest and most impressive wildlife destinations. The park is famous for its beautiful Rufiji River system, lakes, wetlands, woodlands, open plains, and remote wilderness atmosphere.
The park is home to elephants, lions, leopards, African wild dogs if lucky, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, antelopes, hyenas, and many bird species. Its river and lake systems create excellent opportunities for both game drives and boat safari experiences.
Spending two nights within or outside Nyerere National Park allows travelers to enjoy game drives, a scenic boat safari, birdwatching, river views, and unforgettable wildlife encounters in one of Southern Tanzania’s most rewarding safari areas.
Mikumi National Park – Open Plains and Easy Wildlife Viewing
Mikumi National Park is one of the most accessible safari destinations in Southern Tanzania and is known for its open plains, scenic landscapes, and rewarding wildlife viewing. The park is often compared to the Serengeti because of its wide grasslands and classic safari scenery.
The park is home to elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest, hippos, crocodiles, impalas, warthogs, elands, hyenas, and many bird species. Its open landscapes make wildlife sightings easier and photography enjoyable.
Spending one night within or outside Mikumi National Park gives travelers a relaxed safari experience and a wonderful connection between Nyerere, Ruaha, and Udzungwa Mountains.
Ruaha National Park – Remote Wilderness and Big Wildlife
Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania’s wildest and most spectacular safari destinations. The park is known for its remote wilderness, large elephant populations, baobab landscapes, dramatic river valleys, rocky hills, and excellent predator sightings.
The park is home to elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs if lucky, wild dogs if lucky, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, kudu, impalas, sable antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas, and many bird species. Ruaha is especially loved by travelers who want a quieter, less crowded safari experience with strong wildlife diversity.
Spending three nights within or outside Ruaha National Park gives travelers enough time to explore different areas of the park, enjoy full-day game drives, search for predators, photograph dramatic landscapes, and experience the true wilderness atmosphere of Southern Tanzania.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park – Forests, Waterfalls and Hiking
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a beautiful mountain and forest destination known for its waterfalls, hiking trails, primates, rare plants, birdlife, and scenic viewpoints. It offers a different experience from traditional game drives and adds adventure, nature, and fresh mountain scenery to the safari.
The park is home to several primate species, forest birds, butterflies, reptiles, and unique plant life. The popular hiking routes lead through lush forest to waterfalls and viewpoints, giving travelers a refreshing break from vehicle-based safari activities.
Spending two nights near Udzungwa Mountains National Park gives travelers more time to enjoy guided hiking, forest scenery, waterfall visits, birdwatching, primate viewing opportunities, photography, and a peaceful nature experience before returning to Dar es Salaam.
Why Choose This 10 Days Nyerere, Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa Mountains Tanzania Safari?
- Explore Southern Tanzania’s top wildlife parks and mountain landscapes.
- Visit Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, Ruaha National Park, and Udzungwa Mountains National Park.
- Enjoy a scenic boat safari experience on the Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park.
- Spend three nights exploring Ruaha National Park’s remote wilderness and wildlife-rich landscapes.
- Experience Mikumi National Park’s open plains and easy wildlife viewing.
- Spend two nights near Udzungwa Mountains National Park for hiking, waterfalls, forests, viewpoints, and primate habitats.
- Search for elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs if lucky, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and many bird species.
- Enjoy a less crowded safari route away from the busy northern circuit.
- Professional English-speaking safari guide.
- Comfortable 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof.
- Outstanding wildlife, landscape, river, forest, and waterfall photography opportunities.
- Suitable for couples, families, solo travelers, groups, nature lovers, and adventure travelers.
- Experience Tanzania’s wild and beautiful Southern safari circuit.
Best Time for This 10 Days Tanzania Safari
This 10 Days Nyerere, Mikumi, Ruaha and Udzungwa Mountains Tanzania Safari can be enjoyed throughout the year, although the dry season from June to October is especially popular for wildlife viewing. During this period, animals often gather around rivers, waterholes, and open plains, making sightings easier and photography more rewarding.
The green season from November to May offers lush landscapes, fewer crowds, fresh vegetation, newborn animals, excellent birdwatching opportunities, and beautiful photographic scenery. Udzungwa Mountains are especially rewarding for travelers who enjoy forests, waterfalls, hiking, primates, and peaceful mountain landscapes.
Short Itinerary
- Day 1 - Dar es Salaam to Nyerere (Boat Safari in the afternoon)
- Day 2 - Nyerere
- Day 3 - Nyerere
- Day 4 - Nyerere (Walking Safari in the morning) to Mikumi
- Day 5 - Mikumi
- Day 6 - Nyerere (Walking Safari in the morning) to Mikumi
- Day 7 - Ruaha
- Day 8 - Ruaha (Walking Safari - 3 to 4 hours)
- Day 9- Ruaha to Udzungwa Mountains
- Day 10 - Udzungwa Mountains (Hike to Sanje Waterfalls - 2 hours) to Dar es Salaam
Note Prices mentioned are inclusive of boat safari and walking tour for clients staying outside Nyerere. If you stay inside Nyerere National Park,
-Boat safari cost will increase by $75 per person.
-Walking Safari inside Nyerere National Park, will cost extra $70 per person.
Stay Locations
- Day 1 - Nyerere (Within the Park) or Nyerere (Outside the Park)
- Day 2 - Nyerere (Within the Park) or Nyerere (Outside the Park)
- Day 3 - Nyerere (Within the Park) or Nyerere (Outside the Park)
- Day 4 - Mikumi (Within the Park) or Mikumi (Outside the Park)
- Day 5 - Mikumi (Within the Park) or Mikumi (Outside the Park)
- Day 6 - Ruaha
- Day 7 - Ruaha
- Day 8 - Ruaha
- Day 9 - Udzungwa Mountains
Transfers
This tour starts from Dar es Salaam
Airport Pickup/Drop
Pickup or drop off at Dar es Salaam airport on the day of safari: No extra charge
Transfer from Dar es Salaam airport to a city or hotel or vice versa : USD 30 per person
Meals
- Day 1 - Dinner
- Day 2 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 3 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 4 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 5 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 6 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 7 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 8 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 8 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 9 - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Day 10 - Breakfast & Lunch
Drive Times
- Day 1 - Dar es Salaam to Nyerere takes about 4 to 4.5 hours(208 km)
- Day 4 - Nyerere to Mikumi takes about 6 to 6.5 hours
- Day 6 - Mikumi to Ruaha takes about 5.5 to 6 hours (319 km)
- Day 9 - Ruaha to Udzungwa Mountain takes about 6.5 to 7 hours (357 km)
- Day 10 - Udzungwa Mountains to Dar es Salaam takes about 8 to 8.5 hours (356 km)
Note: These are estimated drive times. Because of the traffic, location of the accommodations, and several other factors, actual drive times may vary. Driving distances are approximate and do not account for exact places.
Inclusions
- Park Fees (for Non-Residents).
- Concession/ Camping Fees.
- Daily game drives while on Safari.
- A professional driver/guide.
- 4x4 Land Cruiser or Safari Van.
- All Taxes and VAT.
- Meals as per itinerary.
- Drinking water while on safari (2 litres per person per day).
Exclusions
- International flights.
- Airport Transfers (Unless mentioned otherwise).
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour (Unless mentioned otherwise).
- Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, etc.).
- Tips
- Government imposed increase of Taxes and or Park Fees.
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary.
