5 Days Spectacular Safari to Nyerere, Mikumi and Udzungwa Mountains National Parks
About 5 Days Safari to Nyerere, Mikumi and Udzungwa Mountains National Parks
Discover the incredible diversity of Southern Tanzania on this unforgettable 5 Days Spectacular Safari to Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, and Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Carefully designed for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, photographers, and adventure seekers, this safari combines thrilling game drives, a scenic boat safari, and an exciting mountain trek into one extraordinary journey.
Begin your adventure in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania’s largest national park and one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas. Explore the wildlife-rich landscapes during exciting game drives and enjoy a unique boat safari along the Rufiji River, where you can observe hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and countless bird species from the water. Nyerere is also one of the best places in Africa to spot the endangered African wild dog alongside lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, and large elephant herds.
Continue to Mikumi National Park, often referred to as the “Little Serengeti” due to its vast open plains and exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. The park is home to an abundance of animals including elephants, lions, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, elands, and numerous antelope species. Its accessible landscapes provide excellent opportunities for photography and close wildlife encounters throughout the year.
Your adventure concludes in the breathtaking Udzungwa Mountains National Park, one of East Africa’s most important biodiversity hotspots. Unlike traditional safari parks, Udzungwa offers a unique hiking experience through lush tropical forests, home to endemic primates, colorful butterflies, and hundreds of bird species. Trek to the spectacular Sanje Waterfalls, where cascading waters plunge over 170 meters into the valley below, offering stunning panoramic views and an unforgettable wilderness experience.
Throughout this 5-day Tanzania safari, you will experience the best of Southern Tanzania’s wildlife, landscapes, and natural wonders. From thrilling game drives and river safaris to mountain trekking and waterfall exploration, this safari provides the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, and authentic African wilderness. Whether you are visiting Tanzania for the first time or returning to discover its hidden gems, this spectacular safari promises memories that will last a lifetime.
Sample Itinerary for a 5 Days Safari to Nyerere, Mikumi and Udzungwa
Day 1: Dar es Salaam – Nyerere National Park & Rufiji River Boat Safari
Your spectacular Southern Tanzania safari begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel, residence, or airport in Dar es Salaam at approximately 06:00 hrs. After a safari briefing, depart for Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve), one of Africa’s largest and most pristine protected wilderness areas.
Enjoy a scenic drive through the Tanzanian countryside, passing local villages, rolling hills, and beautiful landscapes before arriving at the park in time for lunch and check-in at your accommodation.
In the afternoon, embark on an unforgettable boat safari along the mighty Rufiji River, one of the highlights of any Nyerere safari. As you cruise through the river’s channels and lagoons, keep an eye out for large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles basking along the riverbanks, and elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes coming to the water’s edge to drink. The Rufiji River is also a paradise for bird enthusiasts, offering excellent opportunities to spot African fish eagles, kingfishers, bee-eaters, herons, and many other aquatic bird species.
As the sun sets over the river, enjoy breathtaking views of the African wilderness before returning to camp.
Dinner and Overnight: Africa Safari Camp
Day 2: Full-Day Game Drive in Nyerere National Park
After an early breakfast, depart for a full-day game drive in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania’s largest national park and one of the country’s premier wildlife destinations.
Covering more than 30,000 square kilometers, Nyerere National Park offers vast untouched wilderness and exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Throughout the day, explore a variety of habitats including open savannahs, riverine forests, wetlands, and miombo woodlands that support an incredible diversity of wildlife.
Look out for elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, waterbucks, hartebeests, and warthogs. Nyerere is also one of the few places in Africa where visitors have a chance to encounter the endangered African wild dog.
Enjoy a picnic lunch in a scenic area within the park while surrounded by the sounds of nature. Continue your wildlife exploration throughout the afternoon before returning to camp in the evening.
Dinner and Overnight: Africa Safari Camp
Day 3: Morning Game Drive in Nyerere National Park – Transfer to Mikumi National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning game drive in Nyerere National Park as you begin your journey toward Mikumi National Park. With packed lunches prepared for the day, continue searching for wildlife while traversing different sections of the park.
Later, depart Nyerere and travel through Kisaki Village and Morogoro Town, enjoying views of the Uluguru Mountains and the scenic countryside of Southern Tanzania.
After a picnic lunch en route, continue to Mikumi National Park, often referred to as the “Little Serengeti” because of its expansive plains and abundant wildlife.
Upon arrival, check in at your accommodation and enjoy some time to relax after the journey.
Dinner and Overnight: Park Cottages, Mikumi National Park
Day 4: Full-Day Game Drive in Mikumi National Park – Transfer to Udzungwa Mountains
Start the day with an early morning sunrise game drive, the best time to observe predators and other wildlife as they begin their daily activities. Explore the famous Mkata Floodplain, one of the most productive wildlife-viewing areas in Tanzania.
Return for breakfast before continuing with a full-day game drive across the park’s diverse habitats. Mikumi National Park boasts excellent wildlife viewing year-round and is home to large populations of elephants, lions, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, elands, impalas, warthogs, and numerous antelope species.
Bird lovers will also appreciate the park’s rich avian diversity, with more than 400 recorded bird species inhabiting its grasslands, wetlands, and woodlands.
The open landscapes of Mikumi offer excellent photographic opportunities and often provide some of the easiest wildlife sightings in Tanzania.
After an exciting day of game viewing, depart for nearby Udzungwa Mountains National Park, a biodiversity hotspot famous for its tropical forests, endemic wildlife, and spectacular hiking trails.
Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and prepare for the following day’s mountain adventure.
Dinner and Overnight: Twiga Hotel, Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Day 5: Udzungwa Mountains Trekking Adventure – Return to Dar es Salaam
After an early breakfast, depart from Twiga Hotel and drive to the entrance gate of Udzungwa Mountains National Park for registration and a briefing by your park guide. Today’s adventure takes you into one of Africa’s most important biodiversity hotspots and one of Tanzania’s most unique national parks.
Begin your guided trek along the famous Sanje Waterfalls Trail, one of the park’s most rewarding hiking routes. The trail passes through lush tropical rainforest, offering spectacular opportunities to experience the rich biodiversity of the Eastern Arc Mountains. Along the way, your guide will help you identify various plant species, colorful butterflies, birds, reptiles, and other fascinating wildlife that inhabit this remarkable ecosystem.
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is renowned for its exceptional concentration of endemic species and is recognized as one of the world’s 34 Biodiversity Hotspots. The park is home to 11 species of primates, including two found nowhere else on Earth: the endangered Sanje Mangabey (Cercocebus sanjei) and the Iringa Red Colobus Monkey (Piliocolobus gordonorum). With a bit of luck, you may encounter habituated groups of Sanje Mangabeys moving through the forest canopy.
The highlight of the hike is reaching the magnificent Sanje Waterfalls, a spectacular four-stage waterfall cascading approximately 170 meters down the forested mountainside. From the upper viewpoints, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views stretching across the Kilombero Valley and surrounding wilderness. Guests may also relax and take photographs near the natural pools before beginning the descent.
After completing the trek, return to the park headquarters and begin your journey back to Dar es Salaam via Morogoro Town. Upon arrival in Dar es Salaam, you will be transferred to your hotel, residence, ferry terminal, or airport.
This marks the end of your unforgettable 5 Days Spectacular Safari to Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, and Udzungwa Mountains National Park with Watu Safaris.
Safari Package Includes
- Transportation in a well-maintained 4×4 safari vehicle
- All transfers between Dar es Salaam, Nyerere National Park, Mikumi National Park, and Udzungwa Mountains National Park
- Professional English-speaking safari driver/guide
- Boat safari on the Rufiji River in Nyerere National Park
- Full-day game drives in Nyerere National Park and Mikumi National Park
- Guided trekking excursion to Sanje Waterfalls in Udzungwa Mountains National Park
- 4 nights accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- All park entrance fees and conservation fees
- All meals as detailed in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water throughout the safari
- Government taxes and levies
Safari Package Excludes
- Any items of a personal nature
- International and domestic flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel, medical, and personal accident insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Laundry services
- Telephone calls and internet charges
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
