Gip Adventure · Tanzania · Classic Wildlife Safaris
5-Day Southern Circuit: Mikumi & Selous
Two contrasting southern parks in five days: the open plains of Mikumi and the river wilderness of Nyerere, finishing with a guided bush walk.
- Mikumi & Nyerere
- 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Private Safari
Tour overview
From the 'Mini Serengeti' to the banks of the Rufiji.
Mikumi is the nearest national park to Dar es Salaam, named after the settlement of Mikumi just outside its south-western boundary – which in turn takes its name from the spindle-shaped Borassus palms that grow there in profusion. There is plenty to see: lion, leopard and many antelope species, including, with luck, the sable antelope. Almost square in shape, the park supports large herbivores and big carnivores alike across its open plains.
Nyerere National Park, formerly the Selous Game Reserve, is a vital refuge for countless species. Large parades of elephants may be seen wading, wallowing and mud-bathing along the wide, muddy Rufiji River, Tanzania's largest, while pods of hippos and crocodiles bask and slosh in its waters.
This five-day safari pairs the two parks, with two nights in Mikumi and two in Nyerere, and ends with an early-morning walking safari before the drive back to Dar es Salaam.
- Start date
- Can start any day
- Duration
- 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Tour plan
- Customizable itinerary
- Transport
- Extended 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Language
- English
Your route
Mikumi's plains first, then east to the Rufiji wilderness.
From Dar es Salaam you drive west to Mikumi National Park for two nights, then make the long transfer of about eight hours to Nyerere National Park for two nights, before returning by road to Dar es Salaam on the final day.
- MikumiDays 1–2 · 2 nights
- NyerereDays 3–4 · 2 nights
Day by day
Your journey, day by day
Open each day to see the route, the safari experience and where you will sleep in each accommodation level.
Day01Arrival in Dar es Salaam and transfer to Mikumi National Park
Your Gip Adventure team member will meet you at 07:00 on arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, or collect you from your hotel in the city, for the road transfer to Mikumi National Park, with a picnic lunch along the way.
Your camp lies within the park, where the area around Mwanamboga offers great wildlife viewing. On arrival, relax after the journey with a cooling swim in the pool, then enjoy dinner and overnight.
Where you will be staying in Mikumi
Day02Mikumi National Park
After a warm breakfast at around 08:00, set out for a full day of game drives in Mikumi. The park's open horizons teem with wildlife, earning it the nickname "the Mini Serengeti", and its varied habitats and terrain reward a slow, patient drive. Like all the southern parks, Mikumi is little visited, so the animals behave naturally and you enjoy a real taste of the African wilderness.
Lunch is taken at a picnic site, followed by a shorter afternoon game drive before returning to camp for dinner and overnight.
Where you will be staying in Mikumi
Day03Mikumi to Nyerere National Park
After a warm breakfast at around 08:00, set off for Nyerere National Park with a packed lunch for the journey. The drive is a long one, of about eight hours.
Once inside the park, enjoy a game drive on the way to your camp, then relax after the journey before dinner and overnight beside the wilderness.
Where you will be staying in Nyerere
Day04Nyerere National Park
After a warm breakfast at around 08:00, spend a full day exploring Nyerere National Park in your extended, spacious 4x4 safari vehicle with its pop-up roof, travelling through the park's varied habitats and terrain.
Lunch is taken at a picnic site, followed by a shorter afternoon game drive before you return to camp for dinner and your final night on safari.
Where you will be staying in Nyerere
Day05Walking safari and return to Dar es Salaam
After an early breakfast at around 06:00, set off on a walking safari through this beautiful park. On foot you enjoy up-close viewing and photography of wild animals – some stare back at you, some seem puzzled, while others dash away to keep their distance. Accompanied by an armed ranger, it is one of the most thrilling moments of the trip.
Return to camp in the late morning, at around 10:00, then depart for Dar es Salaam with a packed lunch. You will be dropped off at the airport, your hotel or the seaport.
Accommodation
Choose your accommodation level
Every night is matched to lodges in that exact area. Switch levels to see where you would stay.
Safari details
What is included in your safari
IncludedWhat is included
- Meet-and-greet service at the airport
- All transfers as per the itinerary
- Transport in an extended, spacious 4x4 safari vehicle
- Concession fees
- Full-board accommodation (per person sharing rates)
- Tanzania Tourism Development Levy
- Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Bottled water
- Snacks and light bites
- Game drives
- National park gate fees
- Professional safari guide
- Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Walking safari
- Bonfire
Not includedWhat is not included
- Personal items and expenses
- Optional activities
- Tips and gratuities
- Laundry (can be arranged on request)
- Visa
Safari pricing
Price on request
Prices depend on your dates, group size and accommodation level. Tell us your plans and we will send an exact quote, usually within the hour.
Comfortable, well-run lodges and tented camps with great locations and real value.
Quote for SilverPremium lodges and camps with more space, better views and a touch of style.
Quote for GoldThe finest luxury lodges and camps, exceptional service and the best locations.
Quote for PlatinumStart planning
Ready to make this safari yours?
Send us your dates, group size and preferred accommodation level and we will tailor 5-Day Southern Circuit: Mikumi & Selous to your plans. No booking fees, and a real person replies, usually within the hour.
Guest experiences
What our travellers say
5.0 · Reviews on Tripadvisor, all rated 5 out of 5
- ★★★★★
Credits Gipson’s calm pacing and constant check-ins on summit night for getting the group to the top of Kilimanjaro.
- ★★★★★
Four friends took the 7-day Machame Route, were checked on regularly for their health, and all four reached the summit.
- ★★★★★
Climbed Kilimanjaro in 2017 and Mount Meru in 2019 with Gipson, then kept coming back to Tanzania with friends and family. Felt safe as a solo hiker.
- ★★★★★
A family of six climbed Kilimanjaro, trusted Gipson’s calls on health and weather, and now want to tackle Mount Meru with him.
- ★★★★★
Gipson led a group of friends to the top of Kilimanjaro. The trip was well organised and his passion for it showed.
- ★★★★★
Rain turned to snow on the climb, but the team kept everyone fed, monitored oxygen levels, and got them to the summit.
- ★★★★★
Felt safe on every day of the Kilimanjaro hike and was confident of summiting in Gipson’s care. Found him funny and knowledgeable.
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