Gip Adventure · Tanzania · Classic Wildlife Safaris
7-Day Southern Circuit: Selous, Mikumi & Saadani
River, savannah and ocean in one week: boat rides in Nyerere, game drives in Mikumi and Saadani, where the bush meets the beach.
- Nyerere
- Mikumi & Saadani
- 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Private Safari
Tour overview
From the banks of the Rufiji to the shores of the Indian Ocean.
Nyerere National Park, carved out of the great Selous Game Reserve in 2019, lies in south-eastern Tanzania, around 235 km from central Dar es Salaam to Mtemere Gate. Because the southern parks are so little visited, its animals remain truly wild, and both big carnivores and large herbivores are plentiful. Boating, game drives, village visits, walking safaris, hot-air balloon safaris, sundowners, bush meals and nature hikes will leave you enthralled.
Mikumi, near Morogoro, was established in 1964 and covers 3,230 square kilometres. Crossed by the A7 highway, it borders the Selous to the south, the two forming a single ecosystem whose open plains are often compared to the Serengeti. Eland, giraffe, kudu, hippo, zebra, baboon, wildebeest, buffalo and a wealth of birds are all found here.
Saadani, established in 2005, protects the former Saadani Game Reserve, the Wami River, Zaraninge Forest and the former Mkwaja Ranch – the place "where the beach kisses the bush". It is the only wildlife sanctuary in East Africa with an Indian Ocean beachfront, where sunbathing may be interrupted by an elephant strolling past or a lion coming to drink. Palms sway in the ocean breeze, white sands dazzle and traditional dhows drift by as Swahili fishermen whistle, chant and cast their nets. Boat trips, guided walks, game viewing, swimming and a visit to Saadani fishing village round off a remarkable journey.
- Start date
- Can start any day
- Duration
- 7 Days / 6 Nights
- Tour plan
- Customizable itinerary
- Transport
- Extended 4x4 safari vehicle
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Language
- English
Your route
A loop from Dar es Salaam through the bush to the coast.
The safari runs from Dar es Salaam to Nyerere National Park for two nights, west to Mikumi for two nights, then north-east to Saadani National Park on the Indian Ocean coast for two nights, before the drive back down the coast to Dar es Salaam.
- NyerereDays 1–2 · 2 nights
- MikumiDays 3–4 · 2 nights
- SaadaniDays 5–6 · 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 Nyerere 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 Nyerere National Park, with a packed lunch along the way.
On reaching your lodge inside the park, cool off in the swimming pool after the drive, then head out for a late-afternoon boat ride on the river. Enjoy dinner and your first night in the wilderness.
Where you will be staying in Nyerere
Day02Nyerere National Park
After a hearty breakfast at around 08:00, set out for a full day of game drives with lunch at a picnic site. Enjoy everything Nyerere has to offer, from its terrain and varied habitats to its great diversity of plants and wildlife. This magnificent park also offers bird watching, walking safaris, boat safaris, hot-air balloon flights, village visits, bush meals and sundowners.
After lunch there is time for a shorter game drive before you return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Where you will be staying in Nyerere
Day03Nyerere to Mikumi National Park
After breakfast at around 07:30, drive to Mikumi National Park with a packed lunch for the journey.
Game viewing begins en route as you make your way to your riverside camp in the park. Settle in and enjoy dinner and overnight.
Where you will be staying in Mikumi
Day04Mikumi National Park
After a warm breakfast at around 07:30, set out for a full day of game drives in Mikumi National Park, with lunch at a picnic site, enjoying everything the park's open plains and woodlands have to offer.
After lunch there is time for a shorter game drive before you return to camp for dinner and overnight.
Where you will be staying in Mikumi
Day05Mikumi to Saadani National Park
After a hearty breakfast at around 07:30, leave Mikumi for the drive to Saadani National Park on the Indian Ocean coast, with a packed lunch for the journey.
Arrive at your lodge, where the bush meets the beach, and settle in for dinner and overnight to the sound of the ocean.
Where you will be staying in Saadani
Day06Saadani National Park
After a hearty breakfast at around 08:00, set out on a full-day excursion in Saadani. Enjoy everything the park has to offer, from its healthy wildlife populations and rich birdlife to the Wami River and the Indian Ocean. Game viewing, boating, bird watching and walking safaris are all possible here.
Lunch is at a picnic site, followed by a shorter afternoon game drive before you return to your lodge for dinner and your final night on safari.
Where you will be staying in Saadani
Day07Saadani to Dar es Salaam and departure
After a leisurely breakfast at around 09:00, begin the drive back to Dar es Salaam with a packed lunch for the journey.
You will be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to the airport for your onward departure, bringing your safari to an end.
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)
- Boat excursion
- Cultural tour
- Bonfire
- Bush meals and sundowner
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 7-Day Southern Circuit: Selous, Mikumi & Saadani 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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