Southern Circuit — Mikumi & Udzungwa
This itinerary pairs two very different sides of southern Tanzania in a single short trip. Mikumi delivers classic open-plains game viewing on wheels, while the Udzungwa Mountains next door swap the vehicle for boots on the ground — ancient rainforest trails, endemic primates, and a waterfall hike through one of Africa's most biodiverse forests.
Game drives are by 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, with an English-speaking driver-guide throughout. In Udzungwa, an armed park ranger accompanies all forest walks, as required within the national park.
Day By Day
Select a day to see the drive time, activity, and where you'll be spending the night.
Across the Uluguru foothills to the floodplain
Picked up in Dar es Salaam after breakfast, the drive heads west through Morogoro and along the base of the Uluguru Mountains before arriving at Mikumi in the early afternoon. There's time for a first game drive on arrival, crossing the open Mkata floodplain where elephant, giraffe, and zebra are commonly seen grazing right alongside the road.
The Mkata floodplain and Hippo Pool
A full day exploring Mikumi's game-rich floodplain, with morning and afternoon drives broken up by a picnic lunch at camp. Highlights include the resident lion prides that hunt the open grassland, large buffalo herds, and Hippo Pool, where dozens of hippos wallow within easy viewing distance of the vehicle.
From open plains into the eastern arc rainforest
A short morning drive brings you to Udzungwa Mountains National Park, part of the ancient Eastern Arc mountain chain and one of the most biodiverse forests in Africa. After a picnic lunch, an armed park ranger leads the hike up to Sanje Waterfalls, a moderate trail through montane rainforest with a strong chance of spotting the endemic Sanje mangabey and Udzungwa red colobus along the way.
Morning at leisure, then the drive back to the coast
A relaxed start after breakfast, with time for a short forest walk near camp for those who'd like one more look at the birdlife before departing. The drive back to Dar es Salaam retraces the road through Mikumi and Morogoro, arriving in the late afternoon in good time for an evening flight or onward travel.
Get a quote for your dates and group size — we'll handle the rest.
Africa Adventure — Southern Circuit Specialists
Based in Mikumi, Morogoro, Gilbays Safaris runs daily departures into Mikumi National Park alongside safaris and tours across Tanzania — from game drives to Maasai cultural excursions.
