Southern Circuit — Mikumi National Park
The fastest way to see real game in Tanzania without an overnight stay. Mikumi's open Mkata floodplain sits closer to Dar es Salaam than any other big-game park, making it possible to leave the city before sunrise and be back in time for dinner, with two full game drives and a picnic lunch in between.
Travel is by 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for game viewing, with an English-speaking driver-guide throughout. This trip suits travellers with a layover in Dar es Salaam, a short window before a flight, or anyone who wants a taste of safari without committing to a multi-day itinerary.
The Day
An early start makes the most of the drive time, leaving a full day for game viewing before the return trip to Dar es Salaam.
An early pickup from your hotel gets ahead of city traffic and the midday heat further down the road, with the vehicle stocked with bottled water for the journey.
The drive heads west through Morogoro and along the base of the Uluguru Mountains, with a short rest stop en route before arriving at the park gate mid-morning.
Straight into the park for a game drive across the open Mkata floodplain, where elephant, giraffe, zebra, and buffalo are commonly seen grazing close to the road, with a good chance of lion on the plains beyond.
A packed picnic lunch at a designated rest area inside the park, with time to stretch your legs and swap notes on the morning's sightings before heading back out.
A second drive covers different ground, typically routed via Hippo Pool, where dozens of hippos wallow within easy viewing distance of the vehicle.
Departing the park gate in the late afternoon, the return drive retraces the road through Morogoro, arriving back in Dar es Salaam by early evening.
Get a quote for your date 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.
