8-Day Southern Tanzania: Mikumi, Udzungwa & Ruaha Adventure

Upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Dar es Salaam.

After your journey, this first day is set aside for relaxation and recovery, allowing you to settle in comfortably before your safari adventure begins. Dar es Salaam, located along the Indian Ocean, offers a calm and welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal starting point for your trip.

You will stay at the comfortable
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dar es Salaam, a well-appointed mid-range hotel known for its beachfront setting, spacious rooms, and relaxed environment.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure — you may relax by the pool, enjoy the ocean views, or simply unwind after your flight.

This overnight stay ensures a smooth start for your journey to Mikumi National Park the following day.

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation: Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dar es Salaam (Mid-range Hotel)

After an early breakfast at your hotel in Dar es Salaam, you will depart for Mikumi National Park, located approximately 5–6 hours away by road.

The journey takes you through changing landscapes, small towns, and rural countryside, offering a glimpse into everyday life in Tanzania. As you approach Mikumi, the scenery opens into wide savannah plains, often compared to the Serengeti due to their abundant wildlife.

Upon arrival, you will begin your safari with a game drive in the park. Mikumi is home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, and lions, along with a variety of antelope species and birdlife. Its open terrain makes wildlife easier to spot, making it an excellent introduction to your safari.

Later in the day, you will head to your camp for check-in.

You will stay at
Vuma Hills Tented Camp, a comfortable mid-range tented camp set on a hillside overlooking the plains. The camp offers a relaxed atmosphere, spacious tents, and beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at the camp and unwind after your first day in the wild.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Vuma Hills Tented Camp 

Today is dedicated to exploring the rich wildlife of Mikumi National Park, offering a full day of game drives across its open savannah landscapes.

After breakfast at Vuma Hills Tented Camp, you will head out for a morning game drive, the best time to see animals when they are most active. Mikumi is known for its wide, open plains, making it easier to spot wildlife such as elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species.

The park also hosts predators including lions, and with some luck, you may witness them resting or hunting in the grasslands.

You can choose to return to camp for lunch and relaxation or continue with a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch inside the park, allowing you to explore more remote areas.

In the afternoon, continue your safari experience, discovering different parts of the park and increasing your chances of seeing a variety of wildlife and bird species.

As the sun sets, return to camp for dinner and enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by nature.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Vuma Hills Tented Camp (Mid-range Tented Camp)

After breakfast at Vuma Hills Tented Camp, you will depart for Udzungwa Mountains National Park, located a short drive from Mikumi.

Unlike traditional safari parks, Udzungwa is known for its lush tropical forests, rich biodiversity, and scenic hiking trails. It is part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, one of the most important ecological regions in Africa.

Upon arrival, you will begin a guided hike through the forest to the spectacular Sanje Waterfalls, one of the park’s main highlights. The trail takes you through dense vegetation, where you may encounter unique wildlife such as monkeys, including the rare Udzungwa red colobus.

The hike leads to the stunning waterfalls, cascading down multiple tiers and offering breathtaking views over the surrounding forest and plains. You will have time to relax, enjoy the scenery, and take photos before descending.

After the hike, transfer to your lodge for check-in.

You will stay at
Udzungwa Falls Lodge, a comfortable mid-range lodge set in a peaceful natural environment.

In the evening, enjoy dinner and relax after a day of adventure.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Udzungwa Falls Lodge (Mid-range Lodge)

After breakfast at Udzungwa Falls Lodge, you will begin your journey to Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest and one of its most remote national parks.

The drive takes you through scenic and less-traveled parts of southern Tanzania, passing rural landscapes and small villages, offering a glimpse into local life along the way. A packed lunch will be provided during the journey.

Upon arrival in Ruaha, you will head out for a game drive as you make your way to your camp. This is your first introduction to the park’s rugged terrain, characterized by rolling hills, baobab trees, and the Great Ruaha River.

Ruaha is known for its impressive wildlife, especially large elephant herds and a strong population of predators, including lions, leopards, and cheetahs.

You will stay at
Asanja Ndembo Camp, a comfortable mid-range tented camp offering an authentic safari experience in the heart of the wilderness.

After settling in, enjoy dinner at the camp and relax after a full day of travel and adventure.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Asanja Ndembo Camp 

Today is dedicated to exploring the vast and untamed wilderness of Ruaha National Park, one of the most rewarding safari destinations in southern Tanzania.

After breakfast at Asanja Ndembo Camp, you will head out for a morning game drive, when wildlife is most active. Ruaha is especially known for its large lion prides and strong predator presence, making every game drive exciting and full of possibility.

The park’s landscape is dotted with ancient baobab trees and open plains, providing a dramatic setting for wildlife viewing. Large herds of elephants are commonly seen, along with buffalo, giraffes, zebras, and a variety of antelope species.

You may return to camp for lunch and relaxation or continue with a full-day safari with a packed picnic lunch, allowing you to explore more remote areas of the park.

In the afternoon, continue your game drive, discovering different parts of Ruaha and increasing your chances of encountering a wide range of wildlife.

As the sun sets over the landscape, return to camp for dinner and enjoy your final evening in the African wilderness.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Asanja Ndembo Camp 

After breakfast at Asanja Ndembo Camp, you will begin your journey back to Dar es Salaam by road.

This is a long but scenic drive through southern Tanzania, passing through rural landscapes, small towns, and local villages, offering a final glimpse into everyday life beyond the safari parks. A packed lunch will be provided along the way, and there will be stops to stretch and refresh.

Upon arrival in Dar es Salaam in the late afternoon or evening, you will be transferred to your hotel, where you can relax and unwind after your adventure.

You will stay at
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dar es Salaam, a comfortable beachfront hotel offering a relaxing atmosphere by the Indian Ocean.

The rest of the evening is at leisure — enjoy the hotel facilities or simply rest as you reflect on your journey, from the wildlife of Mikumi and Ruaha to the scenic beauty of Udzungwa.

Meal Plan: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dar es Salaam

After breakfast at your hotel in Dar es Salaam, you will be transferred to Julius Nyerere International Airport for your international departure.

As your journey comes to an end, you leave with lasting memories of southern Tanzania — from the wildlife-rich plains of Mikumi to the lush forests of Udzungwa and the remote wilderness of Ruaha National Park.

If you are planning your next adventure, explore our Tanzania safari options for more tailor-made experiences across the country.

We thank you for choosing Oreteti Safari and look forward to welcoming you again for another unforgettable African journey.