10 Days Selous, Mikumi, Ruaha & Udzungwa National Park
Safari Overview
Regardless of the season, this 10-day adventure takes you deep into Tanzania’s lesser-explored wildlife havens, including Selous Game Reserve, Mikumi National Park, Ruaha National Park, and Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The safari offers an immersive experience with thrilling game drives, breathtaking landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and mountain trekking adventures.
Day 1: Dar es Salaam – Selous Game Reserve
Your journey begins with an early morning departure from Dar es Salaam after breakfast. You will embark on a scenic drive towards Selous Game Reserve, Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuary, covering 55,500 square kilometers. Despite its vast size, Selous remains one of the least crowded reserves, ensuring an exclusive safari experience. A packed lunch will be enjoyed en route, and upon arrival, you will check into your camp or lodge. Later in the afternoon, embark on a two- to three-hour boat safari along the Rufiji River, offering close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species while enjoying a spectacular sunset over the water. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge/camp.
Day 2: Exploring Selous – Walking & Game Drives
Start the day with an early morning walking safari, a thrilling opportunity to explore the African bush on foot under the guidance of an expert ranger. This unique experience allows you to observe animal tracks, insects, and smaller wildlife often missed on game drives. After breakfast back at the camp, you will set off for a full-day game drive with a packed lunch, venturing deeper into Selous’ diverse landscapes of savannah, forests, and riverine ecosystems. The reserve is home to elephants, lions, wild dogs, buffaloes, and over 400 bird species. Return to camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Morning & Evening Game Drives in Selous
Embark on an early morning game drive before the sun rises, when predators such as lions, hyenas, and leopards are most active. After approximately four hours, return to camp for a late breakfast and a leisurely morning. After lunch, venture out for an afternoon game drive until sunset, exploring different parts of the reserve and maximizing your chances of encountering large herds of elephants, giraffes, and elusive leopards. Dinner and overnight at the lodge/camp.
Day 4: Selous – Mikumi National Park
After an early morning breakfast, pack your belongings and set out for Mikumi National Park, enjoying a game drive en route. Lunch will be served along the way. Mikumi is known for its diverse wildlife and open savannah plains, often compared to the Serengeti. The park is home to elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, lions, and large troops of baboons. Upon arrival, check in at your lodge or tented camp for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 5: Full-Day Safari in Mikumi National Park
After breakfast, embark on a full-day game drive, exploring the rich wildlife that Mikumi has to offer. The park’s Mkata floodplain is particularly known for hosting large numbers of buffaloes, wildebeest, and elephants. Lunch will be served at a scenic picnic site within the park, allowing you to take in the natural beauty of the landscape. After an afternoon break, set out for an evening game drive, returning to the lodge just after sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge/hotel.
Day 6: Mikumi – Ruaha National Park
After an early breakfast, depart for Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest national park, covering 20,226 square kilometers. Enjoy the stunning scenery along the way, with a lunch stop in Iringa, a historic town in the Southern Highlands. Upon arrival, check in at your accommodation before setting off on an evening game drive, where you might spot cheetahs, leopards, and elephants roaming the vast wilderness. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge/camp.
Day 7: Exploring Ruaha National Park
An early morning game drive provides an opportunity to witness the breathtaking African sunrise while observing wildlife in action. Ruaha is famous for its high concentration of predators, including lions, leopards, wild dogs, and hyenas. After a mid-morning break and breakfast, continue exploring the park, breaking for lunch before embarking on a late afternoon game drive until sundown. Dinner and overnight at the lodge/camp.
Day 8: More Wildlife Adventures in Ruaha
Spend another full day in Ruaha National Park, with both morning and evening game drives. The park is also home to one of the largest populations of elephants in East Africa, as well as hippos, antelopes, and over 570 bird species. A hot lunch will be served at the camp, allowing for some relaxation before your sunset game drive, the perfect time to witness predators hunting and herbivores gathering at water sources. Dinner and overnight at the lodge/camp.
Day 9: Ruaha – Udzungwa Mountains National Park
After an early breakfast, pack your belongings and depart for Udzungwa Mountains National Park, enjoying a game drive en route. Stop for lunch in Iringa town, known for its vibrant markets and cultural heritage. Upon arrival, check in at Twiga Hotel, where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 10: Udzungwa Trekking & Return to Dar es Salaam
Start the day with an early morning trek into the Udzungwa Mountains, a tropical rainforest rich in biodiversity. The hike leads to stunning viewpoints overlooking vast sugarcane plantations and rolling hills. During the trek, you will have the chance to see endemic primates such as the Udzungwa red colobus monkey, along with a variety of medicinal plants and rare bird species. Lunch will be served at the mountaintop, offering breathtaking panoramic views before descending for the return journey to Dar es Salaam, marking the end of an unforgettable safari adventure.
Why Choose This Safari?
✅ Diverse Wildlife Experience – Enjoy both land-based and water-based safari activities.
✅ Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure – Explore two of Tanzania’s most underrated wildlife destinations.
✅ Perfect for Short Getaways – Ideal for travelers with limited time but seeking maximum adventure.
✅ Expert Safari Guides – Gain insightful knowledge from professional safari guides.
This itinerary offers an authentic and immersive Tanzanian safari, perfect for wildlife lovers, adventure seekers, and those looking to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Included Packages
Excluded Packages
Packing List
Safari Activities
Best Time For Safari
The dry season (June–October and January–February) offers clear skies and is ideal for wildlife viewing as animals gather around water sources. Avoid the rainy season (March–May and November–December).
Ensure you're fully equipped for the adventure. Key items include:
