We offer this short 2 day safari from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park to cater for not only the foreign traveler that doesn’t have much of time but the would like to have a glimpse of a Tanzanian safari but also for the Residents of Dar es Salaam who wish to make an escape out of the bustling city to a cooler and quieter place while enjoying nature and all what it has to offer!
The 2 days safari from Dar es Salaam involves a considerably long drive so taking off from Dar es Salaam as early as possible is key. We can pick you up as early as 05.00 Hrs from your residence or hotel within the Dar es Salaam CBD so that we may beat the sometimes ‘crazy’ morning snarl ups of Dar and by mid morning then you will have reached your peaceful destination that is Mikumi National Park for your short safari.
Where is Mikumi National Park?
About 300 Kilometers from Dar es Salaam, and covering an area of 3230 Km sq, Mikumi National Park is basically like an extension of the larger Selous Ecosystem and the park’s plains have often been related to the endless plains of the Serengeti so you expect vast savannah plains in which many animals thrive as well as the Miombo Woodlands and great scenic views over the rolling hills of the Uluguru Mountains; one of the Mountain ranges that make up the ancient and legendary ‘Eastern Arc Mountains’ of East Africa that spreads from this area to Eastern Tanzania including Pare and Usambara Mountains and as far as the Taita Hills in South Eastern Kenya.
What to See on your 2 days Mikumi safari from Dar es Salaam
As soon as you enter the stretch of the tarmac road that cuts through the Mikumi National Park along the Dar es Salaam – Mbeya Highway you will start seeing many animals like the cheeky Baboons and Monkeys but can also easily spot easily other animals like zebras, gazelles, impalas and giraffes from the road side which gives you even a ‘free game drive’ even before you enter the actual Mikumi Park Gate. Don’t be surprised to escort a pride of lions along the tarmac highway because here the animals have the right of way.
2 day Safari from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park
Lions Crossing Highway at Mikumi N Park
Other animals that can be spotted in Mikumi include Buffaloes, Greater Kudus, hartebeests, elephants, elands, sable antelopes, wildebeests, and the rare ones like cheetahs and occasional leopards among many other species.
Mikumi National Park is also home to a lot of birds with more than 400 bird species recorded and
the park also allows for Walking safaris which makes it perfect for a bird walk accompanied by an
armed TANAPA Ranger in the mornings or afternoons. This walk is offered as an optional activity
so please request well in advance and Tanzania Safari Supremacy will gladly arrange that for you.
Some of the birds that can be spotted here include; African hawk eagle, African open bill, longtailed
fiscal, mariqua sunbirds, the pale basis, red billed oxpeckers, southern ground hornbill,
purple crested turacos, northern carmine bee eaters, starlings several weaver bird species and
many more.
Best Time to do this 2 days safari from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi
Best time to visit Mikumi just like other parks in Tanzania is the Dry season, that stretches from
June to October, for wildlife viewing in the park. Mikumi is however an all year park (including April
/ May) due to the tendency by the animals gathering around very predictable water sources such
as the Mkata River in the vast wildlife rich Mkata flood plain that stretches for the better part of the
park.
ITINERARY
2 day Safari from Dar es Salaam Itinerary
Day 1 Leave Dar es Salaam for Mikumi National Park.This early morning you will be picked up by your safari guide from your residence in Dar es Salaam
or your hotel or even from the Airport if you arrive early enough and you will drive out of the city as
quick as possible to beat the traffic jams. Soon you will be out of town and drive at a steady pace
along the Mbeya Highway via Chalinze and Morogoro town arriving by mid-morning or early
afternoon depending on your departure time from Dar es Salaam. Lunch can be taken at a camp
inside the park or along the way and as soon as you register at the park’s entrance at Mikumi
National Park you will embark on your first game drive in search of wild animals and birds. You will
do game drives until later in the afternoon before dark when you will check in at a lodge camp at
Mikumi National Park or just outside the park for a well deserved refreshing shower followed by
dinner and overnight. Overnight at Camp Bastian; a nice budget lodge just outside the park’s
boundaries. (Lunch and Dinner included).
Other camps also available depending on your budget and preference for an upgrade.
Day 2 Mikumi National Park – back to Dar es Salaam.
Early morning breakfast then you will enter the Mikumi Park again for one last game drive to see
any animals that you might have missed on the first day. This is also a good time to try your luck in
spotting some nocturnal species as well as other animals which tend to line up along the game
viewing tracks as they avoid the morning dew. After enough game drives and depending on your
plans you will leave Mikumi National Park and drive back to Dar es Salaam with drop off being at
the Airport if departing, or at your hotel in CBD or residence.Breakfast and Lunch included.
It is important to note that this safari involves long drives of about 4 to 5 hours and sometimes
more depending on the traffic floor and traffic police control along this busy highway to Mikumi
National Park.
End of your 2 day safari from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park..
