Mikumi National Park Day Trips

Mikumi National Park is one of the best national parks and wildlife destinations in southern Tanzania. It is easily accessible from Dar es Salaam and close to other national parks, including Nyerere (Selous) and Udzungwa Mountains. It’s a little like a lesser-known Serengeti, and it rewards all visitors no matter how much time you have to spend here.
Yes, 1 day will never be enough to experience everything that Mikumi has to offer, so plan to stay longer if you can. But 1 day in the park is still one of the best days you can have on safari, and if you simply don’t have more time, you still have so much to look forward to.

How to get to Mikumi National Park

Safaris to Mikumi National Park usually start from Dar es Salaam, and your point of entry for the country will generally be Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). In most cases, your tour operator will pick you up from the airport and handle all further ground operations or domestic flights.

Flying to one of Mikumi’s airstrips is possible from Nyerere (formerly Selous Game Reserve) and Ruaha National Parks, as well as from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Charter flights might also be possible from some of Tanzania’s Northern circuit parks.

Mikumi is a 6-hour* drive from Dar es Salaam (300km/186mi to the east) and is sometimes visited as a weekend getaway by residents. Many travelers who visit Mikumi do so en route to the popular Ruaha National Park.

Effortless Travel to Mikumi National Park

With the new SGR service, you can catch a morning train from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, a quick journey of just 1 hour and 30 minutes. From Morogoro, it’s another swift 1-hour transfer to the Mikumi National Park gate. By 9:00 am, you’ll be embarking on an exciting game drive through the park, spotting diverse wildlife in their natural habitat.

Explore Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park, part of the larger Selous ecosystem, is renowned for its abundant wildlife and beautiful landscapes. The park is home to the “Big Four” (lion, elephant, buffalo, and leopard) and a variety of other species such as giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hippos, and crocodiles. Bird enthusiasts will be delighted with over 400 bird species found in the park, including rare and colorful species.