3 Days Mikumi Safari from Dar es Salaam

3 Days Mikumi Safari from Dar es Salaam Overview

A 3 Days Mikumi Safari is the perfect escape from the bustling city of Dar es Salaam into the wild heart of Tanzania. Just a few hours’ drive away, Mikumi National Park welcomes you with wide open plains, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes. This short yet thrilling safari offers a chance to witness giraffes, elephants, lions, and zebras in their natural habitat, ideal for travelers with limited time.

During this 3 Days Mikumi Safari experience, you may see:

  • Big Cats: Lions, leopards, and cheetahs (less common but possible)
  • Herbivores: Giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, hippos, and elephants
  • Primates: Baboons, vervet monkeys
  • Birds: Over 400 species including lilac-breasted rollers and bateleur eagles
  • Unique Landscapes: Savannah plains, acacia woodlands, and the Mkata floodplain

Highlights of our 3 Days Mikumi Safari

Whether you’re a first-time safari traveler or a seasoned adventurer looking for a quick wildlife getaway, a Mikumi Safari delivers some of Tanzania’s most captivating safari moments in just three days. Here’s what makes Mikumi so special:

Wildlife Density & Diversity

Mikumi National Park is home to over 400 species of wildlife and extensive populations of large mammals, making game viewing incredibly rewarding. On a Mikumi Safari, it’s common to encounter:

  • Elephants moving in herds across the open plains
  • Lions lounging under acacia trees or stalking prey
  • Giraffes nibbling leaves high in the treetops
  • Zebras and wildebeests grazing together in perfect harmony
  • Hippos and crocodiles in waterholes
  • Baboons and vervet monkeys playing around
  • Numerous antelopes, including elands, impalas, and greater kudus

The park is particularly famous for its lion sightings, as they are known to lounge right on the dirt roads.

The Mkata floodplain, an expansive open area dotted with borassus palms, baobab trees, and golden grasses inside Mikumi National Park offers panoramic views of wildlife in action, especially predators stalking prey or elephants migrating across the plains.

One of the biggest draws of a Mikumi Safari is how convenient it is to reach. Unlike other major parks in northern Tanzania that require flights or long drives, Mikumi is just 5–6 hours by road from Dar es Salaam. 

Thanks to the open plains, Mikumi Safari photography is unmatched in this region. The chances of spotting animals at close range, coupled with fewer crowds, mean you’ll have better angles and unobstructed shots of animals in natural behavior.

Mikumi is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, with over 400 species recorded.

Compared to Tanzania’s northern circuit, Mikumi offers a more peaceful and intimate safari experience. 

  • Duration: 3 Days / 2 Nights
  • Destinations: Mikumi National Park
  • Activities: Game drives, wildlife viewing, scenic landscapes
  • Start/End: Dar es Salaam
  • Accommodation: Safari lodges or tented camps (standard or luxury)
  • Best time to visit: June to October (dry season)

Day 1: Drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park

  • Depart early morning from Dar es Salaam and drive through scenic countryside.
  • Stop for lunch in Morogoro town en route.
  • Arrive in Mikumi National Park in the afternoon.
  • Enjoy your first game drive inside the park.
  • Check into your lodge or camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Lodge or tented camp inside or near Mikumi NP

Day 2: Full Day Game Drive in Mikumi National Park

  • Early breakfast, then full-day game drive exploring Mikumi’s rich wildlife.
  • Visit the Mkata Floodplain for the best chances of seeing lions, elephants, and herds of buffalo and antelopes.
  • Picnic lunch at a scenic spot inside the park.
  • Continue your game drive until late afternoon.
  • Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Same lodge or camp as previous night

Day 3: Morning Game Drive & Return to Dar es Salaam

  • Optional early morning game drive for a last chance to spot predators.
  • Return to the lodge for breakfast.
  • Begin your journey back to Dar es Salaam with a lunch stop en route.
  • Arrive in the late afternoon or early evening.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

What’s Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off in Dar es Salaam
  • Park entry fees and government taxes
  • Professional English-speaking safari guide
  • Accommodation on full board basis (FB)
  • Safari vehicle with pop-up roof and window seat
  • Bottled water during game drives
  • All game drives as per itinerary

Not Included

  • International flights
  • Visas and travel insurance
  • Alcoholic drinks and personal expenses
  • Tips for guide and lodge staff
  • Optional activities and items of a personal nature

Best Time for a Mikumi Safari (Month-by-Month Guide)

Mikumi National Park can be visited all year round, but the wildlife experience varies slightly with the seasons. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide when is the best time for your Mikumi Safari:

Dry Season (June – October)

This is the best time for our 3 Days  Mikumi Safari for most travelers.

A lion during our 3 days mikumi safari

June – July
    • The bush starts to thin out after the rains, making wildlife easier to spot.
    • Elephants and other animals gather around waterholes.

Great for photography with clear skies and golden light

    • Peak game-viewing season.
    • Wildlife is very active and visible as vegetation is at its lowest.
    • Temperatures are comfortable and dry.
    • Still dry, though temperatures start rising.
    • Excellent for predator sightings as they concentrate around remaining water sources.

Green Season (November – May)

This period includes both the short and long rainy seasons and offers a different kind of safari experience.

November – December (Short Rains)
    • Light rains begin but are not disruptive.
    • The park starts to turn green, and migratory birds begin to arrive.
    • Great mix of sun and green scenery.
    • A drier gap between the rains.
    • Wildlife still visible, and the scenery is lush and photogenic.
    • Fewer tourists, so more privacy.
    • The heaviest rains fall in these months.
    • Roads may become slippery; wildlife sightings are harder but still possible.
    • This is the low season, so prices are lower and the park is quiet.
    • Rains ease up.
    • Beautiful green landscapes, and wildlife starts emerging from the thick bush.

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How to pack for our 7 days great migration safari package

What to Pack for 3 Days Your Mikumi Safari

• Light, neutral-colored clothing <br>
• Comfortable walking shoes<br>
• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)<br>
• Insect repellent<br>
• Camera with extra batteries or power bank<br>
• Personal medication<br>

Why Book Your 3 Days Mikumi Safari with Kili Highlands?

  • Locally owned & operated by Tanzanian experts
  • Customized, private safaris tailored to your travel goals
  • Experienced guides who know where to find the action
  • Comfortable accommodations to suit every budget
  • Commitment to sustainable tourism and community support

Start Planning Your 3 Days Mikumi Safari

Ready to explore Mikumi National Park and see a lot of animals up close?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi National Park?

The drive takes approximately 5 to 6 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.

Yes, Mikumi National Park is considered safe for tourists. Our guides follow strict safety protocols for both wildlife and road travel.

You can expect to see elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, buffaloes, hippos, wildebeests, and more. Leopards and cheetahs are less common but possible.

Yes, Mikumi is in a malaria-prone region. Please consult your doctor before traveling.

We offer both mid-range and luxury lodges or tented camps with en-suite bathrooms, and electricity.

Can I take this Mikumi Safari as a weekend trip?

Yes! This is one of the best weekend getaways from Dar es Salaam, perfect for a short holiday.

All safaris with Kili Highlands are private unless you request to join a small group.

Yes, our 3 Days Mikumi Safari is family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages.

Yes, most areas of the park have mobile signal, but some remote zones may have limited reception.

Serengeti is larger and more famous, but Mikumi offers a similar landscape and wildlife experience on a smaller scale and is much closer to Dar es Salaam.