4 Day Mikumi and Udzungwa Mountains Safari
Combine savannah game drives in Mikumi National Park with a rainforest hike to the Sanje Waterfall in the Udzungwa Mountains, all from Dar es Salaam.
- Duration
- 4 days
- Route
- Dar es Salaam – Mikumi National Park – Udzungwa Mountains – Dar es Salaam
- Start / end
- Starts and ends in Dar es Salaam (pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or the airport)
- Best time
- June to October is usually best, with dry trails in Udzungwa and good game viewing in Mikumi; the forest trails can be slippery in the long rains of roughly March to May.
- Trip style
- Private safari in a 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof and your own driver-guide, with a park ranger guide for the hike and comfortable mid-range tented camps.
Tour overview
This trip pairs two very different national parks within easy reach of Dar es Salaam. In Mikumi, game drives across the open Mkata floodplain bring you close to elephants, lions, giraffes and buffalo. Just to the south, the Udzungwa Mountains are cloaked in rainforest that is home to rare primates and birds found nowhere else on earth.
The highlight in Udzungwa is the hike to Sanje Waterfall, which plunges down the mountainside with views over the Kilombero Valley. It is a great choice for active travelers, families with older children and anyone who wants to combine wildlife with a day on foot.
Highlights
- Two days of game drives in Mikumi National Park
- Elephants, lions, giraffes and hippos on the Mkata floodplain
- Rainforest hike to Sanje Waterfall in the Udzungwa Mountains
- Chance to see endemic Udzungwa red colobus and Sanje mangabey
- Swimming in pools above the falls
- Easy access from Dar es Salaam
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Dar es Salaam to Mikumi, Afternoon Game Drive
Leave Dar es Salaam early in the morning with your guide for the drive of about 5 hours to Mikumi National Park, passing Morogoro and the Uluguru Mountains. Check in at your camp and have lunch before your first game drive in the afternoon. The Mkata floodplain is home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffalo and lions, while the hippo pool is a highlight. Return to camp as the sun sets over the mountains for dinner and a quiet evening.
Day 2Full Day in Mikumi National Park
Spend the whole day exploring Mikumi, starting early when predators are active and the light is soft. Your guide will explore the park's network of tracks, looking for lions resting in the shade, elephants feeding among the acacias and the eland and sable antelope that are found in some areas. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot or return to camp for a break during the heat of the day, then head out again for an afternoon game drive before dinner.
Day 3Udzungwa Mountains and Sanje Waterfall Hike
After an early breakfast, drive about 1.5 hours south to the Udzungwa Mountains National Park headquarters at Mang'ula. With a ranger guide, hike the Sanje Waterfall trail through lush rainforest, listening for the calls of monkeys and birds. The round trip usually takes about 4 hours, with some steep sections, and leads to viewpoints over the falls and the Kilombero Valley. Cool off in the pools above the waterfall before returning to the trailhead and checking in to your camp near the forest edge.
Day 4Return to Dar es Salaam
After breakfast, you may take a short morning walk near camp to look for primates such as the Udzungwa red colobus before setting off. The drive back to Dar es Salaam takes around 6 to 7 hours, retracing the route through Mikumi, where you may spot elephants or giraffes from the road, and on through Morogoro. Stop for lunch on the way. You are dropped off at your hotel or the airport in Dar es Salaam in the late afternoon or evening.
What is included
- Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and professional driver-guide
- Mikumi and Udzungwa Mountains National Park entrance fees
- Ranger guide for the Sanje Waterfall hike
- 3 nights in tented camps as listed
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Pick-up and drop-off in Dar es Salaam
- Game drives as described
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides and lodge staff
- Drinks unless stated
- Personal items, laundry and souvenirs
Good to know
- The Sanje Waterfall trail is steep in places; good walking shoes, a daypack, water and a light rain jacket are recommended.
- A moderate level of fitness is needed for the hike, but it is suitable for most active travelers and older children.
- Both parks are in malaria areas; consult your doctor about prevention.
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is the Sanje Waterfall hike?
It is moderate, with some steep and uneven sections, and usually takes around 4 hours round trip at a relaxed pace. Your ranger guide sets a comfortable speed and there are plenty of rest stops.
Can we do a longer hike in Udzungwa?
Yes. The park has longer trails, including multi-day routes to Mwanihana Peak. Ask us and we can extend the trip.
Can we swim at the waterfall?
Yes, there are natural pools above the falls where it is usually safe to swim, depending on water levels. Your ranger will advise on the day.
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