5 Days Safari to Selous & Mikumi

Wild Tanzania starts south of the usual route. This five-day safari links Selous Game Reserve and Mikumi National Park from Dar es Salaam, pairing boat viewing, a walking safari, and long game drives across quieter southern Tanzania. I like the mix of activities, and I like that the trip includes transport, meals, bottled water, a guide, and a 4×4 Landcruiser with a pop-up roof. The main drawback is the amount of time spent on the road, especially on the first and final days.

You also get a small-group setting, with a maximum of 12 people, and the operator can arrange pickup from your Dar es Salaam accommodation. Guides named in past trips include Juma, Otto, Musa, and Endrick, while Rama handled trip planning for several guests. At $1,999 per person, this is not a cheap break, but the five days cover a lot of ground and include several safari services that can quickly add up when booked separately.

Key points to know before you book

• Boat safari in Selous: Expect hippos and crocodiles viewed from the water, a change from the standard vehicle safari.
• Walking safari on Day 2: This gives you a closer look at the reserve without relying only on a vehicle.
• Two very different parks: Selous offers a broad, less crowded wilderness setting, while Mikumi centers on its flood plain and mountain edges.
• Long driving days: The route from Dar es Salaam to Selous takes about five hours, and Day 3 includes the onward trip through Morogoro.
• Meals are covered: Four breakfasts and dinners, five lunches, bottled water, and transport are included.
• Flexible trip feel: The maximum group size is 12, but some past bookings were arranged privately or with upgraded lodges, so confirm your exact setup before paying.

Why southern Tanzania makes a good safari choice

Most first-time safari plans point north, toward the Serengeti and Ngorongoro. This route takes you south instead, to Selous and Mikumi, where the experience is built around open space, varied activities, and fewer vehicles than you may find on the busiest northern routes.

That quieter feel is the chief attraction. I like being able to watch wildlife without a long line of safari vehicles around every sighting. You should still keep expectations sensible. These parks are not a wildlife vending machine, and animal sightings depend on season, weather, guide skill, and plain luck.

The itinerary also gives you more than repeated game drives. You will travel by boat, walk in the reserve with a guide, and cross the countryside by road. That variety matters. A safari can become tiring when every day follows the same pattern, but here each park has a different rhythm.

The drive itself is part of the trip. You pass through rural areas, farms, villages, rivers, and the Uluguru Mountains near Morogoro. It is not just dead time between parks, though the road hours may feel long if you prefer a quick transfer.

Day 1: From Dar es Salaam to Selous by road and river

Pickup begins at about 7:30 in the morning from your Dar es Salaam meeting point or accommodation. You travel with a packed lunch and spend roughly five hours driving toward Selous Game Reserve.

This first transfer takes you away from the city and into a less developed part of Tanzania. The route passes through areas described as largely unexplored and untouched, although you should understand that the day is still primarily a road journey. Bring patience, water, sun protection, and something to occupy you between wildlife stops.

After arriving in the afternoon, the plan is to take a three-hour boat safari. This is one of the strongest features of the trip. From the water, you can watch hippos and crocodiles in their natural setting, along with the river environment that supports them.

Boat viewing gives you a lower, slower angle than a vehicle. It can also make animal behavior easier to appreciate, especially when hippos surface or crocodiles lie along the banks. The exact timing may depend on your arrival and local conditions, so the first day has a fairly tight schedule.

Dinner and overnight accommodation follow at the Selous camp. The tour information names Selous Tented Camo and Camp Bastian in Mikumi as the planned stays. Because some past arrangements used different lodges or upgraded camps, I would ask for the exact accommodation names, room type, and meal plan before departure.

Day 2: Walking through Selous, then a full game drive

Day 2 begins early with a walking safari. Afterward, you return to the lodge for breakfast before setting out on a game drive lasting about eight hours.

The walking portion is valuable because it changes your attention. From a safari vehicle, you naturally scan for large animals. On foot, you notice tracks, smaller signs, plants, and sounds. The supplied information does not specify the exact route or walking duration, so ask the operator how strenuous the walk is and what safety arrangements apply.

The later game drive covers a wide range of possible sightings. Selous is noted for buffalo, lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, impalas, warthogs, hippos, and crocodiles. No guide can promise a particular animal, but the reserve’s variety gives you a good chance of seeing several species during a full day.

I would treat this as the core wildlife day. You have an early start, a break for breakfast, and then many hours in the vehicle. The pop-up roof on the 4×4 Landcruiser helps with viewing and photography, but long drives can still be dusty, hot, and tiring.

Guides such as Juma, Otto, Musa, and Endrick were praised for safe driving, good manners, animal spotting, and clear explanations. Your guide will have a major effect on the trip, so it is reasonable to ask who is assigned to your departure, especially if you need a French-speaking guide or have a strong preference about language.

Day 3: Leaving Selous through Morogoro to Mikumi

After breakfast, you continue with a game drive in Selous before heading toward Mikumi National Park. The route passes through Morogoro, crosses the Uluguru Mountains, and runs past rivers, farms, and small villages.

This is the transition day, and the schedule needs careful reading. The listed activity time for the Mikumi stop is only 10 minutes, but the overall description says you may arrive in time for a sunset game drive. In practical terms, you should expect a substantial driving day, not a short park visit.

The route gives you a look at daily life outside the reserves. You see how villages and farms fit into the wider setting, which adds useful context to the protected areas. It also means less time in the vehicle looking for animals and more time watching Tanzania pass by.

If you arrive early enough, the sunset drive in Mikumi can be a fine reward after the transfer. If the road takes longer, the drive may be shortened or missed. I would not book this itinerary expecting a guaranteed sunset session on Day 3. Think of it as a possible bonus.

Day 4: A full day across Mikumi’s flood plain

Mikumi receives your fullest single day, with about nine hours of game viewing after breakfast. The park’s main feature is its flood plain, bordered by mountain ranges.

The open plain can make wildlife easier to spot than in thicker vegetation. Possible sightings include lions, elands, hartebeest, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, hippos, and elephants. The description also notes that Mikumi’s elephants are mainly grazers and do not cause tree damage, an interesting detail for anyone curious about the link between animal behavior and plant life.

This is the day for unhurried viewing. You may spend time watching a herd rather than rushing from one sighting to another. Your guide’s driving choices matter here, as does your willingness to sit quietly and wait.

Nine hours in a safari vehicle is a long stretch. Wear comfortable clothes, protect your camera from dust, and do not pack your day so tightly that you resent the pauses. The reward is a full day in the park rather than a quick stop between transfers.

Day 5: Sunrise wildlife viewing and the return to Dar es Salaam

The final day starts with an early sunrise game-viewing session. Morning hours are often prized on safari because the day is cooler and animals may be active, but the supplied plan does not guarantee particular sightings.

In the late afternoon, you take another game drive while heading back toward Dar es Salaam. The listed game-viewing time is about three hours, followed by the return transfer.

This is another long day, and your arrival time in Dar es Salaam is not specified. Do not schedule a flight, ferry, or important appointment for immediately after the tour unless the operator confirms the timing. The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

The return drive can feel less exciting than the outward journey, especially after several early starts. Still, the final game drive gives you one last chance to see Mikumi before leaving the park, and it avoids spending the entire day simply driving away.

What the $1,999 price covers

At $1,999 per person, the cost should be judged as a packaged safari rather than a basic park transfer. The package includes:

• Pickup and return transport to Dar es Salaam
• A 4×4 safari Landcruiser with pop-up roof
• A driver-guide
• Bottled water
• Four breakfasts
• Four dinners
• Five lunches
• Admission tickets for the scheduled park activities

That combination gives the price real value, particularly because transport between Dar es Salaam, Selous, and Mikumi takes up a large part of the trip. You are also paying for the vehicle, guide, park access, meals, and several different safari formats.

The price does not include drinks, laundry, or travel insurance. Those costs are easy to overlook, especially if you spend several days at camp. Carry extra money for drinks and personal expenses, and arrange insurance before you leave home.

Accommodation details need a little checking. Selous Tented Camo and Camp Bastian are named in the plan, but past arrangements included other properties, including luxury lodges such as Rufiji River Camp. That suggests the operator may adjust lodging according to availability or the booking request. Ask for confirmation of the exact camps, whether the room is private, and what facilities are included.

Group size, guides, and the feel of the trip

The maximum group size is 12 people. That is small enough to keep the vehicle from feeling like a bus, though the exact experience depends on how many people are actually booked.

Some past trips were arranged as private safaris, and that can change the value considerably. A private vehicle gives you more control over stops, photography, and meal timing. Do not assume privacy from the standard description. Confirm whether your booking is shared or private.

The guide is central to this experience. Names associated with past trips include Juma, Otto, Musa, and Endrick. Specific praise focused on safe driving, friendly service, animal spotting, and useful explanations. Rama was also singled out for organizing bespoke trips and helping arrange special accommodation.

I would contact the operator with practical questions before booking:

• Is the vehicle shared or private?
• Who will guide the trip?
• Can you request a French-speaking guide?
• What exact camps will you use?
• How long is the walking safari?
• What happens if the Day 3 sunset drive is missed because of the road journey?

Clear answers will help you compare this safari with other southern Tanzania options.

Who should book this five-day safari?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a southern Tanzania route rather than the standard northern circuit. It suits people who value fewer crowds, mixed activities, and the chance to see wildlife from a boat, on foot, and from a vehicle.

It also fits couples looking for a memorable short safari. One past booking was arranged for a 10th anniversary, with upgraded accommodation requested as part of the plan. Families and groups of friends may also like the broad range of activities, though young children should be considered carefully because of early starts and long road days.

You may want another itinerary if you dislike lengthy transfers or need precise arrival times. This is not a relaxed lodge holiday with short drives. It is an active five-day route with early mornings, extended game viewing, and two major park areas.

Practical advice before departure

Wear light, comfortable clothing and bring sun protection. A hat, sunglasses, and sturdy shoes will help on the walking portion, while a light layer may be useful during early morning viewing.

Keep your camera, phone, and other gear protected from dust. Bottled water is included, but drinks beyond that are not, so plan for personal purchases.

The tour offers a mobile ticket and pickup, and confirmation is received at booking. Most people can participate, but the walking section and long drives still deserve consideration if you have mobility concerns or medical needs.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the 7:30 a.m. start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a date change or full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this safari if you want southern Tanzania, quieter parks, and varied wildlife activities in one five-day package from Dar es Salaam. The boat safari in Selous and the walking experience give it more character than a trip made entirely of vehicle drives.

I would book only after confirming the camp names, group arrangement, guide, walking details, and likely timing on Day 5. If those details suit you, the $1,999 price offers a practical way to see Selous and Mikumi without arranging every transfer and meal yourself. If your priority is a slow pace or guaranteed city arrival time, choose a shorter route or add a buffer night in Dar es Salaam.

FAQ

Where does the safari start and finish?

It starts in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with pickup offered from the stated meeting point. The experience ends back at the same meeting point in Dar es Salaam.

What time does the safari start?

The listed start time is 7:30 a.m.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 people. The standard information does not confirm whether each booking is private or shared, so ask the operator before booking.

What meals are included?

The package includes four dinners, four breakfasts, and five lunches. Bottled water is also included.

Are park admission tickets included?

Admission tickets are listed as included for the scheduled Selous and Mikumi activities.

What is not included in the price?

Drinks, laundry, and travel insurance are not included.