Southern Circuit
Tanzania's Most Accessible Safari
Mikumi is the easiest national park to reach from Dar es Salaam, which makes it a firm favourite for short safaris and weekend escapes. Its open Mkata floodplain — often likened to a “mini-Serengeti” — is grazed by herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and elephant, with lions never far behind.
Covering roughly 3,230 km², the park can be reached by road or on the modern SGR train, opening up genuine game viewing on a day trip or a relaxed overnight stay.
- The most accessible park from Dar es Salaam
- Open floodplains with excellent, easy game viewing
- Reachable by road or by SGR train for day safaris
- Great value and a perfect introduction to the safari south
Good to Know
Mikumi at a Glance
Wildlife You May Spot
Best Time to Visit
The dry season (June–October) for concentrated game; the green season is superb for birds.
Size
About 3,230 km², making Mikumi one of Tanzania’s larger and most rewarding parks.
Famous For
Easy access from Dar es Salaam and the open Mkata floodplain — a genuine “mini-Serengeti”.
Getting There
Roughly 4–5 hours by road from Dar es Salaam, or by SGR train for a day trip.
- Lion
- Elephant
- Giraffe
- Zebra
- Buffalo
- Hippo
- Wildebeest
- Impala
- Eland
Things to Do
How You'll Explore
With good roads and open country, Mikumi is ideal for productive game drives, and its proximity to the coast makes flexible short itineraries easy to arrange.
- Game-drive safaris across the Mkata floodplain
- Guided walking safaris
- 1-day Mikumi safari from Dar es Salaam via the SGR train
- Combine with Ruaha and Nyerere for a southern loop
Safari in a Single Day
Short on time? Mikumi delivers big game close to the coast — ask us about train-and-safari day trips.