8-Day Where the Bush Meets the Beach – Africa Wandering Peak Safaris

Safari · Coast & Bush

Where the Bush Meets the Beach

Enjoy the trip from Dar es Salaam to Saadani National Park, which is the only park where the beach meets the bush. It is the only park in East Africa with an Indian Ocean beachfront. It’s the one place where those idle hours of sunbathing might be interrupted by an elephant strolling past, or animals coming to drink at the nearby waterhole. Also, a sight to behold are the Swahili fishermen casting their nets at sunrise.

The trip also includes Mikumi and Nyerere National Parks, where you will experience walking and boat safaris on the Rufiji River inside Nyerere.

8 Days

7 Nights Full Board

3 Parks

Saadani · Mikumi · Nyerere

Beach & Bush

Indian Ocean Frontage

Private

4×4 and Guide Throughout

Day by Day

Your Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Dar es Salaam International Airport

Pick up from Dar es Salaam International Airport and transfer to Dar es Salaam city.

Dar es Salaam from the Arabic world means “the house of peace”; formerly Mzizima, it is the former capital and largest city in Tanzania. It is known as the safari capital of Tanzania’s Southern Safari Circuit. It is the largest city in East Africa by population, as well as a regionally important economic centre. Located on the Swahili coast, the city is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

Day 2

Full Day Dar es Salaam

Pick up from the hotel and depart for the Dar es Salaam city tour.

Embark on a city tour in Dar es Salaam and experience a mix of sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment. The largest city in Tanzania reflects a fascinating combination of its rich historical past and its sophisticated contemporary present. This tour of Dar es Salaam will take you to the National Museum, Village Museum, Mwenge Carvings Market, Tingatinga Art Gallery, Slipway Shopping Centre, The Fish Market, City Centre, Historical Buildings, and many other sites. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Dar es Salaam.

Day 3

Dar es Salaam – Saadani National Park

Pick up from the hotel and drive to Saadani National Park. Lunch at the camp.

The bush meets the beach in Saadani National Park. Thanks to its long Indian Ocean beachfront, this is the one place in East Africa where those idle hours of sunbathing might be interrupted by an elephant strolling past or animals coming to drink at a nearby waterhole. And if you go for an early morning stroll on the beach, you might see the Swahili fishermen casting their nets at sunrise. Dinner and overnight at the Camp.

Day 4

Full Day Saadani National Park

After breakfast depart for a game drive in the park, with picnic lunch.

Saadani isn’t a prime safari destination, but there is always some wildlife around. Commonly seen on drives are elephants, giraffes, buffalo, common waterbucks, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, wildebeests, yellow baboons, and vervet monkeys. Hippos, crocodiles, and a selection of waterbirds can be seen on boat trips. Saadani’s wildlife specials are the shy red duiker, the endangered Roosevelt’s sable, and green turtles, for which the park is a breeding site. Although Saadani National Park has been hit hard by poachers, wildlife numbers are increasing slowly. Animals you are likely to see on a game drive include giraffe, buffalo, common waterbuck, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, and yellow baboon. Also look out for bohor reedbuck, wildebeest, zebra, greater kudu, and eland. Big elephant herds roaming the savannah make for incredible sightings. Dinner and overnight at the Camp.

Day 5

Saadani National Park – Mikumi National Park

After breakfast depart for Mikumi National Park with a packed lunch.

Underrated Mikumi National Park is known for its open horizons and abundant wildlife, especially across the Serengeti-like expanses of the Mkata Floodplain. The hippo pool and Millennium area are particularly popular, and for good reason. The Dar-Ruaha Road bisects Mikumi, and it can get busy during the dry season. To escape the crowds, the park’s south has a wild, wilderness feel and is known for its elephants and lions. Evening game drive at Mikumi National Park. Dinner and overnight at the Camp.

Day 6

Full Day Mikumi National Park

After breakfast, go for a full-day game drive in the vast beautiful Mikumi National Park until evening.

The grasslands of Mikumi support large herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, and impala. Giraffes and elephants are also common. Large predators such as lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas are less conspicuous but still possible. Watch also for eland, greater kudu, sable, and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest. Troops of yellow baboons and vervet monkeys are found throughout the park. The planned reintroduction of rhino to Mikumi will only increase the park’s appeal. Zebra, wildebeest, impala, and buffalo inhabit the grassy plains of Mikumi National Park. Lions, which prey on these animals, are also quite often seen. Giraffes browse the isolated acacia trees that fringe the Mkata River, where you should also see elephants. Dinner and overnight at the Camp.

Day 7

Mikumi National Park – Nyerere National Park

In the morning, leave for Nyerere National Park, with picnic lunch.

With its largest wilderness area in Africa, Nyerere National Park has relatively undisturbed ecological and biological processes, including a diverse range of wildlife with significant predator and prey relationships. The mighty Rufiji with its renowned population of hippo and rhino flows to the Indian Ocean. The river has been designated as a photographic zone and is a popular tourist destination. Elephant, buffalo and lion are found in greater numbers and the park, together with the remaining part of Selous, has the last true stronghold for African wild dog. You will be able to enjoy the widest diversity of safari activities in the country, like boating safaris as well as standard game drives and walking safaris. Dinner and overnight at the Camp.

Day 8

Nyerere National Park – Dar es Salaam

Early morning departure for a walking safari inside the park, then back for breakfast at the camp before the drive to Dar es Salaam.

Later after breakfast depart to Dar es Salaam and drop off at Dar es Salaam International Airport. End of programme.

Cost

What Your Trip Covers

What’s Included

Not Included

Get Your Tailored Quote

Rates vary with group size, season and accommodation level. Tell us your dates and party size and we’ll send a detailed, no-obligation quote within 24 hours — usually much faster on WhatsApp.

Map

Where You'll Be Travelling

Sand, Savannah and the Rufiji

Add a few nights on Zanzibar or Mafia at the end — the flights are short. Tell us your dates.