5-Day Saadani & Mikumi Tanzania Safari

The 5-Day Saadani and Mikumi Safari is a private Southern Tanzania safari combining the coastal wildlife of Saadani National Park with the classic African safari experience of Mikumi National Park. This 5-day, 4-night itinerary gives travelers the opportunity to experience game drives, coastal landscapes, wildlife, river scenery and the diverse habitats of two different national parks.

Saadani is unique because it is Tanzania's only national park located along the Indian Ocean coast, offering a combination of savannah, wetlands, river and coastal environments. Mikumi, further inland, is known for its open plains and diverse wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeest, hippos and lions.

The safari is designed as a private safari, making it suitable for couples, families, friends and small groups who want to explore two destinations at a comfortable pace.

Safari Highlights

• Explore Saadani National Park on private game drives
• Experience wildlife and coastal landscapes in the same destination
• Look for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes and antelopes
• Explore the wildlife-rich Mkata Floodplain in Mikumi
• Search for lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and buffaloes
• Optional Wami River boat safari in Saadani
• Enjoy multiple game drives across two national parks
• Experience both Tanzania's coastal and inland ecosystems
• Stay in comfortable lodges or tented camps
• Travel with a professional private safari guide

Main Activities

Game Drives

Game drives are the main activity throughout the safari. In Saadani, explore a combination of coastal and savannah habitats while searching for wildlife. In Mikumi, spend more time exploring the open plains and Mkata Floodplain, where wildlife is often easier to observe.

Wami River Boat Safari

A boat safari on the Wami River can be added to the Saadani itinerary, depending on availability and water conditions. The river provides opportunities to observe hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds from a different perspective.

Wildlife Photography

The contrasting landscapes of Saadani and Mikumi provide excellent opportunities for wildlife and landscape photography.

Wildlife You May See

Both parks support a variety of wildlife, although sightings depend on season, weather and animal movements.

In Saadani National Park, you may see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, antelopes, hippos, crocodiles and numerous bird species.

In Mikumi National Park, wildlife commonly sought during game drives includes elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, impalas, hippos and lions.

A safari takes place in a natural environment, so no particular wildlife sighting can be guaranteed.

Best Time for the Safari

The best time for a Saadani and Mikumi safari is generally during the dry season from June to October, when conditions are usually favorable for game drives and wildlife viewing.

During the dry months, vegetation is generally less dense and animals may gather around available water sources, making them easier to locate.

The period around January and February can also be a good time to visit, particularly for travelers who enjoy greener scenery and birdwatching.

The wet seasons bring lush vegetation and beautiful landscapes. They can also provide excellent birdwatching opportunities, although some roads and areas can become wetter.

Who Is This Safari For?

The 5-Day Saadani and Mikumi Safari is suitable for travelers who want to experience more than one type of Tanzanian landscape.

Couples

A private safari combining coastal Saadani with inland Mikumi is a great option for couples looking for a varied Tanzania experience.

Families

The 5-day itinerary allows families to experience wildlife without trying to fit too many destinations into a short trip.

Wildlife Enthusiasts

Travelers interested in elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, lions and other African wildlife can enjoy several game drives across two parks.

Nature Lovers

The combination of coastal habitats, savannah, rivers and wetlands provides a broader nature experience.

Photographers

The safari offers opportunities to photograph wildlife, landscapes, birds, rivers and coastal scenery.

What Makes Saadani and Mikumi Safari Different?

The biggest advantage of this itinerary is the contrast between the two parks.

Saadani combines wildlife with the Indian Ocean coast, river systems and coastal habitats. Mikumi provides a more traditional inland safari experience with open grasslands, floodplains and large concentrations of wildlife.

By combining the two destinations, travelers can experience coastal Tanzania and the Southern Tanzania safari circuit in one 5-day journey.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in carefully selected lodges or tented camps in or near the national parks.

The accommodation category can be selected according to your preferred comfort level and budget, including mid-range and higher-end options where available.

5-Day Saadani & Mikumi Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Dar es Salaam to Saadani National Park

Depart from Dar es Salaam in the morning and travel toward Saadani National Park.

After arrival, check in at your accommodation and enjoy lunch before beginning an afternoon game drive.

Explore Saadani's coastal savannah and wetland habitats while searching for elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife.

Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Saadani lodge or tented camp
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Activity: Afternoon game drive

Day 2: Full-Day Saadani National Park Safari

After breakfast, enjoy a full day exploring Saadani National Park.

Continue with game drives through different areas of the park while looking for wildlife and enjoying the coastal scenery.

Depending on availability and conditions, an optional Wami River boat safari can be arranged to search for hippos, crocodiles and waterbirds.

Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Saadani lodge or tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities: Game drive and optional boat safari

Day 3: Saadani to Mikumi National Park

After breakfast, depart Saadani and travel toward Mikumi National Park.

Upon arrival in the Mikumi area, check in at your accommodation and have lunch.

In the afternoon, begin your first Mikumi game drive. Explore the park's open plains and wildlife-rich areas while searching for elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes and lions.

Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Mikumi lodge or tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activities: Transfer and afternoon game drive

Day 4: Full-Day Mikumi National Park Safari

After breakfast, enter Mikumi National Park for a full-day game drive.

Explore the Mkata Floodplain and surrounding wildlife areas with your professional safari guide.

Enjoy a picnic lunch or hot lodge lunch before continuing your afternoon game drive.

Return to your accommodation in the evening for dinner and your final overnight stay.

Overnight: Mikumi lodge or tented camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Activity: Full-day game drive

Day 5: Morning Game Drive – Mikumi to Dar es Salaam

Wake up early for your final game drive in Mikumi National Park.

The morning offers another opportunity to see wildlife before temperatures rise. After the game drive, return to the lodge for breakfast and check out.

Begin your journey back to Dar es Salaam, arriving later in the day and concluding your 5-Day Saadani and Mikumi Safari.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Activities: Morning game drive and departure

Price

From $850 per person

The final price depends on the number of travelers, accommodation category, travel dates and selected activities.

For private safaris, the price per person decreases as the group size increases because vehicle, guide and other shared safari costs are distributed among more travelers.

Contact us with your travel dates and number of travelers for an exact quotation.

Why Book Your Saadani & Mikumi Safari With Us?

At Mikumi Safari Tours, we specialize in private safari experiences in Southern Tanzania.

We can arrange your accommodation, private safari vehicle, professional guide, park fees, game drives and other safari services according to your itinerary.

Whether you are traveling as a couple, family or private group, we can customize the safari around your travel dates, preferred accommodation and budget.

Book Your 5-Day Saadani & Mikumi Safari

Experience two very different sides of Tanzania on one journey. Explore the coastal wilderness of Saadani National Park before continuing inland to the wildlife-rich plains of Mikumi National Park.

To book, send us your preferred travel dates, number of travelers and accommodation preference. We will prepare a personalized itinerary and quotation for your trip.

Email: info@mikumisafaritours.com
WhatsApp: +255 678 325 518