What You Need to Know: Mikumi National Park is about 4.5–5 hours by road from Dar es Salaam, or 1 hour 40 minutes by SGR train to Morogoro and a 2-hour drive. Our day trip from Dar es Salaam or Morogoro costs from US$482 per person; the 2-day safari by SGR train costs from US$964 per person for 2 travelers sharing, with the train tickets extra. Entry costs about US$35.40 per adult per day.
Why Visit Mikumi?
Mikumi covers about 3,230 km² and borders Nyerere to the south, so wildlife moves between them. The Mkata floodplain in its north is open, flat grassland that is often compared to the Serengeti on a smaller scale, which makes game viewing easy. The Dar es Salaam–Iringa highway crosses the park, so it is quick to reach.
Wildlife on the Mkata Floodplain
- Elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and zebras on the open plains
- Lions, sometimes resting in trees, and leopards in the woodland
- Eland, wildebeest, impala and Lichtenstein's hartebeest
- Hippos at the Hippo Pools, a short drive from the main gate
- More than 400 bird species, including lilac-breasted rollers and bateleur eagles
Mikumi Safari Prices
| Safari | From (per person) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day trip from Dar es Salaam | US$482 | Early start, full day of game drives, return in the evening |
| Day trip from Morogoro | US$482 | Shorter drive to the park |
| 2-day safari by SGR train | US$964 | 2 travelers sharing; train tickets Dar es Salaam–Morogoro extra |
| 3-day safari by SGR train with a Maasai visit | US$1,446 | A full day of game drives and a Maasai boma; train tickets extra |
| 2-day safari from Zanzibar | US$1,928 | Flights Zanzibar–Dar es Salaam included, then by road |
The 2-day safari includes a night inside the park at Mikumi Cottages, all game drives, park fees, meals and soft drinks during the safari, and guiding. Upgrades to Stanley's Kopje or Vuma Hills Tented Camp are available, or similar. A transfer from Zanzibar via the ferry can be added, or take our 2-day Mikumi safari from Zanzibar, which flies you to Dar es Salaam.
The 2-Day Safari by Train
Take the early SGR train from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, about 1 hour 40 minutes, and your guide drives you about 2 hours to Mikumi for an afternoon game drive and a night inside the park; after a sunrise game drive, the afternoon train takes you back to Dar es Salaam. The day-by-day plan, train classes and fares, what is included and how to add Zanzibar or Udzungwa are on our 2-day Mikumi safari by SGR train page.
How to Get to Mikumi
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam | By road | 4.5–5 hours |
| Dar es Salaam | SGR train to Morogoro, then road | About 1 hour 40 minutes, then about 2 hours by road |
| Zanzibar | Ferry to Dar es Salaam, then road or train | A long day; best with a night in Dar |
| Nyerere | By road | 4–5 hours |
| Udzungwa | By road | About 1.5 hours |
Mikumi Park Fees
| Fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Mikumi National Park conservation fee | About US$35.40 per adult per 24 hours (incl. 18% VAT); children 5–15 about US$11.80 |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Mikumi?
June to October is the dry season and the best time for game viewing. Mikumi is open all year: from November to May the plains turn green, with newborn animals and migrant birds, and the highway keeps the park accessible even in the rains.
What to Combine with Mikumi
- Udzungwa Mountains: forest hikes and waterfalls about 1.5 hours away; see our Udzungwa guide
- Nyerere: boat safaris; see our Nyerere guide
- Ruaha: remote predators; see our Ruaha guide
- Zanzibar: beach days after the safari; see our Zanzibar holidays
How We Run a Mikumi Safari
We run our southern and western safaris ourselves, with our own team, and book the light-aircraft flights for you. Jaynevy Tours is a licensed Tanzanian tour operator (TALA licence 014271), based in Moshi.
A 30% deposit confirms your safari and the balance is paid on arrival. Refunds: 100% if you cancel 60 days or more before arrival, 90% at 30–59 days, 60% at 15–29 days, 25% at 10–14 days, and nothing under 10 days.
A Sample 2-Day Mikumi Plan by Road
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Leave Dar es Salaam early, arrive for lunch, afternoon game drive on the Mkata floodplain |
| 2 | Sunrise game drive, Hippo Pools, then back to Dar es Salaam |
With a third day, add the Udzungwa waterfall hike.
Who Is Mikumi For?
Mikumi suits travelers based in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar who want a real safari without long flights, families who want easy game viewing, and anyone short of time in the south. The open plains make animals easy to spot, and the park is accessible all year thanks to the highway.
Where to Stay in Mikumi
Mikumi has lodges and camps inside the park, such as Mikumi Cottages, and upgrades such as Stanley's Kopje and Vuma Hills Tented Camp, or similar. Staying inside lets you start the game drive at sunrise. There are also hotels in Mikumi town just outside the gate.
Common Questions About Mikumi
Can I do Mikumi as a day trip from Dar es Salaam?
Yes. It is a long day, leaving early in the morning, and costs from US$482 per person.
Is Mikumi worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you are based in Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar and have little time: it is the easiest big-game park to reach in the south.
Does the 2-day price include the SGR train?
No. Train tickets between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro are extra; we can book them for you.
Are there lions in Mikumi?
Yes, though they are fewer and harder to find than elephants, giraffes and buffaloes.
Is Mikumi good for families?
Yes: game is easy to see on the open plains, and it is close to Dar es Salaam.
Can I combine Mikumi with Zanzibar?
Yes: take the ferry to Dar es Salaam, then the SGR train or road to Mikumi.
The Bottom Line
Mikumi is the fastest way to a real safari from Dar es Salaam: a day trip, or two days by train. Combine it with Udzungwa or Nyerere for a longer southern trip.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and the parks you are interested in through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our team will reply with a written quotation.