A close-up of a lioness resting alert in her natural habitat.

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Nine Days in Ruaha, with a Night in Mikumi

Nine days in Ruaha, Tanzania's largest national park, reached by flying south from Dar es Salaam, with a stop at Mikumi along the way.

Enquire about this trip See the day by day

Duration9 Days / 8 Nights

Group size2 – 6 travellers

Best monthsJune – October, when the dry season concentrates wildlife along the Great Ruaha River

From$6,280 per person sharing

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The Trip in Short

Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park and one of its least crowded, sitting on the Southern Circuit rather than the well-worn northern loop, which means it needs a flight rather than a straightforward drive from Arusha. The Great Ruaha River draws elephant, lion and one of East Africa’s largest recorded lion populations through the dry months, set against rolling baobab-studded hills quite different in character from the Serengeti’s open plains.

This trip flies south from Dar es Salaam, with a short stop at Mikumi (sometimes called a mini-Serengeti for its open grassland), either as a stopover or a deliberate half-day extension.

Park fees and rules on the Tanzanian mainland are set by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA).

Highlights

One of East Africa's largest recorded lion populations
Great Ruaha River wildlife concentrations through the dry season
Baobab-studded hill country distinct from the northern circuit's plains
Mikumi's open grassland, sometimes called a mini-Serengeti
A fraction of the vehicle density of Serengeti or Ngorongoro
Fly-in access from Dar es Salaam, avoiding a very long overland drive

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Where You Go, Stop by Stop

Day 1

Dar es Salaam to Mikumi

Day 2

Mikumi game drive, fly to Ruaha

Day 3–7

Ruaha game drives

Day 8

Ruaha, final game drive

Day 9

Fly to Dar es Salaam, departure

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Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Dar es Salaam to Mikumi

A drive or short flight to Mikumi, arriving in time for an afternoon game drive across its open Mkata floodplain, a landscape genuinely reminiscent of the Serengeti on a smaller scale.

Day 2: Mikumi and Onward to Ruaha

A final morning game drive at Mikumi before a short charter flight south-west to Ruaha, landing in time for an afternoon drive into the park.

Day 3–7: Ruaha Game Drives

Five full days across Ruaha's varied terrain: riverine forest along the Great Ruaha River, open grassland and baobab-covered hills: with strong lion, elephant and increasingly rare African wild dog sightings.

Day 8: Final Game Drive

A last full day, with the option of a walking safari in areas where it is permitted, guided by an armed ranger.

Day 9: Departure

A charter flight back to Dar es Salaam for onward connections.

From

$6,280

Enquire about this trip

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What the Price Covers

Included

All internal charter flights as itemised
Ruaha and Mikumi National Park entrance and conservation fees
All accommodation on a full-board basis
Professional guides at both parks
All meals and bottled water throughout
Airport transfers in Dar es Salaam

Not included

International flights and visas
Travel and medical insurance
Tips for guides and camp staff
Alcoholic drinks
Optional walking safari ranger fee where charged separately

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Before You Book

Why fly rather than drive to Ruaha?

The Southern Circuit's parks sit well away from the northern loop's road network: driving from Dar es Salaam or Arusha would eat most of a short trip in transit, so charter flights are the standard, sensible way in.

How does Ruaha compare with the Serengeti for crowds?

Far quieter: vehicle density at popular sightings is a fraction of the northern circuit's, a genuine draw for travellers who have already done a Serengeti safari.

Is Mikumi worth the stop, or just a stopover?

Both: its open Mkata floodplain offers a strong game drive in its own right, not merely a waypoint on the way south.

Are walking safaris available?

Yes, at both parks, led by an armed ranger alongside your guide: ask in advance if this is a priority, as availability can depend on season and camp.

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Where This Trip Goes

Ruaha National Park

Tanzania · National Park

Tanzania's largest national park, with one of the country's biggest elephant and lion populations along the Great Ruaha River, far from the northern circuit's crowds.

Tanzania

Country

The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Kilimanjaro in one northern loop, plus a much quieter southern circuit and an Indian Ocean coastline in Zanzibar.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Tanzania · Mountain

The world's tallest freestanding mountain, climbed on foot without technical skill through five climate zones to a 5,895-metre summit.

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Nine Days in Ruaha, with a Night in Mikumi