Yes, you can go on a safari from Dar es Salaam, even in a single day. Mikumi National Park is the easiest choice: a 6:00 am fast train plus a short drive gets you game viewing by mid-morning, from US$364. Overnight Mikumi trips start at US$664, and Nyerere (Selous) safaris from Dar start at US$919 for 3 days.
Last updated: 6 November 2026. Prices checked against the live trip pages on lekobeadventures.com.
Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest city and the arrival point for many international flights, business trips and ferry connections to Zanzibar. Most travellers assume a safari means flying north to the Serengeti, but two excellent parks sit within reach of the city: Mikumi National Park and Nyerere National Park, the former Selous. This guide explains how a safari from Dar es Salaam works, how the train option runs, what each trip costs, and how to choose between a day trip and a longer stay.
Which parks can you visit on a safari from Dar es Salaam?
The southern parks are the natural choice from Dar. They are closer than the northern circuit, quieter, and you can reach them by road or rail rather than a domestic flight.
Mikumi National Park: the easy, fast option
Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) describes Mikumi as wide-open savannah around the Mkata floodplain, with elephant, lion, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe and hippo often close to the main circuit. Its official park page lists the park at roughly 3,230 square kilometres and about 3 to 5 hours from Dar es Salaam by road, depending on traffic. TANAPA itself calls it a perfect weekend safari from the city.
Nyerere National Park (Selous): rivers and wilderness
Nyerere is far larger. According to the TANAPA Nyerere page, it covers more than 30,000 square kilometres of miombo woodland, floodplains and the channels of the Rufiji River. It is one of Africa’s best places to look for African wild dogs, and it offers something Mikumi does not: boat safaris past hippos and crocodiles. It takes longer to reach, so plan at least two nights.
Quick comparison
| Mikumi | Nyerere (Selous) | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there from Dar | Fast train to Morogoro + about 2 hours by road | About 5 hours by road (our itineraries) |
| Shortest Lekobe trip | 1 day | 3 days |
| Landscape | Open floodplain savannah | Rivers, lakes and woodland |
| Signature activity | Classic game drives | Boat safari on the Rufiji River |
| Best for | Short trips, first safaris, families | Wilderness, wild dogs, a slower pace |
How the Mikumi day trip by train works
The quickest safari from Dar es Salaam uses the fast train between Dar and Morogoro, often searched for as the SGR train. It cuts out most of the traffic on the road west of the city. Here is the day as it runs on our 1-Day Safari to Mikumi from Dar by Fast Train:
- 4:30 am: pickup from your hotel in Dar es Salaam and transfer to the station.
- 6:00 am: the fast train departs. Our team helps you with check-in.
- Morning: your guide meets you at Morogoro station for a drive of about 2 hours to Mikumi, then a morning game drive.
- Midday: buffet lunch, then game viewing until late afternoon.
- 7:25 pm: evening train from Morogoro back to Dar.
- 9:20 pm: arrival in Dar es Salaam and transfer to your hotel.
It is a long day, roughly 17 hours from pickup to drop-off, but the time in the park is real and the train is far more comfortable than an early-morning drive through city traffic. The trip is private, can start any day, and has a minimum age of 5. It is not set up for solo travellers, so contact us if you are travelling alone and we will suggest an alternative.
Is a day trip enough?
For a first taste of an African safari, yes. Mikumi’s open plains make animals relatively easy to spot. If you want early-morning and late-afternoon light, when animals are most active, an overnight stay is a big step up for a modest extra cost.
Safari from Dar es Salaam prices (2026)
These are the starting prices on our live trip pages. Final quotes depend on group size, travel dates and accommodation choice.
| Trip | Duration | Stay | From (per adult) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Safari to Mikumi from Dar by Fast Train | 1 day | None (day trip) | US$364 |
| 2-Day Safari to Mikumi NP from Dar by Fast Train | 2 days | Chambo Villas (budget, outside the park) | US$664 |
| 2-Day Mid Range Safari to Mikumi NP from Dar | 2 days | Vuma Hills Tented Camp (mid-range, inside the park) | US$866 |
| 3-Day Nyerere Safari Adventure from Dar es Salaam | 3 days | Selous Safari Lodge (mid-range, outside the park) | US$919 |
| 5-Day Nyerere & Mikumi National Park from Dar | 5 days | Selous Safari Lodge + Chambo Villas | US$1,422 |
What is included
- Park fees for non-residents
- Private vehicle with a professional driver-guide
- All transport in the itinerary, including round-trip hotel or airport transfers in Dar
- Accommodation and meals as listed day by day
- All taxes and VAT
What is not included
- International flights and extra nights before or after the tour
- Tips: our guideline is US$10 per person per day (see how much to tip a safari guide in Tanzania)
- Travel insurance, visa fees and personal items
- Any government increase in taxes or park fees
Meal and drink inclusions vary by trip, so check the day-by-day section on each page. The day trip, for example, includes lunch and non-alcoholic drinks only.
Overnight and multi-day options
2 days in Mikumi
Both 2-day Mikumi trips follow the same rhythm: the 6:00 am train on day 1, a game drive and lunch, then a night near or inside the park. Day 2 brings a morning and an afternoon game drive before the 4:30 pm train back to Dar. The budget version stays at Chambo Villas just outside the park; the mid-range version stays at Vuma Hills Tented Camp inside Mikumi, which means less driving and more time with wildlife.
3 days in Nyerere
The 3-day Nyerere trip leaves Dar by road for a scenic drive of about 5 hours with a lunch stop. On arrival you check in at Selous Safari Lodge and head out on a Rufiji River boat safari. Day 2 is a full-day game drive with a picnic lunch, and day 3 includes a visit to a nearby Maasai village before the drive back to Dar.
5 days: Nyerere and Mikumi together
Our longest southern trip from the city combines both parks: two nights in Nyerere with a boat safari and a full game-drive day, a cultural visit, then two nights by Mikumi with a full day on the floodplain. The final morning includes one more game drive before the train back to Dar es Salaam.
Shared or private, and other practical tips
All five Dar es Salaam trips above are private: your own vehicle and guide, and you can start any day. If you are weighing the two styles, our guide to shared vs private safaris in Tanzania explains the trade-offs.
- Best time: TANAPA recommends the dry season (June to October) for concentrated wildlife in Mikumi; the green season brings dramatic skies and good birding.
- Park hours: TANAPA notes that Mikumi is open year-round, with gates typically closing at 6 pm.
- Walking safaris: in Nyerere, walks and boating require authorised guides, and walks must be pre-booked with permits.
- What to pack: binoculars, sun protection, neutral clothing and a light jacket for early starts and boat trips.
Coming from Zanzibar instead?
If you are staying on Zanzibar rather than in Dar, you do not need to cross to the mainland by ferry. Safari flights link the island directly with the southern parks, so a same-day trip is possible. Our 7-Day Zanzibar Beach with Mikumi Safari Adventure (from US$1,815) includes a Mikumi fly-in day with a 7:00 am flight out and a 4:00 pm flight back. Read our one day safari from Zanzibar guide for every option, and our safari from Zanzibar cost breakdown for longer trips.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do a safari from Dar es Salaam in one day?
Yes. Mikumi National Park is the best choice for a day trip. Our private 1-day safari starts with a 4:30 am hotel pickup and the 6:00 am fast train to Morogoro, followed by game drives and lunch in the park. You are back in Dar around 9:20 pm. It starts from US$364 per adult.
Which is better from Dar es Salaam, Mikumi or Nyerere?
Mikumi is better for short trips: it is closer, reachable by train and has open plains where animals are easy to spot. Nyerere suits travellers with three or more days who want a larger wilderness, boat safaris on the Rufiji River and a chance of seeing African wild dogs. Our 5-day trip combines both parks.
How far is Mikumi from Dar es Salaam?
TANAPA puts Mikumi about 3 to 5 hours from Dar es Salaam by road, depending on traffic. On our train trips you ride the fast train from Dar to Morogoro, then drive about 2 hours to the park, which avoids the slowest stretch of city traffic and makes a day trip practical.
How much does a safari from Dar es Salaam cost?
Our safaris from Dar es Salaam start from US$364 per adult for a 1-day Mikumi trip, US$664 for 2 days in Mikumi, US$919 for 3 days in Nyerere and US$1,422 for 5 days in both parks. Park fees, transport and listed meals are included. Final quotes depend on group size, dates and accommodation.
Are park fees included in the price?
Yes. Non-resident park fees, your private driver-guide, transport, listed accommodation and meals, and taxes are included on all our Dar es Salaam trips. Tips (guideline US$10 per person per day), travel insurance, visas, extra nights and any government fee increases are not included, so budget for these separately.
Can I combine a safari from Dar es Salaam with Zanzibar?
Yes. Zanzibar is a short ferry ride or flight from Dar es Salaam, so a southern safari followed by beach time is an easy combination. We can build the safari and your Zanzibar stay into one itinerary, including our bush-and-beach packages. Send us your dates and we will suggest the best combination for your budget.
Plan your safari from Dar es Salaam with Lekobe
Tell us your dates, group size and how many days you have in Dar, and we will send a clear quote for a Mikumi day trip, an overnight safari or a Nyerere adventure. Message us on WhatsApp (+255 676 68 1293), email info@lekobeadventures.com, or use the enquiry form on any trip page.
