Mikumi safari from Dar es Salaam in short
Dar es Salaam is a common starting point for a Mikumi safari. The road goes through Morogoro and along the A7 to the park gate, and the trip takes 3 to 5 hours each way, depending on traffic. The SGR train covers the first part, Dar es Salaam to Morogoro, and the road does the rest. Mikumi is about 1 hour from Morogoro.
That travel time shapes every plan. A day trip is possible, but a large part of the day is spent on the road, so many visitors add one night near the park. The offers below show live prices and dates.
Our picks: Mikumi from Dar es Salaam
A day trip by SGR, a day trip with the express train and a shared two-day safari.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Mikumi day safari from Dar es Salaam with the express train
- Express train to Morogoro
- Breakfast in Morogoro
- Lunch in the park
Pick-up and return are at your address in Dar es Salaam, with game drives in Mikumi in between. Ask whether park fees are included before you book.
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2-day shared Mikumi safari from Dar es Salaam
- One night in a resort
- Meals and soft drinks
- Entry and guide
You drive to Mikumi on day one, with a Maasai village stop, and do the game drive on day two.
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Mikumi day trip from Dar es Salaam by SGR
- SGR transport
- Mikumi park entry
- Lunch and water
A guided Mikumi day tour that uses the SGR train for part of the way. It makes for a long day, so plan on an early start.
Check availability →Mikumi safaris from Dar es Salaam
Day trips and multi-day safaris to Mikumi from Dar es Salaam, with live prices and availability.
Safari from Dar es Salaam: road, train or air
Three ways to reach the park, compared.
| Option | Journey | Check before you book |
|---|---|---|
| Road transfer with a driver | 3 to 5 hours each way, depending on traffic | Pick-up time and a buffer for traffic on the way back |
| SGR to Morogoro, then road | Rail leg of 1 h 45 min to 1 h 59 min, then about 1 hour on the road | Current timetable, the station transfer and the car waiting at Morogoro |
| Flight to the park airstrip | The park has an airstrip, and scheduled and charter flights are possible in principle | The exact flight, the schedule and what the price covers |
For most visitors from Dar es Salaam, a road transfer with one night near the park is the simplest plan. The train suits travellers who want to avoid the highway and have time for two days.
Mikumi day trip: how realistic is it?
The road takes most of the day.
With 3 to 5 hours each way, a day trip from Dar es Salaam leaves limited time for the park itself. You also need to be back at the right time for an evening flight, and nobody can promise a return time on the highway. If you want a day trip, start early and agree on the plan for the return with your operator.
A night near the park gives you an evening and a morning drive and removes the pressure from the road. You can read about the options on the lodges page and what a drive involves on the safari page.
SGR train from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro
Timetable from April 2026 and fares from 2024.
| Direction | Departs | Arrives | Journey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dar es Salaam to Morogoro | 12:20 | 14:05 | 1 h 45 min |
| Dar es Salaam to Morogoro | 16:30 | 18:29 | 1 h 59 min |
| Morogoro to Dar es Salaam | 09:50 | 11:40 | 1 h 50 min |
| Morogoro to Dar es Salaam | 14:25 | 16:10 | 1 h 45 min |
Times are local time, daily from 18 April 2026. Check the current timetable before you go. The 12:20 train arrives at 14:05, and with about 1 hour on the road after that, the afternoon is short for a game drive. The 16:30 train arrives after the gates close, so it fits an overnight plan.
In 2024 the fare from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro was TZS 13,000 on the standard train that stops at all stations and TZS 22,000 on the express. Children under 4 travelled free and children from 4 to 12 paid half fare. Fares and classes may have changed, so check the current ones. Book a car for the last stretch, because the rail line ends in Morogoro.
See the getting there page for the full route, and the Morogoro page if you want to stay a night in town.
Practical points for the road
Airport, driving and the highway.
From the airport
Agree on the taxi fare before you set off from Dar es Salaam airport, whether you head to the station, Morogoro or Mikumi, and use a reputable company.
If you drive yourself
Use the designated tracks and obey the signs. After rain, park tracks can become impassable and may need four-wheel drive. Driving at night outside larger towns is not advised.
The A7 crosses the park
Animals cross the highway, and the park rules mention a speed limit of 50 km/h. Follow the signs, and never feed animals from the car.
Fees and season
Entry, vehicle and guide are separate items, described on the park fees page. The dry season from June to October is the favorable time for wildlife.
Boat safaris and walking safaris on the Rufiji belong to a different park, covered on the Nyerere National Park trips page. If you start from the islands, read about trips from Zanzibar.
Mikumi from Dar es Salaam: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi?
Plan 3 to 5 hours each way, depending on traffic. It is about 1 hour from Morogoro. These are travel times, not the length of a safari, so a day trip includes a long drive.
Can I do a Mikumi day trip from Dar es Salaam?
Yes, but with 3 to 5 hours each way, the time in the park is limited. Start early and agree on a plan for the return, especially if you have an evening flight.
Does the train go to Mikumi?
No. The SGR runs from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro. You continue on the road, which takes about 1 hour from Morogoro, so book a transfer in advance.
What are the SGR train times to Morogoro?
Since April 2026, trains leave Dar es Salaam at 12:20 and 16:30. Trains from Morogoro to Dar es Salaam leave at 09:50 and 14:25. Check the current timetable before you go.
Should I stay overnight?
For most visitors, yes. One night near the park gives you an evening and a morning drive and takes the pressure off the road. See the lodges page.
Can I fly to Mikumi?
The park has an airstrip, and scheduled and charter flights are possible in principle. Ask an operator which flights run on your dates and what the price covers.