Dar es Salaam to Mikumi: road first, train as a part
Mikumi National Park lies on the A7 highway, which links Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Mikumi. Allow about 3 to 5 hours by road from Dar es Salaam, depending on traffic. The distance is about 288 km, and about 107 km from Morogoro, which takes roughly 1 hour. The main entrance is near Mikumi town. Treat these as rough guides, not guaranteed travel times.
The SGR train runs from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro. No train goes to the park entrance and none runs directly from Zanzibar, so the last part is always by road. If you want the journey arranged for you, compare Mikumi safaris from Dar es Salaam before you build your own route.
SGR train in Tanzania: Dar es Salaam to Morogoro
The timetable valid from 18 April 2026. Check the current timetable before you go.
| Direction | Departs | Arrives | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
These are local times, UTC+3. In 2024 the fare was TZS 13,000 for the standard service that stops at all stations and TZS 22,000 for the express. Children under 4 travelled free and children aged 4 to 12 paid half. Check current fares, seat classes and booking fees, since the 2024 amounts may have changed.
A train that arrives at 14:05 leaves a short window before the gate closes, and the later train arrives after the gate has closed. Do not plan a full game drive on the day you arrive. Treat the arrival day as a transfer day and keep the safari for the next morning.
Our pick: ferry and express train both ways
This trip includes the whole way from Zanzibar and back, with private transfers on the mainland.
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 trips with transport included
Guided Mikumi safaris from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, with live prices and availability. Check which ones include road transfers, a train leg or a flight.
Dar es Salaam to Morogoro and on to the park
How the legs of the trip connect.
By road on the A7
The highway takes you through Morogoro and past the park boundary. It is the simplest way if you have a driver. Driving at night outside larger towns is not advised, so leave early. A 600 m concrete rebuild near the Mikumi weighbridge was announced for 2026, so allow extra time on the Morogoro to Mikumi stretch.
By train, then road
Take the SGR train to Morogoro, then arrange a road transfer for the last stretch of about 1 hour. Book the transfer before you travel and agree the pickup point at the station.
Morogoro guide →By air
The park has its own airstrip, and scheduled and charter flights are possible in principle. Flight days and times change, so ask an operator what is flying now.
From Zanzibar
There is no direct train from the island. You cross to the mainland first, by ferry or flight, then continue to Mikumi by train and road or by road alone. See the Stone Town ferry guide and Zanzibar airport for the crossing.
2 day safari from Zanzibar →The TANZAM Highway through the park
About 50 km of the road runs inside the park. The park's speed limit is 50 km/h, so follow the posted signs, and expect wildlife on the road. In the 2023/24 tariff, speeding in the park was fined at TZS 50,000 and a vehicle that causes an accident at TZS 200,000. Do not feed animals and do not leave your vehicle outside permitted areas. Do not count on free game viewing from the highway.
Taxi and transfer from Dar es Salaam airport (DAR)
For the airport, there is no fixed fare or guaranteed time for the run to the SGR station, to Morogoro or to Mikumi. Book through a reliable company and use reputable taxis. Agree the destination, the total price and the pickup point before you set off, and get the details in writing if you can.
If you arrive on an international flight, check the entry rules before you leave. A single-entry visa costs $50 for up to 90 days, and US citizens on a tourist visit are asked to apply for the multiple-entry visa at $100. Check the rules for your nationality. Since 1 October 2026 the mainland also requires state insurance, at $44 for up to 92 days. See the visa guide for entry details.
Car rental and parking
If you drive yourself, read these rules first.
Use reliable companies
Choose a rental company with a good record and ask for the insurance terms. Rental prices vary, so compare totals, not daily rates.
Stay on the tracks
Use the marked tracks, follow signs and speed limits and do not leave your vehicle outside permitted areas. After rain the park tracks can become impassable and need a four-wheel drive.
The vehicle fee
In the 2023/24 tariff, a vehicle up to 2,000 kg paid TZS 20,000 if registered in Tanzania and not commercial, and $40 if commercial or foreign-registered. Open vehicles paid 50 percent more. Check the current amount.
Parking
The vehicle fee is its own category, so do not assume parking is free or covered by it. Ask the place where you stay.
Dar es Salaam to Mikumi: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi?
About 3 to 5 hours by road, depending on traffic. From Morogoro it is roughly 1 hour. Leave early so you reach the gate well before it closes at 18:00.
Does the SGR train go to Mikumi?
No. The train runs from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro. From Morogoro you continue to the park by road.
How much is the SGR train from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro?
In 2024 the fare was TZS 13,000 for the standard service and TZS 22,000 for the express. Check the current fare and seat classes before you book.
Can I get to Mikumi from Zanzibar in one day?
There is no direct route. You cross to the mainland first and then continue by road, with or without the train. Plan the crossing and the road leg as separate steps and keep a time buffer.
Can I drive through Mikumi on the highway?
The A7 runs through the park. The park's speed limit is 50 km/h, and animals use the road. Do not feed animals and do not leave your vehicle outside permitted areas.
Do I pay a vehicle fee if I drive myself?
Yes, the vehicle fee comes on top of entry. In the 2023/24 tariff it was TZS 20,000 for a Tanzanian-registered, non-commercial vehicle up to 2,000 kg and $40 for commercial or foreign-registered vehicles. Check the current amount.