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A 3-day, 2-night safari to Mikumi National Park can be had for around US$500 and may be the best option for budget travelers. It is quite a bit cheaper than a Serengeti safari of similar duration. The main variable is the price of the lodging; you have the option of staying inside the park (more expensive) or in one of several tourist hotels just outside the park.The Mikumi safaris depart from Dar es Salaam. Most include an excursion to Udzungwa National Park, a large mountain rainforest that features monkeys and waterfalls. It is worth the visit, and you can't get this kind of experience on a Serengeti tour.
As you probably know, Tanzania is not the cheapest country to mount a safari.
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Hi,I went to Ruaha last year on the bus from Iringa then stayed at a lodge just outside the park. We had 2 full days in the park with just us in the vehicle it was $120 per day I think. So would be cheaper if yoyu shar with other guests.
The lodge was $80 per night if I remember f/b
we saw lots of animals but you won't see the huge herds as in the Serengeti
Alcotteer
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alcotteer - I'm also planning on going to Ruaha and am interested to know which lodge you stayed at? And was the bus to the lodge fairly easy? Thanks.Steve - the southern parks like Mikumi and Ruaha are amazing, and far less crowded than those on the northern safari circuit. Because the Northern safaris are so popular, though, you can sometimes get good competitive rates and / or are more likely to find traveling companions to help reduce costs. The Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara are quite spectacular and are often the parks you see in travel magazines.
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Hi Ally,we stayed at Hilltop Lodge, we loved it there.
The bus was easy but I wouldn't have found the bus stop without my Tz friend as it's not at the bus station in Iringa but on the way out of town just past the cemetery, it's called Mlandege, a taxi there should cost you 3,000 Tsh The tickets were being sold by 2 women sitting on the back of a van, so you need some local help. Alban the guy at Hilltop said he could get the tickets for us but not sure how reliable that is as he still hadn't bought them when we arrived in Iringa so we got our own!
The journey is about three hours and cost 5,000Tsh , it's a nice trip, slow but through nice villages.
When you arrive at the last village (can't remember the name but the bus doesn't go any further) Hilltop will pick you up, from there it's 15 mins or so.
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HiWe did a 4 day 3 nights safari.
Day 1 : Arusha - Lake Manyara
Day 2 : Serengeti
Day 3 : Serengeti - Ngorongoro crater
Day 4 : Ngorongoro crater and drive back to Arusha
Many people told us on the sites that it would be to much to do but the timing was perfect!
We saw the big 5 and all the other animals as well!
I will tell you this we looked for a cheap tour operator but it's better to pay a bit more!
We went with BERNARD MONG'ATEKO and it's not to reccomand!!!
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Hello,if you're on the budget but you still want to enjoy Mikumi could be a good choice as Christopher proposed to you. We went some months ago and were deciding between Mikumi and Selous. At the end we deiced for Selous but I saw pictures of my friends from Mikumi and it was also great. Try to contact Ivan from East Africa Real Safaris (eastafricarealsafaris@gmail.com) after some discussions we made a deal with him and they organized for us package even with other services for very good price. But important point - what they promised they always did...
Have fun!
