MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK
A few hours from Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s fourth largest park, Mikumi. With open horizons, superb wildlife and expansive grasslands, the floodplains of Mikumi draw frequent comparison with the Serengeti.
Mikumi lies between Selous and the Udzungwa mountains and is the most accessible part of the southern circuit. Big game, easy access and great bird watching make this a popular destination.
Mikumi lies between Selous and the Udzungwa mountains and is the most accessible part of the southern circuit. Big game, easy access and great bird watching make this a popular destination.
Mikumi National Park falls into an enormous 47,000 square mile wilderness that stretches across southern Tanzania. To the south it borders the Selous (the largest game reserve in Africa), to the east the Uluguru mountains and to the west, the Udzungwa mountains.
The proximity of Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, just 300km away along a decent highway, means that Mikumi is a popular weekend destination. However only 20% of the park has been developed for tourism and the wooded hilly southern sector remains relatively untouched and inaccessible.
The Mkata River Floodplain in the northern sector is the park’s main attraction with the open grass plains typical of Tanzania and all of the associated wildlife.
The proximity of Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam, just 300km away along a decent highway, means that Mikumi is a popular weekend destination. However only 20% of the park has been developed for tourism and the wooded hilly southern sector remains relatively untouched and inaccessible.
The Mkata River Floodplain in the northern sector is the park’s main attraction with the open grass plains typical of Tanzania and all of the associated wildlife.
MIKUMI WILDLIFE
- Large mammals are the attraction at Mikumi with common sightings of giraffes, elephants and migrating herds of zebra. Wildebeest, buffalo and troops of baboon are also easily seen.
- Predators include lions, hyena, jackal and leopard.
- Mikumi is perhaps the most reliable place in Tanzania for sightings of the eland, the world’s largest antelope.
- Greater kudu, black antelope, impala and sable are also present in significant numbers.
- Birding is reasonable with in excess of 400 species recorded, including the lilac-breasted roller, yellow-throated longclaw and Bateleur eagle.
Activities
Game drives and guided walks are the draw at Mikumi.
For most visitors it is just a brief stop on the way to Selous or Ruaha.
For most visitors it is just a brief stop on the way to Selous or Ruaha.
When
Game viewing is good all year round but is at its best in the dry season (July - October).
The wet season (December – February) is better for bird watching.
The wet season (December – February) is better for bird watching.
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