TANZANIA SAFARI INFORMATION

MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK

Within its 3230 sq km, set between the Uuguru Mountains to the north and the lumango Mountains to the southeast, the park obtains a good impression of the African animal world. This relatively small National park lies 300 km west of Dar-es-salaam and it’s the closest park to the capital.
Its proximity to Dar es Salaam and the amount of wildlife that live within its borders makes Mikumi National Park a popular option for weekend visitors from the city, or for business visitors who don’t have long to spend on an extended safari.

TANZANIA WILDLIFE IN MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK:
The park hosts populations of buffaloes, giraffes, elephants, lions, Zebras, leopards, crocodiles among others. The open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the popular centrepiece of Mikumi national park , draw frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains. There is a rich variety bird species and more than 400 bird species have been recorded, with such colourful common residents as the lilac-breasted roller, yellow-throated longclaw and bateleur eagle joined by a host of European migrants during the rainy season.
Hippo pools provide close access to the mud-loving beasts, and bird-watching along the waterways is particularly rewarding. Hippos are the star attraction of the pair of pools situated 5km north of the main entrance gate, supported by an ever-changing cast of waterbirds.
Lions survey their grassy kingdom – and the zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo herds that migrate across it – from the flattened tops of termite mounds, or sometimes, during the rains, from perches high in the trees. Giraffes forage in the isolated acacia stands that fringe the Mkata River, islets of shade favoured also by Mikumi's elephants.

When to go:
Accessible year round.

Getting There:
A good surfaced road connects Mikumi to Dar es Salaam via Morogoro, a roughly 4 hour drive.
Also road connections to Udzungwa, Ruaha and (dry season only) Selous.
Charter flight from Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Selous. Local buses run from Dar to park Headquarters where game drives can be arranged.

What to do:
Game drives and guided walks.
Criss-crossed by a good circuit of game-viewing roads, the Mkata Floodplain is perhaps the most reliable place in Tanzania for sightings of the powerful eland, the world’s largest antelope. The equally impressive greater kudu and sable antelope haunt the miombo-covered foothills of the mountains that rise from the park’s borders.

TANZANIA SAFARI LODGES AND CAMPSITES
IN MIKUMI NATIONAL PARK

Vuma Hill Tented Camp:
Vuma Hills Tented Camp is perched above the trees in the hills overlooking the Mkata Plain at Mikumi National Park. With its large tents in close proximity and swimming pool, this camp is suitable for all travelers.

Kikoboga Camp:
About 500 m northeast of the park gate, Kikoboga is a well-established and comfortable hideaway in Mikumi National Park where you can enjoy spectacular wild animals and abundant birdlife.  The lodge is placed near the main lobby of Mikumi National Park, and has stone-built African cottages and Bandas, which provide en suite accommodation with curved verandahs providing wonderful views to the plains, spacious bedrooms, and bathroom with showers.

back to top