Mikumi National Park
About Mikumi National Park
The open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the popular centerpiece of Mikumi, is often compared to the more famous Serengeti Plains. The park is very accessible by surfaced road from Dar es Salaam.
Size: 3220 km² / 1250 mi²
Altitude: 199-1259 m / 653-4131 ft
Swirls of opaque mist hide the advancing dawn. The first shafts of sun color the fluffy grass heads rippling across the plain in a russet halo. A herd of zebras, confident in their camouflage at this predatory hour, pose like ballerinas, heads aligned and stripes merging in flowing motion. Mikumi National Park abuts the northern border of Africa’s biggest game reserve – the Selous – and is transected by the surfaced road between Dar es Salaam and Iringa. It is thus the most accessible part of a 75,000 square kilometer (47,000 square mile) tract of wilderness that stretches east almost as far as the Indian Ocean. The open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the popular centerpiece of Mikumi, draw frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains.
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 favored also by Mikumi elephants. Cris-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.
More than 400 bird species have been recorded, with such colorful common residents as the lilac-breasted roller, yellow-threatened long claw and battler eagle joined by a host of European migrants during the rainy season. 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 water birds.
Pros and Cons
Good sightings of less common antelopes like eland, greater kudu and sable
Guided walks available
Excellent mid-range lodges with prices aimed at expats from Dar es Salaam
On route to more known parks in the south like Selous and Ruaha
Suitable for a weekend get-away from Dar es Salaam
Only one road circuit accessible to tourists
Animals are scattered during the wet season and some lodges are closed from March to May
Lack of wilderness appeal with the Tanzam highway, the main road between Dar es Salaam and Iringa, running straight through the park
Wildlife
The grasslands of Mikumi support large herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and impala. Giraffe and elephant are also common. Predators, like lions and spotted hyena, are present but sightings are relatively rare.
Scenery
The 80% of Mikumi southeast of the Tanzania Highway is inaccessible to tourists. The 60km circuit open to tourists is on the Mkata River floodplain, comprised of open grassland interspersed with acacia woodland and the odd baobab tree.
Best time to visit:
- Climate is tropical and the park is accessible year round. The best time to visit the park is during the dry season which is June through February.
- During the rainy season (March through – May) some of the park roads may be impassable.
Activities:
- Cultural tourism village walks
- Guided walking safaris in selected areas.
- Safari game drives within the national park with 4×4 vehicles.
- Visit the nearby Selous Game Reserve and Udzungwa Mountains National Park.
Properties:
Luxury Accommodation: Mvuma Hills Tented Camp / Stanley’s Kopje or Similar Accommodation.
Mid-Range Accommodation: Mikumi Wildlife Camp / Angalia Tented Camp or Similar Accommodation.
Standard Accommodation: Tan-Swiss Lodge / Camp Bastian Mikumi or Similar Accommodation.
Budget Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi / Mikumi Safari Lodge / Vamos Hotel or Similar Accommodation.
Basic Accommodation: Camp Atupele / Camp Bastian Mikumi / Voyage Village Hotel / Mikumi TANAPA Cottages & Bandas or Similar Accommodation.
Camping Accommodation: Mikumi Public Campsite or Mikumi Private Campsite.
Sharing a common border and ecosystem with Selous Game Reserve to the south, Mikumi National Park is only three to four hours drive from Dar es Salaam, lying astride the main highway to Zambia, and en route to the National Parks of Udzungwa Mountains, Ruaha and Kitulo. The main feature of the park is the Mikumi flood plain, along with the mountain ranges that border the park on two sides. Open grasslands dominate in the flood plain, eventually merging with the miombo woodland covering the lower hills.
Mikumi National Park covers an area of 3,230 sq km, and is rich in wildlife including buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, lion, elephant, impala, hippos, baboon, giraffe, warthog, waterbuck and eland which can be viewed throughout the year. Reptiles including crocodile, monitor lizard and python are also resident in the park. Other animals that can be sighted although rare are the Sable Antelope resident in the southern part of the park bordering the Selous, the Greater Kudu, leopard, and the wild dog also known as the African Hunting Dog. More than 400 bird species have been recorded, including European migrants during the rainy season.
Mikumi National Park is one the most popular visitor points sold from our Dar es Salaam branch office. Being close to Dar es Salaam on good road, day trips are popular especially for those who have little time to spend an overnight there. But it is recommended to spend at least a night in Mikumi to enjoy a fulfilling game drive in this beautiful park. A number of accommodation facilities are available in Mikumi. You can contact Kim'zebra Adventures and Safaris for more details about this Mikumi National Park.