Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park

Since a paved road connected its gate to Dar es Salaam, Mikumi National Park has grown into a tourism hotspot. Located between the Uluguru Mountains and Lumango Range, it is Tanzania’s fourth-largest national park, just a few hours' drive from the city.The park’s diverse wildlife makes it an ideal weekend escape for locals. It’s also a convenient safari stop for business travelers with limited time.

Wildlife & The Big Five

Visitors flock to Mikumi National Park to see the Big Five—cheetah, lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. They rarely leave disappointed. Hippo pools provide excellent viewing opportunities. Birdwatching along the waterways is rewarding, with many species to spot.
Mikumi borders Selous Game Reserve and Udzungwa National Park. Together, they form a diverse safari circuit with varied landscapes.

Landscapes & The Mkata Floodplain
At dawn, mist blankets the land. Sunlight slowly reveals grasslands rippling in gold. Zebras, confident in their camouflage, move in synchrony like ballet dancers. Mikumi is the most accessible section of the 75,000-square-kilometer wilderness, stretching toward the Indian Ocean.
The Mkata Floodplain, its centerpiece, is often compared to the famous Serengeti Plains. Lions oversee migrating zebra, wildebeest, impala, and buffalo, sometimes perched on termite mounds or tree branches.

Rare Wildlife & Birdwatching

The Mkata Floodplain is Tanzania’s best place to see eland, the world’s largest antelope. The greater kudu and sable antelope roam the miombo woodlands along the park’s foothills. With over 400 bird species recorded, Mikumi is a paradise for birdwatchers. Among them are the lilac-breasted roller, yellow-throated longclaw, and bateleur eagle.The hippo pools, 5 km north of the main entrance, provide an ever-changing scene

Mikumi National Park Facts

• The Mikumi National Park located near Morogoro, Tanzania and lies exactly on the north-west side of the Selous Game Reserve.
• The Mikumi National Park covers an area of 3,230 km² and the 4th largest national park in the country.
• The Udzungwa Mountains and Uluguru are the 2 natural areas that are bordering the national park.
• The North West region of Mikumi National Park is characterized by the alluvial plain of the river basin Mkata.
• The vegetation of the area consists of some of the rare palm, acacia, baobab, and tamarinds trees.
• The park contains a subspecies of giraffe that is often linked between the Masai giraffe and the reticulated or Somali giraffe.
• There are 2 artificial pools inhabited by hippos that can be spotted about 5km from north of the park.