Mikumi National Park

Perfectly Plain
Useful stopover on southern safaris & short trips from Dar Es Salaam - a real bird lovers paradise.

BEST FOR

safari guide
ACCESSABILITY
Useful stopover on southern safaris & short trips from Dar Es Salaam - a real bird lovers paradise.
Our Rating of Mikumi National Park
  • Remoteness 30% 30%
  • Family 80% 80%
  • Animal Viewing 100% 100%
  • Landscape 85% 85%
  • Flora 90% 90%
  • Birding 70% 70%

Our Rating Of Mikumi National Park

%

Mikumi National Park

Useful stopover on southern safaris & short trips from Dar Es Salaam - a real bird lovers paradise.

BEST FOR

safari guide
ACCESSABILITY

Primate’s Playground

  • Remoteness 30% 30%
  • Family 80% 80%
  • Animal Viewing 100% 100%
  • Landscape 85% 85%
  • Flora 90% 90%
  • Birding 70% 70%

Our Rating Of Mikumi National Park

%

Home » National Parks » Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park

West of the bustling town of Morogoro, and East of bustling Dar es Salaam city, Mikumi National Park is small reserve with some lovely scenery that offers a gentle game experience – ideal for a two-night stop and a good base for day-trips to the Udzungwa Mountains. Mikumi shares a border and its wildlife populations with the Selous Game Reserve, so you’ll find plenty here, including elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, impala and buffalo. The vast Mkata plain is often a good place to search for lion, whilst the lucky will spot leopard or even wild dog.

A wide expanse of floodplains, rocky outcrops and the watercolor palette of rusty reds and pale yellows is what draws the comparison of the Mikumi National Park to the plains of the Serengeti. However despite the visual similarity the Mikumi is actually part of the Selous reserve. The Selous is one of the largest ecosystems in the whole of Tanzania and stretches an astounding 75,000 kilometers all the way to the rolling waves of the Indian Ocean. The Mikumi National Park is blessed to have easy access and a thriving wildlife population making it a unique stop on your safari adventure.

The central floodplains are decorated with some of Africa’s most famous treetops, from the silver trunked baobab to the outstretched arms of the Acacia, fragrant Tamarind and the fan shaped Doum palm with its delicious oval fruits that fall with a soft plop to the ground.

Here beneath the hazy blue skies you can spot eagles drifting, coasting water birds and herds of wildebeest. Lions roll in the long grass occasionally stepping out of the basking sun to stalk a lone zebra. Giraffes stagger across the open plains looking for lush green leaves and antelope walk with dainty stalk like legs to disappear into the forest.

NATURE’S GREATEST GIFTS
The Mikumi National Park is home to two manmade pools inhabited by hippos. Visitors love to trek the 5km north of the entrance to watch the hippos sink like a stone beneath the cool waters. The shores are also decorated with bright, migrating birds that swoop in to wade in the waters and do a spot of fishing. Down in the sweeping floodplains you can be sure to spot the great eland, the world’s largest antelope. These magnificent animals tower on the plains with their spiraled horns and pale stripes they seem more at home in the books of mythology then the fringes of the woodland. Yellow-throated long claws are a common sight fluttering from tree to tree and lilac breasted rollers trill out from the thickets. Local residents are keen to tell travelers that if they really want to catch a glimpse of the notorious tree climbing lions then Mikumi is the place to be despite Lake Manyara being the world famous destination known for this.

 

Our Top Tips For Mikumi National Park
  • Close to Dar es Salaam and easily accessible.
  • Nearby Udzungwa mountains can be reached in the same safari trip.
  • Safari driving tours
  • Can be part of wider Selous or Ruaha safari trip.
  • Being a little more than 300 kilometers from the pristine beaches and vibrant history of Dar Es Salaam, the Mikumi National Park is a wonderful experience for those wanting a glimpse into Africa’s stunning wildlife scene without getting lost in the depths of the Serengeti. Whether you want to take an overnight trip or a few days away from the city and into the wilderness the Mikumi can accommodate all kinds of visitors and allow them an unbridled view into Africa’s heartland.

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Accommodation In Mikumi National Park

CAMPSITES

LODGES

TENTED CAMPS

5

5

7

Accommodation In Mikumi National Park

CAMPSITES

5

LODGES

5

TENTED CAMPS

7

Flora & Fauna In Mikumi National Park
Here beneath the hazy blue skies you can spot eagles drifting, coasting water birds and herds of wildebeest. Lions roll in the long grass occasionally stepping out of the basking sun to stalk a lone zebra. Giraffes stagger across the open plains looking for lush green leaves and antelope walk with dainty stalk like legs to disappear into the forest.

Mikumi is one of the most reliable places in Tanzania for sightings of the powerful eland, the world’s largest antelope. The equally impressive greater kudu and sable antelope can be found in the miombo woodland covered foothills of the mountains that rise from the park’s borders. The Lichtenstein’s hartebeest is one of the more unusual antelopes and has a slightly different appearance to the Coke’s hartebeest, which can be found in the northern parks of Tanzania.

More than 400 bird species have been recorded at Mikumi National Park, with highlights including the lilac-breasted roller, yellow-throated longclaw and bateleur eagle joined by a host of European migratory birds from November to April.

Another factor that allows the Mikumi National Park to stand out from the crowd is the Mikumi Snake Park. The park has over fifty species of Tanzanian snakes alongside crocodiles and reptiles. Whilst slippery things may make you a little queasy you can enjoy sharing knowledge with a local guide who can point out the secrets of each snake’s behavior.

DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS YOU WILL EXPERIENCE

LAKE

MIOMBO

 

Location Of Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park, the fourth largest in Tanzania, lies just North of the Selous Game Reserve forming part of a unique eco-system bordering the Udzungwa mountains. Mikumi National Park is very accessible by surfaced road from Dar es Salaam
where safaris usually embark from. Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in Dar es Salaam in most cases is your pick up point, or charter flight transfer point, for Mikumi safaris and Dar is a great place to relax before and after your trip to the Park. Chartered flights can also be arranged from Arusha and other regional airports to Mikumi’s airstrip.

Transected by the surfaced road between Dar es Salaam and Iringa. It is thus the most accessible part of a 75,000 square kilometre (47,000 square mile) tract of wilderness that stretches east almost as far as the Indian Ocean. By road, Mikumi is a 4 hours away from Dar es Salaam and can easily be visited in solitude, especially as a weekend get-away. However, most people will visit Mikumi by safari vehicle on route to some of the more popular parks in southern Tanzania like Selous or Ruaha.

The best time of year for getting to Mikumi National Park is between late June and October (the dry season). At this time vegetation is thinner and animals gather around predictable water resources. However, wildlife is generally visible at any time of year for Mikumi National park.

Fun Facts About Mikumi National Park

Nov DeeCyprus

 Total Land Area

Elevation above sea level

Nearest Major City & Airport

When To Visit

3230 sq km
About the same size as Cyprus

550-1255 m

About 236 stacked giraffes

DAR
About 220 km East
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 

 

Fun Facts About Mikumi National Park

 Total Land Area

3230 sq km
About the same size as Cyprus

Elevation above sea level

550-1255 m

About 236 stacked giraffes

Nearest Major City & Airport

DAR
About 220 km East

When To Visit

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 

 

Infographic Of Mikumi National Park
Safaris In Mikumi National Park

This is usually in a large vehicle with space for up to 8 guests.

  • Can decrease prices a lot especially for groups less than 3.
  • Great opportunity to meet other people from around the world.
  • You have separate rooms but the benefit of good company during transfers and meals.

View Shared Safaris

This is a private vehicle allowing you complete freedom.

  • You can decide on when you want to start & end your safari day.
  • Complete freedom – stop when & for how long you want.
  • Recommended for specialist photographers, honeymooners and families

View Private Safaris

Safaris In Mikumi National Park

This is usually in a large vehicle with space for up to 8 guests.

  • Can decrease prices a lot especially for groups less than 3.
  • Great opportunity to meet other people from around the world.
  • You have separate rooms but the benefit of good company during transfers and meals.

View Shared Safaris

This is a private vehicle allowing you complete freedom.

  • You can decide on when you want to start & end your safari day.
  • Complete freedom – stop when & for how long you want.
  • Recommended for specialist photographers, honeymooners and families

View Private Safaris

Be Inspired To Visit Mikumi National Park
What To Do In Mikumi National Park

WALKING SAFARIS

BIRD WATCHING

GAME DRIVES

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Udzungwa National Park

Read More About Mikumi National Park