Mikumi National Park
Mikumi was made a National Park in 1964
and is 3,230 sq. km (1,250 sq. miles) in
size. This enormous area links the Julius
Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) with the
forested abundance of the eastern arc mountains,
and so is an important part of a huge ecosystem of
rivers, flood plains, forests and woodlands.
The northern plains that surround the Mkata River are
readily accessible and is the best place to go for wildlife.
A good network of tracks means that a wide variety of
wildlife including buffalo, cape hunting dog, cheetah,
and lion are approachable and can be enjoyed at close
quarters.
Wildlife
Mikumi abounds with big game, including buffalo,
elephant, the big cats, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, zebra,
eland as well as smaller species. Some of the more
unusual species such as sable antelope, Lichtenstein’s
hartebeest and greater kudu inhabit the wooded
areas surrounding the Mkata plains and are more of a
challenge to find. But they’re there!
Getting there
Air. The Mikumi National Park airstrip is at Kikoboga and
scheduled flights operate daily from all the main
centers in Tanzania, but often routing via Dar es
Salaam.
Road. An approximate 4 hour drive, (283 km) on a
good surfaced road connects Mikumi to Dar es
Salaam via Morogoro. This road also connects to
Udzungwa, Iringa and Ruaha.
Its proximity to Dar es Salaam makes Mikumi a
popular option for weekend visitors from the city,
or for business visitors who don’t have to spend a
long time on an extended safari itinerary.
Activities
• Game drives
• Night game driving
• Guided walks
Accommodation
Mikumi National Park has bandas where visitors can
stay as well as a public and special campsites which
are booked through the Headquarters in Arusha. There
are also well appointed lodges and permanent tented
camps in the Park run by priv
More Details
Outside the Park there are guest houses in
Mikumi town on the park border.
When to go
Mikumi’s dry season lasts between May and
November, but despite wet spells during the
remaining months, the countryside is green
and beautiful and a well established network
of roads and tracks ensures enjoyable visits all
year round.
Safari ideas
On a safari from Dar es Salaam, Mikumi is en
route to Udzungwa National Park and in the
dry season a gravel road links up with Nyerere
National Park (formerly the Selous) from where
one can fly back to Dar es Salaam.
From Mikumi one can also carry on through to
Iringa and Ruaha National Park, either by air
or road.