Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park covers more than 3,230 sq km, which makes it the fourth-largest park in Tanzania. It's on the southern circuit, and it's one of the least visited national parks in the country.

Floodplains and mountain ranges surround Mikumi. The Uluguru Mountains and their forests lie to the east, and the Udzungwa Mountains lie to the southwest.

People often compare Mikumi to the Serengeti because the landscape looks similar. On the open grassland of the Mkata floodplain you'll see scattered patches of acacia woodland and baobab trees.

Together with the Selous Game Reserve, Mikumi forms one ecosystem. Its open, varied landscape makes a great background for wildlife photography.

There's a wide range of wildlife, with big herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and impala. Giraffes and elephants are common too. Predators such as lions and spotted hyenas are seen from time to time. Troops of yellow baboons and vervet monkeys live all over the park, and you may also see the endangered African wild dog.

Mikumi is good for birds as well, with more than 400 species. In the wet season, migrant birds from Europe arrive too.

Best Time to Visit

You can visit Mikumi all year, but some seasons are better for certain things:

• Dry Season (June to October): The best time for wildlife viewing, because animals gather around water.
• Wet Season (November to May): The park turns green, which is great for birdwatching and photography. Some roads can get muddy.

Activities To Do

Here's what you can do in Mikumi National Park:

• Game drives
• Walking safaris
• Aerial safaris

What to See

Mikumi is smaller than parks like the Serengeti, but it still has plenty of wildlife, including four of the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffaloes and leopards (there are no rhinos).

1. The Big Cats

• Lions – Often seen resting under trees or hunting on the open plains.
• Leopards – Harder to find, but you may spot one in the woodland or along the rivers.

2. Large Mammals & Herbivores

• Elephants – Big herds move through the park, especially near waterholes.
• Buffaloes – Often found in large numbers on the grassland.
• Zebras & Giraffes – Common on the Mkata floodplain.
• Hippos – The best place to see them is the well-known Hippo Pool, where they lie about in the water.

3. Unique Antelope Species

• Elands – The largest antelope, often seen in Mikumi.
• Greater Kudus – Easy to recognize by their long, spiral horns.
• Sable Antelopes – Among Africa's most handsome antelopes, seen in the woodland.

4. Birdwatching in Mikumi

More than 400 bird species live in Mikumi, including:

• Lilac-breasted rollers
• Martial eagles
• Yellow-throated longclaws
• Ground hornbills

How To Get There

Safari Van:

Mikumi is 280 km from Dar es Salaam, the largest city in Tanzania, and the drive usually takes around 4 hours. Roads also link Mikumi to Selous, Udzungwa and Ruaha, but in the wet season these roads can't be used.

Flight:

You can fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and take a shuttle bus from the airport to the park headquarters. There are also direct charter flights to the Mikumi airstrip from Julius Nyerere International Airport, Arusha and Selous.