Mkomazi National Park

Mkomazi National Park lies below the slopes of the Usambara Mountains and the Pare Mountains, which give the park a striking backdrop. On a clear day you can also see the snowy peaks of Kilimanjaro from the park.

The old name, Mkomazi Game Reserve, comes from a language of the Pare people and means “where the water comes from.”

To the north, Mkomazi borders Kenya's Tsavo National Park. In the wet season, herds of elephant, oryx and zebra move between the two parks, and together Mkomazi and Tsavo form one of the largest protected ecosystems in East Africa. The Umba River runs along Mkomazi's southeastern edge and is the park's main permanent, reliable source of water.

Mkomazi marks the southern tip of the Sahel zone. Most of the park is dry savannah grassland and nyika bush, with giant baobab trees, scattered rocky outcrops and umbrella-shaped acacia trees.

The park has a wide variety of plants. It contains 90% of all plant species found in Tanzania, and 33% of them are found nowhere else in the world.

You can see around 78 kinds of mammals, along with many other animals, so the game viewing here can be very exciting. Mkomazi also has 450 bird species, which makes it an important stop for birdwatchers.

The park's best-known residents are the endangered black rhinos and African wild dogs. Mkomazi is one of only a few places in Tanzania where you can see black rhinos. The semi-dry conditions also make it a great place to see oryx in large herds. Besides these, Mkomazi is home to the Big Five, plus leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, buffaloes, hartebeests, giraffes and warthogs.

Best Time to Visit

You can visit Mkomazi all year; the best time depends on what you'd like to see.

• Dry Season (June to October) – Best for wildlife viewing, as animals gather around water. The clear skies also give you good views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Wet Season (November to May) – The land turns green, which is great for birdwatching and photography. Some roads can be hard going.

Activities To Do

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

• Game drives
• Walking safaris
• Aerial safaris
• Trekking safaris
• Bush dinners

What to See

Mkomazi is famous for its black rhino sanctuary, but you'll also find plenty of other wildlife, including some animals you won't often see in other parks.

1. Black Rhinos & Conservation

Mkomazi is one of the few places in Tanzania where you can see black rhinos in the wild. Thanks to conservation work, these critically endangered animals are slowly coming back. The Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary is a protected breeding area where visitors can see the rhinos up close.

2. African Wild Dogs

Mkomazi is also a very good place to look for African wild dogs, another endangered species. These rare predators are known for clever teamwork when they hunt and close family bonds.

3. Other Wildlife

Besides rhinos and wild dogs, you can see:

• Large mammals: elephants, giraffes, zebras and buffaloes.
• Big cats: lions, cheetahs and leopards, though they're harder to find.
• Rare antelopes: including oryx and lesser kudu, which you rarely see in other parks.

4. Birdwatching in Mkomazi

With more than 450 bird species, Mkomazi is a real treat for bird lovers. Look out for:

• The Violet Wood Hoopoe
• The striking Martial Eagle
• The rare Fischer's Starling

How To Get There

Safari Van:

Mkomazi is within easy reach of both Arusha and Moshi. The drive from either town takes around 2-3 hours.

Flight:

If you're coming from outside Tanzania, fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport and continue by road to Mkomazi. You can also take a direct charter flight from Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport to the Mkomazi airstrip.