Full Destination Details
Location & Landscape
- Size: 3,230 sq km (Tanzania’s 4th largest park)
- Location: 283km west of Dar es Salaam, bordering Selous Game Reserve
- Key Areas:
- Mkata Floodplain (like a mini Serengeti – great for lions)
- Miombo Woodlands (rare sable & roan antelope)
Why It’s Special:
✔ The only major park you can drive to from Dar
✔ Less commercialized – feels wild and untouched
What You’ll See
Big Animals (Guaranteed Sightings!)
- Elephants (big herds near the Mkata River)
- Lions (often hunting at dawn on the floodplains)
- Giraffes, zebras & buffalo (everywhere!)
- Wild dogs (rare but sometimes spotted)
Nighttime Specials
- Bushbabies (tiny wide-eyed primates)
- Civets & genets (small spotted predators)
- Honey badgers (fearless little warriors)
Birdlife (400+ Species!)
- Yellow-throated longclaw (park’s signature bird)
- Lilac-breasted rollers (most colorful bird in Africa)
- Bateleur eagles & vultures
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Dry (Jun-Oct) | Best for predators | Dusty roads |
| Wet (Nov-May) | Lush greenery, baby animals | Some roads flood |
Guide Tip: “April-May is secret ‘green season’ – fewer visitors and beautiful landscapes!” – Benson