Mikumi National Park is located in the southern safari circuit and forms part of the northern ecosystem of the famous Selous Game Reserve. Mikumi National Park is only 6 hours from Dar es Salaam, lying alongside the highway to Zambia and en route to Udzungwa, Ruaha, and Kitulo National Parks.
The park covers an area of 3,230 sq. km (1,250 sq. miles), making this sanctuary the fifth largest national park in Tanzania. The park has a diversified ecosystem that is further divided by the road that runs across the park. The road separates the park into two sections, the North West and the South East. With a scenery often compared to Serengeti, the northwest area is characterized by plains consisting of vegetation such as acacia, tamarinds, baobab, and some rare palm trees. On the other side of the road is the less accessed part of the Mikumi National Park. The vegetation is thick, dominated by shrubs, and with less abundance of wildlife making it less exploited.
Mikumi National Park holds a diverse number of wildlife, large herds of Elephants, Buffalos, Zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, Leopards, Lions, Sable Antelopes, Greater Kudu, Baboons, impalas, and more than 400 species of birds. As this National park shares the same ecosystem with Selous Game Reserve herds of elephants, zebras and buffaloes migrate to and from the northern part of the game reserve into the national park.
Accessibility
With the well-established network of roads, Mikumi National Park can be visited all year round, although Mikumi’s dry season lasts between May and November.
Climate
The Park experiences two rainfall seasons, short rains starting from October to early November and long rains from March to May. The dry season is from late June to September and December to February. The park is located at an altitude between 200 and 800 meters.
The best time to visit
With the well-established network of roads, Mikumi National Park can be visited all year round, although Mikumi’s dry season lasts between May and November.
Accommodation
If your wish is to stay overnight inside the park, the park offers accommodation options such as Bandas, public campsites, and tented camps. Just 18km from the main entrance of the National Park there are various accommodation options as well.
Activities
- Game drives
- Walking safari’s
- Night Safari