DISCOVER TANZANIA
Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park sits in an area of impeccable biodiversity: the park borders Tanzania’s largest park – Selous Game Reserve to the south, the Uluguru Mountains to the northeast, and Uduzungwa Mountains to the west.
Mikumi National Park is one of the largest national parks in the Republic of Tanzania, located in the southern region of the country. Established in 1964, the park is Tanzania’s fourth largest national park covering 3,230 square kilometers (1,250 square miles). Mikumi National Park sits in an area of impeccable biodiversity: the park borders Tanzania’s largest park – Selous Game Reserve to the south, the Uluguru Mountains to the northeast, and Uduzungwa Mountains to the west. Within Mikumi National Park is Malundwe Mountain which has three peaks – with its southern peak being the highest point in the park (1,290 m above sea level).
Mikumi National Park has a diverse ecology and is also passed by Tanzania’s A-7 Highway which divides the park into two regions: northwest and southeast. Both regions of the park have varied ecosystems; but with little in common, for example, the North West is characterized by broad alluvial plains with more Acacia trees and Baobabs. Mikumi is one of the best national parks in Tanzania, despite being relatively unknown; the park has an array of wildlife that can be easily spotted on every game viewing safari in the park. Furthermore, Mikumi’s vicinity to Dar-es-salaam makes the park a perfect choice for travelers who have limited time but want to encounter wildlife.
Our Tours to Mikumi National Park
Getting to Mikumi National Park
Tanzania safaris to Mikumi National Park often begin in Dar es Salaam, and the country’s entrance gateway is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). By road, driving from Dar-es-Salaam is the best route to reach Mikumi National Park and it will take you between 4 to 5 hours on a paved smooth road. On the other hand, traveling by car from Dodoma will take around 6 hours. Most visitors, however, stop in Mikumi on their way to Nyerere or Ruaha, two of Tanzania’s most prominent parks. Driving from Ruaha, the distance is around 320km/200 mi, and the journey takes approximately 5 hours. However, the only regular flights to Mikumi National Park are organized by Safari Air Link, and they connect to Ruaha, Selous, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar daily. In most circumstances, your tour operator will meet you at the airport and handle all subsequent ground transfers or domestic flights.
Attractions in Mikumi National Park
Wildlife
Mikumi National Park is a rich habitat for wild animals including four of the big five animals: buffalo, elephant, lion, and leopard. The park also boasts an incredible number of zebras, wildebeest, impalas, giraffes, warthogs, waterbucks, hippos, Greater kudu, wild dogs, Sable antelopes, and baboons, among many others. Mikumi National Park also offers sightings of reptiles such as pythons, crocodiles and monitor lizards.
Birds
With over 400 recorded bird species, Mikumi National park is a great birding destination for Tanzania birding safaris. The best bird sightings in the park are caught around the Mkata River and floodplains. Bird species in Mikumi National Park include Black-bellied Bustard, Malachite and Pied kingfishers, Guinea fowls, Bateleur Eagle, Verreaux’s Eagle, Martial Eagle, Superb Starling, Secretary Bird, ox-peckers, Cattle Egret, Francolin, Marabou stork, Long-tailed fiscal, and Lilac-breasted roller, among others.
Mountains
Mikumi National Park lies amid mountains, making mountains one of the park’s most significant attractions. The most frequent and well-known mountains are the Uluguru Mountains, which every visitor to Mikumi National Park wants to explore while on a Tanzania safari to the park. Other scenic mountains in the park include the Udzugwa Mountains and the Malundwe Mountains, which are the biggest and tallest. The Malundwe Mountains are situated in the heart of the national park, linking the Uluguru, Udzungwa, and Uvidunda mountains. Malundwe Mountains are made up of three peaks, the tallest of which lies in the southern portion and rises to 1290 meters. These mountains in Mikumi National Park have a unique formation system and their magnificent views, draw more visitors to the park, particularly photographers, authors, you name it.
Culture
The surrounding local neighborhood of Mikumi National Park offers an exceptional African cultural experience. Cultural experiences around Mikumi National Park are conducted by the Chilunga cultural tourism, whose offices are located in the nearby town of Morogoro, only a few minutes’ drive from the park’s main gate. The organization has local expert guides who are well-versed in their history and culture. Some of the cultures that may be found throughout Mikumi National Park include the Maasai culture, Kinole, Choma, and Madola, to mention but a few. While on cultural tours in Mikumi, you will interact with the locals and participate in local community events such as traditional dances, cuisine, and other activities. Because residents are actively involved in tourist management, cultural tourism is one method of fostering sustainable tourism.
Kinole Waterfall
Though not located inside the park, the Kinole waterfall is one of the main attractions of Mikumi National Park. The waterfall is located a few kilometers outside of Morogoro, in the Uluguru Mountains, in the town of Kinole. The waterfall was called after the town in which it is situated and it features beautiful scenery. Moreover, visitors may swim below the waterfall or trek to the top. There are local guides available in Morogoro town that will drive you deep into the town to the start of the walk.
Top Tourist Activities in Mikumi National Park
Game Viewing
Game viewing is one of the most outstanding Tanzania safari activities in Mikumi National Park. Offered mostly in safari game drives, this activity is carried out in 4×4 safari vehicles under the supervision of experienced safari guides. Game viewing in Mikumi National Park is conducted mostly in the Mkata flood plains northwest of the main road, following various circuits that run across the park’s plains. This is because of the large concentration of animals found in the flood plains; and as a result, it is sometimes referred to as the “Little Serengeti.” Game drives in Mikumi National Park include morning game drives, day game drives, and night game drives which offer sights of the nocturnal species. On safari game drives, expect to see lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, impalas, elands, sable antelopes, wildebeests, greater kudus, warthogs, waterbucks, yellow baboons, zebras, hartebeests, and wild dogs, among many others.
Birding
Mikumi National Park is home to over 400 recorded bird species including migratory birds, savanna birds, aquatic birds, and many others. The park offers fantastic birding safaris throughout the year and birders should expect to see various birds such as the Zanzibar red bishop, malachite kingfisher, martial eagle, yellow-throated long claw, purple breasted roller, marabou stork, hornbills, bateleurs eagle, and open billed stork, to mention but a few. Migratory species can be seen in Mikumi from November to April.
Walking Safaris
Mikumi National Park is an excellent destination for Tanzania walking safaris; the park provides 3-4 hour walking safaris on three paths that run through the park: Kikoboga, Vuma Hills, and the Mikumi wildlife resort trail. Walking safaris in Mikumi National Park are offered in guided walks through short savannah and Miombo forest vegetation. Overseen by experienced guides and armed rangers t protect you from wild animals, guided walking safaris offer tourists up-close encounters with wild animals, birds, and the park’s lovely landscape.
Camping and Picnics
Mikumi National Park also offers camping and picnics to travelers on Tanzania safaris to the park. The park features two camping areas/sites: a public and private campsite. The private campground is located in the Vuma Hills, also known as Campsite 5, and the public campsite is located in the Nkata Plains, also known as Campsite 1. Both camping areas provide the same camping experience and camping areas are available all year, although the ideal time to camp is during the dry season, which runs from June to October. The camping areas are available all year, although the ideal time to camp is during the dry season, which runs from June to November.
On the other hand, Mikumi National Park also provides beautiful vistas, terrains, and sites that are an ideal wilderness arena for safari picnics with a variety of activities to enjoy such as food, games, etc.
Best time to go to Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is good for tourism all year; however, the greatest time to visit the park and enjoy outstanding animal sightings occurs in the dry season, from June through October. During this period, the vegetation is thinner, and animals may be seen gathering around the Mkata River drinking water. This is also the peak tourism season, with many visitors arriving during this time of year. The conclusion of the Dry season (September and October) is especially gratifying since large herds of animals arrive to drink at the remaining water sources.
Accommodation in Mikumi National Park
There are several lodging places where travelers visiting Mikumi National Park can stay and these vary in class from luxury to midrange to budget safari lodges and camps; all to satisfy the financial capabilities of the guests. Some of these establishments in Mikumi National Park;
Stanley’s Kopje Camp
Stanley’s Kopje is the sole camp in Mikumi National Park, located atop a rocky kopje on the Mkata flood plain and overlooking the park’s premier game-viewing spot, the Mwanamboga waterhole. The lodge perches high atop a rocky kopje, with 360-degree views of the surrounding Mikumi forest. Stanley’s Kopje features 12 tents, scattered around the lower perimeter of the hill, providing breathtaking views across the plains. The tents are placed on elevated wooden platforms with thatched roofs that give protection from the heat as you relax on your veranda and watch the wildlife around the camp. Being a solar-powered camp, guests are asked to save water and electricity: otherwise, all amenities are offered including breakfast and lunch buffets, with scheduled evening supper menus. However, the camp is only available from June to February due to the difficulties of access during the wet season.
Mikumi Wildlife Camp:
This camp is situated in the heart of Mikumi National Park and is a great stopover for visitors on their way to Ruaha and Katavi National Parks. The camp consists of six modest stone-built thatched bandas with en-suite bathrooms, a fan, and turndown service, which includes spraying insecticide. All Bandas at Mikumi Wildlife camp can accommodate at least four persons in two separate rooms. The camp also features a lounge, a restaurant, and a bar; all overlooking the waterhole. Many animal species, including lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffes, and a variety of birds, may be observed daily. The dazzling swimming pool and wide grounds will keep children occupied at all times.
Tan-Swiss Lodge
This is a resort and restaurant owned by a Swiss family in Tanzania. The lodge provides comfortable accommodation in guest rooms, bungalows, and campsites with Tanzanian charm and Swedish warmth. Each of the five large bungalows may accommodate up to four individuals or three adults and one child. On the other hand, the large campsite features a decent restroom with hot showers. Tan-Swiss lodge features pleasant rooms offering mosquito nets, fans, Televisions, and private en-suite bathrooms. Each room has its veranda. There is also a fireplace and enough trees to shade your tent. The on-site restaurant and kitchen serve Tanzanian, Swiss, Chinese, Indian, and Italian cuisine. Tan-Swiss lodge offers safari stays to travelers, not only to Mikumi National Park but also those interested in exploring the adjacent national parks.