Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park, Tanzania’s fourth largest national park, measures 3,230 square kilometres (1,250 square miles) and is bisected by the A-7 highway. The park is located between the Uluguru Mountains and the Lumango Range near Morogoro, just a few hours from Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam. Established in 1964, the park is home to a broad assortment of animals, and its proximity to Dar es Salaam makes it an ideal choice for visitors who have limited time in the nation but want to go on a safari.

Mikumi National Park, dubbed the “Little Serengeti,” has a beautiful scenery that is frequently compared to Serengeti National Park. However, the A-7 freeway that runs through the park separates it into two largely unique ecosystems. Mikumi is located in the northern area of the park and contains a lovely savannah populated with acacia, baobab, tamarind, and unique palm trees, as well as the stunning Uluguru Mountains rock formations. This is also the area of the park with the greatest concentration of animals. The southeastern half of the park, on the other hand, is less wildlife-rich and more difficult to visit.

How do I go to Mikumi National Park?

Most safaris to Mikumi National Park begin at Dar es Salaam, which also serves as Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). Air travel is the most convenient way to reach Mikumi National Park. Safari Air Link, which also operates daily flights to Ruaha, Selous, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar, is the only airline that offers regular service to Mikumi.

By road, Mikumi National Park is only a four-hour trip from Dar es Salaam. However, most people stop in Mikumi on their way to Nyerere or Ruaha, two of Tanzania’s most famous parks. Ruaha, for example, is around 320 kilometres (200 miles) away from Mikumi National Park, which takes about 5 hours to drive.

Attractions at Mikumi National Park

Fauna of Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park is one of Tanzania’s most biologically diverse national parks. The park, which covers 3,230 square kilometres, provides natural habitats for a wide range of animal species, including buffalo and herds of up to 300 elephants looking for underground rivers in dry riverbeds. Meanwhile, migrating wildebeest, impala, eland, gazelle, kudu, hartebeest, zebra, and other small mammals converge near the waterholes.

The park also has duikers, warthogs, giraffes, hippopotamuses, lions, leopards, African wild dogs, sable antelopes, and baboons. The park also has reptiles like crocodiles, monitor lizards, and pythons. On the other hand, mongoose nests are frequently discovered in abandoned burrows.

Birds in Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park also has a diverse population of over 400 colourful and distinctive bird species, both resident and migratory. Mikumi is a popular safari site for bird lovers who are captivated for an extended period of time, offering great opportunities to see species such as the Superb Starling, Dominican Widow, Boehm’s Bee-eater, Dickinson’s Falcon, African Openbill, Marabou Stork, Red-billed Oxpeckers, Black-bellied Bustard, Francolin, Cattle Egret, Guinea Fowl, Hornbill, and Crested Kingfisher, among others. Other species to search for at Mikumi National Park include the Yellow-throated Weaver, Long-tailed Roller, and Bateleur Eagles. The Mkata River is one of the best bird watching spots in Mikumi National Park, and the best time to visit is between November and April, when migratory species are present.

Mountains

Mikumi National Park is located in the centre of the mountains, making them one of the park’s key attractions. The Uluguru Mountains are the most famous mountains in Mikumi National Park, and every tourist to the park desires to climb them on their Tanzania safari. The Malundwe Mountains and the Udzungwa Mountains are the park’s largest and highest mountains, respectively. The Malundwe Mountains, on the other hand, consist of three peaks, the highest of which is located in the south and stands at 1290 meters. These mountains, with their distinct formations, provide breathtaking views of the park and its surrounds, attracting a diverse range of tourists, including hikers, photographers, nature lovers, and researchers.

Culture

Mikumi National Park also has several local Tanzanian tribes, which are a must-see attraction. The surrounding area is home to tribes such as the Maasai, Kinole, Choma, and Madola, among others, providing an authentic African cultural experience. These tribes are frequently combined under the umbrella of Chilunga Cultural Tourism, with guides who are knowledgeable about their history and culture. Their offices are in the nearby town of Morogoro, only a few minutes’ drive from the park’s main gate. When you visit these tribes, you will be able to mingle with the locals and take part in community events such as traditional dancing, cooking, and other activities.

Kinole Waterfalls

Kinole Falls, despite not being within the park boundaries, is one of Mikumi National Park’s key attractions. The falls are located in Kinole, a settlement in the Uluguru Mountains, a few kilometres from Morogoro. Aside from its picturesque appeal, visitors can swim at the base of the falls or trek to the top to appreciate the natural surroundings.

Activities in Mikumi National Park

Safaris

Game drives through Mikumi National Park are the best method to see a wide variety of wildlife. Visitors to this extensive national park can take a game drive to witness large herds of buffalo, wild dogs, zebra, impala, and wildebeest grazing on the stunning savannah grasslands. Mikumi National Park provides early morning and late afternoon game drives.

In addition, the park offers night safaris, which let visitors to see nocturnal creatures like leopards and lions at their most active. Safaris offer the opportunity to witness buffalo, giraffe, impala, elephant, antelope, gazelle, hartebeest, zebra, wild dog, and wildebeest. Furthermore, the scant vegetation, which includes a diverse range of unique and indigenous flora, as well as the clear weather, enhance the safari experience. Mikumi National Park safaris use 4×4 vehicles, such as land cruisers or touring vans, with huge windows and open roofs to provide continuous views of animals.

Bird watching

Mikumi National Park, with over 440 known bird species, is one of Tanzania’s greatest bird viewing destinations. The park provides birders with excellent views of European resident and migratory species, as well as waterfowl. The park’s meadows, Mkata River, and Miombo forests are ideal for bird watching. Bird enthusiasts will be happy to see species like the Black-bellied Bustard, African Openbill, Crested Kingfisher, Cattle Egrets, Bateleur Eagle, Yellow-throated Weaver, African Spoonbill, Long-breasted Roller, African Grey Hornbill, and African Fish Eagle, to mention a few. Mikumi National Park offers guided tours in the morning and evening for bird watching, with the peak season running from November to April.

Hiking

Mikumi National Park, nestled between a succession of mountain ranges, is an excellent trekking destination, particularly in the Uluguru Mountains. The Uluguru Mountains are a major mountain range located in the park’s northern region, with the main ridge rising to 2,630 meters. These mountains are breathtakingly beautiful and home to a diverse range of vegetation, birds, and animals. Visitors can unwind and take in the natural and untamed beauty of their surroundings during fascinating hikes along the many marked routes through tough but lovely woodlands.

Walking Safaris at Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park walking safaris are the greatest method to discover the park’s rich animals as well as its magnificent surroundings. Armed rangers and professional safari guides accompany tourists on guided nature excursions to explore the area on foot. The Miombo Woodlands, Vuma Woodlands, and Kikoboga are the park’s most popular walking safari destinations. Mikuni National Park walking safaris typically 3 to 4 hours and provide travellers with wonderful up-close views of several species of wildlife, colourful birds, various types of flora, and colourful butterflies, among other breathtaking attractions.

Cultural tours at Mikumi National Park

Cultural excursions at Mikumi National area are a fun way for travellers to meet and connect with the several local tribes that surround the area. Visitors will be able to explore and learn about the inhabitants’ customs, traditions, and clothing styles with the assistance of skilled local guides, as well as taste their local cuisine, visit their farms, see their daily rituals, and purchase souvenirs to take home. Aside from wildlife viewing, this is one of the most fascinating things to do in Tanzania.

Best time to visit Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park is open year-round, but the best time to come is during the dry season, which runs from late June to October. This is the finest time of year to go game viewing since the foliage is thin and the animals concentrate around waterholes, making them easier to spot.