Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park is one of Tanzania’s best-kept secrets, located in the southeastern part of the country. The park covers an area of 3,230 square kilometers and is part of the larger Selous ecosystem. The park’s proximity to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city, makes it an easily accessible destination for both local and international visitors.

Mikumi National Park was officially gazetted in 1964 and has since then grown to be one of Tanzania’s most popular safari destinations. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, wildebeests, and many more. Visitors to the park can expect to see some of these animals up close and personal on a game drive.

How to get there?

Mikumi National Park is located about 283 kilometers southwest of Dar es Salaam. Visitors can access the park by road, air or train.

By Road

The most popular way to get to Mikumi National Park is by road. Visitors can take a bus or hire a private car to get to the park. The journey from Dar es Salaam takes about 4-5 hours. The park can also be accessed from other nearby towns such as Morogoro and Iringa.

By Air

Visitors can fly to Dar es Salaam and then take a domestic flight to the park’s airstrip, which is located within the park. Several airlines offer flights to the park, including Safari Airlink, Coastal Aviation, and Auric Air.

By Train

Visitors can also take a train from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi, which takes about 8-10 hours. The train offers a unique and scenic way to experience Tanzania’s countryside.

Things to do

Game Drives

Game drives are the most popular activity in Mikumi National Park. Visitors can take a guided game drive through the park to see some of its wildlife up close and personal. Game drives can be done in the morning or afternoon, and visitors can choose between a full-day or half-day game drive.

Walking Safaris

Walking safaris offer visitors a unique way to experience the park’s wildlife. Visitors can take a guided walking safari through the park to see some of its smaller wildlife and learn about the park’s flora and fauna

Bird Watching

Mikumi National Park is home to over 400 species of birds, making it a haven for bird watchers. Visitors can take a bird-watching tour through the park to see some of its beautiful birds, including the lilac-breasted roller, bateleur eagle, and African fish eagle.

Cultural Tours

Visitors can also take cultural tours to nearby Maasai villages to learn about the Maasai people’s traditional way of life. The Maasai are a semi-nomadic pastoralist tribe that has lived in Tanzania for centuries.

Picnics and Sundowners

Visitors can also enjoy picnics and sundowners in the park’s beautiful scenery. Many of the lodges and campsites offer picnic baskets and sundowner drinks that visitors can take with them on a game drive or enjoy at a scenic spot in the park.

When to visit?

The best time to visit Mikumi National Park is during the dry season, from June to October. During this time, the park’s wildlife gathers around water sources, making it easier to spot animals on a game drive. The dry season also offers clear skies, making it ideal for photography.

The park can be visited year-round, but the wet season, from November to May, can make game viewing more challenging due to the park’s muddy roads and dense vegetation. However, the wet season also offers beautiful scenery and bird watching opportunities.

Tours & Safaris

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