Mikumi National Park
About Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is one of Tanzania’s most accessible and popular wildlife safari destinations, offering visitors an excellent opportunity to experience the beauty of African wildlife within a relatively short travel distance from Dar es Salaam. Covering approximately 3,230 square kilometres, the park is situated in the Morogoro Region of southern Tanzania, along the main highway connecting Dar es Salaam with the country’s southern regions. It was officially established as a national park in 1964 and forms part of a larger ecosystem connected to the Nyerere National Park and the Eastern Arc Mountains. Its strategic location and well-developed road access make Mikumi an excellent destination for short safaris, weekend adventures and travellers with limited time.
The park is particularly famous for the Mkata Floodplain, an extensive open grassland area often compared to the Serengeti because of its beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife. Its landscape features rolling hills, seasonal wetlands, acacia woodlands, baobab trees and distant mountain views. These natural environments support a variety of animals, including elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, buffaloes, impalas and elands. Hippos and crocodiles can also be spotted around designated water pools and rivers. With its relatively open terrain, Mikumi provides excellent opportunities for wildlife photography and game drives, allowing visitors to observe animals against beautiful African landscapes.
Top Attractions and Experiences
Mkata Floodplain: Explore the park’s famous open grasslands, where large numbers of wildlife can be spotted throughout the year.
Big Five Wildlife: Search for elephants, lions, leopards and buffaloes, alongside other iconic African animals.
Hippo Pools: Observe hippos and crocodiles in their natural aquatic environment.
Elephant Encounters: Watch elephants moving across the open plains and woodland areas.
Giraffes and Zebras: Enjoy excellent opportunities to photograph these beautiful African animals.
Birdwatching: Discover more than 400 recorded bird species, including colourful rollers, eagles and storks.
Malundwe Mountain: Admire the beautiful mountain scenery that provides a spectacular backdrop to the park.
Game Drives: Experience guided wildlife viewing through the park’s accessible network of safari tracks.
Wildlife Photography: Capture unforgettable moments of animals, landscapes and African sunsets.
Best Time to Visit: June to October is generally the best time for wildlife viewing, although Mikumi offers safari experiences throughout the year.
