Mikumi National Park, Tanzania’s fourth-biggest national park, offers an inviting blend of natural beauty and diverse animal life. Located just a few hours’ drive from Dar es Salaam and a gateway to other southern parks, the park provides an ideal safari experience for travelers seeking convenience without compromising on authenticity. To the south, the park borders the vast Selous Game Reserve, now Nyerere National Park, and together they form a unique ecosystem. Your chances of spotting tree-climbing lions here are higher than in many other parks.
Sweeping savannahs, acacia woodlands, and the dramatic Uluguru Mountains create a striking backdrop for game viewing. Visitors can encounter elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, and lions roaming freely, while hippos and a wide variety of bird species thrive near the Mkata Floodplain, which is often referred to as the “Serengeti of the South.”
Whether you’re a first-time safari guest or a seasoned explorer, Mikumi offers a relaxing yet rewarding escape into the wild with its well-maintained roads and comfortable accommodations.
Mikumi National Park is known for its open landscapes, excellent wildlife viewing, and easy accessibility. From sweeping floodplains and shaded woodlands to scenic mountain backdrops, the park offers a varied safari experience where diverse habitats support a rich concentration of wildlife.
Mikumi National Park stands out for its exceptional accessibility and its uniquely open landscapes, which make wildlife viewing especially easy and rewarding. Unlike many parks that require long journeys or rugged routes, Mikumi offers a true safari experience without the logistical challenges.
This combination of convenience, consistent wildlife sightings, and breathtaking scenery gives Mikumi a distinct charm among Tanzania’s national parks.
The heart of Mikumi National Park, the Mkata Floodplain offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Tanzania. Its wide-open grasslands make it easy to spot elephants, lions, zebras, wildebeest, and giraffes throughout the year, giving visitors a true “mini-Serengeti” experience.
The hippo pools provide an up-close look at hippos in their natural environment, which makes them a favorite stop for many visitors. These calm waters are also home to a large variety of bird species, making the area perfect for both wildlife watching and photography.
Game drives toward the Uluguru Mountains offer a stunning combination of wildlife and dramatic scenery. The sweeping views create unforgettable moments that highlight the natural beauty surrounding Mikumi.
The best time to visit Mikumi National Park is during the dry season, from June to October, when animals gather around water sources and the vegetation is thinner, making wildlife easier to spot. However, Mikumi is a year-round destination, and even the green season (November-May) offers lush landscapes, fewer crowds, and excellent birdwatching. Thanks to the park’s reliable wildlife and easy accessibility, any month can provide a rewarding safari experience depending on your preferences.
The heart of Mikumi National Park, the Mkata Floodplain is famous for its wide, open grasslands and large wildlife herds. Visitors can easily spot zebras, wildebeest, buffalo, and lions, making it the park’s top game-viewing area. During the dry season, animals congregate around remaining water sources, often creating classic safari scenes.
Located near the main entrance, the Hippo Pools offer close-up views of hippos resting and interacting in the water. At dusk and dawn, you may see them emerging to graze on land. The pools also attract crocodiles and a rich variety of waterbirds, making this an excellent stop for photography and a relaxed, family-friendly safari break.
These woodlands provide shade, food, and shelter for giraffes, elephants, and smaller herbivores such as impalas. Acacia trees are a key food source for giraffes, which are often seen browsing their thorny branches. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting hornbills, lilac-breasted rollers, and weavers adding flashes of color to the landscape.
The scenic foothills along the park’s edge create a striking contrast to the open plains and offer cooler temperatures and lush vegetation. These areas are particularly atmospheric at sunrise and sunset, when wildlife such as elephants and occasional predators move through the area, framed by the dramatic outline of the Uluguru Mountains.
Mikumi National Park experiences a tropical savannah climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Temperatures are generally warm year-round, ranging from 20°C in the cooler months to 30–33°C during the hotter months. The dry season from June to October is ideal for wildlife viewing, while the wet season from November to May brings lush landscapes, occasional heavy rains, and excellent birdwatching opportunities. The park’s climate ensures a comfortable safari experience almost any time of year.
Mikumi National Park offers more than ‘just’ wildlife spotting. There’s quite a few amazing activities you can undertake if you’re on your way to the park.
For example:
For more info check out the activities on the right or contact us.
You can also reach Mikumi National Park by air. From Arusha Airport, a small charter flight takes about 1 hour, offering a quick and scenic alternative to the long drive. From Zanzibar, flights to nearby airstrips take around 1 hour and 30 minutes, making Mikumi accessible even for those coming from the islands.
Note: Like all national parks in Tanzania, driving is allowed between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM only.
