Overview–tanzania

Mikumi National Park

Underrated Mikumi National Park is known for its open horizons and abundant wildlife, especially across the Serengeti-like expanses of the Mkata Floodplain. The hippo pool and Millennium area are particularly popular, with good reason. The Dar–Ruaha road bisects Mikumi and it can get busy during the Dry season. To escape the crowds, the park’s south has a wild wilderness feel and is known for its elephants and lions.

Scenery

The main 60km/37 mi tourist road circuit on the Mkata River floodplain comprises open grassland interspersed with acacia woodland, patches of borassus palms, black hardwood trees, and the odd baobab. The park sits in a basin partly encircled by mountains, which provide a pretty backdrop. Around 80% of Mikumi lies south of the Tanzam Highway and is only for well-equipped expeditions.

Activities

The main activity in Mikumi is game drives along the excellent network of wildlife-viewing roads that crisscross the Mkata Floodplain northeast of the Tanzam Highway. These roads and the waterholes they pass are perfect for birding and general wildlife viewing; the waterholes in particular often reward those who park alongside them and wait patiently. Other activities include walking safaris and guided night drives.

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Rates

From: $152 to $651 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: Late June to October (Animals are attracted to the waterholes)

High Season

From: June to October

Size

From: 3,230km² / 1,247mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Zebra, wildebeest, impala, and buffalo inhabit the grassy plains of Mikumi National Park. Lions, which prey on these animals, are also quite often seen. Giraffes browse the isolated acacia trees that fringe the Mkata River, where you should also see elephants. Mikumi’s famous and much-studied yellow baboons are plentiful. Rhino disappeared from the park in the 1990s, but the park authorities have announced plans to reintroduce the species.

Wildlife Highlights

Most wildlife activity occurs around Mikumi’s waterholes, where hippos are joined by thirsty herds of elephants, buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest. Mikumi’s grasslands rank among Tanzania’s best places to see eland, the world’s largest antelope. The equally impressive greater kudu and sable antelope feed in the park’s hills, which are covered in miombo woodland. The unusual Lichtenstein’s hartebeest is also present. Ask your guide or park rangers about the plans to reintroduce rhinos.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The Dry season runs from June to October and late June to October is the best time for wildlife viewing in the park. This is when wildlife is easier to spot because the vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the Mkata River, the hippo pool, and other waterholes. During September and October, these waterholes are almost constantly visited by big herds of buffalo and elephants as well as other wildlife.

General Wheather

The climate in Mikumi National Park varies from warm to hot and humid, with little change in temperatures through the year. The warmest months are October to March, and the coolest are June to August. Mikumi's Wet season runs from November to May, when rains occur almost daily, usually in the afternoon, but they seldom last long. The Dry season is from June to October.

Dry Season –June to October

Afternoon temperatures are usually around 28°C/82°F. Days are bright and clear.

June, July, August & September – It hardly ever rains. These are the coolest months. Nighttime temperatures drop to about 17°C/63°F.
October – If the rains come early, they might start at the end of October. Otherwise, it can be very hot and dry, with humidity building throughout the month.

Wet Season –November to May

It is usually hot and humid during the Wet season. Afternoon temperatures are usually around 31°C/88°F and nighttime temperatures fall to around 20°C/68°F.

November & December – This is the beginning of the Wet season, and the exact start date is unpredictable. Rains are infrequent, usually coming as thunderstorms in the afternoon. It is rare for it to rain throughout the day.
January & February – The rainy season is well on its way now, and there will be more rainy days in these months. Still, it's rare to experience rain all day. Afternoon showers are common.
March, April & May – April is the peak of the Wet season. There tends to be cloud cover and rain most days, although seldom for the whole day. The average temperatures range from 30°C/86°F for a high and 20°C/68°F for a low.

Prons

Good general wildlife viewing, including lion, buffalo, elephant and giraffe
Home to unusual antelope species such as eland, greater kudu, and sable
Walking safaris available
Excellent well-priced mid-range lodges
Convenient stopover between Dar es Salaam and Ruaha National Park
The park’s south promises quieter, wildlife-rich expeditions

Cons

The Tanzam Highway runs straight through the park
Animals are scattered and more difficult to see during the Wet season
Some lodges close from March to May
The park can get busy at weekends

How To Get There

Safaris to Mikumi National Park usually start from Dar es Salaam, and your point of entry for the country will generally be Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR). In most cases, your tour operator will pick you up from the airport and handle all further ground operations or domestic flights.

Flying to one of Mikumi’s airstrips is possible from Nyerere (formerly Selous Game Reserve) and Ruaha National Parks, as well as from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Charter flights might also be possible from some of Tanzania’s Northern circuit parks.

Mikumi is a 6-hour* drive from Dar es Salaam (300km/186 mi to the east) and is sometimes visited as a weekend getaway by residents. Many travelers who visit Mikumi do so en route to the popular Ruaha National Park.

If driving from Ruaha, the distance is about 320km/200 mi, and the drive takes roughly 6 hours*.

Mikumi lies 795km/494mi south of Arusha by road.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR), and what tickets would cost.

www.skyscanner.com

Domestic Flights

Charter flights are usually booked by tour operators as part of the tour package. The only scheduled flights to Mikumi are with Safari Air Link, which offers connections to Ruaha National Park, Nyerere National Park, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar.