Mikumi National Park

Why visit Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park is the most accessible safari park in southern Tanzania, about five hours by road from Dar es Salaam on the main highway west. Covering around 3,230 square kilometres, it borders Nyerere National Park to the south and forms part of the same large ecosystem.

Its heart is the Mkata floodplain, an open grassland ringed by hills that is often compared to a small Serengeti. The open terrain makes wildlife easy to see: zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, impala, giraffe and elephant are common, lions are regularly found on the plain, and hippos fill the pools. The park is also good for birds, with more than 400 species recorded. For first-time visitors, families and anyone travelling overland from the coast, it offers a real safari without long distances or internal flights.

When to go

Game viewing is best in the dry season, from June to October, when animals gather around water and the grass is short. The green season brings beautiful scenery and newborn animals, and is excellent for birdwatching.

Mikumi can be visited on a short trip from Dar es Salaam or combined with the rainforest hikes of Udzungwa, with Nyerere or with a longer route to Ruaha. Ask us to plan a southern Tanzania safari.