Overview: Mikumi National Park

The Mikumi National Park near Morogoro, Tanzania, was established in 1964. It covers an area of 3,230 km² is the fourth largest in the country. Mikumi National Park is lying just to the north of the famous Selous Game Reserve. Gazetted in 1964 covering an area of 1070 km2, it was later extended in 1975 to cover the current area of 3,230 sq km, the Park is the fifth largest National Park in Tanzania after the Ruaha (20,226km2), Serengeti (14763km2), Katavi (4471 km2) and Mkomazi (3245km2). It is in one ecosystem with Selous making the animals (Elephants, buffalos and Zebras) migrate to and from the northern part of the reserve into the park.

Location:

Mikumi National Park is located 288km (about 173miles) west of Dar es Salaam and 107 km (67miles) from Morogoro town by the highway (which traverses the Park for 50km) from Dar es Salaam to Iringa Southern Tanzania and neighboring Southern countries.

Climate:

The Park has a bi- modal rain season, characterized by short rain in October to early November, followed by long rain lasting for five/six months, although the rainfall pattern is very unpredictable.

However, there is always a definite dry period between January and February. The wet months are associated with a hot humid weather, where temperatures reach up to 30degrees centigrade. Dry months are always cooler with temperature between 20 and 25degree centigrade. Annual average temperature is 25.5 degree centigrade.

Accessibility:

The Park can be accessed by road, air and railways

By road: from the city of Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Iringa and from other southern countries (Malawi, Msumbiji and Zambia). The highway from Iringa to Dar es Salaam makes easily and comfortably reached by vehicles. Also from Selous Game Reserve via Pwaga and Mahondo Ranger Post to the Main entrance gate.
By air: Air craft with the capacity of 4 to 30 seater through airstrip which is located at Kikoboga near the park headquarters.

Activities: Mikumi National Park

The state of MIkumi National Park is one where the visitor facilities are in keeping with zonal prescriptions, meet the expectations and requirements of visitors, and do not negatively impact on the ecological or visual integrity of the Park. The activities includes: Day and night game viewing, long and short walking Safaris, camping, Filming, photographing, Bird watching, bush meals, sunrise and sun set, picnicking, Conference tourism and Cultural tourism in adjacent communities.

Day game drive:

The main activity for visitor`s enjoyment is game viewing in various tourist areas and circuits within the Park.

Night Game drive:

This is the different experience as tourists are able to see day and nocturnal animals at night. It is conducted from 8pm to 11pm. The tourists must be escorted by the armed rangers. Special cars designed for night game drive must be used.

Short walking safaris:

Short walking (3-4 hrs) is conducted in the designated walking trails, where visitors enjoy a feeling of wilderness. Three walking trails exists, Kikoboga, Vuma Hills and Mikumi Wildlife Lodge. Through the guided short, visitors enjoys walking through short savanna grassland and along wilderness areas consisting of Miombo Woodland. This activities is conducted only in the dry season and strictly for adult (for safety reasons)

Bird watching:

This activity can be done in various areas of the Park. Water birds can be easily seen at Hippo pool. The Park habitat is also among one of the richest in the world for residence and migratory birds. The several Swamps and water pools in the park offer many spectacular viewing locations and opportunities for bird watcher.

Picnicking.

Camping.

Cultural Tourism.

Where to Stay: Mikumi National Park

These are places, amenities, or pieces equipment provided to tourists for a particular purpose. In the Mikumi National Park, a number of tourist facilities exist, including

Public Campsites:

The Park has 4 Public campsites namely No1, No 3-5, Public campsites have basic facilities such as water and bathroom.

Special Campsites:

Special campsites are natural sites where water and bathrooms facilities are not provided. Mikumi National Park has one special campsite namely Chogawale. In special campsite campers must come with their camping gears.

Private Tented Camps:

Three Permanent Tented Camps/Lodges exist. Vuma Hill Tented Lodge about 8 km from the Main gate, Fox Safari Camp located at Stanley Kopjes about 40 km from Main Gate and Mikumi Wildlife Camp situated 200m from the main Gate.

Cottages and Guest Rooms:

Tourist Cottages, Guest rooms and Rest house located at Kikoboga near Park Headquarters. They are self-contained with air conditioned and Television. Advance booking is required.

Restaurant:

The Park has the restaurant which provide continental breakfast and meals at the affordable prices.

Conference Halls/Venues:

At Park Headquarters the conference rooms which can accommodate between 20-100 people are available at the affordable rates. Advance booking is essential. Full package can be provided on request. This include, meeting venue, game viewing and meals.

Gallery

WHEN TO VISIT

Best time to visit:

The park can be accessed throughout the year. However June to October is the best time for large mammals and November to July is ideal time for bird watching.

Attractions: Mikumi National Park

Mikumi Natinal Park is one of the “biodiversity hot spot” in the Country. It has over 20 species of Mammals, about 1200 species of Plants and 30 species of Butterflies. The Park offer spectacular concentration of variety of animals in Mkata flood plain including four of the big five, elephant, buffalo, Lion and Leopard. Herds of Wildebeest, Zebra, Impala and giraffes are common sight on the plain. The worlds’ largest Antelope – Eland, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelopes, Defassa Waterbuck and African Hunting dogs. Troops of Baboons are entertaining to watch and are common in the Park.

Mkata flood plain:

The plain is dominated by ridges and separated by narrow depressions of black cotton soil. The northern portion of the plain remains swampy all year round providing a favorite mud grounds for buffaloes and number of birds species, such as ground hornbills. The southern depressions form water courses which flow to Mkata River and supporting large population of wildlife including buffalo, wild dog, eland, elephant, giraffe, hartebeest, zebra, leopard, lion, impala, sable antelope, warthog, waterbuck, wildebeest, and greater kudu. Yellow baboons, impala and reedbuck are commonly seen at Kisungura area along the Mkata River.

The afro-montane forest:

Found on the summit of Malundwe Mountains is part of forest type that is renowned for its unique flora and fauna. It offers spectacular view of different flowers depending on seasons, ranging from the fragile purple to deep purple.

Hippo pool:

This is the made dams which offering diverse habitats for a variety of fauna and flora wildlife species .Hippos and crocodiles are the stars attraction of the pair of pools situated 5 kilometers north of the main entrance gate, supported by an ever-changing cast of water birds.

Sunrise and sunset:

As its uniqueness, it attracts many tourists .Two sites exist for sun rise/set watching. At Vuma Hill view point where you can watch the sunrise and sunset and Hippo pool where you can watch the sunset.