Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park: Africa Natural Safari

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Mikumi National Park

Established: 1964

Mikumi National Park is one of Tanzania’s most accessible parks and yet its floodplains are often considered a little brother to the famous Serengeti. Mikumi’s southern part sits on the northern border of the vast Selous Game Reserve and is part of a 75 000 km² eco-system filled with big game and a fascinating birdlife.

 The tarred A7 national road divides the park into a very wild southern part and a northern section that is known for the Mkata Floodplain, the place where the comparisons to the Serengeti originate. A well-established network of game viewing roads allows for good views of the grazers and their predators. Acacia, baobab and tamarind trees provide shade and along with some termite mounds give perspective to the vast savannah. The hilly outskirts of the park are vegetated with miombo woodlands, while the Mkata River is the lifeline of the park during the dry season.The A7 allows visitors to access Mikumi National Park via an easy four-hour drive from Dar es Salaam. Mikumi is well connected with other national parks such as Ruaha or Udzungwa and the vast Selous Game Reserve.

Wildlife

The Mkata Plains are filled with zebra, wildebeest, impala and large herds of buffalo. The main predator here is the lion. The regal cat is most active at dusk or dawn. During the day the felines will rest in the pale grass or sometimes even in trees, a behaviour that can be witnessed in few other parks. Mikumi is also one of the best places in Eastern Africa to see the mighty eland. Kudu and sable antelope can be found in the miombo woodlands, while elephants and giraffes wander among tall acacia trees. Two pools in the north of the parks are home to large pods of hippopotamus.

Among the 400 bird species of Mikumi are colourful resident species such as the lilac-breasted roller or the yellow-throated longclaw. The bateleur is one of the most distinct birds of prey with his black coat and red beak. The wet season sees many migrant visitors from Europe and the hippo pools are fringed with a diversity of waders and other water birds.

Activities

Game drives along the roads in the northern section of the park provide excellent game viewing. The Mkata Plains are covered in big game similar to the Serengeti. The game viewing is particularly good in the dry winter from May to November. However the park is accessible year-round and the wet season is excellent for birding as the migrants arrive from the north. Mikumi also allows guided walks that are an excellent introduction into the fauna and flora of Tanzania.

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