Mikumi
National Park: Africa Natural Safari
AFRICA
NATURAL SAFARI (The best tour company in Tanzania)
Specialized
in: Wildlife safaris, Cultural tourism ,
Beach holiday and
Mountain
climbing
Contact
+255 653 679 958
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.
For more information visit www.africanaturaltours.com
No comments:
Write comments