Mikumi National Park, dainty and appealing.

Mikumi National Park is located 283 km (175 miles) west of Dar es Salaam on the main Morogoro-Iringa Highway and is the closest park to the capital. It is the first national park stop on the Tanzania southern circuit safari and takes roughly 4½ hours to get to by road. The 3,230 sq km that make up Mikumi National park form the northern border of Africa’s biggest game reserve – the enormous Selous Game reserve. It is the most easy to get to region with regard to 75,000 square kilometre (47,000 square miles) wilderness that stretches almost to the shores of the Indian Ocean. It is nestled in the centre of mountain ranges, Uruguru Mountains to the East and the Lumango ranges to the Southwest.  Enclosed by this ranges is the main feature of the park, the Mkata floodplain that is home to a large herd of Buffalo. It is within the open horizon of Mkata floodplain that the bulk of the wildlife in Mikumi is found.

The open plains that characterize Mkata floodplain ultimately merge with the Miombo woodland covering the lower hills. The floodplain is rich in greenery and has frequently drawn comparisons to the renowned Serengeti. The lions pace majestically in the floodplain looking for an unfortunate herbivore to devour, or are sometimes too full to bother with the antelopes that inhabit Mikumi. The lions are also known for their rare tree climbing skills especially when they want to avoid the sticky black cotton soils. The name Mikumi was initially the name given to villages created by a tribal chief of the Wavindunda community.

Guests to Mikumi National Park will be able to spot game animals like the cheetah, lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino with ease. Hippos can be viewed wallowing in muddy pools located about 5 km north of the main entrance. When the rains come around, many wild animals withdraw to the miombo woodlands, perhaps to take shelter from the African showers.  But fear not, there are observation towers mounted in the woodlands that offer a picturesque view of the floodplain.

Other animals in this fourth largest park in Tanzania are Hartebeest, Wildebeest, Wild dogs, Pythons, Impala, Warthog, Eland (the largest antelope), Kudu, Sable Antelope, other antelopes, Leopards, Zebra and unique Mikumi Giraffes that naturalists say seem to be a cross between the reticulated and Maasai giraffes. They seem to love browsing among the secluded acacia trees that edge the Mkata River. Interestingly, the elephants at Mikumi are slightly smaller as compared to elephants in other parks.
More than 400 bird species have been recorded at Mikumi, with colourful common residents as the Lilac-breasted Roller, Yellow-throated Longclaw and Bateleur Eagle joined by a host of European migrants during the rainy season.

The Mkata floodplain is interweaved by a well-maintained network of game-viewing roads. That, and the fact that the animals at Mikumi are easy to spot, perchance makes it the most reliable place in Tanzania for sightings of wild animals and a well-liked alternative for any visitor who doesn’t have much time to spend on an extended safari itinerary.

It is the first Park On the Southern Safari Circuit that consists of Ruaha National Park, Udzungwa National Park and Selous Game Reserve. It is has well priced accommodation and is accessible all year round.