Mikumi National Park Guide | What is the best time to visit Mikumi National Park? |

Here you will learn more about the Mikumi National Park safari Guide. Mikumi Park (NP) is a 1,247 sq. mile park in south-central Tanzania. Located in the north of the Selous Game Reserve in the Morogoro region. It is bordered by the Uluguru Mountains in the North and Rubeho Mountains to the southeast. This Mikumi National Park Guide will take you through all you need to know About this amazing southern circuit park.

Most visitors coming to Mikumi National Park, the fourth largest national park in Tanzania, come to see the ‘Big Five’ large mammals and won’t be disappointed.

During the rainy season, visitors can see many of these animals in herds as they migrate from flat lowlands to the heightened posts by the trees. Giraffes can be found eating in the acacia trees along the banks of the Mkata River where elephants seek them for their shade.

Why visit Mikumi National Park?

Safari in Mikumi National Park

With almost guaranteed wildlife sightings, it makes an ideal safari destination for those without much time

Located just 185 miles from Tanzania’s largest city Dar es Salaam. This makes Mikumi National Park a popular option for weekend visitors from the city.

The open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain. The popular centerpiece of Mikumi draws frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti National Park Plains.

Visitors on safari game drives will find lions surveying their grassy kingdom, gazing at buffalo herds migrating below as well as the flattened tops of termite mounds.

Giraffes forage in the isolated acacia stands that fringe the Mkata River, islets of shade favoured also by Mikumi’s elephants.

Criss-crossed by a good circuit of game-viewing roads. The Mkata Floodplain is perhaps the most reliable place in Tanzania for sightings of the powerful eland, the world’s largest antelope. The equally impressive greater kudu and sable antelope haunt the miombo-covered foothills of the mountains that rise from the park’s borders.

In order to get a good look at the world’s biggest antelope, the eland! head over to the Mkata Floodplains from the game viewing roads. This is the most reliable location to watch the elands in Tanzania. However, it also offers sightings of kudu and sable antelope who populate the “miombo” covered hillsides along the limits of the park.

Animals

The park is well-known for its population of elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, elands, greater Kudu, wildebeest, roan and sable antelope, buffalo, Burchell’s zebra, sable, eland, Liechtenstein’s hartebeest, spotted hyena and yellow baboons.

Predators include large numbers of tree-climbing lions, leopards, wild hunting dogs, and black-backed jackals.

It is also common to see lions and sometimes giraffes and leopards along the Tanzania-Zambia highway, especially in the evening or night.

In the two pools north of Mikumi’s main park gate, hippos are frequently joined by flocks of open-billed storks and other waterbirds.

The surrounding mountains and hills bring compelling natural beauty in addition to superb light, making it a wonderful venue for wildlife photographers. Zebra, wildebeest, impala, and buffalo can be found on the grassy plains.

Lions, which prey on these animals, share the same area and can occasionally be spotted. Giraffes browse leaves from the isolated acacia trees that fringe the Mkata River. However, the small islands of shade provided by these acacias are also favored by elephants.

Birds

More than 400 species of birds have been recorded here including Eurasian migrants such as red-billed oxpecker, marabou stork, and lilac-breasted roller, which stays between October and April.

There are more interesting bird species in the Miombo woodland. For example, Shelley’s double-collared sunbird, pale-billed hornbill, and violet-crested Turaco as well as violet-backed starling, yellow-throated longclaw, and the bateleur eagle.

Other activities at Mikumi National Park

There are multiple activities and things to do in Tanzania that can be added to your safari including walking safaris. Here is the Mikumi National Park Guide on other activities which visitors can consider during their visit:

Mikumi walking safari: Explore the African safari experience with a local guide on a day trip walking safari. It is an authentic and economical means of exploring the wildlife and local viewing points including the vuma trail and Kikogoba trail.

Bird tours: With an incredible range of birds to view including the Zanzibar red bishop and the yellow-throated longclaw. Many visitors come just for the birding park tours, a special experience with colorful common residents such as the lilac-breasted roller.

Picnic: Experience a relaxing lunch whilst on a game drive with picnic sites located in Mkata plains and Kusungura.

The Mikumi National Park Guide Useful information

Geography: Located in south-central Tanzania, visitors typically fly into Dar es Salaam city on the east coast, Tanzania’s largest city. Tour operators can pick guests up directly at their airport and make the 4-hour drive to Mikumi.

Weather: Day-time high temperatures range from 26C/79F to 31C/88F with the last of the rain falling in May.

Best time to visit: Wildlife viewing in Mikumi is fine throughout the year. The best time to visit however is from late June to October (the Dry season).

At this time vegetation is thinner, and animals gather around waterholes.

The end of the Dry season (September and October) is particularly rewarding as big herds of animals come to drink at the last sources of water.

Understanding the best time to visit Tanzania is useful as this impacts flight prices and availability.

Health: Visitors should seek medical advice from their doctor and consider antimalarial medication.