Mikumi National Park
Magical Mikumi
Mikumi National Park covers an area of 3,230 square kilometres and is well known for its populations of elephants, giraffes, zebras, elands, kudu, wildebeest, and antelope. A number of huge interconnected water pools have resident families of hippos living in them. We always recommend taking time to sit and watch these amazing creatures frolic and fight, swim, huddle and muddle along with each other all day long. Every now and then a silent crocodile glides into the middle of the hippos to sun itself on the banks.
The larger mammals, like zebra and elephant, giraffe and buffalo wander over the verdant undulating grasslands and are hunted upon by large numbers of lions, leopards, wild dogs and the saddle-backed jackal. Most areas of the Park are easily accessible and distances are shorter than in other parks making it a perfect park when aiming for specific species on your game drives.
What to expect in Mikumi?
Lately, the elusive leopard has been gaining ground again inside the park, and more and more sightings of this elegant but shy predator are becoming prevalent. The sightings of leopards are what makes Mikumi National Park such a special safari in Tanzania.
Mikumi National Park is also well known for its high variety of birds, with over 400 species making it their home. These colourful specimens include the red-billed ox pecker, marabou stork, and lilac-breasted roller. All are easily spotted when cruising the park, for photographers especially, the lighting of the area is superb with photogenic iconic acacia trees in all the right spots!
Mikumi is a cheaper park to access due to its proximity to Dar es Salaam, making it easier to enter than some of the northern big names with only a 5-hour drive from the capital. This means you can fly into Dar es Salaam, arriving in the early hours and be in your safari vehicle to arrive at camp by 10 am. After a short nap and lunch, you can start your game drive immediately.
Conversely, you can finish a day’s safari game viewing in Mikumi National Park, and still make your evening international flight home from Dar Es Salaam.
Birding in Mikumi
Mikumi National Park is well known for its high variety of birds, with over 400 species making it their home. These colourful specimens include the red-billed ox pecker, marabou stork, and lilac-breasted roller and all these are easily spotted when cruising the park on the network of tracks laid out.
In the Southern part of the park, with its miombo woodland as the dominant flora, you can encounter exotic species like Shelley’s double-collared sunbird, the pale-billed hornbill, and the violet-crested turaco. Again the shorter distances make it a bird watchers’ paradise.
For photographers especially, the lighting of the area is superb with photogenic iconic acacia trees in all the right spots!
Where to stay in Mikumi National Park
There are two places to stay inside Mikumi National Park. We recommend the Mikumi Wildlife Lodge, which is a great value-for-money option. It allows you to see the animals up close and personal while keeping your budget intact. The Mikumi Wildlife Lodge is inside the savannah area, in the middle of the park. It is close to the road, but that does not stop the lions from crossing in front of the breakfast table. It is also possible to do walking safaris with a wildlife service ranger here.
The second place we recommend is the Foxes’ Safaris camp on the hill that overlooks the plains. This place is quite remarkable, petite and with a stunning view. You are away from anywhere here, yet only a short drive to access the plains game locations.
Mikumi National Park - Price Guide:
We recommend booking Mikumi as part of a series of major safari parks known as Tanzania’s Southern Circuit (Selous, Ruaha, Mikumi).
Mikumi three-day Safari starting at £945 (approx. USD $1100).
A three-day safari in Mikumi National Park, transfers, meals and accommodation.
