Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park is lying just to the North of the famous Selous Game Reserve. Gazetted in 1964 covering an area of 1070 km2, it was later extended in 1975 to cover the current area of 3,230 km2. The park is the fifth largest National Park in Tanzania, it Shares the name ‘Mikumi’ with the village just beyond its Western border of the Dar es Salaam – Iringa highway, which traverse the park for 50km. The small town in turn takes the name from the palm tree (Borassus spp.) which once grew there in profusion but no stem is visible in the village.

How to get there:

By road: About 288 km from Dar es Salaam; a four hours drive.
By railway: From Dar es Salaam to Man’gula and from Man’gula using road to reach the park.
By aircraft: The Park can also be reachable by Charter flights

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the park is during the dry season (May- October). However, the Northern part of the park is accessible through- out the year.

Tourism Activities

Game drives – This activity is conducted from 0630 – 1830 HRS, no additional fee for this activity. Four wheel (4X4) drive vehicles are recommended.

Walking safari – Short walking safari

There are 3 walking trails: Kikoboga, Vuma and Lodge.
The total distance for all trails is 14 kms where by Kikoboga, 4 km, Vuma 6 km and Lodge 4 km
The walking duration for the trails is 1.30 HRS for Kikoboga, 3 hrs for Vuma and 1.30 HRS for Lodge
The best time to conduct walking is from 0630 to 0900 and 1600 to 1830HRS
Booking must be done in 12 to 24 HRS

Birding:

More than 400 bird species has been recorded. The colorful common residents are lilac-breasted roller, yellow-throated long claw, eagles and a host of European migrants

Camping:

Special campsites: There is one special campsite located at Vuma area and it is normally known as campsite no 4. Pre booking is required.
Public campsites:There are 3 public campsite located at Mkata plain and Vuma hills, they are also known as campsite no 1 at Mkata plain, Campsites no 3 and 5 at Vuma hills. All required facilities such as Bath rooms, Toilets and water are available.

Filming:

Filming fee: US $250 charged per person/day and covers conservation, camping and filming fees. This is applicable to all nationalities.

Night Game Drive: This activity is conducted at Mkata plain and Kisungura circuit. Animals frequently seen during the night are nocturnal animals.

Picnicking: The Park has 2 picnic sites namely Mbuyu or Millennium and Kisungura, they are located in Mkata Plain. They are best places for taking packed meals while on game drive. No additional fee required.

Main attractions

The spectacular concentration of variety of animals in Mkata flood plain including four of the big five, elephant, buffalo, Lion and Leopard.
The ever changing skies and light producing glorious sunrise and sunset.
Other games including the worlds’ largest Antelope – Eland, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelopes, Defassa waterbuck and African hunting dogs.
Mikumi offers an outstanding diversity of bird life. From the striking turkey-sized group hornbill to the tiny sunbirds. Eagles are often seen soaring in the intense blue skies, and the Lilac-breasted rollers add brilliance to their background.
Mikumi has a variety of vegetation types ranging from seasonally flooded grassland to woodland and riverine forest. The Afromontane forest found on the summit of Malundwe Mountains is part of forest type that is renowned for its unique flora and fauna

Accommodation

Inside the park: There are park’s Tourist Bandas, Rest House and three Campsite

Private tented camps and campsites (both public and special).
Public Campsites have basic facilities namely toilet, kitchen, water and bathroom.
Special campsites are just natural sites where water and bathrooms facilities are not provided

Destination Overview

Bird life: Over 300 species of birds have been observed in the park some of, which are Eurasian migrants who stay between October and April.

Wildlife: The famous lion climbing tree are also found here other animals are Africa rare wild dogs, Elephants, giraffes, Zebras, buffaloes, wildebeests, eland, and litechrstein's hartebeest crocodiles, monitor lizard and python are also found in the area.