Big Five in Mkomazi National Park
Big Five in Mkomazi National Park
Thinking of a wildlife safari in East Africa? Tanzania is the perfect destination. From spectacular spots like the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater to the least known places like Ruaha and Nyerere in the south, Tanzania is the home of wildlife in its purest form.
But do you know that Mkomazi hosts all the Big Five? Yes—it does. This 3,230 km² expanse in the northeast of the country is unknown, but the wildlife experience it offers is unmatched. It’s our secret weapon where we normally take our guests for secluded drives. And yet, they tick all the boxes.
In this article, we discuss the Big Five in Mkomazi National Park. But first, let’s address the elephant in the room.
What are the Big Five animals?
Well, it all began with the old-school hunters. Back then, in the heyday of trophy hunting, people went on foot to kill animals for trophies. Funny, huh? It wasn’t as simple as that because some animals turned so ferocious when injured or cornered.
Of all the animals that retaliated, the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo were the most dangerous. And in some cases, hunters were killed if no one backed them up. Therefore, hunters coined the term “Big Five” to indicate these five animals.
In simple words, not all the Big Five animals are big (just elephant, rhino, and buffalo), but they are dangerous animals to hunt on foot. With conservation underway, these animals are no longer hunted. And in Mkomazi, you can spot all of them. Let’s start with the one deemed to be rare, the black rhino.
Black rhino.
- Scientific name: Diceros bicornis
- Conservation status: Critically Endangered.
Mkomazi, in collaboration with Tony and Lucy Fitzjohn, started a rhino sanctuary in 1991. As of 2025, this sanctuary hosts about 35 black rhinos. Earlier, this project wasn’t open to the public for tourist activities. Fitzjohn handed the project to the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) in 2019. And rhino tourism began in 2021.
The rhinos present here are eastern black rhinos, a subspecies of the black rhino. You can tell the difference between black and white rhinos from their lips, not their color. The former has a square lip, while the latter has a hooked lip. In addition to that, the black rhino is smaller than the white rhino.
Because black rhinos are browsers, expect to spot them in woodlands and shrubs within Mkomazi National Park. Expert rangers guard their territory to prevent poachers from attacking them. Visit Mkomazi to see this conservation success story.
African lion.
- Scientific name: Panthera leo
- Conservation status: Vulnerable.
The king of the African savannah is also present in the vast wilderness of Mkomazi. Sightings are very common when driving in the grassy savannahs and acacia woodlands. These majestic predators roam from Tsavo to Mkomazi seamlessly.
Lions are very social creatures. You can always find them in small groups (prides) of up to 20 individuals. A pride mainly comprises a large maned male lion (sometimes two or more), several lionesses, and cubs. The female does the hunting while the male protects the territory, and whoever (lion) crosses the line declares war.
Lions are good at hunting in the plains and woodlands, not in dense forests. They stalk their prey, then begin the hunt with a high-speed chase. Once killed, the cubs start eating first, then the rest.
African leopard.
- Scientific name: Panthera pardus
- Conservation status: Vulnerable.
Leopards are present in Mkomazi, but they are very rare. On rare occasions, you may spot these elusive creatures. They normally spend the daytime hiding in trees (acacia and sausage). You have higher chances of seeing them during morning or late evening drives.
Leopards are less social. And in most cases, the mother-to-cub bond is the strongest, which may last for years. Males are solitary, usually staying away from the females after mating; they have no care for the cubs.
Cape buffalo.
- Scientific name: Syncerus caffer caffer
- Conservation status: Least Concern.
Buffalo is a common sighting in Mkomazi. Large herds graze in the open and wooded savannahs and grasslands. Here, they form giant herds, which may consist of anywhere between 300 and 500 individuals.
During the dry season, buffalo and many herbivores move from the Tsavo to Mkomazi. You can encounter them near water sources like Dindira Dam and other water sources.
As you view these ‘wild cows,’ be careful because they aren’t as humble as they appear. Solitary bulls are even more dangerous, possibly after losing their battles for females. Their survival instincts also trigger them to counteract when they see anything moving.
African elephant.
- Scientific name: Loxodonta africana
- Conservation status: Endangered.
The Tsavo-Mkomazi ecosystem harbors about 14,000 elephants (African Wildlife Foundation). These grey giants are a common sighting in the woodlands and forests of Mkomazi. You can spot herds near water bodies.
These intelligent animals form herds, often led by a matriarch leader. As you drive, you might be lucky to see an elephant mother breaking a tree branch to feed a baby elephant.
When to see the Big Five in Mkomazi?
The dry season—June to October—is better. During this period, trails are dry and passable. Clear skies also offer clear visibility of the snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro. Don’t worry! There’s no competition in Mkomazi.
The bottom line.
Mkomazi is a quiet option to spot all the Big Five. It’s also affordable. Our guides will be by your side to help you see these wonderful animals. Let’s start planning your safari.
