Tanzania wildlife Safari in Mikumi National Park

Tanzania wildlife Safari in Mikumi National Park : Mikumi National Park is located near the Morogoro, this amazing park covers an area oof approximately 3,20 square kilometers, making it the 4th largest national park in Tanzania. The park was established in 1964 purposely to conserve and preserves its wildlife and plants. Mikumi National Park sit at the border of Selous game reserve on the south, the two areas forming a unique ecosystem. Two other natural areas bordering the national park are the Udzungwa mountains and Uluguru mountains.

Mikumi National Park is home to large population of iconic wildlife, such as African wild dogs, leopard, elephants, lions Bush Duiker, Common Waterbuck, Bohor Reedbuck, Impala, Sable Antelope, Bushbuck, Hippopotamus, Greater Kudu and   African Buffalo among others. The park is also a home to other primate species such as Black-faced vervet Monkey, Yellow Baboon, Hunting Dog, Black-backed jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Honey Badger, Small-spotted Genet, Large-spotted Genet and Dwarf Mongoose. The park is also home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians such as Nile Crocodile, African rock python, Red-headed agama, Nile monitor lizard, Africa bullfrog and Leopard tortoise can also be spotted here.

Mikumi National Park is not only celebrated for its wildlife but also revered as a prime destination for bird enthusiasts. The park boasts an astonishing diversity of bird species with more than 400 species documented, reflection its critical ecological and geographical significance. The varied landscape which includes woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands, creates habitat that supports both residents and migratory birds throughout the year

Amazing wildlife safari activities to do in Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park in Tanzania provides a variety of fun activities for visitors. You can enjoy game viewing, bird watching, guided nature walks, camping tours or have a picnic.

Game viewing

Game drives in Mikumi National Park are an exciting way to see a variety of animals in their natural habitat. Visitors while on the Tanzania safari in Mikumi National Park can embark on a guided game drive safari, often conducted in open 4×4 vehicles with maximizing visibility and comfort. The national park is home to many different animals, including giraffes, elephants, zebras, impala, eland, kudu, black antelope, Greater Kudu, African wild dogs, Warthog, baboons, wildebeests, hippos and buffaloes among others. The best time to spot wildlife are during the early morning and evening game drives. During your guided game drives, you will have the chance to learn about the behaviors and conservation efforts, all while enjoying the beautiful scenery and vibrant birds that makes this area special.

Birdwatching

Mikumi National Park is one of the best birding spots in Tanzania, the park is home to over 400 bird species have been recorded in the park. The varied landscape which includes woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands, creates habitat that supports both residents and migratory birds throughout the year. During your birding excursions here, you’ll have the chance to spot different bird species such as Helmeted Guinea-fowl, Black crake,  Crowned Crane,  Black-bellied Bustard,  Spotted stone curlew, Water Dikkop, African jacana,  Little Ringed Plover,  Kittlitz’s Plover, Three-banded Plover, Crowned Plover, Blacksmith Plover,  Painted snipe, Ruff Common sandpiper, Cuckoo Falcon, African Black Kite,  Black-shouldered Kite,  Tawny Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Martial Eagle,  Lizard Buzzard, Black-chested Harrier Eagle, Bateleur, African Fish Eagle, Little sparrow Hawk, Ovampo sparrow Hawk, Great sparrow Hawk, Shikra,  Gabar Goshawk, Long-tailed cormorant, Great white pelican,  Pink-backed pelican, Black-headed Heron,  Goliath Heron and Yellow-billed Egret among others.

Guided nature walks

The park offers a variety of well-marked trails for you to wander through the park’s lush landscape. These walks are guided by experienced rangers who articulate the intricate relationships between the flora, fauna and the environment. The park has got well maintained walking trails such as Kikoboga, Vuma Hills, and the Mikumi wildlife resort trail. Visitors walk through short savannah and Miombo forest vegetation with the company of experienced guides and armed rangers to protect you from wild animals. On this guided nature walk, you’ll get a chance to experience the forest’s natural beauty up close and meet its wildlife, including buffaloes, elephants, zebras, wild dogs, waterbucks, wildebeests, hartebeests, giraffes, sable antelopes, impalas, greater kudus, elands, warthogs, yellow baboons and stunning tree species. You can spot different types of trees here, such as Baobab Trees, palms, acacia, tamarind trees, miombo woodlands, Riverine Forests and Lowland Forests, which you’ll have the chance to see as well.

 Photography

Mikumi National Park has got photographic sites which are sweetable for families and vacations located in Vuma hills and Mpaka plains with a beautiful view to the eye-catching flora and fauna around the area.

Camping

Mikumi National Park offers public camp sites which are located in the northern parts of the park giving a great opportunity to view nature, listen to lion roars, view different animals and the beautiful stars. The park features two camping sites that is; public and private campsite, located in Vuma hills and mpaka plains. Basic facilities like water, toilets, bathrooms and kitchen are available. If you want to stay at a private campsite, its best to book in advance to avoid any issues

Night game drives 

Night game drives at Mikumi National Park provides an exciting change to discover the park nocturnal animals. These drives begins around 8:00 after dinner in safari vehicles in the spotlight torches with armed guides. During guided night game drives, you will have the chance to stop nocturnal animals like lions, grazing hippos, hyenas, have a view of beautiful stars among others.

What is the best time to visit Mikumi National Park 

Mikumi National Park can be visited throughout the year. But the ideal time to visit this stunning park is dry season months which occurs in the months of December to February and then June to October. During these months the vegetation is thinner and becomes very easy to view wildlife gathering around waterholes for refreshment.

Where to stay in Mikumi National Park.

Lodges Mikumi National Park Tanzania range from budget, mid-range to luxury.  Some of the accommodation facilities available here includes Angalia tented camp, Morio motel campsite, tan-swiss lodge, Mikumi safari lodge and Mikumi adventure lodge among others.

How to get to Mikumi National Park 

To get to the Mikumi National Park, you have a few different options. If you’re driving, it’s about a four-hour trip in a 4×4 safari vehicle from Dar es Salaam.

If you’d rather fly, you can book a charter flight through tour operators that takes you from Dar es Salaam to Kikoboga airstrip, and then it’s a short journey to Mikumi National Park.

Another choice is to take the train from Dar es Salaam to Man’gula, and then you can catch a ride to the park from there.