Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is a wildlife sanctuary near Dar es Salaam, offering a chance to see a variety of animals in their natural habitat.
Welcome to Mikumi National Park
A deep orange sunrises over the empty plains of Mikumi, transforming the overnight dew into delocate swirls of opaque mist. The first shafts of sun backlight the fluffy grass heads to form a gentle russet ripple. A herd of Zebras, confident in their camouflage at this predatory hour, pose like ballerinas, heads aligned and stripes merging in flowing motion.
As accessible as it is, Mikumi is the most appealing Park to a safari. This Park will give a true taste of an African safari while preserving your precious time. The Park has a variety of wildlife that can be easily seen. Its closeness to Dar makes it an ideal place for weekend visitors who don’t have to spend a long time on an extended safari itinerary.
The park derives its name from a palm tree called Borassus palm which once grew there and covers an area of 3,230km square.
Climate
The Park experiences bi-modal rainfall season with short rains starting from October to early November and long rains from March to May and dry season is from late June to September.
Getting there
The Park can be accessed by road or air
Road. The park is 283km from Dar es Salaam and 118 from Morogoro town.
Air.:Scheduled flights from all the main centers in Tanzania but often routing via Dar-es-salaam.
Wildlife & Attractions
The Park harbors fascinating attractions most notably the Hippo pools that provide close access to the mud loving beasts and bird watching. Zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo are found on the grassy plains.
- Wildlife
The park has many wildlife like buffalos, Lions, Zebra, Giraffes and Elephants .Giraffes are often seen browsing leaves from the isolated acacia trees that fringe the Mkata river. Also the greater Kudu and sable antelope can be found in the miombo woodland-covered foothills of the mountain that rise from the Park boundaries.
- Birds
The Mkata plain is great place for birding. Mikumi boasts with a respectful 400 species of birds with the most common ones being the black bellied bustards, guinea fowls, marabou storks, bateleur eagles, ox peckers, colorful lilac breasted rollers and yellow throated long claw.
Activities
There are different activities that you can do while in Mikumi National Park and that includes; Day and night game viewing, long and short walking Safaris, camping, Filming, photographing, Bird watching, bush meals and picnicking.
- Game Drive
They range from a half day game drives depending on ones wish. The entire area of Mikumi is always teeming with wildlife hence memorable sighting are assured.
- Night Game drive
For those wishing to encounter nocturnal animals such as porcupines, civet, cats and aardvarks a night game drive is a fantastic option.
- Bird watching
The Mkata plains is a great place for birding Mikumi boasts with a respectful 400 species of birds with the most common ones being the black bellied bustards, guinea fowls, marabou storks, bateleur eagles, ox peckers, colorful lilac breasted rollers and yellow throated long claw.
- Walking safari
Walking safari is best done in the morning or evening when the temperature is low. During this time animals are also active searching for their food taking advantage of the cool temperature. Enjoy the beautiful sounds of nature comprised of bird songs, animal voices and insect sounds.
- Filming and Photographing
The Park makes the best place for professional filming and photographing.
