Mikumi National Park's diverse ecosystems offer the opportunity to witness intricate predator-prey interactions. Embark on a Mikumi Safari to spot incredible animals like lions, elephants, and various birds. Traverse the park's plains for breathtaking views of baobab trees and hills. Mikumi National Park is a nature lover's paradise, providing an unforgettable African experience.
Mikumi National Park is one of Tanzania's southern national parks. Its vast horizons and abundance of wildlife frequently draw comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains.
This is one of the most accessible national parks in Tanzania, easy to reach from Dar es Salaam. Mikumi's location between Lake Malawi and Dar es Salaam via Iringa makes it a popular stopover on overland tours from Malawi to Tanzania and Zanzibar. The park is large enough to offer an authentic African safari experience yet compact enough to be easy to explore.
- Savannah landscapes similar to Serengeti National Park
- Home to an outstanding diversity of birdlife, from the striking turkey-sized ground hornbill to the tiny sunbirds
- Hosts the world’s largest antelope species (eland, greater kudu, sable, defassa waterbuck), and African wild dogs
- Less crowded than Tanzania's most famous national parks, allowing visitors to enjoy a more peaceful African safari experience
- The 4th largest national park in Tanzania and the most easily accessible
Wildlife viewing in Mikumi is excellent in any season, with the best time for a Mikumi safari being late June to October, given the thinner vegetation and animals gathering around the waterholes. The end of the dry season (September and October) is particularly rewarding as big herds of animals come to drink at the dwindling water sources.
The price of a Mikumi Safari will depend on your desired length of stay. African Budget Safaris offers shorter trips ranging from 3 to 14 days and longer trips spanning up to 55 days. These longer trips include various other safari destinations in Africa. If you plan on solely visiting Mikumi National Park in Tanzania, you can expect to pay between $817 and $2328 per person. Our cheapest Mikumi Safari is a 3-day private safari and costs about $ 817 per person.
When visiting the Mikumi National Park, a visitor fee of $20 per adult is required to enter. It is recommended to carry a small amount of Tanzanian currency, the Tanzania Shilling (TZS), as a backup when paying for items where credit card facilities are unavailable.
Mikumi is the most affordable national park to visit on the Southern Tanzania Safari Circuit due to its proximity to Dar es Salaam.
Mikumi National Park, situated in a tropical savanna climate, enjoys a dry winter in line with the Köppen-Geiger classification. The yearly rainfall is 3025mm, with maximum precipitation recorded in March at 566mm and minimum rainfall in July at 31mm. The annual maximum temperature in the Park is around 29°C, ranging between 27°C in June and 31°C in October.
Between January and May, visitors experience a pleasant climate. The weather is favorable from June to October, with temperatures rising up to 31°C and rainfall peaking at 109mm in October. The months of November and December offer a fair but less enthralling climate. Rain pours 73% of the time in December, and the temperature averages 27°C by early evening.
Mikumi National Park boasts diverse wildlife. Travelers can spot elephants, giraffes, buffalos, Burchell’s zebra, sables, elands, Liechtenstein’s hartebeests, lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, jackals, and yellow baboons near Kiboga. The park is home to more than 400 species of birds, such as lilac-breasted rollers, yellow-throated longclaws, and bateleur eagles.
North of Mikumi's main gate, hippos bask in the waterholes accompanied by open-billed storks and other waterbirds. The accessibility of Mikumi's 3,230 square kilometers of wilderness is unparalleled, being transected by the road between Dar es Salaam and Iringa. The park is integral to a much larger ecosystem centered around the vast Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve).
Mikumi is a must-visit destination in southern Tanzania. Visitors can easily access it from Dar es Salaam. Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam is the country's entry point. A four-hour drive takes you from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi, making it the perfect getaway. It's worth noting that Safari Air Link offers daily flights to Mikumi, with connections to Dar es Salaam, Ruaha, Selous, and Zanzibar.
Traveling around Tanzanian towns is relatively easy, thanks to basic public transport such as buses, taxis, and dala-dala (minibus taxis). However, if you plan to travel beyond the city limits, you will find that Dar es Salaam serves as the country's central transport hub. Its intercity buses and trains transport locals and tourists to their desired regional destinations daily.
While on a safari in Mikumi National Park, visitors will be pleased to know they can easily traverse the park in a safari vehicle.
Traveling to Mikumi National Park from Dar Es Salaam, the distance is approximately 283 km, and the travel time is around 4 to 5 hours, depending on traffic conditions and the chosen mode of transportation. The most common route is to take the A7 highway, which offers a relatively straightforward journey through scenic landscapes and small towns.
If you're traveling to Mikumi National Park from Arusha, the distance is considerably longer, approximately 580 km, and the travel time typically ranges from 7 to 9 hours. The journey involves driving south on the A7 highway, passing through towns like Morogoro and Kilosa, before reaching the park. It's advisable to plan for breaks and rest stops along the way to ensure a comfortable journey.
For those coming from Malawi via Iringa, the distance to Mikumi National Park is approximately 610 km, with a travel time of approximately 8 to 10 hours. Travelers would typically start by heading north from Malawi to the border crossing at Songwe, and then continue along the A7 highway, passing through Iringa and Morogoro before reaching the park. This route offers a diverse and scenic drive through different landscapes and cultural regions.
When going on an African safari, dressing appropriately is crucial for comfort and safety. Loose, comfortable, and easy-to-wash clothing is recommended. Consider wearing layers to adjust to the temperature variations throughout the day, as game drives early in the morning can be chilly. In contrast, daytime temperatures can be pretty warm. Neutral or khaki-colored clothing is preferable over dark blue or black, which may attract tsetse flies.
It is also important to bring essential items such as sunglasses, insect repellent, sunscreen, and wide-brimmed hats. Wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks, and insect repellent is recommended to prevent mosquito bites after dusk. Following these simple guidelines will prepare you for an unforgettable Mikumi Safari experience.
During the dry season, wildlife becomes more visible as the vegetation thins out. The animals also tend to gather around waterholes and rivers, making it easier to spot them. The abundant sunshine and limited rainfall during this time make mosquitoes less likely to breed, lowering the risk of catching malaria. Despite the heat, which can still be intense, the lack of humidity helps to reduce its severity. However, the dry air also means a lot of dust in the atmosphere. You may find many vehicles at the hippo pool, a popular area for wildlife viewing during this season.
November to May marks the wet season in this region. During this time, the scenery is known for its verdant greenery. Traveling in this period has perks, such as comparatively lower prices and less crowded tourist attractions in April and May.
Additionally, migratory birds flock to the area, making birding excursions especially fruitful. However, one should note that these months can also be challenging due to washed-out roads. Wildlife viewing may not be as optimal as during the dry season's middle and end. The wet season peaks in March and April, with hot and humid weather.
Mikumi National Park is nestled between the slopes of the Rift Valley and the Uruguru Mountains. This compact park is the closest national park to Dar es Salaam. Mikumi National Park borders the Nyerere National Park, allowing wildlife to move between the parks.
Like the Serengeti, Mikumi's landscape features savannas, alluvial plains, and rare palm trees. Uluguru and Rubeho mountains offer spectacular rock formations within view of the national park.
Some of the game that inhabits Mikumi include lions, a subspecies of giraffes, elephants, baboons, impalas, the powerful eland, antelope, buffalo, and wildebeests. Over 400 species of birds, including bateleur eagles and lilac-breasted rollers, call the park home, along with many European migratory birds during the rainy season.
Mikumi National Park, managed by the Tanzania National Parks Authority, is Tanzania's fourth largest national park at 3,230 square kilometers. Previously hard to reach, the park became more accessible after the construction of an expressway connecting Dar es Salaam to Zambia. In 2012, about 41,666 visitors worldwide made their way to this Tanzanian park.
Mikumi National Park is named after the dominant palm species, Borassus flabellifer, commonly found within its grounds. Interestingly, the palm trees had no visible stems from the nearby village. The park and surrounding village share the same name.
Mikumi National Park is an attractive destination for visitors seeking an African wildlife adventure. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery and wildlife the park offers without worrying about safety. While the park is generally safe, it's essential to adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions provided by the park rangers. Your guide is your source of information and will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Therefore, listen intently to their instructions, respect the wildlife, and tread carefully on walking trails to make the most of your experience in Mikumi National Park.
Visitors are advised to take precautions against insect-borne diseases such as malaria to ensure a safe trip. It's highly recommended to consult a travel health professional before embarking on your journey to ensure you have the proper vaccinations and medications to protect yourself from these diseases. With appropriate preparation, you can fully enjoy the wonders of Mikumi National Park while staying healthy and safe throughout your safari trip.
For expert travel advice and help planning your Tanzania Safari to Mikumi and beyond, get in touch with African Budget Safaris. Our travel agents can tailor-make a custom private safari that's perfect for you and your budget, or assist with planning and booking the ideal Mikumi Safari package for you.
Use the Google map to explore Mikumi National Park.