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Mikumi National Park

Mikumi National Park is the perfect safari destination for those wanting to see a wide variety of wildlife in a short period of time. The park is situated between the Uluguru and Lumango Mountains, which provide a beautiful distant backdrop to the park's seemingly endless horizons. This beautiful, untouched land is home to an abundance of wildlife and has been compared to the renowned Serengeti National Park. Here you can find lions lazing in the sun, elephants roaming the plains, and many different antelopes grazing in the grassy plains. From wide open plains to striking baobab trees, Mikumi National Park provides an authentic African safari experience.

  • Best Time To Go

    June - October

  • Average Safari Cost

    $200 to $600 pp/day. Park fee: $20

  • Highlights

    The Hippo Pool, Mkata Flood Plains, incredible wildlife sightings, game drives, walking safaris and observation towers.

Why Visit Mikumi National Park

The Mikumi National Park in Tanzania is very accessible and is well worth a visit. It is home to an abundance of different wildlife species, so you are guaranteed some spectacular encounters. Observation Towers are situated around the park so you can see above the trees and take in the breathtaking, endless landscapes. See four of the Big Five as you travel through the park, along with a multitude of different antelopes, giraffe, zebra and birds. Game drives and guided walking safaris offer amazing opportunities to see animals in their natural habitat. See hippos up close at the Hippo Pool, where they lie half-submerged in the water and many other animals gather to drink at the shoreline.

Mikumi National Park is well known for having some of the most spectacular lighting as the sun moves through the clear blue skies. Travel here for some amazing photographic opportunities where you can capture the beautiful wilderness and its animal inhabitants. While Mikumi National Park is less visited than other parks, it is highly recommended to spend some time here as its wildlife sightings are excellent and you won't be disappointed. Travel here and experience a real African safari, where the land is brimming with wildlife and thrilling adventures!

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Excellent game viewing
  • Very accessible from Dar es Salaam
  • Walking safaris
  • Close to other popular parks
  • Good accommodation options
Cons
  • Limited road network
  • Some lodges close down during the wettest months (March - May)

Best Time To Go

While wildlife viewing in Mikumi National Park is good all year round, the best time to visit is from June to October, when animals can easily be seen as they gather at the water sources. June to October is the dry season, which consists of warm, pleasant days and cool nights. Due to its proximity to the equator, the temperatures in the park do not vary greatly throughout the year and temperatures remain quite warm. Daytime temperatures average 81˚F (27˚C), while nights cool down to an average of 64˚F(18˚C). The humidity is lower during this time which makes days more pleasant. There is also less risk for malaria in these months as there are fewer mosquitoes.

The wet season is from November to May and is very hot and humid. Afternoon rainfall is frequent during these months but it rarely rains all day so activities can still take place in the mornings. Temperatures during the day average 88˚F(31˚C), while nights lower to about 70˚F(21˚C). The scenery in the park is more beautiful during these months as it is greener. While wildlife viewing may be more difficult, this is the best time for birding as migratory birds can be found around the park.

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Wildlife and Birds

Mikumi National Park is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife and birdlife. See hippos laze in the waters of the Hippo Pool. Watch giraffe and elephants travel through the plains from observation towers and you may even be lucky enough to see the occasional lion. Leopards can also be found here but are very difficult to spot! Keep a look out for the distinctive African wild dog, which is a rare and endangered species. The park is also an excellent birding destination with plenty of water birds and raptors to see.
List Of Animals
  • Elephant
  • Leopard
  • Buffalo
  • Hyena
  • Giraffe
  • Wildebeest
  • Wild Dog
  • Zebra

Rare Animals:

  • Leopard, African wild dog, hyena

Frequently Seen Animals:

  • Elephant, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, eland

Birdwatching
With over 400 recorded bird species, Mikumi National Park is an excellent birding spot. Many different species can be seen around the Hippo Pool, including African fish eagles. See lilac-breasted rollers soar through the skies with their brilliant blue wings, while egrets and storks wander around the water sources. Impressive bateleur eagles can also be spotted here.

Getting There and Safety

Flights

The Mikumi National Park is easily accessible from Der es Salaam, one of the major cities in Tanzania. From the Julius Nyerere Airport in Der es Salaam, you can either drive to the park or book a scheduled daily flight with Safari Airlink. Transportation to and from the airport is usually included in safari packages so check with your operator.

For the flights to Tanzania, it is advised to check Skyscanner (for multiple destination flights), to see which airlines can take you to Tanzania and their various ticket prices.

If you are based in the UK and Europe, check out these flights to Tanzania.

If you are based in the USA and Canada, check out these flights to Tanzania.

Visas
Most foreign visitors require a visa, and a valid passport, in order to visit Tanzania. Visas can be obtain upon arrival in the country. The Tanzanian Ministry of Home Affairs has more information on visa and entry requirements.
Vaccinations

The vaccinations recommended for Tanzania are typhoid, rabies, hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Having a yellow fever vaccination certificate is advised. There is also a risk for malaria, especially from November to May, so anti-malarial drugs are recommended as well as using insect repellent.

It is better to check with your local medical authority which vaccinations are required.

For more information on visas see our Tanzania Safari - Complete Country Guide.

Travel Insurance

Going on a safari in Africa comes with obvious risks. We recommend you get travel insurance for all safaris in Tanzania. Make sure your insurance has full medical coverage, emergency air evacuation, repatriation and the standard travel insurance for cancellations, delays and luggage cover.

Check World Nomads’ travel insurance calculator to see the cost of your safari trip cover.

What To Pack

Pack warmly as temperatures are mild during the day and very cold at night. Try to pack neutral, earthy toned clothes and avoid bright colours and white. Other essential items are a hat, sunglasses, sun screen, toiletries, closed shoes, torch, batteries, insect repellent, first aid kit, binoculars and camera.

For more details on what to pack see our Safari Packing List.

Campsites
There are both private tented camps and public campsites within the park.