Mikumi National Park

The open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the popular centerpiece of Mikumi, is often compared to the more famous Serengeti Plains. At the end of the Dry season the waterholes, including the hippo pool, become a wildlife magnet and huge herds of elephant and buffalo visit these spots throughout the day.

Best Time to Go

June to October (Animals are attracted to the waterholes)

High Season

June to October (Mikumi doesn't get crowds

Size

Southern park 3,230km² / 1,247mi²

Altitude

201-1,143m / 659-3,750ft

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE VISIT

Good sightings of less common antelope such as eland, greater kudu and sable
Guided walks available
Superb for spotting predators
Excellent mid-range and luxury lodges
En route to popular parks in the south such as Nyerere and Ruaha
Suitable for a weekend get-away from Dar es Salaam

WILDLIFE

The grasslands of Mikumi support large herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and impala. Giraffe and elephant are also common. Predators, such as lion and spotted hyena, are present but sightings are less common than in some of the more popular parks. Troops of yellow baboon and vervet monkey can be found throughout the park.

SCENERY

The 80% portion of Mikumi southeast of the Tanzania Highway is inaccessible to tourists. The 60km circuit open to tourists is on the Mkata River floodplain, comprised of open grassland interspersed with acacia woodland, patches of borassus palms and the odd baobab tree.

WEATHER & CLIMATE

Mikumi enjoys uniform conditions because of its equatorial location. The months of the Dry season (June to October) are among the coolest. This is particularly true of the higher altitudes, although these are mostly inaccessible to tourists. The Wet season (November to May) is humid and hot, especially in the closing months of the year.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The Dry season (June to October) is the peak period for watching wildlife. The bush thins out and animals are easy to spot. Plus, the absence of precipitation is balanced by an abundance of sunshine. You can still see wildlife in the wetter periods, but the humidity and the mosquitoes might drive you crazy.