Guide to visiting Mikumi National Park : Mikumi National Park is Tanzanian’s fourth largest National Park, located 300 kilometers west of Dar es Salaam city. It borders Selous Game Reserve in the south thus making animals migrate to and from the northern part of the reserve. Mikumi is located between the Uluguru Mountains and the Lumango range. The protected area was gazetted in 1964 as a national park and covers an area of 3230 sq kms. Mikumi is often compared to Serengeti and Tarangire national park due to its diverse ecosystem. The park shares the name Mikumi with the village on its western border with Dar es Salaam. The village takes the name from Palm trees. Visitors come to Mikumi National Park with an aim of spotting the four of the ‘Big Five’ such as Leopard, Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, and only Rhino missing. Other wildlife that you may also see here includes Zebras, Wildebeest, Hyenas, Sable Antelopes, Great Kudu, Hartebeest Impalas, Hippos, Baboons, Giraffe, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Gazelle, Elands, Black-faced vervet Monkey, Yellow Baboon, Hunting Dog and Black-backed jackal. The park is also home to over 400 bird species including Lilac-breasted Rollers, Secretary Birds, African Fish Eagles, Open-Billed Storks, Yellow-Billed Storks, Hornbills, Ground Hornbills, Kingfishers, Bee-Eaters, Vultures and Raptors among others.
Wildlife and flora in Mikumi National Park
Wildlife
Mikumi National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife species such as Elephants, Buffaloes, leopards, lions. Other animals found in the national park includes Hartebeest Impalas, Hippos, Baboons, Giraffe, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Gazelle, Elands, African Wild Dog, Zebras, Wildebeest, Hyenas, Sable Antelopes, Great Kudu, Bush Baby which can be viewed throughout the year. Primates such as Black-faced vervet Monkey, Yellow Baboon, Hunting Dog, Black-backed jackal. 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 an also be found in the park. The park also hosts more than 400 bird species and some of these include; yellow-throated longclaw, open billed stork, Zanzibar red bishop, purple breasted roller, hornbills, malachite kingfisher, bateleurs eagle, martial eagle, and marabou stork.
Flora
Mikumi National Park has various types of plants that area similar to those found in Serengeti and Tarangire National Park. The park is divided into two main areas, each with its own unique types of vegetation.
In the northern part, you’ll find vast open plains that are watered by the Mkata river. This area is filled with savannah grassland and features Baobab Trees, palms, acacia and tamarind trees. The palm trees grow mainly near the river basin of Mkata. Many herbivores such as Zebras and wildebeest, thrive in this northern section. During the dry season, these animals gather around the remaining water sources in the plains thus attracting predators like hyenas, lions and leopards.
The southern part of Mikumi, on the other hand, is lush forests including miombo woodlands, Riverine Forests, Lowland Forests, Bushland and Thicket, and acacia trees. This area is home to tree-climbing lions, but it’s harder to reach because the roads are in poor condition.
Amazing things to do and see while on a Tanzania safari in Mikumi National Park
Game viewing
Game viewing in Mikumi National Park provide an exciting wat to see the park’s wide variety of animals in their natural habitat. when you go on a safari in this stunning park, you’ll be able to join a guided guide in an open 4×4 vehicle, which makes it easier to spot wildlife comfortably. Mikumi National Park offers morning game drives, day game drives, and night game drives which offer sights of the nocturnal species. The park is home to many animals, including Elephants, Buffaloes, leopards, lions, Zebras, Wildebeest, Hyenas, Sable Antelopes, Great Kudu, Hartebeest Impalas, Hippos, Baboons, Giraffe, Warthogs, Waterbucks, Gazelle, Elands, Black-faced vervet Monkey, Yellow Baboon, Hunting Dog, Black-backed jackal and Bat-eared Fox among others. On your guided game drives, you’ll also get to learn about their behaviors and the efforts being made to protect them, as well as enjoy the beautiful birds and stunning scenery around you. Another point that should not be missed out during the game drive is the Hippo Pool where you watch the hippos wallowing and snorting at a close range.
Walking safari
For those looking to connect more intimately with nature, walking safaris provide exciting experience. walking safaris in the park are guided safaris led by the experienced park rangers. This activity can be conducted along the parks designated walking trails such as Kikoboga, Vuma Hills, and the Mikumi wildlife resort trail. During your walking tours in the park, you will have the chance to explore the hidden treasures of the park on foot and learn about the smaller details of the ecosystem that may be missed during a game drive tour. These guided walks offer you a chance to encounter wildlife up close in their natural surroundings while teaching you how to track animals, recognize different plants, and appreciate the delicate balance of the environment, among other things.
Bird watching
Mikumi National Park is home to over 400 recorded bird species including migratory birds, savanna birds, aquatic birds, and many others. Birding can be done during the game drives and nature walks. During your bird watching safari, you will have the chance to spot bird species such as Crowned crane, Pied Kingfisher, African hoopoe, includes Long-tailed cormorant, Great white pelican, Pink-backed pelican, Black-headed Heron, Goliath Heron, Yellow-billed Egret, Black Heron, Little Egret, Buff – backed Heron, Squacco Heron, Green-backed Heron, White-backed Night Heron, Hamerkop, Secretary bird, Yellow-billed stork, African fish eagle, Martial eagle, Southern ground hornbill, African grey hornbill, Hamerkop, African spoonbill, Egyptian goose and Bateleur eagle among others. Water birds in the park can be spotted around the Hippo Pool. Migratory birds are spotted between the months November and April.
Camping tours
Mikumi National Park is a great place for camping, surrounded by lush greenery that makes your experience feel special as you set up your tent beneath the stars. Camping in Mikumi is done in the northern part and mostly done by nature lovers. The park features two camping sites that is; public and private campsite. Basic facilities like water, toilets, bathrooms and kitchen are available. The weather here is just right not too hot and too cold, making it a wonderful setting to enjoy the nighttime sounds of wildlife. It’s a perfect chance too see animals that wander near your tent, adding to the fun of your adventure.
Photography
Mikumi National Park also provides beautiful vistas, terrains, and sites that are an ideal wilderness arena for photography safari with a variety of activities to enjoy such as food and games. Some of these picnic sites include; Mwanambogo, Mbuyuni and Millenium.
Best Time to Visit Mikumi National Park
You can visit Mikumi National Park any time of the year, depending on what you prefer. However, the best time to go is during the dry season, which runs from June to October. During these months, the plants are less dense, making it easier to spot animals as they usually gather near the Mkata River to drink.
How to Get to Mikumi National Park
You can reach Mikumi National Park either by road or by air, based on what works best for you. If you’re driving, there are multiple routes you can take. For example, if you’re coming from Dar es Salaam, it will take you about 4 to 5 hours to get there. If you start your journey from Dodoma or Ruaha National Park, expect the trip to take around 6 hours. Alternatively, you can also fly; there are domestic flights offered by Safari Air Link that connect Mikumi with other locations, including Selous, Zanzibar, Ruaha, and Dar es Salaam.
Accommodation safari at Mikumi National Park
Are looking for where to stay in Mikumi National Park. Are you searching for the best accommodations facilities to relax after your adventure safari in Mikumi National Park. Well, there are a number of accommodation facilities that are designed to cater for visitors while on a Tanzania wildlife tour in Mikumi National Park. These accommodation options ranges from camping to budget lodges, luxury hotels and mid-ranger lodges facilities. Some do the accommodations available here includes Mikumi Wildlife Camp, Mikumi resort, Tan-Swiss Lodge, Stanley’s Kopje Camp, Ritungu camp Mikumi and Mikumi adventure lodge among others
