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Mikumi National Park is an estate wildlife park situated in Tanzania’s Morogoro region. Known as the “little Serengeti” because of the Mkata Floodplain, a section of the park that mimics the vast Serengeti plains, this sanctuary is remarkable. This park, with an area of 3,230 square kilometres, gives a very close and thrilling view of East Africa’s ecology. The park is known for its diverse animal life, comprising herds of elephants, lions basking under acacia trees and zebras grazing golden savannahs.
Quick Facts About Mikumi National Park
Location: Morogoro Region, Tanzania
Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee: $20 – $30 / ₹1,600 – ₹2,400 for adults
How To Reach: By air, rail and road
Nearest Airport: Mikumi Airstrip, Julius Nyerere International Airport
Nearest Railway Station: Morogoro Railway Station, Kidatu Railway Station
Best Time To Visit: June to October, December to February
Location
Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim / Wikimedia Commons
Mikumi Safari Park is located in the Morogoro Region of southeastern Tanzania, along the Morogoro-Iringa highway. It is located in the Kilosa District and is about 280 km west of Dar es Salaam, making it a fun destination for travellers. The park is surrounded by several landmarks, including Mikumi Town, which has local shops and services. The nearby Msolwa Village also provides a glimpse of traditional rural Tanzanian life, giving the park more cultural and geographical context.
How To Reach
Photo: Christine and Hagen Graf / Wikimedia Commons
By Air: The nearest international airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, approximately 180 km from Mikumi. You can book a charter flight from here to the small airstrip inside the park or travel by road.
By Road: The park is a 4 – 5 hour drive from Dar es Salaam through the Morogoro highway. Buses on schedule and private car hires are available from Dar es Salaam and Morogoro.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is in Morogoro, which connects with all parts of Tanzania. You can take a taxi or bus from Morogoro to Mikumi.
Things To Do In Mikumi National Park
Here are the things to do in Mikumi National Park during your trip:
1. Explore Safaris
Photo: Ramamanivannan / Wikimedia Commons
Get ready for a superb game drive adventure experience crisscrossing the open Mikumi savannahs. Witness the wide variety of wildlife in the form of beautifully walking giraffes, peacefully grazing zebras and migratory wildebeests across the plains. Lions and elephants here are attractions for photographers in this scenic beauty. Choose to go on game drives in the early morning or late evening when the animals are most active. This increases your chances of seeing them up close and having a full wildlife experience.
2. Do Bird Watching
Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim / Wikimedia Commons
Birdwatching enthusiasts can find paradise in Mikumi National Park, which is home to over 400 recorded bird species. Snap the lilac-breasted roller’s bright colours and get a view of the wingspan of the bateleur. Also, admire the beauty of yellow-throated longclaw-yellow in his plumage. From open grasslands to riverine forests, the park offers unique moments of birding every season. Discovering Mikumi’s feathered wonders is a soothing and rewarding experience, regardless of your level of experience or curiosity.
3. Take Guided Nature Walks And Cultural Tours
Photo: mwanasimba / Wikimedia Commons
Break away from the trail on your guided nature walk and explore Mikumi’s ecosystem. Accompanied by a qualified guide, you can learn about different types of vegetation, ranging from medicinal plants to huge baobabs and all smaller fauna. Here you can connect more with the natural beauty of the park and learn how to appreciate its quieter, more subtle wonders. Expand your Mikumi adventure by visiting nearby villages and engaging with local communities. These cultural tours provide a fascinating insight into the traditions, crafts and daily lives of the local tribes.
Places To Visit Near Mikumi National Park
Here are the best places to visit Mikumi National Park to elevate the experiences during the trip:
1. Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Photo: Jens Klinzing / Wikimedia Commons
The Udzungwa Mountains National Park, nicknamed the “Galapagos of Africa,” is a biodiversity refuge in Tanzania. The park measures nearly 1,990 square kilometres. It includes many different habitats, such as tropical rainforests, mountain forests, woodland mombos, grasslands, and steppes. Its ecological diversity sustains more than 400 species of birds and around 2,500 species of plants. The park is also home to six primate species, out of which five are endemic, such as the Iringa red colobus and the Sanje crested mangabey. The park includes the Sanje Waterfalls, which are a three-tier, 170-meter-tall waterfall crashing through lush forested valleys.
Best Time To Visit: June to October
Distance From Mikumi: 140 km approx
2. Ruaha National Park
Photo: Richard Mortel / Wikimedia Commons
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park with 20,226 square kilometres of geographical area. It also prides itself as one of East Africa’s most expensive protected areas. Its ecosystems exist, from rolling savannahs and miombo woodlands to the life-giving Great Ruaha River, forming a sanctuary. The park is also famous for hosting large populations of elephants. You can encounter the pride of lions, elusive leopards, quick cheetahs and endangered African wild dogs. Also recorded are over 570 birds, making Ruaha a paradise for ornithologists and birding enthusiasts.
Best Time To Visit: June to October
Distance From Mikumi: 300 km approx
3. Selous Game Reserve
Photo: Marco Zanferrari, Verona, Italy / Wikimedia Commons
Nyerere National Park is undoubtedly one of the largest protected areas in Africa, previously known as the Selous Game Reserve. It measures over 3300 square kilometres and consists of varied ecosystems ranging from dense woodlands to open grasslands and a complex network of rivers. You can take a boat safari along the Rufiji River for an up-close of hippos and crocodiles. You can also see an incredible diversity of bird species like African fish eagles and malachite kingfishers. It is also famous for its huge and excellent diversity of wildlife, elephants, buffaloes and giraffes and over 440 species recorded in this area.
Best Time To Visit: June to October
Distance From Mikumi: 200 km approx
4. Kilombero Valley
Photo: Manuel Hetzel / Wikimedia Commons
The Kilombero Valley in Tanzania is an enormous floodplain, well known for having impressive biodiversity and cultural heritage. It is spread over a distance of close to 6,500 square kilometres, making it one of the biggest seasonal wetlands found in East Africa. This patchwork of swamps, rivers and grasslands provides suitable habitats for a plethora of bird species. Among the birds found are the Kilombero Weaver and two cisticola species, found nowhere else. The valley also supports several wildlife species, including the Puku antelope, the Crocodylus niloticus crocodile and some Colobus monkeys.
Best Time To Visit: June to October
Distance From Mikumi: 150 km approx
5. Morogoro Town
Photo: Runjiv / Wikimedia Commons
At the foothills of the Uluguru Mountains in the eastern part of Tanzania, Morogoro Town is one of the most exciting destinations. It has lively local markets where you can experience the culture well. They are busy marketplaces where you can buy fresh products, handicrafts and even textiles. This gives the whole experience a local impression of Tanzanian daily life. Morogoro also boasts colonial architecture with several buildings dating back to the German colonial period. Morogoro Town is a place where culture is combined with history and natural adventure for an authentic Tanzanian experience.
Best Time To Visit: Dry season
Distance From Mikumi: 30 km
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Adam Jones / Wikimedia Commons
The June-October dry season marks the peak of things to visit, where all the animals congregate in water holes, leaving them easy to see. Then, between November and May, this park becomes a sort of lush paradise where you can bird-watch.
Average Cost Of The Trip
For budget travellers, it is between $150 – $200 / ₹13,000 – ₹17,300 for the park, accommodation and food per day. Spending between $400 – $600 / ₹34,600 – ₹52,000 per day gives you the most luxurious and very private use of safaris and top-notch lodges for a complete adventure.
Tips For Travellers
- Get the best pair of binoculars you can for a perfect wildlife and birdwatching trip.
- Wear neutral-colour clothing because blending with nature does not startle animals.
- Always abide by the park rules and listen to the instructions given by guides.
Mikumi National Park in Tanzania lies in the Morogoro Region. It is a great wildlife sanctuary filled with life and natural beauty. It is a choice destination for adventurous safari lovers and fans. From tracking secretive predators to sunrise soaking over the plains and the colourful scene created by different flora and fauna, there is something for every traveller within Mikumi. Plan your trip with TripXL and let the wonders of Mikumi enthral you.
Cover Photo: Adam Jones / Wikimedia Commons
