280 kilometers southwest of Dar es Salaam is Mikumi National Park with an abundance of animals on 3,230 square kilometers it is the fourth largest national park in Tanzania. At the same time, Mikumi borders Africa's largest game reserve, the Selous, and is bisected by the paved Dar es Salaam-Iringa road. At the center of the park is the famous Mkata floodplain, which is often visited for its vast horizon and high wildlife density compared to the far better known plains of Serengeti National Park.
Mikumi is home to a multitude of lions who, like the kings of the savannah, survey their kingdom from high ground and look down on a foraging landscape marked with herds of zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo. Only a few stands of acacia along the Mkata River give the elephants and giraffes a home in Mikumi National Park.
In addition to the traditional African wildlife, Mikumi is also the place where you have the best opportunity to spot the large eland antelope with their characteristic antlers. In addition to elands, the largest antelope species on earth, the pretty kudu and sable antelope can also be seen in the mountainous miombo forest. Several studies have found that over 400 different species of birds reside within the Mikumi park boundaries. Including the colorful birds such as the green-crowned roller, the yellow-throated pipit and the juggler. During the rainy season from mid-March to early May, European migratory birds are drawn to Mikumi, further increasing the bird population. A highlight with animal guarantee is the "Hippe-Pool" located 5 kilometers north of the main park entrance, home to many hippos and a constantly changing water bird population. There is only a handful of accommodations in Mikumi National Park, of which we can only recommend a small selection. A visit to Mikumi National Park is especially recommended for those who have already visited the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater in previous trips and want to discover something new in Tanzania. It is a five hour drive from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi Gate, after two to three nights in Mikumi there is a continuation to the national parks of Ruaha, Udzungwa and for the real adventurers Katavi.
