Mikumi National Park
The most accessible big park from the coast
- Duration Usually 1 to 3 nights
- Route Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, road or air to Mikumi, optionally on to Nyerere
- Accommodation Lodges and tented camps inside and near the park
- Transport 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Meal plan Full board on safari
- Group size Private departures from 2 travellers, shared departures available
Overview
Mikumi covers roughly 3,230 square kilometres in southern Tanzania and is the most accessible large park from Dar es Salaam, reachable by road in around four to five hours. That accessibility makes it the practical choice for a short safari added to a coastal holiday.
The heart of the park is the Mkata floodplain, open grassland with scattered acacia and borassus palms, and the landscape has drawn comparisons with the Serengeti plains. The openness makes game spotting straightforward.
Wildlife includes large buffalo and zebra herds, wildebeest, impala, giraffe, elephant, lion and hippo in the pools near the park entrance. Eland, greater kudu and sable antelope live in the wooded hills to the south. Over 400 bird species have been recorded.
Mikumi borders Nyerere National Park, so the two combine well into a southern circuit trip of five or six nights without long transfers between them.
Highlights
- Open Mkata floodplain with straightforward game spotting
- Large buffalo, zebra and wildebeest herds
- Hippo pools near the park entrance
- Sable antelope and greater kudu in the southern hills
- Over 400 recorded bird species
- Combines easily with Nyerere National Park
What is included
Included
- Park entry fees and government taxes
- 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof and an English-speaking driver guide
- Accommodation as specified in your quote
- Meals as specified in your quote
- Drinking water in the vehicle
- Airport or hotel pickup and drop-off
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Tanzania visa and travel insurance
- Drinks other than the water provided
- Optional activities such as balloon safaris, walking safaris and cultural visits
- Gratuities for your guide and lodge staff
- Personal items and laundry
Pickup and meeting point
Pickup: Dar es Salaam by road, or by light aircraft from Zanzibar
Drop-off: Return to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar, or on to Nyerere National Park
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get there?
Around four to five hours by road from Dar es Salaam, or a short light aircraft flight.
Is a two-night safari worthwhile?
Yes. Mikumi is the park where a short safari genuinely works, because the drive is manageable and the floodplain makes spotting easy.
Can we combine it with Nyerere?
Yes. They border each other and a combined southern circuit of five or six nights avoids long transfers.
What is the wildlife like compared to the north?
Fewer big cats than the Serengeti, but strong buffalo, zebra and giraffe numbers, and far fewer vehicles.
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