Mikumi National Park
Mikumi was made a National Park in 1964
and is 3,230 sq. km (1,250 sq. miles) in
size. This enormous area links the Julius
Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous) with the
forested abundance of the eastern arc mountains,
and so is an important part of a huge ecosystem of
rivers, flood plains, forests and woodlands.
The northern plains that surround the Mkata River are
readily accessible and is the best place to go for wildlife.
A good network of tracks means that a wide variety of
wildlife including buffalo, cape hunting dog, cheetah,
and lion are approachable and can be enjoyed at close
quarters.
Wildlife
Mikumi abounds with big game, including buffalo,
elephant, the big cats, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, zebra,
eland as well as smaller species. Some of the more
unusual species such as sable antelope, Lichtenstein’s
hartebeest and greater kudu inhabit the wooded
areas surrounding the Mkata plains and are more of a
challenge to find. But they’re there!
On a safari from Dar es Salaam, Mikumi is en
route to Udzungwa National Park and in the
dry season a gravel road links up with Nyerere
National Park (formerly the Selous) from where
one can fly back to Dar es Salaam.
From Mikumi one can also carry on through to
Iringa and Ruaha National Park, either by air
or road.
