Mikumi National Park
the backyard safari
Tanzania’s fourth-largest park, most accessible from the capital — almost guaranteed wildlife sightings, the vast Mkata Floodplain, and a gateway to the Selous and Udzungwa.
A paved road to wilderness
Located 283 km (175 miles) west of Dar es Salaam, between the Uluguru Mountains and the Lumango range, Mikumi is the most accessible national park from Tanzania’s largest city. A surfaced road connects Dar to the park gate — roughly a 4‑hour drive. Ideal for weekend visitors and business travellers with limited time.
Mkata Floodplain
The open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain draw frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains. Criss‑crossed by a good network of game‑viewing roads, it is perhaps the most reliable place in Tanzania for sightings of the powerful eland — the world’s largest antelope.
Wildlife guaranteed
Lions on termite mounds
Lions survey their grassy kingdom from flattened tops of termite mounds — or during the rains, from perches high in the trees.
Hippo pools
Two pools 5km north of the main entrance gate offer close access to hippos and an ever‑changing cast of waterbirds.
Zebra, wildebeest & buffalo
Herds of zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo migrate across the Mkata Floodplain — predators follow.
More than 400 species
Colourful residents: lilac‑breasted roller, yellow‑throated long claw, bateleur eagle. Joined by European migrants during the rainy season. Bird‑watching along the waterways is particularly rewarding.
Gateway to the south
Mikumi abuts the northern border of Africa’s biggest game reserve – the Selous – and is close to Udzungwa National Park. Together they form a 75,000 km² tract of wilderness stretching east almost to the Indian Ocean. Road connections to Udzungwa, Ruaha and (dry season only) Selous.
Essential information
🚗 Access
4‑hour drive from Dar es Salaam on surfaced road via Morogoro. Charter flights from Dar, Arusha or Selous. Local buses run from Dar to park HQ where game drives can be arranged.
🏕️ Accommodation
Two lodges, three luxury tented camps, three campsites. Guest houses in Mikumi town on park border. New lodge proposed at Mahondo, permanent tented camp at Lumaaga.
Experience Mikumi
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