Overview
Mikumi National Park is a protected area near Morogoro in Tanzania. It is in the southern part of Tanzania. It is among the largest national parks in the country. It covers an area of 3,230 square kilometers. It is home to many species of animals and birds. It also has great scenery. Tourists enjoy game drives, bird watching, camping, picnics, and nature walks in the park. It is easily accessible from Dar es Salaam. Let’s look at the reasons why you should visit Mikumi National Park.
Wildlife
Mikumi National Park is rich in wildlife. It is home to the largest antelope in the world; elands. Other common antelopes are Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable antelope, and greater kudu. It is home to four of the Big Five. You can spot lions, leopards, buffaloes, and elephants. You may spot other animals such as hyenas, wild dogs, zebras, giraffes, and wildebeests. The best time to enjoy wildlife viewing is between June and October. Animals are mostly around water sources. The grass is also thinner to spot animals.
Birdlife
Birdlife is one of the Mikumi National Park attractions. It has recorded over 400 species of birds. You can find both migratory and permanent or resident birds. The park is one of the best destinations for bird-watching in southern Tanzania. The common species are cattle egrets, Secretary birds, ox peckers, guinea fowl, and eagles. The best time to enjoy bird watching is between November and April.
Scenery
Mikumi National Park attractions such as mountains give it a scenic view. The famous mountains are Uluguru, Udzugwa, and Malundwe. The park is also on the Mkata River floodplain. Its key features are baobab trees, Borassus palms, acacia woodland, and open grassland.
Climate
The park enjoys favorable weather. The dry season is between June and October. It is cooler compared to the wet season. Afternoon temperatures are around 27°C. They drop to 12°C at night. The wet season is between November and May. It is usually hot and humid. Afternoon temperatures are around 30°C. They drop to around 21°C at night.
FAQs About Mikumi National Park
- Where is Mikumi National Park located?
Mikumi National Park is in the Morogoro region in Tanzania. On the south, it shares borders with Selous Game Reserve. It is not far from Indian Ocean shores. Its coordinates are 7.4288° S and 37.0564° E. It is easily accessible from Dar es Salaam city. It is about 280 km to Mikumi National Park from Dar es Salaam.
- Why visit Mikumi National Park?
Tourists visit the park for closer views of Mikumi National Park attractions. The park is home to many species of wildlife such as the Big Five, primates, and birds. It is a great place to enjoy game drives, bird watching, and nature walks.
- Which is the best time to visit Mikumi National Park?
Tourists can enjoy wildlife viewing across the year in the park. But the best time to visit Mikumi National Park is between June and October. Most animals are around water sources and grass is thinner.
- How to get to Mikumi National Park?
After landing in Tanzania, tourists get there by road or flight. From Julius Nyerere Airport, your tour operator will pick you up and take you to your lodge or park. The park is about 4 hours from Dar es Salaam. But you can get there by air. Your tour operator will book charted flights to the park. You can also use scheduled flights to Mikumi.
- Is it safe to visit Mikumi National Park?
Mikumi National Park is located in Tanzania. This is one of the safest destinations in East Africa. The government takes various measures to ensure that locals and tourists are safe in the park. Nature walks in the park are usually guided to ensure safety. Tourists are also required to follow safety measures to ensure their safety while in the park. Always remember to read safety precautions and follow them.