Mikumi National Park

Open horizons in southern Tanzania

Mikumi National Park is Tanzania's fourth-largest national park and one of the most accessible wildlife destinations from Dar es Salaam. The broad Mkata floodplains are framed by wooded hills and offer classic savannah scenery with fewer crowds than the northern circuit.

Wildlife gathers around seasonal water sources and the park's open grasslands. Game drives may reveal elephants, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, giraffes, eland, lions, leopards, wild dogs, and the occasional tree-climbing lion resting in the shade.

Mikumi safari highlights

• Open game viewing across the Mkata floodplain
• Elephants, buffalo, zebra, and giraffes
• Wild dogs and diverse southern wildlife
• Tree-climbing lions and big-cat encounters
• Birdwatching across wetlands and woodland
• Pairing with Nyerere or Ruaha National Park

Best time to visit

June to October is a popular dry-season period for comfortable game drives and wildlife gathering near water. November to May brings green scenery, migratory birds, and young animals. Mikumi works especially well for travelers who want to add a short wildlife escape before or after time on the coast.