“The Safari Gateway to Southern Tanzania”
Mikumi National Park is one of Tanzania’s most accessible Southern Circuit destinations, located along the highway connecting Dar es Salaam and the southern highlands. Though smaller than Nyerere and Ruaha, Mikumi is incredibly rewarding with diverse wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and excellent game viewing—making it an ideal introductory safari destination.
The park’s centerpiece is the Mkata Floodplain, often compared to the famous Serengeti Plains because of its open grasslands and abundance of wildlife. Here, visitors can spot lions lounging under acacia trees, large elephant herds moving across the plains, buffalo grazing peacefully, and giraffes silhouetted against the horizon.
Mikumi is also known for its high concentrations of zebras, wildebeests, hippos, impalas, warthogs, baboons, and elands. The hippo pools near the main road offer up-close views of hippos cooling in the water, accompanied by a variety of aquatic birds.
The park’s birdlife is exceptional, with over 400 bird species, including eagles, hornbills, kingfishers, and migratory species.
Its strategic location and reasonable size make Mikumi perfect for short safaris, weekend escapes, or as a stopover en route to Nyerere, Udzungwa, or Ruaha. Despite being easy to reach, Mikumi remains peaceful and less crowded, offering an excellent balance between accessibility and authentic wilderness.
