Park or nature areaOutline guide

Mikumi National Park

National park of Tanzania

Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Mikumi National Park is in Southern-Central Tanzania. It is one of Tanzania’s most accessible wildlife destinations and a convenient introduction to the country’s southern safari circuit. The most visited part of the park is the northern Mkata floodplain, where open country, waterholes and a good network of game-drive tracks provide reliable wildlife viewing. Much of southern Mikumi is more wooded, remote and lightly visited. Compared with Nyerere or Ruaha, Mikumi offers shorter travel distances and easier access, although the main highway passing through the park somewhat reduces its sense of isolation.

Getting there and around

Getting there

By bus
Taking the bus is also quite convenient. Good bus companies are Abood and Kimbinyiko .
By air
The two nearest towns are Morogoro and Iringa. There are no scheduled flights from Dar to Iringa, Morogoro or Mikumi.

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Getting around

You require a 4x4 vehicle to travel on the unpaved roads inside the park during wet season.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Dodoma Airport

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Read before you go to Mikumi National Park

Articles and travel topics about Mikumi National Park and Tanzania.

Nature & adventure

African national parks

Many of these parks are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They can be visited for safaris, to see the African flora and fauna.

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Nature & adventure

Safaris

Safaris are perhaps the greatest tourism draw in Africa and the highlight for many visitors. The term safari in popular use refers to overland travel to view the stunning African wildlife, particularly on savanna.

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Itineraries

Nile

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Food & drink

Street food

Colourful and diverse, street food is an experience you can find in cities and towns all around the world. It's generally convenient and cheap, but its appeal goes far beyond that.

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Full travel guide

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UnderstandMikumi National Park lies about 288 km west of Dar es Salaam, beside the main highway toward Iringa and Mbeya, and covers approximately 3,230 km².

Get inMikumi National Park is about 250 km west of Dar es Salaam. Driving there takes about 4 hours due to the poor conditions of the road.

Fees and permitsA visitor's permit costs US$20 per person and is valid for 24 hours from time of purchase. Non-residents are expected to pay the park entry fee in US dollars, not Tanzanian shillings.

Get aroundYou require a 4x4 vehicle to travel on the unpaved roads inside the park during wet season.

SeeThe Mkata Floodplain is the park’s principal wildlife-viewing area. Its open grasslands, scattered acacias and seasonal pans make animals comparatively easy to spot, particularly during the dry season.

DoSafaris If you have your own 4x4 vehicle, just ask your lodge for a map of the trails. There aren't many trails in the park and most secondary roads are closed during the rainy season.

BuyShopping inside Mikumi National Park is very limited. Purchase food, drinking water, medicines, toiletries, fuel and other important supplies before entering.

EatA basic restaurant operated by the park has traditionally been described as an affordable dining option.

DrinkCarry plenty of safe drinking water during every game drive, especially if exploring remote tracks or visiting during the hotter months.

SleepThe park offers accommodations at three different price levels. Prices are according to the price list set by the government.

Stay safeIf you plan on hiring a car in Tanzania and driving yourself to Mikumi be prepared in the event of a breakdown or accident. (See the Tanzania main page on the recommendations for driving in developing countries.)

Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Mikumi National Park" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Mikumi National Park", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL via Wikimedia Commons

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