Key facts
| Area | 3,230 km² |
|---|---|
| Location and distance | Southern Tanzania on the route from Dar es Salaam towards Iringa, around 300 km from Dar es Salaam |
| Getting there | Usually around 6 hours' drive from Dar es Salaam, often as a stopover on the way to Ruaha or Udzungwa |
| Park fee per person per day | 30 USD, children aged 5 to 15 years 10 USD, under 5 years free, plus 18% VAT. |
| Best months | June to October |
| Typical wildlife | Elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, hippos |
| Accommodation | Mikumi Safari Lodge, Angalia Tented Camp, Vuma Hills Tented Camp |
Highlights and wildlife
Large parts of the park consist of wide grasslands, gentle hills and individual stands of acacia. The open plains are reminiscent of the Serengeti, but feel quieter and less visited. Seasonal floodplains shape the ecosystem and attract many animals, especially in the dry season. Elephants move through the plains and to the waterholes; giraffes, zebras and wildebeest occur in large numbers. Buffalo, impalas, elands, kudus and warthogs are also common. Lions often stay in the open grassland and, thanks to the good visibility, can be reliably observed. Because the terrain is so open, you cover a lot of ground even during a short stay.
Leopards also live in the park but, because of their elusive nature, are harder to find. Hyenas are common and accompany the herds of herbivores; cheetahs are only occasionally sighted. At the seasonal waterholes you can observe hippos. The birdlife is rich in species: over 400 bird species have been recorded in the park, including birds of prey, savannah species and waterbirds. This mix makes Mikumi interesting even for a first safari, as on the compact 3,230 km² you find many species in a small area.
Best time to visit
You can visit Mikumi all year round. The most reliable period is the dry season from June to October: many animals then concentrate at the remaining waterholes, the grass is lower and the tracks are easy to drive on. In the rainy season the landscape is a rich green, but the animals spread out more across the park and individual tracks can be harder to pass. If you are flexible, plan your days in Mikumi between June and October.
| Month | Weather | Wildlife |
|---|---|---|
Dry season, good tracks | ||
Green, tracks partly more difficult |
Park fees
The park fee is 30 USD per person per day. Children aged 5 to 15 pay 10 USD, children under 5 are free of charge. 18% VAT is added to the fee.
Getting there and combinations
Most guests arrive by vehicle from Dar es Salaam; the drive on the road towards Iringa takes around 6 hours. Alternatively, you fly in around 2 hours, usually via Iringa Airport with an onward transfer. A charter flight directly to Mikumi’s airstrip is possible, depending on your itinerary. In the team’s experience, the park serves as a link between Ruaha and Nyerere on most trips, so the team hardly ever flies to this airstrip. Because of the short distances, Mikumi is also suitable for a short stay or as the first stop on a longer trip through southern Tanzania. From here, continue to Nyerere National Park, Ruaha National Park or Udzungwa Mountains National Park.
As in the rest of the south, there are far fewer guests here too, and the choice of lodges is smaller. The team describes safaris as intense and the atmosphere as personal.
