MIKUMI,MOROGORO

Mikumi National Park is Tanzania’s fourth-largest national park, often called the “Little Serengeti” because of its vast savannahs and rich wildlife.

🌍 Location & Size

• Found near Morogoro, about 283 km west of Dar es Salaam, making it one of the most accessible parks from the city.
• Covers 3,230 km² (1,250 sq mi), established in 1964.
• Borders the Selous Game Reserve to the south, forming part of a larger ecosystem that also includes the Udzungwa and Uluguru Mountains.

🐘 Wildlife

• Nicknamed the “Little Serengeti” because its open plains resemble those of Serengeti.
• Home to elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, wildebeests, buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, and many antelope species.
• Birdlife is abundant, with over 400 species recorded, including colorful hornbills, fish eagles, and secretary birds.

🌿 Landscapes & Features

• Dominated by savannah grasslands, dotted with baobab trees and seasonal floodplains.
• The Mkata Floodplain is the park’s centerpiece, offering excellent game-viewing opportunities.
• Scenic views of the Uluguru Mountains and Udzungwa Mountains frame the horizon.

🎒 Activities

• Game drives are the main attraction, with high chances of spotting large mammals.
• Birdwatching is popular due to the park’s diverse avian population.
• Visitors often combine trips with nearby Udzungwa Mountains National Park for hiking and waterfalls.

✨ Why It’s Special

• Accessibility: Unlike remote parks, Mikumi is just a few hours’ drive from Dar es Salaam, making it ideal for short safaris.
• Diversity: Offers a compact but rich safari experience, with landscapes and wildlife similar to Serengeti but less crowded.
• Gateway to the South: Serves as an entry point to southern Tanzania’s larger reserves like Ruaha and Nyerere (Selous).