Mikumi National Park is Tanzania’s fourth-largest national park and the most accessible major park from Dar es Salaam, making it a popular introduction to the southern circuit. Established in 1964 and bordering the vast Nyerere (Selous) ecosystem, Mikumi offers rewarding savanna game viewing within easy reach of the coast.

The Mkata Floodplain

The park’s centrepiece is the open Mkata Floodplain, often compared to the Serengeti, where wildlife gathers across sweeping grasslands framed by the Uluguru and Rubeho mountains.

Wildlife

Mikumi is home to four of the Big Five (there are no rhino), with elephant, buffalo, lion, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impala and the striking greater kudu. Hippo pools and rich birdlife add to the experience.

Best time to visit

The dry season (June to October) offers the best game viewing, though Mikumi rewards visitors year-round thanks to its accessibility and resident wildlife.