Mkata floodplain
Open grassland with herds of zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and the lions that follow them.
Mikumi National Park
Big-game safari, four hours from Dar
- Best time
- June – October (dry season)
- Recommended stay
- 1 – 2 nights
- Nearest airport
- Mikumi Airstrip
- Main attraction
- Easy safari from Dar
About Mikumi
Mikumi is the most accessible national park from Dar es Salaam, about 4–5 hours by road on the Dar–Morogoro highway. Its open Mkata floodplain is often compared to the Serengeti, with good sightings of lion, elephant, giraffe and zebra.
It borders the vast Nyerere National Park to the south and is a favourite for weekend safaris and for travellers combining a safari with Zanzibar.
- Size
- ≈ 3,230 km²
- Established
- 1964
- Drive from Dar
- ≈ 4–5 h
- Bird species
- 400+
What makes it special
Hippo pools
Permanent pools where hippos and crocodiles can be watched from a viewpoint.
Uluguru and Rubeho mountains
Mountain backdrops on the edge of the park.
What you can see and do
- Lion
- Elephant
- Giraffe
- Zebra
- Buffalo
- Wildebeest
- Eland
- Hippo
- Sable antelope
- 400+ bird species
Game drives
Walking safaris
Short guided walks with a park ranger.
Birdwatching
When to go
June – October (dry season)
- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Rainy / low season
- April: Rainy / low season
- May: Rainy / low season
- June: Best
- July: Best
- August: Best
- September: Best
- October: Best
- November: Good
- December: Good
- Best
- Good
- Rainy / low season
Recommended stay: 1 – 2 nights
Getting there
By road: about 4–5 hours from Dar es Salaam on the Dar–Morogoro highway, which runs through the park.
By train: the SGR electric train runs from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro in about 2 hours, then a 2-hour road transfer to the park.
Nearest airports & airstrips
- Mikumi AirstripCharter flights
- Julius Nyerere International AirportDAR
Entry and conservation fees
| Fee | Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation fee — adult non-resident | $30 per person / 24 h | +18% VAT |
Park and conservation fees are set by TANAPA, NCAA and the Zanzibar authorities and can change. Figures shown are indicative; your quotation always uses the current official rates.
Mikumi in pictures
Tours & safaris
Packages that visit Mikumi
Wildlife Safaris
Bush & Beach: Mikumi, Udzungwa & Saadani
Dar es Salaam · Mikumi · Udzungwa · Saadani
- Game drives
- Waterfall hike
- Beach
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