Mikumi National Park is perfect for those short on time or who want to save a few hundred bucks
Why Mikumi National Park?
Mikumi National Park is the fourth largest park in Tanzania, with 3,230 sq km. It is home to four of the big five animals (unfortunately, no rhinos). Mikumi is also more affordable than some of the other national parks in Tanzania, like the Serengeti. And if you’re lucky, you will witness the migration from Mikumi to Nyerere National Park.
Mikumi is in the city of Morogoro in central Tanzania. It’s accessible by well-paved roads from Dar es Salaam. This makes it great for those short on time, as it’s one of the quickest national parks to reach from Dar es Salaam by car.
With a high chance of wildlife sightings, Mikumi is an affordable choice.
From Dar es Salaam, it will take around 3 to 6 hours by coach. The time varies depending on which side of Dar es Salaam you come from. And because you will have to wait until the coach is full, it may take you longer to reach the park. If you hire a private car, it may take you less time. Of course, be mindful of rush hour in Dar es Salaam since traffic jams can add extra time to your journey.
Best Times to Visit
The park is open year-round from 8am to 6pm. Although the park also offers night game drives.
The dry period from June to October is the best time to visit. During the dry months, the waterholes are popular among animals. This makes it easier to spot many wildlife species in one space. Since the dry season is considered the high season in Mikumi, the prices will be higher than at other times. I went in March, which was the wet period (November to May). Luckily, I saw three out of the big five animals along with a multitude of bird species. The weather was also great as it only rained a little and it wasn’t too humid or hot.
During the dry season, the park can get busy during the weekends. This is due to people on business trips in Dar es Salaam making Mikumi their weekend getaway.
Visiting the Park – Prices and Accommodation
The price for an all-inclusive 2-day tour starts from $395 and goes up to $716. This includes an English-speaking guide. He will share many interesting facts about the park’s wildlife. But you can also visit the park privately. The park offers affordable lodges that you can stay at.
Wildlife in Mikumi National Park
Mikumi is home to large herds of animals. This includes elephants, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, leopards, lions, sable antelopes, greater kudu, giraffes, the world’s largest antelope, the eland, and many other animals.
The park has over 400 bird species. Some are migratory birds, while for other birds, the park is their permanent habitat. The most sighted birds include the black-bellied bustard, secretary bird, guineafowl, oxpeckers, bateleur eagles, and cattle egret.
When I visited, I saw a wide variety of wildlife, including lions, buffaloes, giraffes, eland, elephants, and many bird species.
When you leave your jeep unattended, ensure not to leave any snacks inside the jeep as the monkeys love to go through your things. On my last day, the monkeys went through my backpack’s outside pockets as they could smell tea bags.
The tour I went with included half a day at a Maasai village and two days of safari. Both days were very rewarding as we managed to see many animals. The park offers its own tour packages on its website that you can check out. You have the option to opt for up to 10-day safari packages that will take you to multiple national parks.
Although Mikumi National Park was the first safari experience I had, it was definitely one to remember. I had a very knowledgeable guide. And I learnt a lot from him about different animal species and their ways of living.
I’d highly recommend Mikumi National Park to anyone looking for a safari experience. It’s ideal for those who are short on time or looking for something affordable.
Are you ready to embark on your own safari adventure? Ask me any questions you have, and I’ll be happy to help you out with your travel itinerary.