Tanzania is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on your activities.
For wildlife safaris, the dry seasons from June to October offer excellent game viewing, including the Great Migration in the Serengeti.
January to February is ideal for witnessing the calving season. For Mount Kilimanjaro treks, the best conditions are from January to March and June to October.
Beach lovers visiting Zanzibar will enjoy the dry months of December to February and June to October.
As dawn breaks over Mikumi National Park, the mist swirls, hiding the first light of the day. Sunlight gradually touches the plains, illuminating the grass heads in a soft, russet glow. A herd of zebras, their stripes blending seamlessly into the landscape, stand motionless like dancers in perfect formation, awaiting the end of night’s predatory gaze.
Mikumi National Park lies on the northern edge of the Selous Game Reserve, Africa’s largest game reserve, and is intersected by the main road connecting Dar es Salaam and Iringa. This location makes Mikumi easily accessible and forms part of the greater Selous-Mikumi ecosystem, which spans an impressive 75,000 square kilometers (47,000 square miles) of wilderness, stretching all the way to the Indian Ocean.
The Mkata Floodplain, the park’s central feature, offers expansive vistas and a diverse array of wildlife. The open landscape is often compared to the Serengeti Plains for its abundant wildlife and striking views.
Lions, ever watchful of the migrating zebra, wildebeest, impala, and buffalo herds, can be seen surveying their domain from termite mounds or, during the rainy season, from tree perches. Giraffes gracefully forage in the acacia woodlands that line the Mkata River, where Mikumi’s elephants also find refuge.
The park boasts an excellent network of game-viewing roads, and the Mkata Floodplain is one of the most reliable places in Tanzania to spot the world’s largest antelope, the eland. The miombo-covered hills that border the park are home to the greater kudu and the sable antelope, both equally impressive in stature.
With over 400 recorded bird species, Mikumi is a paradise for birdwatchers. Common residents like the lilac-breasted roller, yellow-throated longclaw, and bateleur eagle are joined by European migrants during the rainy season. Two hippo-filled pools, located 5 kilometers north of the main entrance, are a highlight, offering a variety of water birds to observe.
Mikumi is easily accessible by road, with a well-maintained surfaced road linking it to Dar es Salaam via Morogoro. The drive takes approximately 4 hours. The park also has road connections to Udzungwa, Ruaha, and Selous (seasonally accessible). For a quicker route, charter flights are available from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, or Selous, and local buses run from Dar es Salaam to the park headquarters, where game drives can be arranged.
Mikumi is accessible year-round, although the dry season (June to October) is particularly favorable for wildlife viewing, especially large mammals and birds
Obtaining a Tanzania visa is simple and convenient. You can apply online via the Tanzania eVisa Portal, at a Tanzanian embassy, or on arrival at major entry points such as airports and border crossings.
Requirements typically include a valid passport with at least six months’ validity, a completed application form, and payment of the visa fee.
A single-entry tourist visa costs $50 for most nationalities, while US citizens pay $100 for a multiple-entry visa.
The eVisa process usually takes about 10 business days for approval.
Mikumi is accessible year-round. However, the dry season (June to October) is ideal for wildlife viewing, especially for spotting large mammals like elephants, lions, and antelope.
Mikumi can be reached by road from Dar es Salaam (approximately 4 hours). Charter flights are available from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, or Selous. Local buses also run from Dar es Salaam to the park headquarters.
Mikumi is home to lions, giraffes, buffalo, wildebeest, zebras, elephants, as well as the rare eland, sable antelope, and greater kudu. The park also has a rich variety of bird species and hippos in the pools near the entrance.
You can enjoy game drives, guided walks, and visits to nearby attractions such as the Udzungwa Mountains. Mikumi also offers connections to Selous and Ruaha for further safari opportunities.
Mikumi spans 3,230 square kilometers (1,250 square miles), making it Tanzania’s fourth-largest national park.
Mikumi has a warm climate with a wet season (November to May) and a dry season (June to October). The park’s scenery is at its best during the wet season, but wildlife is more visible in the dry season.
Yes, Mikumi is conveniently located along major safari routes, making it a great addition to circuits including Ruaha, Udzungwa, Selous, and other safari destinations in Tanzania
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