Mkomazi National Reserve

Mkomazi National Reserve

Best Time to Visit Tanzania

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.

komazi National Park Overview

Mkomazi National Park, located in northeastern Tanzania, was designated as a Game Reserve in 1951 and became a National Park in 2008. Positioned to the east of the Pare Mountains, near Same town, and about 190 kilometers from Arusha, Mkomazi lies along the semi-arid savanna that extends into Kenya’s Tsavo West. This area is part of the Mkomazi-Tsavo Ecosystem, which is the second largest trans-boundary ecosystem in East Africa, after the famous Serengeti-Maasai Mara.

Before its designation as a National Park, Mkomazi covered an area of 3,245 square kilometers and was managed by the government as a game reserve. Now, as a national park, Mkomazi has the potential to become a premier sanctuary, offering visitors the chance to discover Tanzania’s lesser-known natural wonders.

The park’s southeastern border is defined by the Umba River, and several waterholes throughout the park sustain a diverse range of wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, buffalo, elephants, and zebras. The area is also home to the rare gerenuk, lesser kudu, and fringe-eared oryx. Mkomazi has a special sanctuary for the endangered black rhino, as well as a sanctuary for wild dogs, both of which have garnered international attention for their conservation efforts. The Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary is particularly well-known for rehabilitating rhinos and offers educational and viewing opportunities for visitors.

Mkomazi is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 450 species recorded, including a variety of Eurasian migratory birds. Visitors can enjoy activities such as game drives, walking safaris, mountain hikes, and birdwatching throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit Mkomazi National Park

  • Dry Season (June to October): Best for wildlife viewing, particularly large mammals and birds.
  • Wet Season (November to May): Ideal for appreciating the park’s scenery and enjoying views of the surrounding mountains, though wildlife sightings may be less frequent.

Climate in Mkomazi National Park

Mkomazi experiences a warm to hot climate, with the warmest months being from October to April. The coldest months are from May to September. The park has two wet seasons: the long rains from March to May and short rains from October to November.

How to Reach Mkomazi National Park

The best way to reach Mkomazi is by road from Moshi or Arusha. Most visitors fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located between Arusha and Moshi. The drive from the airport to Moshi is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) and takes approximately 1 hour. The drive to Arusha is about 50 kilometers (31 miles) and takes around 1.5 hours.

Location of Mkomazi National Park

Mkomazi National Park is situated in northeastern Tanzania, along the Kenyan border. It lies in the Same District of Kilimanjaro Region, with parts of the park extending into Lushoto District in Tanga Region and Mkinga District.

How to Get a Tanzania Visa

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The dry season from June to October is ideal for wildlife viewing, while the wet season (November to May) offers the best scenery, particularly for mountain views.

You can reach Mkomazi by road from Moshi or Arusha. The park is also accessible from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), located about 1 hour from Moshi and 1.5 hours from Arusha.

Mkomazi is home to lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, buffalo, elephants, zebras, and the rare gerenuk, lesser kudu, and fringe-eared oryx. The park also has sanctuaries for endangered black rhinos and wild dogs.

Visitors can enjoy game drives, walking safaris, birdwatching, mountain hikes, and visiting the rhino and wild dog sanctuaries

Mkomazi experiences warm to hot weather, with the hottest months being from October to April. The cooler months are from May to September. The park has two wet seasons: long rains from March to May and short rains from October to November.

Mkomazi National Park covers an area of 3,245 square kilometers (1,252 square miles), offering diverse ecosystems and wildlife.

Yes, Mkomazi fits perfectly into safari circuits that include Arusha, Usambara, Tanga, Pangani, Saadani, and Dar es Salaam, and can be visited as part of a broader tour or as a standalone destination.

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