Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park abuts the northern border of Africa’s biggest game reserve – the Selous – and is bisected by the surfaced road between Dar es Salaam and Iringa. It is thus the most accessible part of a 75,000 square kilometre (47,000 square mile) tract of wilderness that stretches east almost as far as the Indian Ocean. The open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the popular centrepiece of a Mikumi safari, draws comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains.
Lions survey their grassy kingdom – and the zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo herds that migrate across it – from the flattened tops of termite mounds, or sometimes, during the rains, from perches high in the trees. Giraffes forage in the isolated acacia stands that fringe the Mkata River, islets of shade favoured also by Mikumi’s elephants.
Criss-crossed by a good circuit of game-viewing roads, the Mkata Floodplain is perhaps the most reliable place in Tanzania for sightings of the powerful eland, the world’s largest antelope. The equally impressive greater kudu and sable antelope haunt the miombo-covered foothills of the mountains that rise from the park’s borders.
More than 400 bird species have been recorded, with such colourful common residents as the lilac-breasted roller, yellow-throated longclaw and bateleur eagle joined by a host of European migrants during the rainy season.
Direct connections by air from Zanzibar means a few days in atmospheric Stone Town or on a white sand beach make for relaxed ending to an exciting Safari holiday.
A safari in Mikumi National Park also combines very well in a Southern Safari Circuit with Selous Game Reserve or Ruaha National Park.
The best time to visit Mikumi National Park is in the dry months from May to December but the excellent network of good roads mean a visit can be made at any time