Mikumi National ParkAbout Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is a protected area in the Morogoro Region of Tanzania established to conserve savanna wildlife and seasonal floodplain habitat. It is one of the country’s more accessible parks from the coastal metropolis of Dar es Salaam.
Open plains and the Mkata floodplain support visible populations of elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and buffalo, plus a variety of plains bird species; game drives of a few hours commonly produce sightings of the main savanna species. The park is often combined with nearby reserves for multi-day safaris.
The park was set aside in the mid-20th century to protect wildlife and the floodplain ecosystem and has since been managed as a national park for public access and conservation. Infrastructure is focused on road-based game viewing with several entry gates and picnic areas.
Mikumi lies in southeastern Tanzania near the town of Mikumi along the A7 road, roughly midway between Dar es Salaam and inland towns such as Iringa. The landscape is typical Miombo woodland and open savanna.
- Access: Accessible by sealed and earth roads from Dar es Salaam in roughly a 4- to 5-hour drive, making it a common short-stop safari destination for visitors based in the city.
What to See#
- Mkata Floodplain: A broad seasonal floodplain that attracts large concentrations of grazers and predators in the dry season and is the park’s main wildlife-viewing area.
Best Time to Visit Mikumi National Park
Best visited during the dry months for game viewing and easier access; roads can be tricky in wet season.
Weather & Climate near Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in December) and warm winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 16°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1200 mm/year), wettest in April with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 22° - 30° | 26° | 157 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.4h |
| February | Good | 21° - 30° | 26° | 133 mm | overcast | 85% | 1.8 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.2h |
| March | Good | 21° - 30° | 26° | 217 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.7 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Good | 21° - 29° | 25° | 265 mm | overcast | 88% | 1.9 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.8h |
| May | Very Good | 19° - 27° | 23° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 2.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.7h |
| June | Excellent | 17° - 26° | 22° | 21 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.6h |
| July | Excellent | 16° - 26° | 21° | 13 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 2.2 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.6h |
| August | Excellent | 17° - 27° | 22° | 8 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 2.1 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.8h |
| September | Excellent | 18° - 28° | 23° | 17 mm | partly cloudy | 60% | 2.3 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.0h |
| October | Excellent | 20° - 30° | 25° | 38 mm | partly cloudy | 61% | 2.6 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.2h |
| November | Very Good | 21° - 31° | 26° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 66% | 2.6 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.3h |
| December | Very Good | 22° - 31° | 26° | 143 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.4h |
How to Get to Mikumi National Park
Mikumi is about a 4-5 hour drive from Dar es Salaam on the A7/M6 roads; many visitors arrive via organized safari transfers. The closest town is Mikumi, near the park entrance.
Tips for Visiting Mikumi National Park
- Drive to Mkumi or mountain overlooks early for predators; visibility improves in morning light.
- Combine a Mikumi visit with a stop at Mikumi town for local markets and supplies.
- Road conditions can be rough-4x4 recommended during rains.