Southern Circuit • Tanzania

Mikumi National Park

Cradled between the Uluguru and Vidunda Mountains — Tanzania's most accessible southern park, where the lion-rich Mkata floodplain rivals the Serengeti and rare sable antelope roam the miombo woodland.

What to See & Do Plan This Safari

3,230 km²

Park Area

400+

Bird Species

Mkata

Floodplain

Jun – Oct

Peak Season

← Southern Circuit

Mikumi National Park

Tanzania's Most Accessible Wilderness

Mikumi National Park lies between the Uluguru Mountains to the east and the Vidunda Mountains to the southwest. Bordering Nyerere National Park, it spans approximately 3,230 km² and is easily accessible from Dar es Salaam. The park is celebrated for its diverse wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and especially its thriving lion population.

The landscape is dominated by savanna dotted with acacia, baobab, and palm trees. In the dry season, water sources such as the Mkata River become magnets for wildlife, making animal sightings highly reliable.

Mikumi boasts a remarkable concentration of animals seldom seen elsewhere, including the magnificent sable antelope, Afrikan hunting dogs, blue wildebeest, and Lichtenstein's hartebeest. The gentle foothills and expansive miombo woodland savannas in the park's southern regions are especially breathtaking.

What to See

Wildlife & Highlights

Activities

Safari Experiences

When to Visit

Best Time to Go

Mikumi is accessible year-round. The dry season, which runs from late June to October, is the prime time to visit. During this period the vegetation thins out, animals concentrate around the Mkata River and other water sources, and wildlife sightings become highly reliable.

How to Get There