Mikumi
National Park
Location
and Description:
Mikumi National Park was gazetted as a National Park in August
1964 and is the 4th largest park (following recent extension
of Katavi) in Tanzania covering 3230 square kilometres. The
park is named after the village just beyond its western border
on the TANZAM (Dar es salaam-Iringa) highway which bisects the
park for 50 km.
Main
features:
The main feature
is the Mikumi flood plain, along with the mountain ranges that
border the park on two sides.
Mikumi shares
its boundary in the extreme south, with the Selous Game
Reserve, and the two make one ecosystem with some animals
(Elephant, Buffaloes and Zebras) migrating to and from the
northern part of the reserve into Mikumi National Park.
Because of its accessibility it is one of the most popular
parks in Tanzania and is an important centre for education
where students go to study ecology and conservation. Lion is
commonly seen as are packs of wild dogs, rare elsewhere in
Africa. Crocodiles,, monitor lizard and python are commonly
found. The rains swell the park's population of birds to over
300 species of birds have been observed in the park many of
which are Eurasian migrants see refuge in Mikumi, joining
resident stars like the lilac-breasted roller and who stay
between October and April. Some Mikumi's elephants are more
unique as encounter with naturally ivory less ones is not
uncommon than those in the rest of the country, but still a
formidable sight when viewed close up.
The
park lies in a horseshoe of towering mountains and forested
foothills which almost enclose the flood plain of the Mkata
river. To the east rises the 2743 metre massif of the Uluguru
ranges while to the south west is seen the craggy-peaks of the
Lumango mountains. The hog backed ridges of the Mbesera,
Madzini and Mazunyungu hills sweep round northward and
westward. To the far south is the Udzungwa Mountains National
Park, gazetted in 1992, which is part of the Eastern Arc
Mountains annexed as mega biodiversity hotspots which include
the Usambara. It is possible to visit the
Udzungwa as a day
trip from Mikumi.
Getting there:
The vast
Selous-Mikumi is the most accessible part of a 75,000 km
(47,000 Mile) wilderness that stretches almost to the shores
of the Indian Ocean. Mikumi is accessible by road or by air
from Dar es Salaam or Arusha.
The best time
to visit:
During dry
season which is June through February. During the rainy season
(March through - May) some of the park roads are impassable.
However the park is accessible all year round.
Other:
There is 24
hours mains electricity in Mikumi Town. But inside the park
electricity is supplied by a generator, normally off between
11pm and 6am.
For more details
contacts us.
I TANZANIA I
KENYA I ZANZIBAR I
MAFIA I
KILWA I MOMBASA
l DAR l
ARUSHA l
