Mikumi national park is one of the protected areas that are found in the Southern part of the country. Its located not far from the shores of Indian ocean, it the park was established in 1964. Mikumi national park has risen through several landers after it was gazette as national park. It began as a small game reserve till 1975 when more land from both South and Northern sides were added in to the park. Currently the park is the 4th largest national park in Tanzania covering a total land area of 3,230 square kilometers.
Your planed Mikumi national park safari takes you to the land of Arc Mountains that surround the park across all directions. The most famous mountains are the Uluguru Mountains that are found on the Eastern part of the Park. In the West and the north you find the Mazunyungu hills, Madzini hills and Mbesera hills. Mikumi is one of the best national parks though not very famous but has great wildlife experience. Its unique surrounding by the mountains and the hills has given more reflection of light to the park that gives good scenic and fabulous color and light around the park. The views of the sunset and sunrise are good especially if you hike to the top of any hill or mountain and observe the sun rise or sun set.
Mikumi national park has diversified ecosystem that is further more divided by the rod that runs across the park. The road separates the park in to two sections one is North West and the other is South East. Both sides have different ecosystem with little in common for example the north West its dominated by the open alluvial plains that are characterized by more Acacia trees and the large Boababs tree. The North West is more like the Tarangire National park and here in this region you get more African Elephants. On the other side of the road which is less accessed for Mikumi national park safari and game viewing. The vegetation is thick and dominated by shrubs with few wildlife found in the area hence making it less exploited.
Attractions in mikumi national park
Wildlife
Nicknamed as little Serengeti national park is Mikumi national park, its rich with a wide range of wildlife. The park hosts large number of the big game that covers four members of African bi five only missing Rhinos. Mikumi is a home of large herds of Elephants, Buffaloes, Zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, Leopards, Lions, Sable Antelopes, Great Kudu, and many more. The chances of seeing tree climbing lions in Mikumi national park are higher than in the famous tree climbing lions home that is Lake Manyara national park.
Bird Species
.Birds is one of the key Attractions in Mikumi national park, the park has over 400 bird species with both permanent habitats and migratory birds. This large number of birds has made the park one of the birding destinations in the Southern part of Tanzania. The long lists of birds can be achieved with patient Mikumi national park safaris that last beyond 3 days. However much the size of the park is not all that very big but the diversity of the ecosystem and the vegetation has attracted different bird species. The most sighted birds are: Black billied bustard, Secretary bird, Guinea fowl, Ox peckers, Bateleur eagles, cattle egret.
Mountains
Mikumi national park is situated in the middle of mountains hence making mountains some of the key Attractions in Mikumi national park. The scenic views of the mountains that have unique formation system attracts more guests especially writers, photographers and researchers to the park. The most common and famous mountains are Uluguru mountains that every guests wants to try to hike during their safari to Mikumi national park. Other mountains around the park include: Udzugwa Mountains, Malundwe Mountains which is the largest and the highest mountain. Its found in the center of the national park connecting Uluguru mountains with Udzungwa mountains and Uvidunda. Malundwe Mountains is consist of three peaks with the highest peak found on the Southern part reaching up to 1290 meters.