Mikumi National Park
Covering 3,230 sq km and located between the Uluguru mountains and the Lumango range, Mikumi is the fourth largest park in Tanzania and only a few hours drive from Tanzania’s largest city, Dar es Salaam. Mikumi national park and Udzugwa national park are part of the much larger ecosystem centered on the immense Selous Game Reserve.
Mikumi national park’s varied topography teems with wildlife and over 400 species of bird life including lilac-breasted roller, bateleur eagle and yellow throated long claw among others.
Animals present in this park include lions, leopards, elephants, elands, buffaloes, giraffes, zebra, sable antelopes, greater kudu, wildebeest, wild hunting dogs, black-backed jackal, hippos and crocodiles.
It is important to note that Mikumi is only 4 hours drive from Dar es Salaam using the tarmac highway to Iringa town and southern Tanzania. This makes it is accessible throughout the year and a safari here can easily be combined with that to the neighboring Ruaha and Udzungwa national parks as well as the Selous game reserve.