Overview

With a land area of 3230 square kilometers, Mikumi is the fourth largest reserve in the nation and a vital link between the more well-known Selous and Ruaha reserves.

Even though the park is now divided from the nearby Uluguru and Udzungwa mountains by settlements and agricultural areas, wildlife still manages to move between them.

Recent studies suggest that wildlife may still be migrating in large numbers between Ruaha and Selous, with Mikumi serving as a resting place along the way. Even though the greater Selous-Ruaha ecosystem may not be able to support wildlife in the face of escalating population pressure, Mikumi’s presence undoubtedly helps.

The expansive open grasslands of the central areas are perhaps the closest thing that this region has to the plains of the Serengeti, despite the fact that the majority of this land area is mountainous and inaccessible to tourists.

The animals have access to drinking water all year long from a number of small lakes.

Thanks to the ranges of hills that surround it on three sides and provide some spectacular sunrises and sunsets, the reserve is especially photogenic.

There are sizable herds of zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes, and impalas among the area’s abundant wildlife. Although they are supposedly less common, we’ve never had any trouble finding giraffes or elephants. Although predators are typically hard to spot, lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas are common.

Unfortunately, the main Tan-Zam highway passes directly through the center of the reserve, significantly reducing its wilderness feel.

Mikumi is not served by regular air services, unlike Selous and Ruaha, and typically does not offer better trips. Nevertheless, it continues to be a crucial stop for overland safaris through the area.