Attractions in Mikumi National Park
Attractions in Mikumi National Park : Mikumi National Park is one of Tanzania’s largest national parks, covering an area of about 3,230 square kilometers and is conveniently located in the southern circuit. A three to four-hour drive from Dar-Es-Salaam makes it easily accessible for travelers with limited time. Mikumi National Park was gazetted in 1994, the park was established to protect the unique and diverse flora and fauna of this region, which is characterized by a mix of grassland, woodland and wetland ecosystems. The park sees as a critical conservation area, linking the Selous Game Reserve to the north and enhancing the ecological integrity of the area.
Mikumi National Park is home to the Four of the “Big Five” -elephants, lions, buffalos, leopard and rhinos. The expansiveness of the terrain provides habitat for large herds of zebras, wildebeest, and giraffes alongside numerous antelopes such as impalas and waterbuck were well as different reptiles and amphibians like Nile Crocodile, Nile monitor lizard, African rock python, Red-headed agama and Leopard tortoise among others. The park is also home to over 400 bird species including the African fish eagle, African grey hornbill, African openbill, long-tailed fiscal, malachite kingfisher and hamerkop among others. More so, Mikumi is located between the Uluguru Mountains and the Lumango range. However, there are many attractions that can one name and here we discus some of the major attractions in Mikumi National Park that you can enjoy on your trip to the park
Flora in Mikumi national park
Mikumi National Park has various types of plants that area similar to those found in Serengeti and Tarangire National Park. The park is divided into two main areas, each with its own unique types of vegetation.
In the northern part, you’ll find vast open plains that are watered by the Mkata river. This area is filled with savannah grassland and features Baobab Trees, palms, acacia and tamarind trees. The palm trees grow mainly near the river basin of Mkata. Many herbivores such as Zebras and wildebeest, thrive in this northern section. During the dry season, these animals gather around the remaining water sources in the plains thus attracting predators like hyenas, lions and leopards.
The southern part of Mikumi is dominated by forests dotted with miombo woodlands, Riverine Forests, Lowland Forests, Bushland and Thicket, and acacia trees. This area is home to tree-climbing lions, but it’s harder to reach because the roads are in poor conditions.
Wildlife
Mikumi National Park is home to a large number of the Big Game covering four members of African Big Four of the Five African iconic animals such as Elephants, Buffaloes, leopards, and lions only Rhinoceros missing. Other animals sighted here includes Cheetahs, Zebras, Sable antelope, African hunting dog, blue wildebeest, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, Giraffes, Impalas, Elands, Greater Kudu, Warthogs, Cane rat, Porcupine, Striped Ground squirrel, Bush squirrel, Spring Hare, African Dormouse, Banded Mongoose and Spotted Hyaena.
The park is also home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians such as Nile Crocodile, African rock python, Red-headed agama, Nile monitor lizard, Africa bullfrog and Leopard tortoise, which contributes to the spectacular scenery of the African savannah.
The park is a primate’s paradise, hosting monkey species such as Black-faced vervet Monkey, Yellow Baboon, Hunting Dog, Black-backed jackal, Bat-eared Fox, Honey Badger, Small-spotted Genet, Large-spotted Genet and Dwarf Mongoose.
Most wildlife activity occurs around Mikumi’s waterholes, where hippos are joined by thirsty herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. Mikumi’s grasslands rank among Tanzania’s best places to see elands, the world’s largest antelope. The equally impressive greater kudu and sable antelopes feed in the park’s hills, which are covered in miombo woodland. Most of these fascinating animals can be found along the Mkata Flood plains where most game drives safaris are conducted. The Dry season runs from June to October and late June to October is the ideal time for wildlife viewing in the park. This is when wildlife is easier to spot because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the Mkata River, the hippo pool and other waterholes. During September and October, these waterholes are almost constantly visited by big herds of buffalo and elephant as well as other wildlife.
Birdlife
Mikumi National Park is home to over 400 bird species have been, making it a fantastic place to go birding in Tanzania. Birdwatching in Mikumi National Park is more rewarding along the hippo pool and Mwanambogo Dam and during the wet season from November to April. The migratory species that arrive from Europe and North Africa in November stay until April, but rains make birding more difficult in March and April. Throughout the migratory period, resident birds may also be in breeding plumage. During your bird watching tours here, you’ll have the chance to spot birds such as Black-shouldered Kite, Tawny Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Martial Eagle, Lizard Buzzard, Black-chested Harrier Eagle, Bateleur, African Fish Eagle, Little sparrow Hawk, Ovampo sparrow Hawk, Great sparrow Hawk, Shikra, Gabar Goshawk, Dark chanting Goshawk, Montagu’s Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Green sandpiper, Wood sandpiper, Greenshank, Temminck’s courser, Bronze-winged courser, Pratincole, White-backed vulture, European Hobby , Red-necked Falcon, European Kestrel.
Other bird species that you may also sight here includes Long-tailed cormorant, Great white pelican, Pink-backed pelican, Black-headed Heron, Goliath Heron, Yellow-billed Egret, Black Heron, Little Egret, Buff – backed Heron, Squacco Heron, Green-backed Heron, White-backed Night Heron, Hamerkop, White stork, Open-bill stork, Saddle-bill stork, Marabou stork, Wood Ibis/Yellow-billed stork, Sacred Ibis, Hadada Ibis, African spoonbill, Red-billed Duck, Pygmy Goose, Egyptian Goose, Knob-billed Duck, Secretary Bird, European Marsh Harrier, African Marsh Harrier, Harrier Hawk and Coqui Francolin among others
Mountains
Mikumi national park is situated in the middle of mountains, Uluguru, Udzungwa and Malundwe mountains the unique formation system and the scenic view of the mountain attracts more tourists, researchers, writers and photographers. These famous Uluguru mountain, is part of the Eastern Arc Mountains, are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites, renowned for their exceptional flora and fauna, some of which are endemic to the region. The montane forest of the Uluguru Mountains is characterized by lush vegetation and diverse ecosystems that host numerous plants and animal species. The Uluguru mountain is a must hike that every tourist would want to try in Mikumi national park. Malundwe Mountain is the largest and the highest mountain consisting of three peaks with the highest peak found on the Southern part reaching up to 1290 meters found in the center of Mikumi national park connecting to Uluguru mountains with Udzungwa mountains and Uvidunda.
