National park · Tanzania
Mikumi National ParkHifadhi ya Taifa ya Mikumi
Enter the park at 6:30 from the Mikumi gate, drive the Mkata floodplain loop for 4–5 hours before the heat peaks, and skip the Vuma Hills hike unless you have a full day and a 4×4; June–October gives the best game viewing and firm roads.Enter the park at 6:30 AM from the Mikumi gate, drive the Mkata floodplain loop for 4–5 hours before the heat peaks, and skip the Vuma Hills hike unless you have a full day and a 4×4; June–October gives the best game viewing and firm roads.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3,230 km² (1,247 sq mi)1,247 sq mi (3,230 km²)
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Tanzania ↗Apply for the Tanzania e-visa only on the official immigration portal; Zanzibar and, from 1 October 2026, mainland Tanzania each require their own US$44 inbound insurance bought from the state insurer's site.
- Tanzania ↗Carry a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from or connect through a risk country such as Kenya or Ethiopia; see a travel clinic about malaria several weeks ahead.
- Tanzania ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you arrive.
- Tanzania ↗Light aircraft between parks and to Zanzibar have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator.
- Central Tanzania ↗Ruaha, Mikumi and Udzungwa are national parks with separate entry fees; pay through the official park system, not a roadside agent.
- Central Tanzania ↗Tarmac covers the main Dar es Salaam–Morogoro–Dodoma corridor; most park access roads are gravel and slow in the rains.
At a glance
- Country
- Tanzania
- Area
- 3,230 km² (1,247 sq mi)1,247 sq mi (3,230 km²)
- Gazetted at 1,070 km² in 1964, expanded to 3,230 km² in 1975.
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Mikumi National Park sits beside the Dar es Salaam–Iringa highway, 250 km west of the city, making it Tanzania's most accessible safari park for a weekend trip. Its 3,230 km² protect the open Mkata floodplain, where elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, lion and hippo gather around waterholes during the dry season. The park was gazetted in 1964 and expanded in 1975, now forming part of the larger Selous–Mikumi ecosystem. The main highway cuts through the park for about 50 km, reducing the sense of isolation but keeping travel times short. The southern section is more wooded and remote, with miombo woodland and the Malundwe Mountains supporting sable antelope, greater kudu and over 400 bird species.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1964.
Size and age
3,230 km² (1,247 sq mi)1,247 sq mi (3,230 km²) · national park since 1964
Gazetted at 1,070 km² in 1964, expanded to 3,230 km² in 1975.
Why go
- Open floodplain and waterholes give reliable wildlife sightings, especially during the dry season.
- Proximity to Dar es Salaam makes it doable as a weekend safari with good road access.
- The Mkata floodplain is often compared to the Serengeti plains for its open horizons and scattered acacias.
- Over 400 bird species recorded, including rollers, bee-eaters, hornbills and bateleur eagles.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayAvoid
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanDry interval, good road conditions.
- FebDry interval, wildlife concentrates at water.
- MarStart of short rains, some tracks muddy.
- AprIncreasing rain, roads can get slippery.
- MayLong wet season, many tracks closed.
- JunStart of dry season, excellent game viewing.
- JulDry, cool mornings, roads firm.
- AugDry, wildlife concentrated on floodplain.
- SepDry, still good visibility.
- OctTransition to short rains, still driveable.
- NovFirst heavy showers, some roads muddy.
- DecRainy, limited access to southern trails.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, impalaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyenaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| African wild dog (occasional)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Over 400 bird species, e.g., rollers, bee‑eaters, hornbillsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Dar es Salaam
Drive west on the A7 highway (approx. 250 km (155 mi)). 4 × 4 recommended; sedan possible on main road but slower.Drive west on the A7 highway (approx. 155 mi (250 km)). 4 × 4 recommended; sedan possible on main road but slower.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Morogoro
Drive south on the A7; the park gate is 120 km (75 mi) from Morogoro.Drive south on the A7; the park gate is 75 mi (120 km) from Morogoro.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Iringa
Drive north on the A7; the gate lies 150 km (93 mi) north of Iringa.Drive north on the A7; the gate lies 93 mi (150 km) north of Iringa.
3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mikumi gate (Mikumi town entrance) | Main entry, ticket office, basic services. | Open daily; vehicle entry allowed. |
| Mkata floodplain | Open grassland, waterholes, primary wildlife‑viewing area. | Drive‑through on park roads; 4 × 4 recommended in wet season. |
| Vuma Hills | Hilly woodland, good for short hikes and birding. | Accessible by vehicle; footpaths require moderate fitness. |
| Camping ground | Designated campsite with basic facilities. | Open with park permit; no open‑fire allowed. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | TZS 30,000–50,000 | person | Official TANAPA tariff (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without explicit park permission.
- Vehicle type
- 4 × 4 recommended on unpaved tracks; sedan allowed on main road only.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsite; no open fires.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no feeding wildlife.
- Off‑road driving
- Prohibited outside marked roads without a guide.
Where to stay
In the park
Foxes Safari Camp (tented camp)
Tented accommodation near the park centre, basic meals.
In the park
Vuma Hills lodge (Foxes)
Bungalow style rooms 6 km (3.7 mi) from the gate.Bungalow style rooms 3.7 mi (6 km) from the gate.
Near the park
Mikumi town hotels
Range from budget guesthouses to mid‑range hotels.
In the park
Official park campsite
Basic grounds with pit latrines; bring own gear.
Safety
Road conditions wet season high
Tsetse flies medium
Wildlife encounters near vehicle medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate and floodplain road are reachable by standard vehicle; steep tracks and Vuma Hills not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Buy water and food outside the park to reduce waste.
- Do not purchase ivory or wildlife products.
- Pay park entry fees; they support anti‑poaching patrols.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mikumi National Park?
Entry is TZS 30,000–50,000 per person (official TANAPA tariff, check for updates).
What are the best hikes in Mikumi National Park?
The Vuma Hills hike (2–3 h, moderate) and short walks along the Mkata floodplain tracks are the most accessible.
When is the best time to visit Mikumi National Park?
The dry season June – October offers the best road conditions and wildlife concentration.
How do I get to Mikumi National Park from Dar es Salaam?
Drive west on the A7 highway for about 250 km (4–5 h). A 4 × 4 is recommended for park roads.
Where can I stay near the park?
Options include Foxes Safari Camp and Vuma Hills lodge inside the park, plus several hotels in Mikumi town.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Mikumi National Park
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