Activities to do in Mkomazi National Park
Activities to do in Mkomazi National Park : Mkomazi National Park is located in the northeastern Tanzania, covering an area of approximately 3,234 square kilometers. Mkomazi National Park is situated to the north of the Pare mountains and borders Kenya to the east, forming part of lager ecosystem that includes the Tsavo national ark in Kenya. The park is accessible via the A-7 highway and is approximately 100 kilometers from Arusha, a key tourist hub and a gateway to several national parks including Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater.
Mkomazi National Park was officially established as national park in in 2006 Mkomazi was officially designated as national, although its was first designated as a game reserve in 1951. The transition from a game reserve to a national park was to change part of a larger initiative to enhance conservation effort and protect wildlife and habitat within its boundaries. This upgraded aimed to better protected the diverse ecosystems abd unique wildlife inhabiting the area particularly the critically engendered black rhinoceros.
The park encompassed a variety of habitats ranging from open savannah, acacia woodland and scrublands to rivers abd wetlands. Mkomazi National Park is known for its biodiversity, home to several notable species including as Giraffe, oryx, gerenuk, hartebeest, lesser kudu, eland, impala and Grant’s gazelle share the reserve with elephant, buffalo, black rhinoceroses and numerous predators, including lion, leopard and cheetah among others. Mkomazi is home to five endemic bird species including the Somali, yellow-vented Eremomela, long-billed crombec, violet wood-hoopoe and Friedmann’s lark. You won’t find these species anywhere in the world except Mkomazi National Park. It is also a home to dry country bird species like Cobalt-crested vulture and guinea fowl. Here are some of the highlights within the park. visitors on a Tanzania safari in the park can engage in a number of activities such as birdwatching, camping, nature walks, cultural encounters, hiking, and wildlife viewing among others. The park’s semi-arid climate and distinct vegetation types contributes to the rich tapestry of wildlife that attracts both researchers and tourists. This article highlights some of the tourist activities offered in Mkomazi National Park and these includes;
Game drives
Game drives in Mkomazi National Park is one of the best ways to experience and explore the hidden gems of the park. The national park is home to a rich variety of wildlife making it a unique destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. During a game drive in Mkomazi National Park, you will get a chance to views several animals such as lions, buffaloes, leopards, dik-dik, rhinoceros, Topi, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, African Wild Dogs, cheetahs, fringe-eared oryx, beisa oryx and lesser kudu among others. All these can be seen as you take a drive through the trails in the park enjoying the lush vegetation scenery.
Birdwatching
Mkomazi National Park is one of the best birding destinations in Tanzania, the park is home to over 450 bird species, making it a haven for bird enthusiast. During your bird watching tour in Mkomazi National Park, you will have the opportunity to spot colorful bird species such as Ostrich, Great White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, Black-crowned Night Heron , Cattle Egret , Squacco Heron , Green-backed Heron , Yellow-billed egret , Great Egret Grey Heron, Hamerkop, Great Cormorant, White Stork Black Stork , Abdim’s Stork, Wooly-necked Stork , Saddle-billed Stork, Marabou Stork, African Open-billed Stork , Yellow-billed Stork, Secretary Bird, Black-shouldered kite, Black Kite, Fish Eagle, Palm-nut Vulture , Lesser Spotted Eagle, Tawny Eagle , Steppe Eagle among others.
Nature walks
Nature walks in Mkomazi National Park are a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the park’s rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. Unlike typical safari experience conducted in vehicle, these guided walking safari offers an intimate and personal connection with nature, allowing visitors to experience the park’s flora bad fauna up close. While a guided nature walks safari in the park, you’ll have the chance to encounter with different wildlife species such as lions, buffaloes, leopards, dik-dik, rhinoceros, Topi, zebras as well as colorful bird sech as Ostrich, Great White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, Black-crowned Night Heron among others and astonishing flowering plants.
Activities to do in Mkomazi National Park : Camping
Camping at Mkomazi National Park offers a unique and immersive experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Ther are many public and private campsites are present in Mkomazi. Having a nice sleep while hearing the noises of the African wilderness is a once-in-a-lifetime experience every visitor wants to experience.
Activities to do in Mkomazi National Park : Hiking
Hiking in Mkomazi National Park offers a unique and immersive way to experience the breathtaking landscape, rich biodiversity and the sounds of the nature in this lesser-known hem of Tanzania. Mkomazi National Park features a range of trails that cater to different levels and hiking preferences. While on a hiking safari, visitors have the chance to encounter a wealth of wildlife including elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, dik-dik, rhinoceros, Topi, zebras, wildebeests, impalas, African Wild Dogs, cheetahs and a variety of birds. the best time for this hike is in the morning or evening, and hiking the mountain ranges in Mkomazi National Park is favorable in the dry season when the trails are dry with stunning views of the park as you like.
Visiting the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary
Mkomazi National Park is home to a Black rhino sanctuary, part of Tanzania’s conservation offers to protect this critically endangered species. This sanctuary plays a crucial role in the broader conservation efforts in Tanzania and represents a significant hope for the recovery of this species. The sanctuary was established in the 1990s as a response to the severe decline in black rhinoceros’ populations due to poaching and habitat loss. Tanzania initiated efforts to create safe havens for rhinos, leading to the establishment of this specific area within Mkomazi National Park. Visitors may have the opportunity to learn about rhino conservation efforts and in same cases, participate in guided tours focus on wildlife conservation.
How to access in Mkomazi National Park
The park can be easily accessible through Arusha-Dar es Salaam surfaced road. You a diverge to one of its gates namely; Njiro, Kivingo and Umba gates. It is about 120 kilometers from Moshi town, about 200 kilometers from Arusha city and about 440 kilometers from Dar es Salaam. It is also 142km from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), 12km from Kilimanjaro National Park and 6km from Same town. There are also chartered flights from Arusha Airport (ARK) to Kisima Airstrip are available. Y8ou can book a rail and stop at Same Railway Station. The best time for visiting this park is between June and October. Birders should visit Mkomazi between November and April to enjoy the scenes of colorful European and Asian migratory birds
Accommodation facilities in Mkomazi National Park
Mkomazi National Park has a wide range of accommodation facilities where you can stay during tour safari depending on your travel budget. These accommodation facilities range from budget, mid-range to luxury including Mambo Viewpoint Eco Lodge, Babu’s Camp, Pangani River Camp, Orlando Lodge, Tona Lodge, Mambo Cliff Inn, Elephant Motel, Mambo Guest House, Casa Lodge, Holy Night Guest House, Hotel Kindoroko, Tumaini Guest House and Zebra Camp among others.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about tourist activities in Mkomazi National Park, and then book with our tours and travel companies, such as Focus East African Tours, who offer the best tour packages while on your safari in Tanzania.
