How to reach Mkomazi National Park?

How to reach Mkomazi National Park? Mkomazi National Park is located in is located in northeastern Tanzania, specially in the Kilimanjaro in Lushoto district and Tanga regions in Mkinga District Kinga. The national park lies approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Moshi, the gateway town for Mount Kilimanjaro treks. The Mkomazi National Park   is located close to Tanzania- Kenya border, adjacent to Tsao national park. This location significant for cross-border wildlife conservation effort and facilitates animals’ migration between tow vital ecosystems. Mkomazi was designated as a game reserve in 1951, serving primarily as a hunting ground before enhance conservation priorities shifted, in 2006 Mkomazi was officially designated as national park. this change was part of a larger initiatives to enhance conservation effort and protect wildlife and habitat within its boundaries.

Getting to Mkomazi National Park can be a bit of an adventures itself, but with some careful planning, its is definitely worthy the effort. Because Mkomazi National Park is also close to Kilimanjaro International Airport, the perfect choice for international visitors is to fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport and then drive a short distance to Mkomazi National Park on the same route. Besides Kilimanjaro International Airport visitors can fly too Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta international airport to Julius Nyerere International Airport in Der- Es- Salaam, then take a car trip or charter flight to Kisima airstrip in the park.

For visitors preferring to trave over the and to Mkomazi National Park, you have a few options. You can either drive yourself or hire a private drive to take you there. The park can be accessed from towns of Same and Lushoto in Tanzania, as well as from Voi in Kenya. The roads to the park can be rough and rugged, so 4×4 vehicle is recommended for the journey. For budget travelers, there are also buses that run to the towns near Mkomazi National Park. From there, you can arrange for a taxi or private transfer to take you to the park entrance, keep in minds that the bus journey may be long and uncomfortable, so be prepared for a bumpy ride.

Once you have reached Mkomazi National Park, there are plenty of options for accommodation ranging from luxury lodges to tented camps. Mkomazi National Park boast a rich diversity of wildlife and is particularly noteworthy for several endangered species such 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.

Activities offered at Mkomazi National Park

Game viewing

Game viewing 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 viewing safari 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 excursion in Mkomazi National Park, you will  have the opportunity to spot colorful bird species such as Ostrich, Great White Pelican,  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 , Squacco Heron , Green-backed Heron , Yellow-billed egret , Great Egret Grey Heron, Hamerkop, Great Cormorant, White Stork Black Stork among others.

Camping

Camping at Mkomazi National Park offers a unique and remarkable experience for nature covers and adventure lovers. They 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.

Nature treks

Nature treks in Mkomazi National Park are a fantastic way to immerse yourselves 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 experiences the park’s flora bad fauna up close. While a guided nature trek 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