Attractions in mikumi national park
Attractions in Mikumi national park :Located along the highway and gate way of the busy and largest African game reserve that is Selous, Mikumi national park has gained its popularity. From the time of completion of the highway that connects Dar es Salaam with the park as well as the Zambian national parks the number of guests visiting the park has increased. The park is located in between the Lumango hills and the Uluguru Mountains. Mikumi national park is the 4th largest national park in Tanzania. There are a number of Attractions in Mikumi national park that guests can explore during the Sfari to Mikumi national park.
Attractions in Mikumi national park are centered in the middle of the park which are enclosed with the Mountain ranges found at the boarder of the park. The park is surrounded by mountains and borders also the famous game reserves. Mikumi national park is 4 to 5 hour drive from the city of Dar es Salaam making it one of the nearest tourist destinations to the busy former capital city. The park is gifted by a wide range of attractions that has led to the increase of the visitors numbers. In fact the park is one of the current hot cake for short Tanzania safaris that start from Dar es Salaam like 3 days south Tanzania safari. Its also the best choice of the weekend safaris with its size making you see more in the little time.
Below are the key Attractions in Mikumi national park
Animals (wildlife)
Nicknamed as little Serengeti national park is Mikumi national park, its rich with a wide range of wildlife. The park hosts large number of the big game that covers four members of African bi five only missing Rhinos. Mikumi is a home of large herds of Elephants, Buffaloes, Zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, Leopards, Lions, Sable Antelopes, Great Kudu, and many more. The chances of seeing tree climbing lions in Mikumi national park are higher than in the famous tree climbing lions home that is Lake Manyara national park.
More wildlife game os mostly found in the Central part of the park along the Mkata plains that is cut off to the North West by the main highway that crosses through the park. All the game viewing activities are done in the North West while the South west is good for birding. The animals can be viewed throughout the year and they are mostly available in water catchment areas during the dry season. The shy Kudus and Sable Antelopes are easily seen along the dotted Miombo woodlands which are located in the South East of the park near the Vuma hills.
Mikumi national park is among the few national parks not only in Tanzania but entire East Africa where guests can have chances of seeing the rare African Wild dogs. From the time the wild dogs were hit by the rabbis epidemic, the wild dogs almost became exict. The two artificial water pools are now the home of hundreds of hippos and these have become hippo viewing points at mikumi national park.
Birds
Birds is one of the key Attractions in Mikumi national park, the park has over 400 bird species with both permanent habitats and migratory birds. This large number of birds has made the park one of the birding destinations in the Southern part of Tanzania. The long lists of birds can be achieved with patient Mikumi national park safaris that last beyond 3 days. However much the size of the park is not all that very big but the diversity of the ecosystem and the vegetation has attracted different bird species. The most sighted birds are: Black billied bustard, Secretary bird, Guinea fowl, Ox peckers, Bateleur eagles, cattle egret, Open billed stork, Yellow throated long claw, Zanzibar red bishop, Lilac breasted roller, Martial eagle, Francolin, Superb Starling, Straw-tailed Whydah, Boehm’s bee-eater among others. If you want to view most of the European migratory birds come for birding safari during rainy season.
Culture
Visiting Mikumi national park, one of unmisable Attractions in Mikumi national park is the locals. The local community around the park provides extremely excellent African cultural experience. The locals are organized under their umbrella Chilunga Cultural tourism with knowledgeable guides who know their history and culture in and out, Their offices are found in the nearest town of Morogoro which is just few minutes’ drive from the main gate of the park. You will be meeting and chatting with the locals, directly involved in some local community activities like cultural dances, cooking and other activities. The cultural tourism is one of the ways of promoting sustainable tourism since the locals are actively involved in tourism management. The different villages and cultures found around the park are Maasai culture, Choma, Kinole, Madola and others.
Mountains
Mikumi national park is situated in the middle of mountains hence making mountains some of the key Attractions in Mikumi national park. The scenic views of the mountains that have unique formation system attracts more guests especially writers, photographers and researchers to the park. The most common and famous mountains are Uluguru mountains that every guests wants to try to hike during their safari to Mikumi national park. Other mountains around the park include: Udzugwa Mountains, Malundwe Mountains which is the largest and the highest mountain. Its found in the center of the national park connecting Uluguru mountains with Udzungwa mountains and Uvidunda. Malundwe Mountains is consist of three peaks with the highest peak found on the Southern part reaching up to 1290 meters.
Kinole waterfalls
Kinole waterfalls is not found inside the park but its one of the key Attractions in Mikumi national park. Kinole water fall is found in Morogoro few kilometers away from the town. Its located in Uluguru mountains in the village of Kinole. The waterfall was named after the village where its located. It has great scenic views, you can swim below the waterfall or hike to the top of the falls. Local guides are available from Morogoro town who will drive you deep in to the village till the point where you start the hike.
However much Mikumi national park is less visited but it has more tourist attractions that guests can enjoy while on their trip to the park. Attractions in Mikumi national park
