Mikumi

Mikumi National Park is in the border of the world renowned Selous Game Reserve towards the south thus they share same ecosystem. The park is small characterized by hills and plains as such the Mkata River Flood Plain is among the main tourist features in the park.

The park is sandwiched by the Uluguru Mountains, Udzungwa Mountains and the Lumango ranges. Vegetation in this park features savannah grassland dotted with acacia, baobab, and tamarinds. While in Mikumi National Park you will encounter; the famous tree climbing lions, zebra, wildebeest, impala and large herds of buffalo, eland

The open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the popular centerpiece of Mikumi, draw frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains. Lions survey their grassy kingdom – and the zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo herds that migrate across it – from the flattened tops of termite mounds, or sometimes, during the rains, from perches high in the trees. Giraffes forage in the isolated acacia stands that fringe the Mkata River, islets of shade favored also by Mikumi's elephants.

Criss-crossed by a good circuit of game-viewing roads, the Mkata Floodplain is perhaps the most reliable place in Tanzania for sightings of the powerful eland, the world’s largest antelope. The equally impressive greater kudu and sable antelope haunt the miombo-covered foothills of the mountains that rise from the park’s borders.

More than 400 bird species have been recorded, with such colorful common residents as the lilac-breasted roller, yellow-throated longclaw and bateleur eagle joined by a host of European migrants during the rainy season. Hippos are the star attraction of the pair of pools situated 5km north of the main entrance gate, supported by an ever-changing cast of water birds.