Mkomazi National Park Tanzania

The Mkomazi National Park is a magnificent, 3,500 square kilometer national park in northern Tanzania. Remote and initially inaccessible, it was established in 1951, but never attracted the financial support provided for the better-known wildlife strongholds such as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Parks. Only since 1989, when the Tanzanian Government re-examined the reserve’s status and designated it a National Priority Project, has its true significance and importance been recognized.

The Mkomazi National Park is a spectacular wilderness. Within sight to the northwest is Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest summit. To the south, the Pare and Usambara Mountains form a dramatic backdrop and, to the north, Kenya’s vast Tsavo National Park shares a border with Mkomazi, making common ground for migratory herds of elephant, Oryx and zebra during the wet season. Together with Tsavo, it forms one of the largest and most important protected ecosystems on earth.

Mkomazi is the southern tip of the Sahel zone. It is a classic dry-country reserve of grey-green Nyika bush, ancient baobab trees, and isolated rocky hills. Elsewhere, the seas of bush give way to open savannah woodlands of umbrella acacias and shallow valleys of grassland.

The animals, too, are typical of the arid Nyika. Giraffe, Oryx, gerenuk, hartebeest, lesser kudu, eland, impala, and Grant’s gazelle share the reserve with elephant, buffalo, and numerous predators, including lion, leopard, and cheetah. In all, 78 species of mammals have been recorded.

The birds of Mkomazi are even more numerous, with over 400 recorded species. Doves, hornbills, weavers, and guinea-fowl are all present in large numbers – as well as such striking species as the martial eagle and violet wood-hoopoe.

The park is not well known and because of that, it has its charm. It’s not crowded and the animals are acting naturally.

Almost all species can be found.

Mkomazi is a vital refuge for two highly endangered species, the charismatic black rhino and sociable African wild dog.

It’s a cheap alternative for the northern national parks

Size of Mkomazi National Park Tanzania

The park covers over 3,234 square kilometers (323,400 ha), and is dominated by Acacia-Commiphora vegetation; it is contiguous with Kenya’s Tsavo West National Park.

Location of Mkomazi National Park Tanzania

Mkomazi National Park is located in north-eastern Tanzania on the Kenyan border, in Kilimanjaro Region and Tanga Region. It was established as a game reserve in 1951 and upgraded to a national park in 2006.

How to get to Mkomazi National Park Tanzania

Mkomazi is right next to the small town of the same, which is a comfortable 112km/ 69mi drive south from Moshi. Mkomazi lies a bit out of the way as compared to the other parks in northern Tanzania but could be visited en route to the Usambara Mountains.

Things to do in Mkomazi National Park Tanzania

Though the national park, not one of the popular destinations for tourists it’s one of the quiet and exclusive national parks in Tanzania providing a wide range of activities like

Game viewing

Game drives can give you an opportunity of seeing wildlife such as Giraffe, Oryx, gerenuk, hartebeest, lesser kudu, eland, impala, and Grant’s gazelle share the reserve with elephant, buffalo, and numerous predators, including lion, leopard, and cheetah.

Bird watching

Birding trips are rewarding and you can see numerous species of birds including doves, hornbills, weavers and guinea-fowl are all present in large numbers – as well as such striking species as the martial eagle and violet wood-hoopoe.

Walking Safaris

One of Africa’s unique and exotic safari adventures is to walk on foot in search of the wildlife and this can be done in Mkomazi national park where you will embark on a walking safari to see the African wildlife with an armed ranger.

Mambo Viewpoint

Offering magnificent views over the African plains, Mambo View Point is located in the northern part of the Usambara Mountains and near the village of Mambo.

The African themed chalets at Mambo View Point have glass windows and come with wooden furnishings, solar lights, and a bathroom with a shower. Guests can enjoy mountain views.

Activities on-site and in the surrounding area include guided hikes, forest walks, and cultural visits. Biking, safari, and bird watching tours can also be arranged on advance request.

When to visit Mkomazi National Park Tanzania

Late June to October is the prime time for watching wildlife in Mkomazi National Park. This is the Dry season; vegetation is thinner and animals gather near water. However, elephants and some other herbivores migrate to the park from neighboring Tsavo NP during the Wet season months from November to May.