Mkomazi National Park

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What is the size of this park: 3,245 sq km (1,240 sq miles)
Established: 1951 as a game reserve, 2006 as a national park
What is the distance from Arusha: 1275 km (171 miles)

Popular tours visiting Mkomazi National Park:
We organize excursions to Mkomazi National Park as tailor-made-tours only. Please contact our travel consultants for a customized itinerary.

Mkomazi National park lies east of the Pare Mountains. Its’ name is derived from the Pare tribe’s word which means ‘water source’. The Umba River is located here. It falls along the edge of a semi-arid savanna arc that stretches into bordering Kenya’s Tsavo East National Park. Mkomazi is covered in acacia.

Mkomazi is 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. The presence of the black rhino and wild dogs are highlights of the park. Within the park the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary has been established to better protect the species. The sanctuary offers limitless viewing and educational opportunities for travelers, students, etc.Various water sources keep the park teeming with wildlife, like the unusual gerenuk, silver backed jackal, lion, cheetah, leopard, lesser kudu, giraffe, buffalo, elephant and zebra. Mkomazi National Park is a birders paradise with 450 varieties of birds. It is one of Tanzania’s hidden treasures.

Previously decimated by over grazing and poaching the Mkomazi National Park was rehabilitated by the George Adamson (of Born Free fame) Wildlife Preservation Trust and now offers visitors a glimpse into Africa’s past glory.

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 mbugas – 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.

Why should you go to Mkomazi park?

The park is not well known and because of that it has its charme. Its not crowdy and the animals are acting natural.

Almost all species can be found.

Mkomazi is 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

ACCOMMODATION IN MKOMAZI 

> Mambo View Eco Lodge