​Wildlife & Animals – Mikumi NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Tanzania.

Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo can be found on the grassy plains. Lion, which prey on these animals, share the same area and can occasionally be spotted. Giraffe browse leaves from the isolated acacia trees that fringe the Mkata River. The small islands of shade provided by these acacias are also favored by elephant.

Abundant
Common
Occasional
Rare
None
ElephantCommon
GiraffeOccasional
HippoOccasional
BuffaloCommon
ZebraCommon
WildebeestCommon
White RhinoNone
Black RhinoNone
LionOccasional
LeopardRare
CheetahNone
HyenaRare
Wild DogRare

Wildlife Highlights

Mikumi is one of the most reliable places in Tanzania for sightings of the eland, the world's largest antelope. The equally impressive greater kudu and sable antelope can be found in the miombo woodland-covered foothills of the mountains that rise from the park's borders. The Lichtenstein's hartebeest is one of the more unusual antelopes found here.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The Dry season, from June to October, is the best time for wildlife viewing in the park. Wildlife is easier to spot because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around predictable water sources such as the Mkata River, the hippo pool and other waterholes. At the end of the Dry season, during September and October, these waterholes are almost constantly visited by big herds of buffalo and elephant as well as other wildlife.

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