Mikumi National Park

Wildlife & Animals

Expert

Philip is the author of the Bradt guidebook to Tanzania.

Zebra, wildebeest, impala and buffalo inhabit the grassy plains of Mikumi National Park. Lion, which prey on these animals, are also quite often seen. Giraffe browse the isolated acacia trees that fringe the Mkata River, where you should also see elephant. Mikumi’s famous and much-studied yellow baboons are plentiful. Rhino disappeared from the park in the 1990s, but the park authorities have announced plans to reintroduce the species.

ElephantCommon

GiraffeCommon

HippoOccasional

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

LionOccasional

LeopardRare

CheetahNone

HyenaRare

Wild DogRare

Wildlife Highlights

Most wildlife activity occurs around Mikumi’s waterholes, where hippos are joined by thirsty herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. Mikumi’s grasslands rank among Tanzania’s best places to see eland, the world’s largest antelope. The equally impressive greater kudu and sable antelope feed in the park’s hills, which are covered in miombo woodland. The unusual Lichtenstein’s hartebeest is also present. Ask your guide or park rangers about the plans to reintroduce rhino.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The Dry season runs from June to October and late June to October is the best time for wildlife viewing in the park. This is when wildlife is easier to spot because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the Mkata River, the hippo pool and other waterholes. During September and October, these waterholes are almost constantly visited by big herds of buffalo and elephant as well as other wildlife.