Why Visit Mikumi National Park?

Mikumi National Park is Tanzania's fourth-largest national park and, for visitors based in Zanzibar, the most accessible of them all. A 45-minute flight separates your beach lounger from one of Africa's finest wildlife spectacles — with zero long road drives, zero transit fatigue, and maximum time with the animals. It is consistently ranked among Tanzania's best parks for game viewing, and its proximity to Zanzibar makes it the perfect single-day safari destination.

Key Fact: Mikumi shares an unfenced boundary with the Selous Game Reserve (Nyerere National Park) to the south — one of Africa's largest protected ecosystems. Wildlife moves freely between the two, which means Mikumi's wildlife density is exceptional.

Wildlife You'll See

Mikumi is famous for its Big Five sightings, particularly lions, elephants, and buffalo. The Mkata Floodplain at the heart of the park is one of Tanzania's finest game-viewing circuits, with large herds of wildebeest, zebra, and impala attracting an array of predators year-round.

  • Lions — Multiple prides resident in the park. Sightings near-guaranteed year-round.
  • Elephants — Large herds on the floodplain and woodland edges. Frequent sightings.
  • Giraffe — Mikumi has an exceptional resident giraffe population — often 20–30+ visible at once.
  • Hippos — The hippo pool on the main circuit is a guaranteed highlight. 50+ hippos.
  • Buffalo — Large herds throughout the park. An essential Big Five sighting.
  • Leopard — Resident but elusive. Woodland edges and kopjes at dusk.
  • Wildebeest & Zebra — Year-round on the floodplain in enormous numbers.
  • Wild Dog — Rare but occasionally seen — Mikumi is within the Selous wild dog range.
  • Birds — 400+ species, including lilac-breasted rollers, secretary birds and saddle-billed storks.

Best Time to Visit Mikumi

Mikumi can be visited year-round, but the dry season (June–October) offers the best game viewing. Animals concentrate around permanent water sources, and vegetation thins out to reveal wildlife more clearly. November–May brings green landscapes and newborn animals but can include heavy afternoon rains.

  • June–October — Dry season. Best overall game viewing. Cooler temperatures. Peak season.
  • January–February — Short dry spell. Good game viewing. Fewer visitors. Lower prices.
  • March–May — Long rains. Some tracks may be muddy but park is accessible. Lush and green.
  • November–December — Short rains. Still good visibility. Baby season begins.

Park Fees & Logistics

All park fees are included in our safari packages — there are no hidden costs. Mikumi entrance fees are set by TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks Authority) and charged per person per 24-hour period. These are included in all our package prices.

How to Get to Mikumi from Zanzibar

The fastest and most efficient way from Zanzibar to Mikumi is by light aircraft. Charter and scheduled flights operate from Zanzibar International Airport to Mikumi Airstrip in approximately 45 minutes. This is the only sensible option for a day trip — the road journey takes 5–7 hours each way. All our Mikumi safari packages include return flights.