The Unique Ecosystems of Mikumi National Park: Located about 283km west of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s busy port city, Mikumi National Park was established in 1964. There are roads leading to the park and access can therefore be made through road transport that connects it to other towns making it possible for either a weekend’s stay or a short safari. Unlike many other Tanzanian parks which are relatively out of the way, Mikumi National Park is reasonably close to Dar es Salaam and therefore visitors can choose to either book a guided tour or even opt to go on their own by hiring a car.
The ground of Mikumi is composed of large areas of Savannah that resemble the Serengeti and is dotted with large acacia and baobab trees. It is crossed by the Tanzania Zambia highway and is split in two parts with the northern portion being considerably more tourist-oriented and providing various types of safari. The southern part is more secluded and explored by the visitors from time to time and the terrain is also much harsher for the travelers preferring an adventurous trail.
Wildlife in Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park has recently turned out to have many inhabitants which are amongst the African big five animals. With the variety of habitats such as the savannahs, woodland, thorn bush area, gallery forests and open plains, the park’s animal population is able and vibrant, making it the best for game viewing.
The Big Five and More
Even though they don’t have all the Big Five games which are lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and the rhinos, Mikumi offers a vantage point to see all the big four. It is common to find lions in the park, most of which can be seen basking in the shade or going hunting in the early morning or in the evening. Tigers however are a little difficult to spot but Leopards can also be sighted if one is fortunate. There are large herds of elephants that are normally found within the park while the buffaloes are found grazing in the grasslands. Nevertheless, rhinos existed and still exist in Mikumi but the species has been wiped out of the park due to poaching.
Besides the Big Four, Mikumi supports other residents such as the giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and different antelopes including the elands, impalas and kudus. Around the water channels in the park, there are hippos and crocodiles are often seen either sunning on the water edges or fully submerged in the water pool. Nature lovers especially bird watchers will also find Mikumi to be a bird watcher’s paradise, due to the fact that there are over 400 bird species that can be seen in this park including lilac-breasted rollers, yellow-throated longclaws, bateleur eagles among others.
The Unique Ecosystems of Mikumi
Like other parks in the region, Mikumi presents Africans with a different angle of a traditional safari. The landscape of the park is characterized by the large flat area known as the Mkata Floodplain which resembles the savannah plains of Serengeti. This is a good area to sight game since the area is usually open enabling one to have a long sight of the animals. Large numbers of herbivores move in the floodplain during the dry season and this is followed by lions and hyenas.
Conversely, the southern half of the park boasts of miombo woodland which is a dry forest that are filled with different animals. This region is usually least explored by tourists and therefore is suitable for those who really want to see the wild side of the park. Here one can meet the birds like sable antelopes which are not numerous in the other regions of Tanzania as well as many kinds of monkeys: yellow baboons, vervets and etc.
It is also at the northern limit of the park that the Great Ruaha River crosses across Mikumi National park. It favors the growth of vegetation along the riverine areas and animals are easily spotted at the shores of the river, especially during the dry season. This area is ideal for viewing of hippos, crocodiles aquatic birds, elephants, and buffaloes that come to the water source.
Safari Activities in Mikumi National Park
This park has available a number of oriented-safari activities which may interest those visitors with deep concern. No matter if you are an absolute beginner on an African trip or a frequent safari tourist, everyone will find something to be a subject of interest.
Game Drives
A game drive is the favorite activity for travelers in Mikumi. Sundown and Dawn guided game drives are also provided in order to let the visitors explore the park with wildlife more during the day, early morning and in the evening. Morning and late afternoon game drives are the best to see predators like lions and leopards while night game drives help see animals like genets, civets, and bush babies.
A normal game drive in Mikumi takes about three to four hours while there are full-day game drives for the enthusiasts. The Mkata Floodplain is one of the best game drive areas in the country since there are few obstructing features to hamper observation and photography of wildlife.
Walking Safaris
If you want to make your tour even more interesting then consider going for a walking safari tour. ; Within the park, the visitors can engage in walking safaris which is more dangerous than other parks because it is conducted in the company of an armed ranger and a guide. While on a walking safari, one can see things that are not easily noticed in a car such as tracks, plants, and insects among others.
As for other walking safaris, they are usually done in the morning or in the evening when the weather is relatively cooler also the most active hours for the animals. They are very effective for discovering more of the natural setting and the animals of the park in close quarters than with a car in between.
Birdwatching
Mikumi National Park boasts of over 400 identified bird species making it one of the best destinations for birding. Before the park, it boasts of different vegetation Covers that boast of different environments where different bird species can be viewed including the open Mkata Floodplain and the riverine forest along the Great Ruaha River.
Mikumi, as we know, is home to such birds of East Africa, The African fish eagle, martial eagle, and the secretary bird. Birds also move in and out of the park as they commute between wetlands during the wet season hence boosting the bird list. There are guided bird-watching trips for those people who desire to know more information about the birds in the park or for those who want to have bird-watching exercises.
When to Visit Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park can be visited at any time of the year but the best one depends on the tourist’s desire. The driest period of the year runs from June up to October and is the most preferred time of the year to view the game as most of the animals flock to the water sources for water and to quench their thirst. There are also other friendly weather conditions that can allow people to engage in outdoor activities in the course of time.
Conclusion
Mikumi is one of Tanzania’s lesser-known parks, but it has a lot to offer-boasting an astounding variety of wildlife and topography without the hordes of other tourists. If you are a novice to the concept of having to go for a safari or if you are an experienced traveler, Mikumi will make this trip one you will never forget due to the diversified brushes, opportunities to view the game, variety of ecosystems, and the true essence of Africa. If you don’t mind a change from the overcrowded parks and are still interested in Tanzania then head for Mikumi National Park with its stunning views and wild sanctuary.
