The Mikumi National Park near Morogoro, Tanzania, was established in
1964. It covers an area of 3,230 km² is the fourth largest in the country.[2] The park is
crossed by Tanzania's A-7 highway.
Territory
The Mikumi is bordered to the south with
the Selous Game Reserve,[2] the two areas
forming a unique ecosystem. Two other natural areas bordering the national park
are the Udzungwa Mountains and Uluguru Mountains.
Flora and Fauna
A group
of baobab trees in the Mikumi National Park, Tanzania.
The landscape of Mikumi is often
compared to that of the Serengeti. The road that crosses the park divides
it into two areas with partially distinct environments. The area north-west is
characterized by the alluvial plain of the river basin Mkata. The vegetation of
this area consists of savannah dotted with acacia, baobab, tamarinds, and some rare palm. In this area, at the furthest from the
road, there are spectacular rock formations of the mountains Rubeho and
Uluguru. The southeast part of the park is less rich in wildlife, and not very
accessible.
The fauna includes many species
characteristic of the African savannah. According to local guides at Mikumi,
chances of seeing a lion who climbs a tree trunk is larger than in Manyara
(famous for being one of the few places where the lions exhibit this behavior).
The park contains a subspecies of giraffe, that biologists consider the link
between the Masai giraffe and the reticulated or Somali giraffe. Other animals in the park are
elephants, zebras, impala, eland, kudu, black antelope, baboons, wildebeests
and buffaloes. At about 5 km from the north of the park, there are two
artificial pools inhabited by hippos. More than 400 different species of birds
also inhabit the park.
Tourism
The Mikumi belongs to the circuit of the
wildlife parks of Tanzania, less visited by international tourists and better
protected from the environmental point of view. Most of the routes that cross
the Mikumi proceed in the direction of the Ruaha National Park and the Selous. The recommended season for visiting the
park is the dry season between May and November, warm weather and beautiful
sites that are a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
