Mkomazi National Park

Mkomazi National Park, previously called Mkomazi-Umba Game Reserve, was founded in 2008 and lies between the Pare and Usambara Mountains which form part of the Eastern Arch Mountains. The words ‘Mkomazi’ derives from the Pare vernacular word for “a scoop of water”. This semi-arid park, which borders Kenya’s vast Tsavo National Park, falls into the Greater Tsavo Ecosystem which is the 2nd largest transboundary ecosystem in East Africa next to the famous Serengeti-Mara.


Bush walks with an armed ranger and rhino tracking in the new Mbula Rhino Sanctuary are the highlights of this park as well as trying to spot the elusive gerenuk and lesser kudu. Mkomazi is a birders paradise and is also home to 5 endemic birds including the Violet Wood-Hoopoe, Friedmann’s Lark, the Somali Long-billed Crombec and the Yellow-vented Eremomela. Of course, with some luck, one can see the Big Five too!






Location / Getting there

Easy drive from Arusha (approx. 200 km) following a surfaced road to within 7 km of the main entrance gate.
Easy drive from Moshi (approx. 120 km) following a surfaced road to within 7 km of the main entrance gate.
Easy drive from Dar es Salaam (approx. 440 km) following a surfaced road to within 7 km of the main entrance gate.


Activities

Game drives, night game drives and walking safaris, Mbula rhino sanctuary, wild dog sanctuary


Best time to travel

All year round but the dry season (June to September) is better for viewing sheer numbers of animals, especially around the Dindira dam area


Accommodation