Mikumi National Park is one of the largest conservation areas of Tanzania, it comes fourth in size occupying an area space of approximately 3230 square kilometers, it is angelically placed along the border with Selous a big game reserve to the south of Tanzania, the park is often referred to as small Serengeti due to its animal composition, there are present species including the big five of the wilderness, lions, elephants, Rhinos, leopards, buffaloes other mammals that can be seen here giraffes, zebras, wild dogs, greater kudus, antelopes like waterbucks, bucks and over 400 species of birds. The park was gazette in 1964 as a way of protecting the endangered species that call this home.
Tourist activities in Mikumi National Park include game drives, which are conducted in sessions in the morning beginning at 6:30 am in search of morning risers, afternoon times at 2:30 pm, and in the evening times at 4:30 pm East African times respectively, the drives are conducted using 4*4 wheel cars to beat the tough terrain of the African topography, they are open roof cars which allow visitors to view animals and even be able to take pictures, it is one of the few places of Tanzania where doing night game drives is allowed in search of nocturnal species, most of these are cats, pottos and bush babies. The game drives give the most thrilling experiences of the national park, with ease of finding species and clear views of them loitering within the park.
Birding in Mikumi National park, park is home to over 400 bird species some of which are endemics to the destination, the park boasts both local species and migratory species Examples of bird types are ground hornbills, guinea fowls, African martial eagles, African harrier hawks, lilac breasted sunbirds, yellow-throated long claw, saddle-billed stork, cattle egrets, and many more species, these are commonly spotted along water points, like the hippo pool and the showers of Mkata river. The best time to go birding in Mikumi National Park is during the wet season, it is during this time that the park receives migratory species as well.
Guided nature walks in the national park, are guided walks in the park conducted by experienced game rangers, they will tell you about park species and animals as you walk through the well-distributed trails of the national park, walks in Mikumi National Park are allowed to only travelers above the age of 15 years old.
Cultural encounters with the local communities, guests engage in experiencing the traditional dances of the people living around the national park, the traditional way of living, and how they conducted their lives in the old traditional society.
Tourist activities in Mikumi National park are best conducted during the dry season between the months of December –February and June –September, it is also referred to as a high tourism season as most travelers reach the destination and other parts of Tanzania. Visits can be combined with those to Ruaha National Park and Gombe Stream National Park to the south of Tanzania.