All You Need to Know About Mikumi National Park Safaris
Mikumi national park safaris are so prominent for travellers who visit Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar islands and wish to go on a short wildlife safari break at an affordable cost.
For the majority of travellers on safari to Mikumi national park, the beauty and abundance of wildlife in this southern Tanzania park always surpasses their expectations.
For one to enjoy a safari to Mikumi national park, it is best to first understand the park. Our A to Z Guide to Mikumi national park and Mikumi safaris and tours will provide you with a deep insight into this beautiful park and why it’s worth a visit.
An Introduction of Mikumi National Park
Mikumi national park is the fourth-largest park in Tanzania, and part of a much larger ecosystem centred in southern Tanzania, the park abuts the northern border of Africa’s biggest game reserve – the Selous – and is transected by a surfaced road between Dar es Salaam and Iringa.
Mikumi National park is thus the most accessible part of a 75,000 square kilometre (47,000 square miles) tract of wilderness that stretches east almost as far as the Indian Ocean.
What’s the Price of Mikumi Safaris?
On average, the price of a 3-day safari in Mikumi national park will cost about $545 per person for a budget safari, while a mid-range lodge safari will cost about $650 per person. The price of the safari includes accommodation, meals, transport, Mikumi park fees, safari activities and service of a professional safari guide.
Have a look at some of our Affordable Mikumi Safari Tours:
Safari to Selous, Mikumi & Udzungwa – Basic
6 Days, 5 NightsFrom
$1,200Departure
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Budget Mikumi Safari from Dar es Salaam – Basic Lodging
3 Day, 2 NightsFrom
$530Departure
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
For more detail on Mikumi safari prices and tours, kindly contact us by mail or phone, with your preferred travel dates, group size, and your approximate safari budget. We believe we can offer that perfect Mikumi safari to exceed your expectations.
How to get to Mikumi national park
Road to Mikumi National Park
Mikumi National Park is located about 250 km west of Dar es Salaam and is the closest national park to the city. Driving there takes about 4 hours on a well-surfaced road connecting Mikumi to Dar es Salaam via Morogoro.
The road also connects to Udzungwa, Ruaha and (dry season only) Selous. Charter flight from Dar es Salaam, Arusha or Selous can also be arranged to reach the park. Local buses run from Dar es Salaam to the Mikumi Park HQ where game drives can be arranged.
Mikumi National Park Wildlife
Mikumi national park has an amazing variety of wildlife with some big safari animals present. Some of the wildlife you may see during a safari include buffalo, elephant, giraffe, Burchell’s zebra, eland, hartebeest, sable, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, and jackal. You can also find yellow baboons near Kiboga, at the southern end of the park.
The open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the popular centrepiece of Mikumi national park, draw frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains.
More than 400 bird species have been recorded in Mikumi national park, with such colourful common residents as the lilac-breasted roller, yellow-throated longclaw and bateleur eagle joined by a host of European migrants during the rainy season. Hippos are the star attraction of the pair of pools situated 5km north of the main entrance gate, supported by an ever-changing cast of water birds.
Best Time to Visit Mikumi National Park
Mikumi national park can easily be visited throughout the year; however, the best time for an amazing safari in Mikumi national park is during the dry season, between June and October. It is during the dry season when vegetation in the park is thinner and wildlife concentrates around the few waterholes and rivers – making it easier to spot them.
The wet season, between November and May, is the best possible time for birding. Even though Mikumi national park isn’t a typical birding destination, we believe the number of migratory and resident birds that can be found in this park will impress any bird viewing enthusiast.
Accommodation while on a Mikumi safari
On your safari to Mikumi national park, there is a possibility of choosing from a variety of available accommodation in or out of Mikumi national park, from budget to high-end accommodation, the possibilities are endless. Even though there are no true luxury African safari accommodations in Mikumi national park, the available accommodation should cater to every traveller’s choice.
Stanley’s Kopje Camp inside Mikumi National Park
One can choose from the possibility of pitching a tent in the wilderness to relaxing in a private lodge inside the park, for those who wish to explore the Mikumi national park on a budget, there is the option of sleeping in the Mikumi bandas or one of the many lodges outside the park.
- Accommodation inside Mikumi Park includes Vuma Hills Camp, Mikumi Wildlife Camp, Stanley’s Kopje Camp, Mikumi Bandas, and Campsites.
- Accommodation outside Mikumi Park includes Tan Swiss Lodge, Camp Bastian Camp, and Mikumi Resort.
A Detailed Breakdown on the Cost of Safaris to Mikumi National Park
To explain how much a safari to Mikumi national park would cost, we must look at the general expenses every safari to Mikumi faces, such as park fees and taxes, concession fees for those staying in lodges inside the park, accommodation cost, transportation, food and water, equipment for camping safaris, etc.
A guide on some safari expenses that dictate a Mikumi safari price.
Mikumi National Park fees: All of the travellers must pay park fees to enter Mikumi national park. This is a 24-hour single entry fee (This means the fee is valid for 24 hours and if you go out of the park before 24 hours, the fee expires, it cannot be used again for re-entry into the park), and it is paid per person.
- $ 35.4 per person of or above the age of 16 years.
- $ 11.8 per person between the age of 5 and 15 years.
- Children below the age of 5 years, free.
Mikumi Park concession fees: This is a fee paid only by travellers staying in camps, lodges and hotels inside the park, except for travellers staying in the Mikumi Bandas.
- $ 35.4 per person of or above the age of 16 years.
- $ 11.8 per person between the age of 10 and 16 years.
- Children below the age of 10 years, free.
Mikumi public campsite fees: This fee is charged for using the public campsites in Mikumi national park. The fee is charged per guest per night.
- $ 35.4 per day per person of or above the age of 16 years.
- $ 5.9 per person between the age of 5 and 15 years.
- Children below the age of 5 years, free.
Mikumi accommodation cost: staying in the park or out of the park, there is a cost of accommodation that should be included in the pricing of your Mikumi safari. The cost of accommodation varies from budget to expensive depending on one’s desire of level of comfort, location and service to expect.
Other costs to be included in the cost of your safari to Mikumi national park are transportation, camping equipment, food, crew fees. These will vary according to individual companies organising trips to Mikumi.
Tips on Mikumi National Park Safari Prices
Although seasonality can play a big role on the final cost of your Mikumi national park safari, many individual properties offer budget arrangements throughout the year. Although high season, by definition, tends to be the busiest and therefore may cost more, particularly in most safari areas in Tanzania, your selection of properties and arrangements can often allow you to get a great experience, and at a price that may be a pleasant surprise.
Low season arrangements can be equally rewarding, and at hugely reduced rates, maybe just the thing for you! Now you know pretty much everything about Mikumi safaris and national park, feel free to let me know if there is anything more I may have left out or any recommendations you have to make this Mikumi safari guide better.
