Weather and climate of Mikumi National Park : Mikumi National Park is situated in Tanzania. It shares the border with the largest wildlife reserve in Africa the Selous Game Reserve, making it easy to see in both national parks. This incredible park covers a total land area of 3,230 square kilometers and was established in 1964. This is the fourth largest park in the country and is crossed by Tanzania’s A-7 highway. Because of its accessibility, Mikumi is one of the most popular parks in Tanzania. Mikumi national park animals include elephants, giraffes, buffalos, Burchell’s zebras, sable elands, Liechtenstein’s hartebeests, lions, leopards, hippopotamuses, spotted hyenas, and jackals. Birds found include marabou stork, red-billed ox peckers, francolin, cattle egret, guinea fowls, hornbill, and malachite kingfisher.
The climate in Mikumi National Park varies from warm to hot and humid, with little change in temperatures through the year. The warmest months are October to March, and the coolest are June to August. Mikumi’s Wet season runs from November to May, when rains occur almost daily, usually in the afternoon, but they seldom last long. The Dry season is from June to October.
Dry Season – June to October
In the afternoon, temperatures typically reach around 28°C/82°F, with sunny and clear skies.
During the months of June, July, August, and September, there’s very little rain, making these some of the cooler times of the year. At night, temperatures can fall to about 17°C/63°F.
If the rain arrives early, it could begin near the end of October. If not, the weather tends to be quite hot and dry, with humidity increasing as the month goes on.
Wet Season–November to May
During the Wet season, the weather is typically hot and sticky. In the afternoons, temperatures usually reach about 31°C/88°F while at night, they drop to around 20°C/68°F.
November and December mark the start of the Wet season, though it’s hard to say exactly when it begins. Rainfall is not very common and typically happens as afternoon thunderstorms. It’s uncommon for it to rain all day long.
January and February mark the arrival of the rainy season, bringing more wet days during this time. However, it’s not typical to have rain that lasts all day. You can usually expect some showers in the afternoon.
In March, April, and May, April is the month when the Wet season is at its highest. During this time, you can expect a lot of cloudy skies and frequent rain, but it usually doesn’t rain all day long. The average temperatures during these months typically reach around 30°C/86°F at the hottest part of the day and drop to about 20°C/68°F at night.
Top things to do in Mikumi National Park
Game drives
Game drives are a popular activity at Mikumi National Park. the park is home to variety of wildlife species including four of the “Big Five” iconic animals, only rhinos are missing. The best times to go are early in the morning or around dusk, although drives can also take place in the afternoon. This exciting activity is normally done along the hippo pools, where you can observe many hippos as well as other animals. during your game drive safari, you’ll have the chance to see a variety of these animals such elephants, buffalos, zebras, rhinos, hippos, impalas, common elands, wildebeests, sable antelopes, cheetahs, leopards, spotted hyenas and jackals among others.
For those interested in seeing nighttime wildlife, night game drives are available with a knowledgeable guide and a park ranger to ensure both safety and informative experiences. These night drives usually run from 8 PM to 11 PM. Some animals are more active at night, making a night drive a perfect opportunity to see creatures like spotted hyenas and leopards, which tend to hide during the day in bushes. You might also catch nocturnal hunters like lions and leopards on the prowl, as they have excellent night vision that helps them hunt. If you’re lucky, you might spot tree-climbing lions hanging out during the day as well.
Birding tours
Mikumi National Park can be referred to as a birding paradise because it is home to more than 400 bird species ranging from European migratory birds, water birds, savanna birds, and others. Birding areas in the park include the hippo pool, Mwanambogo dam, and Mkata river. During your birding tours, you’ll have the chance to spot different colorful bird species such as Black-headed Heron, Goliath Heron, Yellow-billed Egret, Black Heron, Little Egret, Buff – backed Heron, Squacco Heron, Green-backed Heron, White-backed Night Heron, Hamerkop, White stork, Open-bill stork, Saddle-bill stork, Marabou stork, Yellow-billed stork, Sacred Ibis, Hadada Ibis, African spoonbill, Red-billed Duck, Pygmy Goose, Egyptian Goose, Knob-billed Duck, Secretary Bird, European Marsh Harrier, African Marsh Harrier, Harrier Hawk, Coqui Francolin, Shelley’s Francolin, Red-necked spurfowl, Harlequin quail, Helmeted Guinea-fowl, Black crake and Crowned Crane among others.
Camping
Mikumi National Park has two camping areas where you can choose between private and public options. Vuma Hills is the private campsite, while Mkata Plains is open to the public. The best time to go camping in the park is during the dry season, making it the ideal time to visit Mikumi National Park.
Frequently asked questions
What is so special at Mikumi National Park?
Mikumi National Park stands out for a few key reasons. First, it is one of the places where you can spot some of the “big five” animals: lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalos, only Rhinos missing. Many visitors are eager to catch a glimpse of these famous animals. Additionally, the park is a haven for bird watchers, as over 400 bird species make it their home. Some of the birds you might see include the Long-tailed cormorant, Great white pelican, Pink-backed pelican, Black-headed Heron, Goliath Heron, Yellow-billed Egret, Black Heron, Little Egret, Buff – backed Heron, Squacco Heron, Green-backed Heron, Crowned Crane, Black-bellied Bustard, Spotted stone curlew, Water Dikkop, African jacana, Little Ringed Plover, Kittlitz’s Plover, Three-banded Plover, Crowned Plover and Blacksmith Plover among others. Finally, the park’s stunning scenery, featuring wide-open plains and unique baobab trees, adds to its charm. Notable spots like Chizua Waterfalls and Kinole Waterfalls enhance the park’s beautiful landscapes.
How do I get to Mikumi National Park?
To get to Mikumi National Park, you’ll first need to fly to Tanzania, landing at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam. Mikumi National Park is really easy to reach because most safari tours start from Dar es Salaam, which used to be the capital of Tanzania.
There are three main ways to travel to Mikumi National Park: by road, by air, and by train. If you choose to go by road, it’s about 302 kilometers from Dar es Salaam, and it takes around four to five hours by bus. There’s no direct flight to Mikumi, but you can fly to Selous Game Reserve, which has a small airport. From there, you’d need to take a road trip to get to Mikumi National Park.
Are there any accommodation facilities at Mikumi National Park?
Yes! Lodge options to stay in during safari in Mikumi National Park range luxury, midrange lodges, and budget lodges. Some of the accommodation facilities here includes, Mikumi Wildlife Camp, Mikumi Safari Lodge, Mikumi Resort, Tan Swiss Lodge, Vamos Hotel, Stanley’s Kopje Camp, Mikumi Safari Cottages, Mikumi Adventure Lodge, Camp Bastian Mikumi, Mikumi Adventure Lodge, Mikumi Wildlife Camp, and others.
What to park for a Tanzania wildlife safari in Mikumi National Park
Tourist planning to embark on a Tanzania safari in Mikumi National Park as their dream destinations should pack for following essentials: camera, binoculars, insect repellents, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, shorts, long trousers, boots, sandals and lightweight shirts among others.
