Mkomazi National Park

Nestled between Tanga and Moshi in the northern part of Tanzania, the Park is in a striking setting, with the Usambara and Pare mountains towering above its boundaries.
With abundant water, it draws a selection of wildlife all year round and offers bird watchers a place that will blow their minds.

Animals that can be regularly seen on a game drive in Mkomazi are giraffes, zebra, Grant’s gazelle, dik-dik, wildebeest, eland, and topi.
Predators, such as lions, leopards, wild dogs, hyenas, and cheetahs, live in the Park. However, though they exist in Mkomazi, they are rarely seen during game drives and nature walks.

The Rhino Sanctuary in Mkomazi was initially created to help raise awareness and protect these majestic animals.
Visits can be organized and offer breathtaking views of Mkoamazi National Park and the neighboring Mount Kilimanjaro.

Mkomazi Park is located in the northern part of Tanzania, within the Tanga and Kilimanjaro Regions, and is bordered by Kenya’s world-famous Tsavo National Park.

The ideal time to visit Mkomazi is from late June to October, which happens to be the dry season. This has been the prime time for wildlife watching in the Park since the vegetation is much thinner and animals gather closer.

Mkomazi National Park offers exciting safari activities like game drives, walking safaris, sightseeing, bird watching, and hiking. You can also learn more about the rhinos at Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary and conservation.

As one of the lesser-known parks, it is of a substantial size covering more than 3,234 square kilometers and is mainly dominated by Acacia-Commiphora vegetation.

Mkomazi Park houses several excellent hotels, resorts, and lodges that fit a wide range of travelers’ budgets. Some of the best options are Babu’s Camp, Mambo ViewPoint Eco Lodge, Orlando Lodge, Pangani River Camp, Elephant Motel, and more.
Babus Camp is the only camp located within the Park, while the other accommodation options are situated on the outskirts of the National Park.

Regarding general wildlife viewing, the Park of Mkomazi doesn’t compare to most of the country’s better-known parks. However, the quality of sightings here improves significantly with every passing year.
The Park also appeals particularly to relaxed safari-goers who want to escape from touristy sights and enjoy nature.

The distance between Mkomazi National Park and Arusha is 250 km. That said, it will take around 3 hours to drive from Arusha to Mkomazi National Park.
However, if you fly to Mkomazi from Arusha, the quickest flight from Arusha Airport to Kilimanjaro Airport will be the direct flight, which takes only 15 minutes.