Mkomazi National Park
Mkomazi National Park, located in northern Tanzania, is a remarkable wilderness that boasts both natural beauty and rich wildlife. Founded in 1951, it remained underfunded and underappreciated until its true significance was recognized in 1989.
Today, Mkomazi is easily accessible and offers breathtaking landscapes. The Park is bordered by Kenya’s Tsavo National Park to the north, forming part of one of Africa’s largest protected ecosystems. In the northwest, the towering Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen, while the Pare and Usambara mountains create a striking backdrop to the south.
The park’s diverse terrain features classic arid landscapes with Nyika bush, baobab trees, and rocky hills, transitioning into savannah forests with umbrella acacias and flat grassland valleys. Mkomazi is an essential habitat for species such as elephants, oryx, and zebras, making it a key area for wildlife conservation in the region.
Activities in Mkomazi National Park
- Wildlife Viewing
- Guided Nature Walks
- Conservation Experiences
- Special rhino tracking
- Birdwatching
- Photographic & filming
Climate
Mkomazi National Park, in northeastern Tanzania, has a hot and dry climate with two distinct seasons:
- Dry season (June to October): Temperatures range from 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F) during the day, and nights can drop to 15°C (59°F) in higher altitudes.
- Wet season (November to April): Occasional rainfall, with the heaviest rains from March to May, and temperatures between 25°C and 30°C (77°F to 86°F).
Best Time to Visit
In Mkomazi National Park, wild dogs and rhinos can be seen year-round due to their conservation efforts in the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary and the wild dog conservation area. While the dry season (from June to October) is typically the best time for general wildlife viewing, as animals are concentrated around water sources, the sanctuary ensures that these species are accessible throughout the year. Additionally, the rainy season (from November to April) is ideal for birdwatching, as migratory species fill the park, offering a vibrant and diverse experience.
How to Get There
Mkomazi National Park is easily accessible by road and air:
- By Road: From Arusha, it’s about a 5–6-hour drive (approximately 252 km) to Mkomazi National Park.
- By Road from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO): The Park is about 213 km, which takes around 4-5 hours by car.
- By Air: Charter flights can also be arranged to land at the park’s airstrip.
Most visitors travel by road from Arusha or Moshi for a scenic and cost-effective journey.
Facts About Mkomazi National Park
- Black rhinos and African wild dogs are protected in the Mkomazi Sanctuaries.
- The Park covers an area of 3,230 square kilometers (1,249 square miles)
- The game reserve in 1951
- The Park was established in 2006
Success Story of Mkomazi National Park
The reintroduction of key species to Mkomazi National Park has been a significant success in wildlife conservation. Black rhinos were reintroduced in 1991, with rhinos sourced from Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.
The reintroduction was spearheaded by the Tanzanian government and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), alongside other conservation partners.
African wild dogs were reintroduced starting in 1996, sourced from South Africa and Zimbabwe, with efforts led by the AWF and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The wild dogs’ reintroduction aimed to restore their population in Tanzania after they had been locally extirpated.
These reintroductions are part of a larger effort to restore biodiversity in Mkomazi, with significant support from international conservation organizations and the Tanzanian authorities.
