Safari to Mikumi

the main road deprives the reserve of any sense of wilderness

At 3230 square kilometres, Mikumi is the fourth largest reserve in the country and forms part of an important corridor between the better known Selous and Ruaha reserves.

The neighbouring Uluguru and Udzungwa mountains are both now separated from the park by areas of human habitation and farming, but wildlife still manages to migrate between.

Recent research indicates that wildlife may be still migrating in significant numbers between Ruaha and Selous, with Mikumi as a stopping-off place in between. It may be a bit too much to hope that the greater Selous-Ruaha ecosystem can remain viable for wildlife in the face of increasing population pressure, but the presence of Mikumi certainly helps.

Although the majority of this land area is mountainous and inaccessible to the visitor, the extensive open grasslands of central areas are perhaps the closest thing that this region has to the plains of the Serengeti.

Several small lakes provide drinking water for the animals year round.

The reserve is particularly photogenic thanks to the ranges of hills which surround it on three sides, with some remarkable sunrises and sunsets.

There are significant wildlife populations here, with large herds of zebras, wildebeest, buffaloes and impalas. Giraffes and elephants are supposedly less common, but we’ve never had any trouble finding some. Predators tend to be rather elusive, but lions, leopards and spotted hyenas are around.

Unfortunately, the main Tan-Zam highway goes right through the heart of the reserve, greatly diminishing the sense of wilderness. We have heard of plans to divert this highway, but are not presently very optimistic of this very expensive project happening any time soon.

Unlike Selous and Ruaha, Mikumi is not serviced by regular air services, which means that it very rarely features in higher quality trips.

However, Mikumi remains an essential stop on overland safaris through the region, usually between Ruaha and Selous.

Where to stay

The best accommodation option in Mikumi is the mid-range Stanley’s Kopje Camp, which sits astride a prominent hill a few kilometres off the main road.

only suitable for inclusion rare overland safaris