Mkomazi National Park

Mkomazi National Park is located, between the Kilimanjaro and Tanga regions of northeastern Tanzania, close to the Kenyan border. The National Park was established as a game reserve in 1951 and upgraded to a National Park status in 2006. Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania is one of the safari parks located in the northeastern region of the country and a great place for safaris while in Tanzania.
Mkomazi National Park covers over 3,234 square kilometres, that is dominated by Acacia-Commiphora vegetation; it is contiguous with Kenya’s Tsavo West National Park creating a great corridor for this ecosystem. The area commonly called ‘Mkomazi’ is actually the union of two previous game reserves, the Umba Game Reserve in the east (in Lushoto District, Tanga Region) and the Mkomazi Game Reserve in the west (in Same District, Kilimanjaro Region). Of the two former reserves, Mkomazi is larger, and has more diversity and habitat, and a longer shared border with Tsavo West National Park.
The magnificent, 3,245 square kilometer protected area in northern Tanzania never attracted the financial support provided for the better known wildlife strongholds such as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Parks. The National Park is one of the remote area in Tanzania and initially inaccessible, it was established in 1951.Only since 1989, when the Tanzanian Government re-examined the reserve’s status and designated it a National Priority Project, has its true significance and importance been recognized. The National Park is worth a visit since it offers incredible safari experience that you will have from the whole region. The National Park is however accessible now days and safaris here are really rewarding with incredible sightseeing experiences.
Wilderness in the Mkomazi National Park is breathtaking. The highest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, is seen to the northwest. The Pare and Usambara Mountains in the south provide a striking backdrop, while the massive Tsavo National Park in Kenya borders Mkomazi in the north, providing a common area for migratory herds of elephant, oryx, and zebra during the wet season. It represents one of the biggest and most significant protected ecosystems on earth when combined with Tsavo. The National Park is the southern tip of the Sahel zone. It is a classic dry-country reserve of grey-green nyika bush, ancient baobab trees and isolated rocky hills. Elsewhere, the seas of bush give way to open savannah woodlands of umbrella acacias and mbugas – shallow valleys of grassland.
Wildlife in Mkomazi National Park – what to expect on safaris in Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania
Mkomazi National Park is located within the northern region of Tanzania where it is adjacent to Kenya’s Tsavo National Park. The area is home to a great number of mammal species with up to 78 different species registered here. Mkomazi National Park is home to some remarkable wildlife species and the commonly encountered on safaris include; Giraffe, oryx, gerenuk, hartebeest, lesser kudu, eland, impala and Grant’s gazelle share the reserve with elephant, buffalo, and numerous predators, including lion, leopard and cheetah.
On top of the large numbers of wildlife species, the National Park is a great home for bird life and bird lovers will call it a paradise. In total, the park is home to approximately 400 different bird species. The three-streaked tchagra and Shelley’s starling are two examples of northern dry country specials. As a result, bird watchers will love being here! The park is also home to hornbills, weaver birds, guinea fowl, martial eagles, and the purple eurasian hoopoe. Moreover, the stunning vulturine guineafowl can only be seen at Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania. The ostrich, kori bustard, secretary bird, and southern ground hornbill are all frequent, huge birds seen on the grassy plains. Also, from November to April, migratory species like the European roller are present.
The National Park is also a unique safari destination in Tanzania and the world at large. The distinctive Mkomazi National Park is among few protected areas in Tanzania with large and visible population of gerenuk and massive concentration of Beisa Oryx.
Mkomazi National Park is also one of the richest savannahs in Africa and possibly in the world in terms of the number of rare and endemic fauna and flora evidenced by the presence of wild dogs and black rhinoceros.