How to get to Mkomazi National Park
The best way to get to Mkomazi is by road from the town of Moshi or Arusha.
Most people fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), which is situated halfway between Arusha and Moshi and about 30km/19mi from Moshi. It is also possible to fly into Dar es Salaam and fly onto Arusha Airport (ARK) or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). In most cases, your tour operator will pick you up from the airport.
Mkomazi is right next to the small town of Same, which is a comfortable 112km/ 69mi drive south from Moshi. Mkomazi lies a bit out of the way as compared to the other parks in northern Tanzania but could be visited en route to the Usambara Mountains.
2 ways to go to Mkomazi National Park
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Mkomazi National Park FAQ's
- Elephants
- Oryx
- Zebras
- Giraffes
- Lion
- Leopard
- Cheetah
- Antelopes
- Kudu
- Impala and gazelle
- Buffalo
- Hornbills
- Weaver birds
- Guinea fowl
- Martial eagles
- Purple eurasian hoopoe
In 1989, the Tanzanian government invited the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust to together and as a result the endangered black rhino was introduced into a heavily protected, fenced area in the park: the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary.
During the rhino poaching crisis, “protecting the fortresses” plays an important role. However, winning the hearts and minds of local communities is also critical to ensure that Mkomazi never sees a mass extinction of its rhino population again. In 2012, Prince William visited Mkomazi National Park to learn more about conservation efforts at the front lines of a Tanzanian national park.
The Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary is working to build a viable breeding population of 50 black rhinos, whose offspring will be used to strengthen the existing populations in Tanzania. The rhinos in the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary make up nearly 30% of the total black rhinoceros population in Tanzania. This makes the Mkomazi rhinos incredibly important, not only for the country, but also for the future of this fragile species. During his stay in Mkomazi, Prince William also attended the Mkomazi educational initiative in Rafiki Wa Faru, where children from 14 local villages learn all about rhinos and other wildlife in the hope that the Mkomazi rhino population will never be wiped out by poachers again.
Mkomazi National Park is one of the driest areas in Tanzania – in the local Pare language it means “little water” – yet still boasts an incredibly diverse flora and fauna with a high endemic population of species. Of the 1500 plant species identified so far over 50% do not occur anywhere else. And it is a fantastic destination for birdwatchers with over 400 bird species having been recorded, including the endemic Violet Wood-hoopoe, Friedmann’s Lark, the Somali Long-billed Crombec and the Yellow-vented Eremomela.
The best time for game viewing in Mkomazi is during the dry season, from June to November, when animals congregate around the waterholes. But the park can be visited all year round as most roads are all weather, and across the seasons a variety of different species may be encountered, particularly migratory birds. Even in the hot season from December to March it cools down pleasantly at night due to it’s altitude of 800-1.000m.
Game drives, camping, site seeing, bird watching, walking safari, and hiking (uphill). Learn more about conservation and rhinoceros at Mkomazi rhino sanctuary.
Northern Tanzania split between Kilimanjaro and Tanga administrative regions. The park borders on the west of the Tsavo National Park in Kenya. The Zange entrance gate lies 112 km (69 miles) from Moshi, 550 km (341 miles) from Mwalimu J. K. Nyerere International Airport – Dar es Salaam, 142 km (88.7 miles) from Kilimanjaro International Airport, 120 km (75 miles) from Kilimanjaro National Park and 6 km (3.7 miles) from the town of Same.
The Dry season, from June to October, is the best time for general wildlife viewing in the park. However, the park isn’t a prime wildlife viewing destination and the scenery and views of the mountains are at their best in the Wet season, from November to May. This is also the best time to see elephants migrating into the park from Tsavo.
Very much so! Besides the high animal concentration here, the park also boasts wonderful birdlife, landscape, and ease of access.
| Distance: 212.9KM | Time: 4 HR |
Mkomazi National Park
Arusha National Park is located in the northern part of Tanzania not too far south from the border of Kenya and just outside the city of Arusha. The national park encompasses an area of 53 square miles (137 sq km) making it one of the smaller national parks of both Tanzania and the continent of Africa.Some people consider this a sister park to Kilimanjaro which is just east of Arusha National Park. It is common for visitors to visit both parks, particularly those who have an affinity for mountains.
Serengeti Trips Tanzania
Find all the transport options for your trip from Arusha to Ngorongoro Crater right here. We displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best.
Lodges and Tented Camps in Mkomazi National Park
There is one semi-permanent tented camp near the Park headquarters. Few designated basic campsites where one must bring his/her camping gear and food. There are several small hotels and guest houses in the Same town
Mkomazi National Park
The Mkomazi National Park is a magnificent, 3,245 square kilometre national park in northern Tanzania. Remote and initially inaccessible, it was established in 1951, but never attracted the financial support provided for the better known wildlife strongholds such as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti National Parks. 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.
From 2021 the Rhino sanctuary can be visited by tourist.
Nowadays it is good accessible. From MamboViewPoint it is only one and a half hour drive to the Kamakota entrance.
The Mkomazi National Park is a spectacular wilderness. Within sight to the northwest is Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest summit. To the south, the Pare and Usambara Mountains form a dramatic backdrop and, to the north, Kenya’s vast Tsavo National Park shares a border with Mkomazi, making common ground for migratory herds of elephant, oryx and zebra during the wet season. Together with Tsavo, it forms one of the largest and most important protected ecosystems on earth.
Mkomazi 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.
The animals, too, are typical of the arid nyika. 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. In all, 78 species of mammals have been recorded.
The birds of Mkomazi are even more numerous, with over 400 recorded species. Doves, hornbills, weavers and guinea-fowl are all present in large numbers – as well as such striking species as the martial eagle and violet wood-hoopoe.
Rhino’s
Tourists are able to watch rhinos at close range. Mkomazi National Park erected electric fence with two area’s where the black rhino are. One is for breeding an one is for tourists where they can watch the Rhino’s during a special trip with cars from the park.
Game drive
Many animals can be found during a game drive. You can go with your own car, by a locally rented safari car with guide or with a tour operator.
Walking safari
The park is offering walking safaris, starting from the main gate.
Wild dogs
Mkomazi welcomes you to come and see this carnivore.
Bird watching
Around 450 species of birds are also found in the park
Due to the absence of predatory animals, such as lions, Arusha National Park lends itself perfectly for an exciting walking safari with a ranger.
Walking freely alongside the wildlife of Tanzania offers a truly unique experience. Here you´ll be walking at the foot of Mt. Meru, surrounded by green forests, lakes, waterfalls and a huge population of giraffes. A walking safari offers an amazing chance to be up-close with wildlife. The Colobus monkey is one of the highlights you can spot in Arusha NP and can often be found swinging from the trees.
Mkomazi National Park is a magnificent national park in northern Tanzania. Remote and originally difficult to reach, it was founded in 1951. It never received the needed financial support like the other parks. And its true importance was only recognized in 1989.
Today Mkomazi National Park is easily accessible and is a truly spectacular wilderness! In the northwest, you can see Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. And in the south the Pare and Usambara mountains create a dramatic backdrop. To the north, Kenya’s Tsavo National Park borders the Mkomazi National Park. These two parks form one of the largest and most important protected ecosystems. They provide a common base for herds of elephants, oryx and zebras. Mkomazi is located on the southern tip of the Sahel. It has a classic arid area with gray-green nyika bush, old baobab trees, and isolated rocky hills. In other places the scrub seas give way to savannah forests with umbrella acacias and mbugas – flat grassland valleys.
Mkomazi national park has a thinly populated and quite skittish wildlife. It is typical for the dry landscape: giraffes, antelopes, small kudu, impala and Grant’s gazelle. They share the park with elephants, buffalo and numerous predators, including lion, leopard and cheetah. And with some luck you can also spot other animals like dik diks, zebras, wildebeests, eland and topi regularly on a game drive. Visitors can see a total of 78 species of recorded mammals living here.
The park has over 400 registered bird species in total. Among them northern dry-country specials such as Shelley’s starling and three-streaked tchagra. This makes it a fantastic place for bird watchers! Also Hornbills, weaver birds, guinea fowl, martial eagles and the purple eurasian hoopoe are habitants of the park. Mkomazi national park is also the only place in Tanzania where you are likely to see the striking vulturine guineafowl. Quite common, large birds on the grassy plains are ostrich, kori bustard, secretary bird and southern ground hornbill. In addition, migratory species such as European roller are present from November until April.
