Mikumi National Park is situated between the Rift Valley slopes to the Southwest and the Uruguru Mountains to the East. This small park of about 3,230 square kilometers is the closest park to Dar-es-salaam. Mikumi borders Nyerere National Park that allows the majority of the wildlife the Nyerere park to cross over, which makes the Mikumi rich in wildlife while still being easily accessible.
Mikumi’s landscape can be compared to the Serengeti. It is characterized by Savannahs, alluvial plains, baobab and acacia trees and rare palm trees. Spectacular rock formations can be seen on the Uluguru and Rubeho mountains from Mikumi National Park.
The park is a habitat for lions, zebras, a subspecies of giraffes, elephants, gnoes, baboons, hippos, impalas, the powerful eland known to be the world’s largest antelope, black antelope, kudu, buffalo and wildebeests. The park is also a home to over 400 species of birds including the yellow-throated long claw, bateleur eagle, lilac-breasted roller, and many European migratory birds during the rainy season.