The Mkomazi National Park is a stunning wilderness site in northeastern Tanzania between the Kilimanjaro and Tanga regions. This natural reserve shares its northern border with Kenya’s vast Tsavo West National Park and that allows migratory herds of elephant, zebra and oryx to travel between these destinations depending on rainfall patterns.

With an area of 1,240 square mile, Mkomazi accommodates spectacular wildlife including hartebeest, giraffe, gerenuk, lesser kudu, eland, impala and Grant’s gazelle. Buffalos and numerous predators, including lions, leopards and cheetahs live in the park. With over 400 species of birdlife documented (with many dry-country specials present), Mkomazi is certainly a heaven for bird lovers.

The scenery in Mkomazi National Park is magnificent as the park is nested below the slopes of the Usambara and Pare Mountains with stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is a classic dry-country reserve characterized by grey-green Nyika bush, aged baobab trees, isolated rocky hills, open savannah woodlands of umbrella acacias and shallow valleys of grassland.

A visit to this hidden gem would easily fit into a safari including Arusha – Usambara – Tanga – Pangani – Saadani – Dar es Salaam as a single destination visit from Arusha or even after a climbing of Mount Kilimanjaro to wind down and do some sightseeing.