Mkomazi National Park

Mkomazi National Park, previously called Mkomazi-Umba Game Reserve, was founded in 2008 and lies between the Pare and Usambara Mountains which form part of the Eastern Arch Mountains. The words “Mkomazi” derives from the Pare vernacular word for “a scoop of water”. This semi-arid park, which borders Kenya’s vast Tsavo National Park, falls into the Greater Tsavo Ecosystem which is the 2nd largest transboundary ecosystem in East Africa next to the famous Serengeti-Mara.

Bushwalks with an armed ranger and rhino tracking in the new Mbula Rhino Sanctuary are the highlights of this park as well as trying to spot the elusive gerenuk and lesser kudu.

Mkomazi is a birders paradise and is also home to 5 endemic birds including the Violet Wood-Hoopoe, Friedmann’s Lark, the Somali Long-billed Crombec and the Yellow-vented Eremomela. Of course, with some luck, one can see the Big Five too!

Location / Getting there

Easy drive from from Moshi (approx. 120 km) or Arusha (approx. 200 km) following a surfaced road to within 7 km of the main entrance gate.

From Dar es Salaam it is approx. 440 km to get to the park.

Activities

Dindira Dam is a popular spot for game drives where many wild animals come to drink. The wide variety of bird life is well known among bird specialists.

At the new Mbula Rhino Sanctuary you can watch this endangered species from a very close range.