MkomaziNational Park
Mkomazi National Park is a wild, semi-arid wilderness in north-eastern Tanzania that shares its border — and its wildlife — with Kenya's Tsavo West. It is best known for two of Afr…
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Mkomazi National Park
Mkomazi National Park is a wild, semi-arid wilderness in north-eastern Tanzania that shares its border — and its wildlife — with Kenya's Tsavo West. It is best known for two of Africa's most important conservation projects: a fenced sanctuary protecting endangered black rhino and a breeding programme that returns African wild dogs to the wild. With Kilimanjaro on the horizon and hardly another vehicle in sight, Mkomazi is a rewarding stop between Kilimanjaro, the Usambara Mountains and the coast.
Mkomazi was upgraded from a game reserve to a national park in 2008. Its dry bushland, baobab-studded plains and rocky inselbergs form part of the greater Tsavo ecosystem, so elephant, buffalo and other animals move freely across the international border.
The park is home to dry-country species that are rare elsewhere in northern Tanzania, including gerenuk, fringe-eared oryx and lesser kudu. Birdlife is excellent, with more than 400 recorded species, many of them Somali-Maasai specialists that birders travel specifically to see.
Mkomazi's conservation story is its real draw. The Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary, established with the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust, has bred black rhino for reintroduction elsewhere in Tanzania, and the same organisation runs a captive-breeding programme for the endangered African wild dog. Visits to the conservation projects can be arranged in advance.
Because Mkomazi receives very few visitors, it suits travellers who have already seen the classic northern parks and want solitude, big skies and a sense of genuine discovery.
June to October (dry season) for easier game viewing; January and February are also dry and warm
Hot and semi-arid, with short rains in November–December and long rains from March to May
TZ, Northern Tanzania
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Before You Go
Mkomazi's main entrance, Zange Gate, is close to the town of Same on the Moshi–Dar es Salaam highway — roughly two to three hours by road from Moshi. That makes it an easy add-on after a Kilimanjaro climb or on the way to the Usambara Mountains, Pangani or the coast.
Accommodation inside the park is limited, so book early and plan at least two nights to explore properly. Visits to the rhino sanctuary are by prior arrangement only; ask us and we will organise the permits as part of your itinerary.
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Mkomazi National Park: Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Mkomazi National Park different from Tanzania's classic northern safari parks?
Mkomazi is a wild, semi-arid wilderness in north-eastern Tanzania with very few visitors, so it suits travellers seeking solitude, big skies and genuine discovery after the classic northern parks. It shares wildlife with Kenya's Tsavo West and is best known for its black rhino sanctuary and African wild dog breeding programme.
Can I visit Mkomazi's black rhino sanctuary or wild dog conservation programme?
Visits to the conservation projects in Mkomazi can be arranged in advance. Ecological Wilderness Adventure can tailor a trip that includes these conservation visits on request.
What wildlife and birdlife can I expect to see in Mkomazi National Park?
Mkomazi is home to dry-country species such as gerenuk, fringe-eared oryx and lesser kudu, while elephant and buffalo move across the border with Tsavo West. Birdlife is excellent, with more than 400 recorded species, including many Somali-Maasai specialists that birders travel specifically to see.
Where is Mkomazi National Park and how does it fit into a safari itinerary?
Mkomazi lies in north-eastern Tanzania and shares a border with Kenya's Tsavo West. It is a rewarding stop between Kilimanjaro, the Usambara Mountains and the coast.
Is Mkomazi National Park a good destination for birdwatching?
Yes. Mkomazi has more than 400 recorded bird species, many of them Somali-Maasai specialists that birders travel specifically to see.
Is Mkomazi a national park and why is it important for conservation?
Mkomazi was upgraded from a game reserve to a national park in 2008. Its conservation story is a major draw, including the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary for black rhino and a captive-breeding programme for endangered African wild dogs.
