MKOMAZI NATIONAL PARK
Mkomazi is one of the Northern circuit national parks that is lesser known than other northern circuit parks. However, the Mkomazi national park has its charm to leave a magical effect on its visitors.
The magnificent national park covers 3,500 square kilometers in Northern Circuit Tanzania. It is situated on the Kenyan border between Tanga Region and Kilimanjaro Region. The Mkomazi national park first was established as a game reserve in 1951 further it was designated as a national park in 2006.
The vegetation of the national park is diverse and mostly covered by Acacia-Commiphora vegetation. The national park is almost touching to Kenya's Tsavo West National Park. The Mkomazi national park is also covered by grey-green nyika bush, rocky hills, savannah woodlands, and age-old Baobab trees.
Mkomazi is primarily the combination of the Umba Game Reserve and the Mkomazi Game Reserve in the east and west respectively. In govt. documents the area is mentioned as Mkomazi-Umba Game Reserves.
WHY MKOMAZI NATIONAL PARK?
The Mkomazi national park is home to diverse wildlife; however, the best-capturing animals are African wild-dog and black rhinos. Both are the endangered species of the country. You can spot other animals too, out of which some notable species are- Giraffe, oryx, gerenuk, hartebeest, lesser kudu, eland, impala and Grant's gazelle, elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and cheetah.
The Mkomazi national park is also cheaper than other national parks of the Northern circuit.
Apart from animals, the national park offers a great range of bird species too. There are more than 400 bird species that can be spotted in the park. It includes many iconic birds like;
Somali crombec
Southern ground hornbill
Three-streaked tchagra
Violet wood-hoopoe
Vulturine guineafowl
White-headed mousebird
Friedmann's lark
Hunter’s sunbird
Kori bustard
Martial eagle
Mouse-coloured penduline tit
Red-fronted warbler
Rosy-patched bush-shrike
WHEN TO GO?
Late June to October is the prime time for watching wildlife in Mkomazi National Park. This is the Dry season; vegetation is thinner and animals gather near water. However, elephants and some other herbivores migrate to the park from neighboring Tsavo NP during the Wet season months from November to May. The general scenery and mountain views are better at this time as well.
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June to October –Dry Season
Animal spotting is easier as wildlife stays near water and vegetation thins out
Sun-filled days with little chance of rain
Mosquitoes are fewer, so catching malaria is less of a risk
It tends to be hazy, and the surrounding mountains are less visible.
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November to May –Wet Season
The land is beautiful and green
The view of the mountains is clearer
March to May is low season, so prices might be less
Migratory birds have arrived, so it is a great time for bird watching
Elephants migrate into the park
Some roads become impassable during the rains
The grass is very long so wildlife is more difficult to spot