Mkomazi National Park

Mkomazi National Park covers about 3,200 km² of dry savanna in north-east Tanzania, along the Kenyan border, where it runs into Kenya's Tsavo West. It was set aside as a game reserve in 1951 and became a national park in 2006. It sees few visitors: fewer than 1,600 were recorded in 2012, a tiny share of the crowds at Ngorongoro or Tarangire.

The landscape

Most of the park is acacia and commiphora bush with open grassland in between, broken by rocky hills. The Pare Mountains rise to the west and the Usambaras to the south-east. It is hot and dry for much of the year. When the rains come, the grass turns green and herds move through.

Wildlife

Mkomazi is dry country, and its antelope show it: look for oryx, gerenuk and lesser kudu as well as giraffe, eland, hartebeest, elephant and buffalo. Lion, leopard and cheetah live here too, though no sighting is ever certain. More than 400 bird species have been recorded.

Rhinos and wild dogs

Two conservation projects started by the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust are based in the park: a fenced sanctuary where black rhinos breed, and a programme for the endangered African wild dog. The rhino sanctuary has taken visitors since 2021, on separate trips in park vehicles. It is not part of our standard day; ask us if you would like it added and we will check what is possible.

Getting there

The main entrance, Zange Gate, is near the town of Same, roughly 110 to 120 km from Moshi (sources differ). Tour operators put the drive at two to three hours each way, so it makes a long day.

Visiting with us

Our day trip starts and ends in Moshi. The rate covers a 4WD with a pop-up roof, park fees, a lunch box and drinks in the vehicle. Start and return times are confirmed when you book.