Mkomazi National Park – Mwanga, Tanzania
Welcome to Mkomazi National Park – A Wild Bridge Between Wilderness and Wonder
Nestled below the lush slopes of the Usambara and Pare Mountains, with the majestic, snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro watching over it, Mkomazi National Park is a breathtaking and unspoiled sanctuary in northern Tanzania. This stunning semi-arid savannah—whose name means “scoop of water” in the Pare language—serves as a vital ecological and tourism bridge between the iconic Northern Safari Circuit and Tanzania’s sun-kissed coast.
Though thousands pass nearby on one of Tanzania’s busiest highways, few realize the natural treasures that lie within. Mkomazi is home to impressive herds of elephants, giraffes, zebras, and buffalo, as well as rare dry-country specialists like the fringe-eared oryx, slender-necked gerenuk, and spiral-horned lesser kudu. The park also serves as a critical refuge for highly endangered black rhinos and African wild dogs, both successfully reintroduced in the 1990s.
With over 450 recorded bird species, stunning landscapes, and activities ranging from game drives and guided walking safaris to rhino sanctuary visits, Mkomazi offers an intimate and unforgettable safari experience away from the crowds.
📍 Explore the wild beauty of Mkomazi—where rare wildlife roams free beneath Kilimanjaro’s gaze.
How to get there
By road, Mkomazi is easily accessible via Same, which lies on the surfaced highway connecting Arusha to Dar es Salaam. The Park is also easily accessible on special arrangement through Njiro, Kivingo and Umba gates. The park can also be easily accessed from the nearby existing tourist attractions in Eastern Arc Mountains, The Coast and Kilimanjaro Mountain. Charter flights are available to Kisima airstrip.
What to do
Game drives, camping, site seeing, bird watching, walking safari, and hiking (uphill). Learn more about conservation and rhinoceros at Mkomazi rhino sanctuary.
Accommodation
There is one semi – permanent tented camp near the Park headquarters. Few designated basic campsites where one must bring his/her own camping gears and food. There are several small hotels and guest houses in Same town.
This Place to Visit in Tanzania is: Mkomazi National Park, black rhino sanctuary Tanzania, African wild dog safari, day trip from Moshi, off-the-beaten-path safari, Usambara Mountains, birdwatching Tanzania, fringe-eared oryx, gerenuk, Kilimanjaro view safari