Mkomazi National Park
Description: Set below the verdant slopes of the spectacular Usambara and Pare Eastern Arc Mountain ranges and overseen by the iconic snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro, Mkomazi is a breathtaking park, exhibiting unique natural treasures and an immense sense of space. A game reserve since 1951, this new National Park takes its name from Pare tribe’s word for “scoop of water,” referring to little water. Mkomazi is a vital refuge for two highly endangered species, the charismatic black rhino and sociable African wild dog, both of which were successfully reintroduced in the 1990s.
Location: Northern circuit, 3.5 hours from Moshi
Things 2 Do: Game Drives, Guided Walks, Night Game Drives, Sundowners, Visits to Conservation Projects
Time: 2 nights is optimal given the transit time to get to/from the park.
Animals: Giraffe, oryx, gerenuk, hartebeest, lesser kudu, eland, impala and grant’s gazelle share the park with elephants, buffalo and numerous predators including lions, leopards and cheetah. With over 450 species of birds recorded at the park, it is a birder’s paradise. And don’t forget the conservation work being done with black rhinos and wild dogs!
Accommodations:
$$$
Babu’s Camp
Mkomazi Wilderness Retreat
“Outstanding! Everything was perfect. Casey set us up for an excellent adventure. He understood what I wanted and gave me great advice. The accommodations that he suggested were great, particularly Tortilis (loved this place) and Lion’s Den (what a luxury!) We had one day extra to fill, and he gave great options. In the end, we added an extra day to our safari camp experience at Tortilis and I am so glad that we did. We were so comfortable there and the staff were so wonderful. Casey recommended flying directly into Seronera, which was an excellent choice for us. The pilots zoomed down to view the migrating wildebeest, which was so cool.”