About Mkomazi National Park
Mkomazi is a dry, open national park in the north-east, running along the border with Kenya's Tsavo West. It covers over 3,200 square kilometres of bush, grassland and rocky hills, with the Pare and Usambara mountains on the skyline. It feels a world away from the busier parks of the north. Mkomazi suits travellers who care about conservation and want a quieter safari, and because it lies east of Kilimanjaro, it slots easily into a trip that starts with a climb.
What you will see
The headline is the black rhino. A fenced, guarded sanctuary inside the park has been open to visitors since 2021, and viewing is booked in advance and done with armed rangers. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the setting and the care that goes into protecting these animals make it a memorable outing in itself. Mkomazi is also home to a breeding programme for African wild dogs run by the George Adamson Trust, giving you a rare look at work to bring back one of Africa's most endangered predators. Out on the plains, look for dry-country specialists such as gerenuk, lesser kudu and fringe-eared oryx, and keep binoculars ready for birds.
- Rhino sanctuary visits with rangers, arranged ahead of time
- The wild dog project, with background on the breeding programme
- Game drives around the dams and open plains
- Short walking trails and birding
When to go
June to October is the dry season, when animals gather at the dams and game viewing is at its best. Rainfall is low here even in wetter months, at around 550 millimetres a year, and November to April brings migrant birds. The Tanzania weather guide has more on the seasons.
Getting there
There are no scheduled flights, so Mkomazi is a road trip. Zange Gate is about six kilometres from the town of Same, on the main highway between Moshi and Dar es Salaam. From Arusha the drive takes roughly three to three and a half hours, and a little less from Moshi. The highway makes for an easy run as far as Same.
How it fits your trip
Mkomazi works well straight after a Kilimanjaro climb, as a calm safari in its own right, or as a stop on the way to the coast. It combines naturally with walking in the Usambara Mountains, and from there you can continue to Tanga, Saadani or Dar es Salaam. Allow two nights so you have time for the rhino sanctuary, the wild dogs and a full day of game drives without rushing.
Where to stay
The choice of places to stay is small compared with the northern parks, and rhino viewing has to be arranged in advance, so early planning helps. Send us your dates and we will check availability and timings for you.
