Mkomazi National Park Tanzania 1 Day Safari

A 1-Day safari to Mkomazi National Park from Moshi or Arusha offers a rare, off-the-beaten-path experience to see endangered black rhinos and African wild dogs, with departures at 0630 Hours and returns by 1800 Hours. 

1-Day Mkomazi National Park Itinerary

0630 Hours – 0830 Hours: Pickup and Drive to Mkomazi – Pickup from your hotel in Moshi (approx. 2-3 hours drive) or Arusha (approx. 3-4 hours). You will travel east toward Same Town, entering the park via the Zange Gate.

0900 Hours – 1130 Hours: Morning Game Drive – Enter the park to start your game drive. Mkomazi is known for its dry, sparse vegetation, making it easier to spot wildlife such as Gerenuk, Oryx, Giraffe, Eland, and Zebras.

1130 Hours – 1230 Hours: Rhino Sanctuary Visit – Visit the specialized Rhinoceros Sanctuary (usually escorted) to see the endangered black rhinos up close.

1230 – 1330: Picnic Lunch – Enjoy a packed lunch at one of the designated picnic sites, often overlooking the dramatic arid scenery.

1330 – 1530 Hours: Afternoon Game Drive & Wild Dog Centre – Continue exploring to spot wildlife. Visit the African Wild Dog breeding program area to learn about the rehabilitation of these rare animals.

1530 Hours – 1600 Hours: Observation Point – Visit the park’s scenic viewpoints for a final look at the landscape.

1600 Hours  – 1800 Hours: Exit and Return to Moshi – Exit the park and begin the drive back to your hotel, arriving in the evening. 

Mkomazi National Park Information

This private, full-day tour features game drives through arid, scenic landscapes, offering views of the Pare Mountains and, sometimes, Mount Kilimanjaro. Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania is considered one of Africa’s most untamed wilderness areas, with much of it inaccessible until recent years.

The vast, breathtaking landscapes and countless intriguing inhabitants of Mkomazi have mainly remained unaltered by man.  Mkomazi offers visitors an authentic bush experience, off the beaten safari track of East Africa.

Whether you are a first-time safari-goer or a seasoned adventurer, this region’s stark, wild beauty will stay with you. Mkomazi National Park offers an authentic wilderness away from the crowds of tourists.

The park is located 190 kilometers (118 miles) from Arusha and about a 3-hour drive from Moshi (120 km). 

Mkomazi National Park is a magnificent 3,245-square-kilometer national park in northern Tanzania, between Moshi and Tanga.

The name was derived from the Pare tribe’s word for “scoop of water,” meaning “little water,” as the area is too dry, especially during the dry season. The park is set in a beautiful location, with the Pare and Usambara mountains towering above its boundaries.

Depending on the weather, Mt. Kilimanjaro can be seen from the park. The primary water source in Mkomazi is the Umba River in the southeast. Because the park receives very little rain year-round, game drives along the river offer excellent wildlife sightings.

Mkomazi wildlife includes African wild dogs, black rhinos that live in a private sanctuary, Oryx, gerenuk, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, jackal, elephant, buffalo, hartebeest, giraffe, warthog, and crocodiles.

There are 450 species of birds found in the park, including go-away birds, ostriches, eagles, hoopoes, bustards, kingfishers, flamingos, cormorants, plovers, and ducks.

The vegetation resembles that of a dry, desert-like landscape. Due to the climate, the vegetation primarily consists of acacia-Commiphora woodlands, which in the western mountains transition to dryland forest.

Mkomazi National Park, Tanzania 1 Day Safari: If you want to go off the beaten track and explore ‘real’ Tanzania, then this day excursion is perfect for you. The Park offers an authentic wilderness away from the crowds of tourists.

The park is located 190 kilometers (118 miles) from Arusha and about a 3-hour drive from Moshi (120 km).  Mkomazi National Park is a magnificent 3,245-square-kilometer national park in northern Tanzania, between Moshi and Tanga.

The name was derived from the Pare tribe’s word for “scoop of water,” meaning little water, as the area is too dry, especially during the dry season. The park is set in a beautiful location, with the Pare and Usambara mountains towering above its boundaries. Depending on the weather, Mt. Kilimanjaro can be seen from the park.

The primary water source in Mkomazi is the Umba River in the southeast. Because the park receives very little rain year-round, game drives along the river offer excellent wildlife sightings. Mkomazi wildlife includes African wild dogs, black rhinos that live in a private sanctuary, Oryx, gerenuk, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, jackal, elephant, buffalo, hartebeest, giraffe, warthog, and crocodiles.

There are 450 species of birds found in the park, including go-away birds, ostriches, eagles, hoopoes, bustards, kingfishers, flamingos, cormorants, plovers, and ducks. The vegetation resembles that of a dry, desert-like landscape. Due to the climate, the vegetation primarily consists of acacia-Commiphora woodlands, which in the western mountains transition to dryland forest.

Our day safari from Arusha to Mkomazi offers fantastic views of Kilimanjaro and abundant wildlife. The park is an often-overlooked Tanzanian gem, with several species easier to see here than anywhere else in the country. 

The highlights of the park include watching rhinos at close range, the game drive might spot wild dogs, and bird watching – around 450 species of birds are also found in the park.

0600 Hours: Breakfast at your hotel/ residence

0700 Hours: You will be picked up from your hotel/ residence in Arusha or Moshi with parked lunch boxes and depart by road to Mkomazi National Park located approximately 190 km from Arusha/ 120 km from Moshi town.

1000 Hours: Upon arrival at the park, you will proceed for a game drive looking for Oryx, gerenuk, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, jackal, elephant, buffalo, hartebeest, giraffe, warthog and crocodiles.

Mkomazi National Park shares a border with Tsavo National Park in Kenya, so the game comes and goes between the parks. A visit to Nkomazi Rhino Sanctuary can be organized at an extra cost.

This allows you to learn more about the breeding program for the black rhino population, together with ongoing monitoring and anti-poaching patrols.

1300 Hours: Enjoy your picnic lunch boxes at a designated picnic site.

1400 Hours: Proceed on an afternoon game drive. The park is a vital refuge for two highly endangered species, the charismatic black rhino, and the sociable African wild dog.

Both animals were successfully reintroduced in the 1990s, but black rhinos are restricted to a fenced sanctuary, ensuring their safe keeping for future generation’s enjoyment and prosperity.

1630 Hours: Depart Mkomazi National Park and drive back to Moshi/ Arusha.

1900 Hours: Arrive in Moshi/ Arusha where the safari ends by dropping you off at your hotel/ residence.

Mkomazi National Park Tanzania 1 Day Safari Rates Include

✓ Lunch
✓ Game drive & Game Park entrance fees
✓ Services of our English-speaking driver guide
✓ Return Road transfers from Arusha/ Kilimanjaro/ Moshi to Mkomazi National Park
✓ Safari transport by 4 x 4 with a roof hatch that pops up to enable easy game viewing and photography

Notes

* Kindly note that our 1 Day Mkomazi National Park Safari departs from Arusha or Kilimanjaro Airport

Mkomazi National Park Tanzania 1-Day Safari Rates Do Not Include

* International Airfare
* Cost of obtaining a passport and visas
* Gratuity for your professional driver-guide
* Accommodation in Arusha/ Kilimanjaro/ Moshi
* Gratuity for Porterage/ waiters at hotels, camps, and airports
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)
* Personal expenses such as traveling insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include laundry, emails, faxes, and phone calls, beverages including luxury champagne, luxury spirits, beer, and wines during meals or meals not indicated in the itinerary

Mkomazi National Park is a “hidden gem” in northeastern Tanzania, known for its rugged, semi-arid beauty and critical conservation projects for endangered species. Located in the same district of the Kilimanjaro Region, it borders Kenya’s Tsavo West National Park, forming one of the world’s largest protected ecosystems. 

Location: Approximately 120 kilometers east of Moshi. It is accessible via the Zange Gate near the town of Same.

Mkomazi National Park Activities

Guided Nature Walks: For a more immersive experience of the “nyika” bush landscape.
Rhino Sanctuary Visits: A unique opportunity to learn about intensive conservation efforts
Game Drives: Explore the park’s acacia-commiphora woodlands and open plains to spot desert-adapted wildlife
Hiking: The park is surrounded by the dramatic Pare and Usambara Mountains, providing a scenic backdrop for photography and exploration

Wildlife & Conservation

The park is most famous for its specialized sanctuaries dedicated to two highly endangered species: 
Bird Watching: A haven for birders with over 450 recorded species, including the martial eagle, kori bustard, and various hornbills
Other Wildlife: You can spot large herds of oryx, gerenuk, lesser kudu, and eland, as well as elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and buffalo
Black Rhinos: The Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary is a strictly protected area where visitors can see these rare animals up close in a natural setting
African Wild Dogs: Mkomazi hosts a successful breeding and reintroduction program for these social carnivores, also known as painted dogs

Mkomazi National Park Safari Accommodation

Mkomazi National Park offers a rustic and exclusive safari experience with limited accommodation options. Key lodges and camps include
Babu’s Camp (mid-range), Mkomazi Wilderness Retreat (luxury/Mid-range), and Mkomazi View Camp, providing stunning views of the Pare and Usambara Mountains. Most accommodations are near the Zange or Njiro gates.

Inside the Park (Safari Tented Camps)

Mkomazi View Camp: Tented camp located in the northwestern part of the park on a slope with views of the Watershed Valley
Babu’s Camp: Located near the Zange gate, it offers six large walk-in canvas tents with en-suite bathrooms, flush toilets, and solar power
Mkomazi Wilderness Retreat: Situated on Dindera Hill, this retreat features seven luxury tents offering views of the main watering hole

Outside the Park (Lodges & Motels) 

Tona Lodge: Budget-friendly lodge option situated nearby
Elephant Motel: A basic, 20-room motel offering budget-friendly accommodation near the park, some with air conditioning.
Mkomazi Hotels and Camps: Located in Hegoma, 15 km from the park, offering family-friendly options with a restaurant and WiFi

Camping Options 

Public and Special Campsites: Designated areas for public and private camping within the park are available for those looking to stay in their own tents or vehicles, managed by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA)

Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com