Mkomazi National Park is situated in northern Tanzania on the Kenyan border in Kilimanjaro Region and Tanga region. It was established as a game reserve in 1951 and upgraded to a national park in 2006. This park covers over 3,234 square kilometers and its dominated by Acacia vegetation, its adjoining with Kenya’s Tsavo west National Park. The area commonly called Mkomazi and is actually the union of two great game reserves, the Umba game reserve in the east and the Mkomazi game reserve in the west district.  Mkomazi  is larger and has got diversity of relief and habitat, and a longer shared border with Tsavo west National Park. In the rest of this entry, Mkomazi will refer to both the Mkomazi and umba reserves together.

Mkomazi’s history is one of the contest, with the main contenders being government conservation planners and local rural resources users. It differs from many other cases in East Africa because limited resource use in the reserve was permitted. When Mkomazi was established by many pastoral families from the Parakuyo ethnic group were allowed to proceed to live there with a few thousand of their cattle, goats and sheep. The pastoralists were only allowed in the eastern half of the reserve. Immigrant Maasai pastoralists and families from other ethnic groups were evicted when the reserve was established.

However, Mkomazi was a subject to immigration by other herders, some of which was restricted by the Parakuyo residents and some of which was facilitated by them. They have set up fenced sanctuary for African wild dogs and black Rhinoceros, and are restoring the reserve’s infrastructure and supporting local communities with its outreach program. The fauna species found here include; the Black Rhinocerous, lions, common eland, grant’s zebra, African wild dogs, African Elephants.

Game drives

You can enjoy variety of animal species including; Black Rhinocerous, lions, common eland, grant’s zebra, African wild dogs, African Elephants. These can be enjoyed on both night and day game drives.

Nature walks

The nature natures will help you explore the park and be able to see variety of animal species as well as bird species. The commonly spotted animals include; Black Rhinocerous, lions, common eland, grant’s zebra, African wild dogs, African Elephants.

Bird watching

With more than 400 species, Mkomazi is a birder’s delight. Species to view here include; various weaver birds, secretary birds, bateleur eagles, helmeted guinea fowl, various hornbills, storks and the pygmy falcon. The guided bush walks can be arranged at Zange entry gate or with Babu’s camp.

Walking safaris

Multi hour bush walks can be arranged at Zange gate at $ 23.60 guide fee, plus $ 23.60 to $ 29.50 walking tour fee, ages 12 years and older only.

The best way to get to Mkomazi is by road from the town of Moshi or Arusha. Most people fly into Kilimanjaro international Airport, which is located halfway between Arusha and Moshi and about 30km from Moshi. It’s also possible to fly into Dra es Salaam and fly onto Arusha Airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport. In most cases, the tour operator will pick you up from the airport. Mkomazi is just next to the small town of same, which is a comfortable 112km drive south from Moshi. Mkomazi lies a bit out of the way as compared to other parks in northern Tanzania but could be visited en route to the Usambara Mountains.