Mikumi was gazetted as a National Park in 1964 and is named after the spindle shaped Borassus palm trees. The Mkata plain supports vast herds of plains game such as wildebeest, impala, zebra and giraffe, hunted by their associated predators; while you are more likely to find Lichtenstein's hartebeest, greater kudu, roan and sable antelope in the surrounding less fertile hills. Although game sightings can never be guaranteed, there are lots of sightings of the African 'wild dog' hunting the plains in packs.

There are high concentrations of game, with large herds of Nyasa Blue Wildebeest, (not found in Ruaha National Park), buffalo, impala, zebra and giraffe. Where there are large herds, there are always plenty of predators waiting for dinner. You can even find a population of Wild Hunting Dog. 

With over 400 species of birds in the park there is plenty to keep any bird enthusiast interested. A broad range of savannah species are joined by some notable species such as Zanzibar Red Bishop. Migrant species join in the spectacle during the green season (between the months of December and March)

Not only is Mikumi a great place for 'getting your eye in' on game drives, but it is also a fantastically colourful place. The open grasslands stretching out before you change through the spectrum of orange and yellows throughout the day - a photographer’s paradise!