Mkomazi National Park

Mkomazi in January
Dry Season

January marks the height of the East African ‘summer,’ bringing warm temperatures and the occasional brief rain. During this time, Mkomazi is blanketed in vibrant green grasses, drawing in a variety of grazers such as zebras, buffaloes, and gerenuk antelopes. Alongside them, you may also encounter lions and giraffes. While sightings are rarer than in some other parks, leopards and cheetahs are sometimes spotted near the roads.

One of Mkomazi’s standout features is its dedicated rhino sanctuary—an exceptional highlight of the park. It is among the few locations in Tanzania where you’re very likely to see black rhinos up close. Visitors are transferred to an open safari vehicle before entering the sanctuary, allowing for better visibility and multiple viewing angles of these majestic animals.

A ranger from the sanctuary will join your guide to assist in tracking the rhinos. These rangers are familiar with every individual rhino and will share their knowledge and stories about each one, making the experience both educational and memorable.

Mkomazi in February
Dry Season

February in Mkomazi, like in other parts of northern Tanzania, brings hot weather with occasional light showers. Many herbivores gather around the Dindira Dam during this period, making it a reliable spot to see giraffes, elephants, zebras, and ostriches. The park’s water bodies are also home to crocodiles, which usually stay submerged but can sometimes be seen basking on the shore.

This month is also ideal for birdwatching. Migratory species from Europe and Asia are present, and bird diversity is at its highest. With nearly 400 bird species recorded—and the list still growing—Mkomazi offers an incredible variety. You may spot hornbills, brightly colored starlings, sunbirds, and various raptors, among many others. The park’s range of habitats makes the birding experience especially rich and rewarding.

Mkomazi in March
Rainy Season

Early March is considered one of the most rewarding times for a safari across Tanzania. Visitor numbers are low in most parks, offering a more peaceful and personal wildlife experience. In Mkomazi, it’s not uncommon to see fewer than ten safari vehicles in the park on any given day.

The park offers sightings of iconic African wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, ostriches, zebras, and various antelope species. Lions also inhabit Mkomazi, although they are less numerous than in some of the more famous northern parks. Crocodiles can often be seen lounging near the park’s water sources.

During a midday break at a picnic site, you might spot rock hyraxes—small, furry mammals that are surprisingly the elephant’s closest living relatives. Your safari guide will likely share fascinating facts about these unique creatures during your visit.

Mkomazi in April
Rainy Season

April marks the height of the rainy season throughout Tanzania. Visitor numbers drop significantly during this period, and many lodges and camps offer generous off-season discounts—often making accommodation 1.5 to 2 times cheaper compared to peak months like January or August. For travelers seeking a more peaceful safari experience at a lower cost, this is an excellent time to visit.

Rainfall is common, usually occurring daily, but it doesn’t tend to last all day. Showers typically begin in the afternoon and continue into the night, meaning that morning game drives are still very feasible and often unaffected by the weather.

With the appearance of temporary water sources scattered across the landscape, wildlife—including elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and other savanna species—spreads out across the park. Since they’re no longer dependent on the Dindira Dam, you can spot animals in different areas throughout Mkomazi.

Mkomazi in May
Shoulder Season

May marks the end of the rainy season in Mkomazi. Like April, it’s a time when lodge prices are at their lowest, and visitor numbers are minimal, making it one of the quietest months to experience the park. If you prefer exploring Tanzania’s national parks without crowds, this is an ideal time to visit, with only 1 or 2 safari vehicles typically sharing the park with you.

During your safari, you’ll encounter the classic savanna residents such as elephants, giraffes, and antelopes. While predators are less abundant here than in other northern Tanzanian parks, there’s still a chance to spot lions if you’re lucky. Other big cats like cheetahs and leopards are rare in Mkomazi. Occasionally, animal numbers may increase as migratory herds of antelopes, zebras, and other grazers move across from Kenya’s Tsavo West National Park, adding to the wildlife spectacle.

Mkomazi in June
Dry Season

June marks the end of the rainy season in Tanzania, and the start of the dry season brings a gradual increase in travelers to the parks, along with a rise in lodge prices. However, early in the month, you can still enjoy the benefits of off-season discounts.

While the tourist season picks up, Mkomazi remains relatively peaceful compared to popular parks like Tarangire, Serengeti, or Ngorongoro. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for a quieter experience, offering the opportunity to spend a day or two immersed in nature without the crowds.

June is also an ideal time to visit Mkomazi’s main highlight, the rhino sanctuary. Opened to regular visitors only in 2019, the sanctuary provides one of the best opportunities in Tanzania to see the rare black rhino, with sightings here far more likely than in other parks.

Mkomazi in August
Dry Season

August is one of the peak safari months in Tanzania, with a significant influx of travelers heading to the country. While major parks like Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Serengeti see large crowds of safari vehicles, Mkomazi experiences a more moderate increase in visitors. You might encounter up to 10 vehicles in the park at any given time, but given Mkomazi’s vast size, you’re unlikely to be bothered by the presence of others.

With the ongoing drought, the park’s vegetation is sparse, making wildlife more visible. Large mammals such as elephants, zebras, giraffes, and various antelope species are most commonly found near the Dindira Dam, the park’s primary water source. After visiting the dam, you can explore the rhino sanctuary, where efforts to restore the population of these rare creatures are ongoing. You may even have the chance to meet the young rhino adopted by our company.

Mkomazi in September
Dry Season

September sees the continuation of the dry season across Tanzania, and like August, it is one of the peak months for safaris. While there is an increase in traffic to popular parks, Mkomazi remains one of the few places where you can experience Africa’s wildlife without the crowds. Here, you can see a variety of iconic savanna animals such as lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, and antelopes. Crocodiles are often spotted along the riverbanks as well.

Mkomazi’s proximity to Kenya’s West Tsavo National Park means that animals from the Kenyan side occasionally cross into the park. This results in more frequent wildlife sightings than you might expect. The park’s renowned rhino sanctuary, however, is kept separate from Tsavo to protect its precious inhabitants from poaching. These rare rhinos can be seen year-round in Mkomazi, offering visitors a rare and memorable experience.

Mkomazi in October
Shoulder Season

October is one of the ideal months for safaris in Tanzania. With fewer visitors arriving in the parks, accommodation rates begin to drop as seasonal discounts come into effect. The weather remains warm and pleasant, with the rains yet to arrive.

Though not as common as in other northern parks, Mkomazi still offers the opportunity to spot the Big Five: elephants, lions, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos. The rhinos are a particular highlight in Mkomazi, as the chances of seeing them here are exceptionally high.

The rhinos in Mkomazi reside within a specially designated sanctuary, which they are unable to leave. This sanctuary has controlled access for visitors and is constantly guarded by armed rangers, making it one of the few places in Africa where rhinos are safe from poaching.

Mkomazi in November
Rainy Season

November marks the beginning of the seasonal rains in Mkomazi. With very few travelers visiting the northern parks during this time, accommodation prices drop significantly, similar to April. Only a handful of safari vehicles are in Mkomazi each day, offering an opportunity to experience Africa’s wilderness without the crowds. While afternoon showers are common, you’ll likely return to your lodge before the heavier rains arrive, so the weather won’t interfere with your activities.

In addition to the Big Five, zebras, and antelopes, Mkomazi is also home to the critically endangered African wild dog. The Tony Fitzjohn Foundation has been running a successful project here to help restore the population of this rare species, making Mkomazi one of the best places to observe them in the wild.

Mkomazi in December
Rainy Season

December serves as a transitional month between the quieter autumn period and the busy winter safari season. Early in the month, many lodges still offer seasonal discounts, making it an affordable time to explore the park compared to peak months like August or February.

Large mammals, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes, are typically found near the Dindira Reservoir. While Mkomazi is not as well-known for its predators as other parks, lions can still be spotted occasionally, and sightings of big cats like leopards and cheetahs are rarer.

Mkomazi’s highlight is the rhino sanctuary, which remains open year-round. This is one of the best places to observe the rarest of Africa’s wildlife, the black rhino, providing an opportunity not often found even in renowned parks like Ngorongoro.