| Mikumi National Park is the gateway to the game | | | | The park lies has low mountains and hills on three |
| parks on the southern part of Tanzanian safari | | | | sides. The southern section of the park differs |
| circuit. The Selous game reserve joins onto this | | | | markedly from the northern flood plains. The |
| park in the south and a short drive to the south | | | | animals also differ they are unused to people and |
| west is the Udzungwa National Park - which was | | | | vehicles and tend to run and hide before |
| created primarily for the protection of flora rather | | | | approaching safari enthusiasts have a chance to |
| than fauna. The lovely remote Ruaha National | | | | spot them. This park suffered in the 1980's from |
| Park is a four hour drive south-west from Mikumi. | | | | heavy poaching and the animals have learnt to |
| The main road from Dar es Salaam to Iringa | | | | distrust humans; although slowly the animals are |
| bisects the northern area of this park; an area | | | | becoming habituated once again. |
| known as the Mkata Flood Plain. Animals tend to | | | | There is a natural road stretching from the Vuma |
| use the highway as game trail and this often | | | | hills it passes through ravine and forested country |
| makes for unusual photo opportunities. The flood | | | | and crosses over the boundary into the northern |
| plain is known for the very fine black cotton soil, | | | | section of the Selous. These ridges have been |
| which means when the rains come the soil is | | | | used for centuries by Elephants that have decided |
| transformed into a sticky, clogging mud and the | | | | to avoid the rivers and keep their feet dry. |
| area becomes inaccessible to vehicles. The rains | | | | This park is becoming increasing popular, especially |
| transform the plains into a lush green meadow. | | | | as a weekend break from the nearby Dar es |
| This area of the park has herds of Elephant and | | | | Salaam. This park makes for a perfect start to |
| lions, giraffes, wildebeest, zebra, warthog, eland, | | | | you safari in the southern parks of Tanzania. It |
| buffalo and impala. There is a tented lodge in this | | | | also has amazing light in this park which makes for |
| section of the park along with a youth hostel and | | | | spectacular photographs. |
| a number of campsites. | | | | |