Mikumi National Park

🇹🇿 Tanzania

🦒 Tanzania's Largest Giraffe Population Thrives Here
🌍 #60 Global · 4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #36 in Africa #36 in Savanna & Grassland
East Africa, Tanzania 1179 spp. recorded

Mikumi is a protected tropical savanna situated in East Africa, spanning vast grassy plains and acacia woodlands across southern Tanzania. This expansive lowland habitat differs from mountainous reserves through its open floodplains and wide horizons.

-7.445° S   37.258° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

East African Giraffe ★

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

70–80% · Very likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

70–80% · Very likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Impala ★
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

60–70% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

60–70% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

60–70% · Likely
Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

50–60% · Likely
Yellow Baboon
LC

Yellow Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio cynocephalus

50–60% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

40–50% · Likely
Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

40–50% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

40–50% · Likely
Bateleur
EN

Bateleur

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Terathopius ecaudatus

40–50% · Likely
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

40–50% · Likely
Lesser Striped-Swallow
LC

Lesser Striped-Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cecropis abyssinica

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

East African Giraffe ★

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

70–80% · Very likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

70–80% · Very likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Impala ★
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

60–70% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

60–70% · Likely
Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

50–60% · Likely
Yellow Baboon
LC

Yellow Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio cynocephalus

50–60% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

40–50% · Likely
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

40–50% · Likely
Common Eland

Common Eland

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Taurotragus oryx

30–40% · Possible
Bohor Reedbuck
LC

Bohor Reedbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Redunca redunca

30–40% · Possible
Northern Bushbuck
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

30–40% · Possible
Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

Insufficient data
Small-eared Greater Galago
LC

Small-eared Greater Galago

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Otolemur garnettii

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

60–70% · Likely
Lilac-breasted Roller
LC

Lilac-breasted Roller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracias caudatus

40–50% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

40–50% · Likely
Bateleur
EN

Bateleur

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Terathopius ecaudatus

40–50% · Likely
Lesser Striped-Swallow
LC

Lesser Striped-Swallow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cecropis abyssinica

40–50% · Likely
Little Bee-eater
LC

Little Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops pusillus

40–50% · Likely
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
LC

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Plocepasser mahali

40–50% · Likely
Blue-breasted Cordonbleu
LC

Blue-breasted Cordonbleu

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Uraeginthus angolensis

40–50% · Likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

40–50% · Likely
Superb Starling
LC

Superb Starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis superbus

30–40% · Possible
Yellow-throated Sparrow
LC

Yellow-throated Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gymnoris superciliaris

30–40% · Possible
Long-tailed Fiscal
LC

Long-tailed Fiscal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lanius cabanisi

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

20–30% · Possible
Painted Dwarf Gecko
LC

Painted Dwarf Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lygodactylus picturatus

20–30% · Possible
Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

20–30% · Possible
Flap-necked Chameleon
LC

Flap-necked Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chamaeleo dilepis

Insufficient data
African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

Insufficient data
Southern African Python
LC

Southern African Python

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Python natalensis

Insufficient data
Rock Monitor
LC

Rock Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus albigularis

Insufficient data
Puff Adder
LC

Puff Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bitis arietans

Insufficient data
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

Insufficient data
Cape Dwarf Gecko
LC

Cape Dwarf Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lygodactylus capensis

Insufficient data
Flathead Leaf-toed Gecko
LC

Flathead Leaf-toed Gecko

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Hemidactylus platycephalus

Insufficient data
Serrated Hinged Terrapin

Serrated Hinged Terrapin

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelusios sinuatus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Fornasini's Spiny Reed Frog
LC

Fornasini's Spiny Reed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Afrixalus fornasini

Insufficient data
Red-Banded Rubber Frog
LC

Red-Banded Rubber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Phrynomantis bifasciatus

Insufficient data
Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

Insufficient data
Rocky River Frog
NT Endemic

Rocky River Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Arthroleptides yakusini

Insufficient data
Müller's Platanna
LC

Müller's Platanna

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Xenopus muelleri

Insufficient data
African Common Toad
LC

African Common Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Sclerophrys gutturalis

Insufficient data
African Split-skin Toad
LC

African Split-skin Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Schismaderma carens

Insufficient data
Shovel-nosed Frog
LC

Shovel-nosed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hemisus marmoratus

Insufficient data
Anchieta's Ridged Frog
LC

Anchieta's Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena anchietae

Insufficient data
Edible bullfrog
LC

Edible bullfrog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Pyxicephalus edulis

Insufficient data
Parker's Reed Frog
LC

Parker's Reed Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Hyperolius parkeri

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Floodplain Grazing Peak

Apr

Following seasonal rains, the lush floodplains burst into life, attracting large herds of African Bush Elephant and Impala as they take advantage of the nutrient-rich new grasses.

Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

60–70% · Likely
African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Dry Season Waterhole Concentration

Aug

As surface water dwindles, wildlife such as the Plains Zebra and opportunistic predators like the Spotted Hyena concentrate densely around remaining permanent water sources and riverbeds.

Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

Insufficient data
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Wet Season Calving & Amphibian Chorus

NovDec

The arrival of heavy rains triggers the annual calving season for herbivores like the Blue Wildebeest, while African Buffalo herds thrive on fresh grazing and temporary wetlands erupt with frog vocalizations.

Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

50–60% · Likely
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

50–60% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
East African Giraffe
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
50–60
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
Lion
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
50–60
70–80
African Bush Elephant
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
40–50
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
Impala
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
Plains Zebra
40–50
70–80
80–90
50–60
40–50
70–80
50–60
70–80
50–60
70–80
50–60
60–70
Cape Turtle Dove
30–40
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
30–40
50–60
70–80
80–90
60–70
40–50
80–90
Common Warthog
40–50
50–60
70–80
50–60
40–50
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
40–50
Blue Wildebeest
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
Yellow Baboon
30–40
30–40
70–80
60–70
30–40
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
40–50
African Buffalo
40–50
50–60
80–90
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
60–70
20–30
40–50
60–70
70–80
Common Hippopotamus
10–20
40–50
70–80
50–60
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
30–40
20–30
60–70
50–60
Lilac-breasted Roller
30–40
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
20–30
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
Fork-tailed Drongo
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
70–80
60–70
40–50
40–50
30–40
Bateleur
20–30
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
30–40
60–70
40–50
40–50
Vervet Monkey
10–20
60–70
30–40
50–60
30–40
40–50
30–40
50–60
10–20
40–50
40–50
50–60
Lesser Striped-Swallow
20–30
30–40
30–40
30–40
20–30
30–40
20–30
60–70
60–70
40–50
40–50
30–40
Animal Events
🦌 Floodplain Grazing Peak
🦌 Dry Season Waterhole Concentration
🦌 Wet Season Calving & Amphibian Chorus

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🦒 Tanzania's Largest Giraffe Population Thrives Here

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
771
🐒 Mammals
210
🦎 Reptiles
145
🐸 Amphibians
53
1179 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
46 Threatened 30 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
62%
📊
Coverage (270 species at ≥5% of 1179 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
23%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (10 mammal, 2 bird)
46% Global avg
37%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
193
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
27
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
20

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Mikumi National Park?

The most likely sightings are East African Giraffe (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Lion (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), African Bush Elephant (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Impala (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Plains Zebra (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 1179 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Mikumi National Park for wildlife?

March has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see East African Giraffe in Mikumi National Park?

Yes — about 75% of wildlife watchers report a East African Giraffe sighting in Mikumi National Park, based on 47 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Lion in Mikumi National Park?

Yes — about 71% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Mikumi National Park, based on 40 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Mikumi National Park?

Yes — about 68% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Mikumi National Park, based on 36 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Impala in Mikumi National Park?

Yes — about 67% of wildlife watchers report a Impala sighting in Mikumi National Park, based on 34 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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