Mkomazi National Park

🇹🇿 Tanzania

🦎 West Usambara Two-horned Chamaeleon Sanctuary
🌍 #140 Global · 3.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #50 in Africa #50 in Savanna & Grassland
East Africa, Tanzania 1572 spp. recorded

Mkomazi National Park is a tropical savanna reserve in northeastern Tanzania, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pare and Usambara mountain ranges. This arid landscape stands apart from greener southern parks through its vast acacia woodlands and open semi-arid plains, creating a rugged frontier habitat for specialized East African wildlife.

-4.183° S   38.185° 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

Black Rhinoceros ★
CR

Black Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Diceros bicornis

20–30% · Possible
Painted Hunting Dog ★
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

Insufficient data
East African Giraffe ★

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

40–50% · Likely
East African Oryx ★
EN

East African Oryx

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Oryx beisa

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Usambara Double-collared Sunbird
LC

Usambara Double-collared Sunbird

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Cinnyris usambaricus

60–70% · Likely
West Usambara two-horned chamaeleon
EN

West Usambara two-horned chamaeleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Kinyongia multituberculata

50–60% · Likely
African Dusky Flycatcher
LC

African Dusky Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Muscicapa adusta

50–60% · Likely
Black Sawwing
LC

Black Sawwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psalidoprocne pristoptera

50–60% · Likely
Bar-throated Apalis
LC

Bar-throated Apalis

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Apalis thoracica

40–50% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

40–50% · Likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

40–50% · Likely
Hartlaub's Turaco
LC

Hartlaub's Turaco

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tauraco hartlaubi

30–40% · Possible
White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher
LC

White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Elminia albonotata

30–40% · Possible
African Tailorbird
LC

African Tailorbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Artisornis metopias

30–40% · Possible
Eastern Mountain Greenbul
LC

Eastern Mountain Greenbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Arizelocichla nigriceps

30–40% · Possible
D'Arnaud's Barbet
LC

D'Arnaud's Barbet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trachyphonus darnaudii

30–40% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Black Rhinoceros ★
CR

Black Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Diceros bicornis

20–30% · Possible
Painted Hunting Dog ★
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

Insufficient data
East African Giraffe ★

East African Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa tippelskirchi

40–50% · Likely
East African Oryx ★
EN

East African Oryx

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Oryx beisa

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

30–40% · Possible
Hartebeest
LC

Hartebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alcelaphus buselaphus

30–40% · Possible
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

20–30% · Possible
Common Eland

Common Eland

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Taurotragus oryx

20–30% · Possible
Angola Colobus
VU

Angola Colobus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Colobus angolensis

20–30% · Possible
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

20–30% · Possible
Lesser Kudu
NT

Lesser Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus imberbis

20–30% · Possible
Serval
LC

Serval

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Leptailurus serval

20–30% · Possible
Unstriped Ground Squirrel
LC

Unstriped Ground Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Xerus rutilus

10–20% · With luck
Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

10–20% · With luck
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

10–20% · With luck
Gerenuk

Gerenuk

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Litocranius walleri

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Usambara Double-collared Sunbird
LC

Usambara Double-collared Sunbird

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Cinnyris usambaricus

60–70% · Likely
African Dusky Flycatcher
LC

African Dusky Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Muscicapa adusta

50–60% · Likely
Black Sawwing
LC

Black Sawwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Psalidoprocne pristoptera

50–60% · Likely
Bar-throated Apalis
LC

Bar-throated Apalis

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Apalis thoracica

40–50% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

40–50% · Likely
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

40–50% · Likely
Hartlaub's Turaco
LC

Hartlaub's Turaco

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tauraco hartlaubi

30–40% · Possible
White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher
LC

White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Elminia albonotata

30–40% · Possible
African Tailorbird
LC

African Tailorbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Artisornis metopias

30–40% · Possible
Eastern Mountain Greenbul
LC

Eastern Mountain Greenbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Arizelocichla nigriceps

30–40% · Possible
D'Arnaud's Barbet
LC

D'Arnaud's Barbet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trachyphonus darnaudii

30–40% · Possible
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
LC

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Plocepasser mahali

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

West Usambara two-horned chamaeleon
EN

West Usambara two-horned chamaeleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Kinyongia multituberculata

50–60% · Likely
Flap-necked Chameleon
LC

Flap-necked Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chamaeleo dilepis

20–30% · Possible
African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

10–20% · With luck
Speke’s sand lizard
LC

Speke’s sand lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Heliobolus spekii

10–20% · With luck
Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

Insufficient data
Sudan Mabuya
LC

Sudan Mabuya

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis brevicollis

Insufficient data
Rock Monitor
LC

Rock Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus albigularis

Insufficient data
Rosette-nosed Chameleon
EN

Rosette-nosed Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Rhampholeon spinosus

10–20% · With luck
Painted Dwarf Gecko
LC

Painted Dwarf Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lygodactylus picturatus

Insufficient data
Kenyan Rock Agama
LC

Kenyan Rock Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Agama lionotus

Insufficient data
Green pygmy chameleon
EN

Green pygmy chameleon

Reptile

Rhampholeon viridis

Insufficient data
🦎 No photo available
LC

Uthmöller's Chameleon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Kinyongia uthmoelleri

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

Insufficient data
Gong Rock Frog
LC Endemic

Gong Rock Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyperolius glandicolor

Insufficient data
Mainland Reed Frog
LC

Mainland Reed Frog

Amphibian

Hyperolius substriatus

Insufficient data
Shovel-nosed Frog
LC

Shovel-nosed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hemisus marmoratus

Insufficient data
Yellow-spotted Tree Frog
LC

Yellow-spotted Tree Frog

Amphibian

Leptopelis flavomaculatus

Insufficient data
Mazumbai Warty Frog
EN

Mazumbai Warty Frog

Amphibian

Callulina kisiwamsitu

Insufficient data
Red-Banded Rubber Frog
LC

Red-Banded Rubber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Phrynomantis bifasciatus

Insufficient data
Water Lily Reed Frog
LC

Water Lily Reed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Hyperolius pusillus

Insufficient data
African Common Toad
LC

African Common Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Sclerophrys gutturalis

Insufficient data
Edible bullfrog
LC

Edible bullfrog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Pyxicephalus edulis

Insufficient data
Delicate Spiny Reed Frog
LC

Delicate Spiny Reed Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Afrixalus delicatus

Insufficient data
Anchieta's Ridged Frog
LC

Anchieta's Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena anchietae

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Dry Season Wildlife Concentration

JunJulAugSep

As water sources dwindle during the dry months, large mammals concentrate near remaining permanent waterholes and riverbeds, offering exceptional game viewing.

Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

20–30% · Possible
African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

30–40% · Possible
🐸

Wet Season Amphibian Chorus

MarAprNov

Seasonal rains transform the arid landscapes into lush breeding grounds, triggering massive choruses and activity among specialized amphibians.

Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

Insufficient data
Gong Rock Frog
LC Endemic

Gong Rock Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyperolius glandicolor

Insufficient data
🐦

Peak Birdwatching Migration and Nesting

OctNovDec

The end-of-year months coincide with peak seasonal activity and plumage displays for numerous resident and migratory bird species.

African Dusky Flycatcher
LC

African Dusky Flycatcher

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Muscicapa adusta

50–60% · Likely
Usambara Double-collared Sunbird
LC

Usambara Double-collared Sunbird

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Cinnyris usambaricus

60–70% · 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
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
Black Rhinoceros
30–40
30–40
30–40
5–10
20–30
30–40
30–40
50–60
20–30
5–10
5–10
10–20
Painted Hunting Dog
<5
20–30
<5
<5
5–10
<5
20–30
20–30
<5
<5
<5
<5
East African Giraffe
30–40
40–50
40–50
10–20
30–40
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
20–30
50–60
East African Oryx
30–40
20–30
5–10
5–10
10–20
30–40
5–10
20–30
30–40
20–30
20–30
5–10
Usambara Double-collared Sunbird
30–40
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
West Usambara two-horned chamaeleon
60–70
60–70
60–70
30–40
70–80
50–60
30–40
60–70
30–40
60–70
50–60
50–60
African Dusky Flycatcher
20–30
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
30–40
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
Black Sawwing
40–50
40–50
60–70
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
Bar-throated Apalis
30–40
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
30–40
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
Fork-tailed Drongo
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
Common Bulbul
30–40
30–40
40–50
30–40
50–60
60–70
40–50
20–30
30–40
40–50
70–80
40–50
Hartlaub's Turaco
20–30
40–50
20–30
30–40
20–30
20–30
50–60
20–30
30–40
60–70
30–40
40–50
White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher
10–20
30–40
20–30
30–40
20–30
50–60
30–40
30–40
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
African Tailorbird
20–30
30–40
30–40
20–30
20–30
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
30–40
50–60
Eastern Mountain Greenbul
10–20
30–40
30–40
40–50
20–30
10–20
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
30–40
30–40
D'Arnaud's Barbet
50–60
20–30
30–40
20–30
40–50
30–40
40–50
30–40
30–40
20–30
30–40
30–40
Animal Events
🦌 Dry Season Wildlife Concentration
🐸 Wet Season Amphibian Chorus
🐦 Peak Birdwatching Migration and Nesting

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
🦎 West Usambara Two-horned Chamaeleon Sanctuary

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
917
🐒 Mammals
320
🦎 Reptiles
247
🐸 Amphibians
88
1572 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
88 Threatened 5 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
46%
📊
Coverage (347 species at ≥5% of 1572 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
22%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (10 bird, 1 reptile, 1 mammal)
46% Global avg
39%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
231
🌟
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
25
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
8

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Mkomazi National Park?

The most likely sightings are Usambara Double-collared Sunbird (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), West Usambara two-horned chamaeleon (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), African Dusky Flycatcher (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Black Sawwing (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Bar-throated Apalis (seen by 40–50% of wildlife watchers) — among 1572 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

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

October 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 Black Rhinoceros in Mkomazi National Park?

Yes — about 28% of wildlife watchers report a Black Rhinoceros sighting in Mkomazi National Park, based on 13 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Painted Hunting Dog in Mkomazi National Park?

It's possible but not guaranteed: about 11% of wildlife watchers report a Painted Hunting Dog sighting in Mkomazi National Park, based on 3 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.

Can you see East African Giraffe in Mkomazi National Park?

Yes — about 44% of wildlife watchers report a East African Giraffe sighting in Mkomazi National Park, based on 29 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see East African Oryx in Mkomazi National Park?

Yes — about 23% of wildlife watchers report a East African Oryx sighting in Mkomazi National Park, based on 9 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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