AUTHENTIC SAFARIS & PERSONALIZED TOURS IN MIKUMI WITH AFRICANMECCA

At Mikumi, game is more varied, but not as densely congregated as it is in the Serengeti. Because of the distances involved in moving from one of interest to another, the usual way to make the most of a wildlife safari in Mikumi is to set out from your camp in the early morning on a game viewing drive (read more on where to stay in Mikumi).

An experienced and knowledgeable guide will take you in a specially built safari vehicle which affords maximum visibility from tiered seats protected by a sunshade canopy. On board refreshments and two-way radio ensure your comfort and maximal reciprocal sharing of wildlife tracking intelligence as you excursion this part of southern Tanzania. Four-wheel drive is essential for authentic African explorations in Tanzania.



The terrain can be challenging in the wet season, but there is a circuit of paved roads leading from the central Mkata floodplain with its herds of elephants, buffalos, impalas and zebras, to the pool of grunting hippos, crocodiles and birder’s paradise towards Mwanamboga waterhole dam in the north, and to Kikoboga in the south, haunt of yellow baboon and unforgettable but rare wild dogs with their black, white and tan coloring and their huge, rounded, erect ears that catch the slightest crunch in the vegetation.

Some of the plains animals seen on game-spotting tour have similarly outsize ears. The rare bat-eared fox which may be seen on termite mounds in the early evening can detect insect movements more than a foot underground. Good dirt roads lead towards miombo woodlands climbing the foothills of the enclosing Uluguru and Udzungwa mountains. In the woodland, the largest African antelope, the mighty eland, is sure to be seen, and probably the roan and greater kudu, as well as the rare sable.



Specialist photography and bird-watching drives are best in the afternoons when the spectacular gold and amber coloring of the dry, grassy plains changes dramatically with the approach of sunset: when stark shadows lengthen and the brassy sky softens to pink and lilac. Warthogs like cartoon characters (Pumba in Lion King) sprint across the plain, pennant tails aloft. Amusing, long-necked guinea fowl waddle like chickens in the road.

Vultures hunch in the shadows awaiting the chance to scavenge from the lordly lion lounging at ease in the golden grass. You will gasp when your eyes focus clearly, and as you make him out in surety, he motions and watches his attendant lionesses slinking belly down to approach their unsuspecting prey. As you return to camp from your Mikumi wildlife excursion in the twilight evening, your AfricanMecca assigned guide may point out nocturnal animals emerging from their lairs: bush babies, porcupines, and possibly even an elusive leopard, green eyes agleam.

A full day Tanzanian forest safari excursion to the Udzungwa Mountains affords the chance to get down and walk amongst orchids and African violets, where tropical rainforest flourishes under high escarpments down which tumble fantastic waterfalls.