- Home
- Destinations
- Mkomazi
Mkomazi National Park
Rhino and wild dog sanctuary beneath the Usambaras
- Size
- ≈ 3,245 km²
- Borders
- Tsavo West (Kenya)
- From Arusha
- ≈ 5 hrs drive
- Known for
- Black rhino, African wild dog
- Landscape
- Semi-arid savannah, inselbergs
- Best for
- Off-the-beaten-track safari
About Mkomazi
Mkomazi lies between Kilimanjaro and the Usambara Mountains, and forms one ecosystem with Kenya's Tsavo West across the border. Its dry bushland and granite hills feel completely different from the green northern parks.
The park is a conservation success story. A fenced sanctuary protects endangered black rhinos, and a breeding programme has returned African wild dogs to the area. It is also good for dry-country species such as gerenuk and lesser kudu.
Things to do
Game drives
Search for gerenuk, oryx, lesser kudu and elephants in dry-country bushland.
Rhino sanctuary
Learn about the black rhino breeding and protection programme (visits arranged in advance).
Usambara add-on
Combine with hiking and cultural visits in the cool Usambara Mountains.
Gallery
Mkomazi landscape photo: Wikimedia Commons (source & licence).
Getting there
About five hours by road from Arusha or Moshi, or an easy add-on between Kilimanjaro and the coast.
When to go
The dry seasons, June to October and January to February.
Combine Mkomazi with…
Ready to experience Mkomazi?
No obligation, no hidden costs. Tell us what you dream of, and a local expert will design a private itinerary around you.