What You Need to Know: Mkomazi National Park is about 3 hours by road from Moshi. It has a fenced black rhino sanctuary, an African wild dog breeding program, and dry-country species such as gerenuks, fringe-eared oryxes and lesser kudus. Entry costs about US$35.40 per adult per day. It starts our 10-day Mkomazi, Usambara and Saadani route, and trips are quoted for your dates.
Wildlife of Mkomazi
The park covers about 3,245 km² of semi-arid savanna and bush. It is an extension of the Tsavo ecosystem, so elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, lions, leopards and cheetahs move across the border. It is the best place in Tanzania for species of the dry north: gerenuks, fringe-eared oryxes and lesser kudus.
| Animal | Why it's special |
|---|---|
| Gerenuk | A long-necked gazelle that feeds standing on its hind legs |
| Fringe-eared oryx | Desert antelope with long straight horns |
| Lesser kudu | Shy, striped antelope of the dry bush |
| African wild dog | Reintroduced through the park's breeding program |
| Eastern black rhino | In the fenced sanctuary |
Rhino Sanctuary and Wild Dog Program
The Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary, a fenced area inside the park, protects eastern black rhinos and supplies animals to other parks. A breeding program for African wild dogs has released packs back into the wild. Visits to the sanctuary are arranged with the park and depend on current rules.
Getting to Mkomazi
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Moshi | By road via Same | About 3 hours |
| Arusha | By road | About 4 hours |
| Usambara Mountains (Lushoto) | By road | About 2–3 hours |
| Dar es Salaam | By road | 6–7 hours |
Suggested Mkomazi Trips
| Length | Plan |
|---|---|
| 2 days | From Moshi, a night near the park and two game drives |
| 10 days | Mkomazi, the Usambara Mountains and Saadani, ending on the coast |
| After Kilimanjaro | A quiet 2–3 day safari close to Moshi, away from the busy northern parks |
Mkomazi Park Fees
| Fee | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Mkomazi conservation fee | About US$35.40 per adult per 24 hours (incl. 18% VAT); children 5–15 about US$11.80 |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Mkomazi?
June to October and January to February are dry and best for game viewing. The park is hot all year, so game drives are best early and late in the day.
Mkomazi is best in the dry seasons, June to October and January to February, when animals gather at waterholes and the tracks are easy. The short rains in November and the long rains from March to May turn the plains green, and the birding is excellent, but some tracks become difficult.
How We Run a Mkomazi Safari
We run our southern and western safaris ourselves, with our own team, and book the light-aircraft flights for you. Jaynevy Tours is a licensed Tanzanian tour operator (TALA licence 014271), based in Moshi.
A 30% deposit confirms your safari and the balance is paid on arrival. Refunds: 100% if you cancel 60 days or more before arrival, 90% at 30–59 days, 60% at 15–29 days, 25% at 10–14 days, and nothing under 10 days.
Practical Tips for Mkomazi
- Start game drives early: by midday the heat sends animals into the shade
- Carry plenty of water and sun protection
- Combine Mkomazi with the Usambara Mountains, 2–3 hours away, for cool walking after the dry plains
- Ask in advance about visiting the rhino sanctuary, as access depends on the park's current rules
Birds of Mkomazi
More than 400 bird species have been recorded, including dry-country birds rarely seen on the northern circuit, such as the golden-breasted starling, vulturine guineafowl and several hornbills.
A Park That Came Back
Mkomazi was once a game reserve under heavy pressure from grazing and poaching, and by the late 1980s much of its wildlife was gone. Restoration work since then, with fences, rangers and the rhino and wild dog programs, has helped it recover, and it became a national park in 2006. Today it is a symbol of what conservation can achieve in Tanzania.
The dry landscape, with its scattered baobabs, rocky hills and views of the Usambara and Pare mountains, feels very different from the northern circuit. Wildlife is less dense than in the Serengeti, but the sense of space and solitude is part of the reward.
Mkomazi is about three hours from Moshi, and pairs well with the Usambara Mountains or a quiet safari after a Kilimanjaro climb.
Where to Stay in Mkomazi
Mkomazi has only a few lodges and camps, mostly on rocky hills inside or just outside the park, with views over the plains towards Kilimanjaro on clear days. With so few beds, the park never feels busy. Simple guesthouses in Same, near the main gate, are an option on a budget.
Most visitors spend one or two nights, often combined with the Usambara Mountains or a Kilimanjaro climb.
Combining Mkomazi with Other Trips
Mkomazi works well at the start of our 10-day route through the Usambara Mountains and Saadani, or as a quiet two-day safari after a Kilimanjaro climb, close to Moshi. It also pairs with Tsavo West across the border for travelers combining Tanzania and Kenya.
Common Questions About Mkomazi
Can you see rhinos in Mkomazi?
The black rhinos live in a fenced sanctuary inside the park; visits are arranged with the park and depend on current rules.
How far is Mkomazi from Moshi?
About 3 hours by road, via Same.
Is Mkomazi good after Kilimanjaro?
Yes: it is close to Moshi and very quiet, a relaxed safari after the climb.
Is Mkomazi busy?
No. It is one of Tanzania's quietest parks, with very few vehicles.
Is Mkomazi good for a first safari?
It is better as a second park or a quiet add-on; for a first safari, the northern circuit has more wildlife.
When did Mkomazi become a national park?
In 2006, after years as a game reserve.
How many days should I spend in Mkomazi?
One or two nights is enough for most visitors.
The Bottom Line
Mkomazi is a quiet, dry-country park close to Moshi, with rhino and wild dog conservation at its heart. Combine it with the Usambaras or a Kilimanjaro climb.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers and the parks you are interested in through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our team will reply with a written quotation.