Size: 3,234 sq km (2005 sq miles)
Location: Northeastern Tanzania, 112 km (69 miles) from Moshi Town and 550 km (341 miles) from Dar-es-Salaam.

East of the Pare Mountains, Mkomazi Game Reserve falls along the edge of a semi-arid savanna arc that stretches into bordering Kenya's Tsavo East National Park. Every day, thousands of people pass near its gates at Same Town on one of Tanzania's busiest highways. Few, however, know of this destination rugged acacia-covered beauty beside the Usambara and Pare mountains, with Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. Mkomazi takes its name from the Pare tribe's word for “water source”, referring to the Umba River on Mkomazi's south eastern border.

Endangered black rhino and wild dog have found refuge in the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary along with the adjacent Umba Reserve in order to better protect those and other species. Within the park, the Sanctuary has attained international renown for rehabilitating black rhinos, and it offers limitless viewing and educational opportunities for travellers.  As a game reserve, Mkomazi is fast becoming a African safari attraction with a glorious sanctuary where travellers will explore more of the country's hidden natural treasures.

Wildlife
Mkomazi safari attractions include the river and other water holes that keep reserve teeming with small and large mammals, including silver backed jackal, lion, cheetah, leopard, lesser kudu, giraffe, buffalo, elephant and zebra. Bird watchers also delight in trying to spot any number of Mkomazi's 450 avian species, from wood hoopoe to tawny eagle, parrot to kingfisher.  Herds of the tall slender-necked Gerenuks, with their bizarre alien-like heads, survive in Mkomazi's arid lands where other antelope cannot; the Gerenuk even stand on their hind legs to stretch for the tiny leaves of thorny bushes and trees.

How to get there
By road, Mkomazi is easily accessible via Same Town on the Arusha-Dar-es-Salaam highway. Charter flights are available to the Zange, Same, Kisima and Ibaya airstrips.

What to do
Game drives, walking safaris, mountain hikes, camping and bird watching. Learn more about conservation and rhinoceros at the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary.

When to go
Late June-early September is best for large mammal and bird watching. Scenic beauty is at its peak March-June.

Accommodation
One semi-permanent tented safari camp, Babu's Camp, near the park headquarters. Other designated basic camp sites throughout the park. There are small hotels and guest houses in Same Town.