Set below the verdant slopes of the Usambara and Pare Eastern Arc Mountain ranges and overseen by iconic snow capped peak of Kilimanjaro, Mkomazi a virgin beauty exhibiting natural treasures and immense sense of space, adds to the fulfillment of high visitor enjoyment expectations, a much needed bridge between northern circuit and coastal attractions.  Everyday thousands of people pass within a few miles of Mkomazi on one of the routes busy highway to the better known Tanzania game parks. The black rhino and the wild dog, both which were reintroduced in the 1990’s, are able to be seen here.  Nomadic by nature the wild dog might be seen almost anywhere in the park, but black rhino are restricted to a fenced area ensuring there safety from being poached.

This park supports several species that are rare elsewhere in Tanzania; these include the fringe-eared oryx, the lesser kudu, gerenuk, which stands on its hind legs to feed from the trees.

A game reserve since 1951, this new National park takes its name from Pare tribe’s word “for scoop water”, referring to little water.  It is a great location for bird watchers, having 450 different types of birds.

The size of the Mkomazi National Park is 1240 square miles, the location is northern Tanzania between Kilimanjaro and Tanga, the park borders Tsavo National Park in Kenya.  The Zange entrance gate lies 69 miles from Moshi, 341 miles from Mwailmu JK Nyerere International airport in Dar es Salam, it is 75 miles from Kilimanjaro Airport, and from Kilimanjaro National Park it 3.7 miles, from the town of Same.

How to get there by road, it is accessible via Same, which has a surfaced road connecting Arusha to Dar es Salam, The park is also can be accessed on special arrangement through Nijiro, Kivingo and Unba gates.

Things to do are game drives, camping, site seeing, bird watching walking safaris and hiking uphill.  Best time to go is late June to early September for large mammal and bird watching is at its peak March through June.

Accommodations, there is one semi permanent tented camp near the park headquarters, there are few campsites but must bring own gear and supplies.  There are several small hotels and guest houses in Same Town.