Mkomazi Game Reserve
swala@habari.co.tz
Page modified May 28, 2006

Mkomazi Camp   Highlights   Getting to Mkomazi   Walking Safaris    Mountain Biking   Tariffs

Mkomazi Game Reserve is 3700 kms in area and lies to the south of Kenya's Tsavo National Park. Mkomazi is expected to be designated a National Park in the latter half of 2005 and will be known as Mkomazi National Park. Until then, it remains as a Game Reserve. 

Mkomazi National Park and Tsavo National Park may one day be joined to form a trans-national park.

Mkomazi has spectacular scenery. On the western side are the Pare Mountains and to the South-East the Umba River. There are amazing views of Mt. Kilimanjaro;.from 60 kms distance, one gets an awesome impression of how big and how massive Kilimanjaro is when  compared with the mountains surrounding Mkomazi Game Reserve (Kilimanjaro is the largest standing volcanic massif in the world).

Mkomazi Game Reserve is the home of the Tony Fitzjohn/George AdamsonAfrican Wildlife Preservation Trust. It has been largely responsible for establishing a rhino sanctuary of 25,000 acres and a breeding program for wild dogs . There are seven rhinos in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is open to visitors (entry fee $20). Mkomazi Camp offers overnight stays in a hide in the sanctuary.

Itinerary: 7 Days Mkomazi Game Reserve and Tanzania Coast. Accommodation at Mkomazi Camp and Emayani Lodge. 
Cost:  2 Persons $895; 4 Persons $720. Includes game drives, full board accommodation, entrance fees, transfers.  

Day 1. Depart Arusha for Mkomazi.  Day 2. Game viewing in Mkomazi. Day 3. Drive to Rhino Sanctuary. Hiking/Mountain Biking. Day 4. Drive to Tanzania Coast (Pangani-Ushongo). Day 5-6. Emayani Lodge.  Day 7. Return to Arusha.  

Emayani is situated 45 kms south of Tanga on a beautiful tropical beach. This is one of the best beaches - 15 kms long! - in East Africa and still unspoilt by tourism. Highly recommended.

Mkomazi Game Reserve Highlights:

The main attractions of Mkomazi are the scenery and privacy. There are no villages in the park. The Reserve is not a developed tourist area, and this is what is particularly appealing to the Reserve. Other vehicles are rarely seen.  It's a quiet little corner of the African savannah.

Highlights: Game Viewing - Night Game Drive - Rhino Sanctuary - Wild Dog Breeding Program - Walks/Mountain Biking - Birding

There are over 30 large mammal species in the Reserve. Wildlife viewing may not be as spectacular as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, but there are decent sized herds of elephant, zebra, hartebeest, eland and giraffe. The main predators animals such as lion, hyena, leopard and cheetah can also be seen. But game viewing is away from the maddening crowds of 4 wheel drive vehicles. Animals are a little shy, either because they are afraid of being  shot or because they are not used to seeing vehicles, but eventually they get habituated to them. With more visitors entering the Reserve, relationships between animals and tourists will have to be based on a lot less fear and a lot more trust.

Mkomazi Game Reserve's privacy must be paid for to justify it's existence to Tanzanians. Mkomazi Camp has the privilege of allowing to be located in the Reserve; the camp has therefore remained small, exclusive, but affordable. 

Mkomazi Camp is the main accommodation available in the Reserve. It is run by Teena Payne and Steve John. Teena is from Australia and has a degree in biology. Steve is from the UK and has a degree in zoology. Both of them were previously teachers in their respective subjects and with their professional backgrounds they naturally have a great interest in wildlife and the environment. They have been in Tanzania for over five years.

Mkomazi Camp is small, simple and comfortable. Tents are spacious and have attached bathrooms with shower and long drop toilet. The camp is located 8 kms from the entrance gate of Zange.

Mkomazi Camp Tariffs:

Entrance Fee $20 per person. Valid for one week.
Single Tent    Half Board $110;  Full Board $120.
Double Tent  Half Board $170.  Full Board $190.

Game Drives per vehicle:

Full day   $100;  Half Day $  60
Night game drive $15 per person.
Rhino Sanctuary day visit $20 per person.
Rhino Sanctuary overnight in hide $110 per person (sleeping bag and mattress provided). Bush breakfast in the morning.

There is no charge for short hikes near the camp.

Walking and Biking Safaris:

Two days:   $240 per person.   Three days: $330 per person.

Birding Safaris: 

Mkomazi Game Reserve has over 400 species of birds. Keen birders are encouraged to include Mkomazi in their program as many of the species seen in the Reserve are those whose distribution is limited to the eastern part of Tanzania, e.g. Hunter's Sunbird (Chalcomitra hunteri), Banded Green Sunbird (Anthreptes rubritorques) and White-chested Alethe (Alethe fuelleborni). 

Swala Safaris will be happy to arrange birding safaris for small specialist groups or individuals.

Getting to Mkomazi Game Reserve. The small town of Same ('sah-may) is 5 kilometres from the entrance gate.

By Road: Transfer vehicle are either 4-wheel drive (5 passengers) or minibuses.

Moshi 90 minutes.  Transfer $100 each way per vehicle.
Arusha 2.5 hours. Transfer $140 each way.
Dar es Salaam 5 hours. Transfer $180 each way.

There are numerous reliable and efficient bus services departing daily for Same from Arusha, Moshi and Dar es Salaam. Swala Safaris will be happy to make the necessary bookings for you at no extra cost. If you make the booking yourself, make sure you do so with a reliable bus service.

Mkomazi Camp will collect you from Same Bus Station for which there will be a charge of $20 per vehicle. 

By Air:

There is an airstrip for light aircraft. There are no scheduled flights. Rates will be given on request.Tariffs are valid until 31 March 2007.