Mkomazi National Park
🇹🇿 Tanzania
🦎 West Usambara Two-horned Chamaeleon SanctuaryMkomazi National Park is a tropical savanna reserve in northeastern Tanzania, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Pare and Usambara mountain ranges. This arid landscape stands apart from greener southern parks through its vast acacia woodlands and open semi-arid plains, creating a rugged frontier habitat for specialized East African wildlife.
-4.183° S 38.185° E
Wildlife
⭐ Iconic Species
★ 
Black Rhinoceros
Diceros bicornis
★ 
Painted Hunting Dog
Lycaon pictus
★ 
East African Giraffe
Giraffa tippelskirchi
★ 
East African Oryx
Oryx beisa
📊 Most Spotted
Usambara Double-collared Sunbird
Cinnyris usambaricus
West Usambara two-horned chamaeleon
Kinyongia multituberculata
African Dusky Flycatcher
Muscicapa adusta
Black Sawwing
Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Bar-throated Apalis
Apalis thoracica
Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
Common Bulbul
Pycnonotus barbatus
Hartlaub's Turaco
Tauraco hartlaubi
White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher
Elminia albonotata
African Tailorbird
Artisornis metopias
African Bush Elephant
Loxodonta africana
Eastern Mountain Greenbul
Arizelocichla nigriceps
⭐ Iconic Species
★ Black Rhinoceros
Diceros bicornis
★ Painted Hunting Dog
Lycaon pictus
★ East African Giraffe
Giraffa tippelskirchi
★ East African Oryx
Oryx beisa
📊 Most Spotted
African Bush Elephant
Loxodonta africana
Hartebeest
Alcelaphus buselaphus
Plains Zebra
Equus quagga
Common Eland
Taurotragus oryx
Angola Colobus
Colobus angolensis
African Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
Lesser Kudu
Tragelaphus imberbis
Serval
Leptailurus serval
Unstriped Ground Squirrel
Xerus rutilus
Lion
Panthera leo
Vervet Monkey
Chlorocebus pygerythrus
Gerenuk
Litocranius walleri
📊 Most Spotted
Usambara Double-collared Sunbird
Cinnyris usambaricus
African Dusky Flycatcher
Muscicapa adusta
Black Sawwing
Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Bar-throated Apalis
Apalis thoracica
Fork-tailed Drongo
Dicrurus adsimilis
Common Bulbul
Pycnonotus barbatus
Hartlaub's Turaco
Tauraco hartlaubi
White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher
Elminia albonotata
African Tailorbird
Artisornis metopias
Eastern Mountain Greenbul
Arizelocichla nigriceps
D'Arnaud's Barbet
Trachyphonus darnaudii
White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
Plocepasser mahali
📊 Most Spotted
West Usambara two-horned chamaeleon
Kinyongia multituberculata
Flap-necked Chameleon
Chamaeleo dilepis
African Striped Skink
Trachylepis striata
Speke’s sand lizard
Heliobolus spekii
Rosette-nosed Chameleon
Rhampholeon spinosus
Leopard Tortoise
Stigmochelys pardalis
Sudan Mabuya
Trachylepis brevicollis
Rock Monitor
Varanus albigularis
Painted Dwarf Gecko
Lygodactylus picturatus
Kenyan Rock Agama
Agama lionotus
Green pygmy chameleon
Rhampholeon viridis
Uthmöller's Chameleon
Kinyongia uthmoelleri
📊 Most Spotted
Senegal Kassina
Kassina senegalensis
Gong Rock Frog
Hyperolius glandicolor
Mainland Reed Frog
Hyperolius substriatus
Shovel-nosed Frog
Hemisus marmoratus
Yellow-spotted Tree Frog
Leptopelis flavomaculatus
Mazumbai Warty Frog
Callulina kisiwamsitu
Red-Banded Rubber Frog
Phrynomantis bifasciatus
Water Lily Reed Frog
Hyperolius pusillus
African Common Toad
Sclerophrys gutturalis
Edible bullfrog
Pyxicephalus edulis
Delicate Spiny Reed Frog
Afrixalus delicatus
Anchieta's Ridged Frog
Ptychadena anchietae
Recent sightings in Mkomazi National Park
LIVEiNaturalistAnimal Events
1Dry Season Wildlife Concentration
As water sources dwindle during the dry months, large mammals concentrate near remaining permanent waterholes and riverbeds, offering exceptional game viewing.
2Wet Season Amphibian Chorus
Seasonal rains transform the arid landscapes into lush breeding grounds, triggering massive choruses and activity among specialized amphibians.
3Peak Birdwatching Migration and Nesting
The end-of-year months coincide with peak seasonal activity and plumage displays for numerous resident and migratory bird species.
Sighting Calendar
Average chance of spotting the park's most-spotted species, month by month
- 1Dry Season Wildlife Concentration
- 2Wet Season Amphibian Chorus
- 3Peak Birdwatching Migration and Nesting
Sighting Zones
Warmer areas are where all species together are recorded most often.
Essentials
Climate
What visitors saw
Serval Northern carmine bee-eater We had seen carmine bee-eater at the banks of the Kovango river in Namibia, where they breed in the cliffs along the river.
During the long drive from Fish Eagle Point to the park, we saw many poor villages all the way up to almost the border of the park.
We encountered several gazelles, zebras, and warthogs along the way.
We encountered several gazelles, zebras, and warthogs along the way.
Quick answers
What animals can you see in Mkomazi National Park?
The most likely sightings are Usambara Double-collared Sunbird (seen by about 60% of wildlife watchers), West Usambara two-horned chamaeleon (seen by about 60% of wildlife watchers), African Dusky Flycatcher (seen by about 50% of wildlife watchers), Black Sawwing (seen by about 50% of wildlife watchers), Bar-throated Apalis (seen by about 50% of wildlife watchers) — among 1572 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.
When is the best time to visit Mkomazi National Park for wildlife?
October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.
Can you see Black Rhinoceros in Mkomazi National Park?
Yes — about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Black Rhinoceros sighting in Mkomazi National Park, based on 14 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Can you see Painted Hunting Dog in Mkomazi National Park?
It's possible but not guaranteed: about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Painted Hunting Dog sighting in Mkomazi National Park, based on 4 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.
Can you see East African Giraffe in Mkomazi National Park?
Yes — about 50% of wildlife watchers report a East African Giraffe sighting in Mkomazi National Park, based on 40 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Can you see East African Oryx in Mkomazi National Park?
Yes — about 30% of wildlife watchers report a East African Oryx sighting in Mkomazi National Park, based on 9 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
Where Wildlife Score
How good is this park for seeing wildlife?Biodiversity
ExcellentHow rich is the wildlife?
Sighting
Very goodHow likely to see animals?
Experience
ExcellentHow easy and pleasant is the visit?
