Large mammals & ungulates

• Elephants and African buffalo – large herds often roam the plains or come to waterholes.

• Giraffes – browsing treetops across the savannah. 

• Various antelope species adapted to dry-country: e.g. oryx (including fringe-eared/beisa oryx), lesser kudu, gerenuk (‘giraffe-gazelle’), eland, hartebeest, Grant’s gazelle, impala. 

• Zebras, wildebeest, warthogs – commonly found, especially in more open plains or near waterholes. 

Endangered & rare species (your ‘special encounter’ potential)

• Black Rhinoceros – thanks to protected sanctuary zones, you have a good chance to spot them, making Mkomazi special among Tanzanian parks. 

• African Wild Dog – restored population in the park, unique opportunity to observe this rare and highly social predator. 

Carnivores & predators (less common, but possible if you’re lucky)

• Big cats: Lion, Leopard, Cheetah – sightings are rarer than in the more ‘touristy’ national parks, but they do live here. 

• Other predators & small carnivores: hyenas (spotted or striped), jackals, smaller cats such as serval or caracal, mongooses, genets, civets – these make the nightscape of the park rich in wildlife. 

Birdlife & other inhabitants

• Mkomazi is a birdwatcher’s paradise: around 400 to 450 bird species recorded. 

• Typical sightings: ostriches, large ground-birds like the Kori Bustard, ground hornbills, various hornbills, weaver birds, guinea-fowl, raptors (e.g. eagles), plus many smaller dry-country or migratory species such as warblers.

Into the Wild – First Game Drive

Your journey begins at sunrise as we pick you up from Moshi and head east toward the untamed frontier of Mkomazi National Park. The road leads you through rolling plains and the striking silhouettes of the Pare Mountains – your gateway to one of Tanzania’s most raw and untouched wilderness areas.

By late morning you arrive at the park and dive straight into your first game drive. Mkomazi’s semi-arid savannah unfolds in wide, golden stretches – perfect terrain for spotting wildlife. Keep your eyes open for towering giraffes, zebra herds cutting across the plains, and an impressive variety of dry-country antelopes such as the elegant oryx, long-necked gerenuk, stately eland, and the secretive lesser kudu. Elephant families often roam the open bush, and buffalo gather in the lowlands or near water.

Birdlife bursts across the landscape, from towering Kori bustards and ostriches to colourful hornbills and raptors circling overhead. If luck is on your side, you might even catch a first glimpse of Mkomazi’s elusive predators – lion, cheetah, or leopard – who blend silently into the rugged terrain.

You break for lunch inside the park, surrounded by vast horizons, before continuing your afternoon exploration. The wilderness here feels authentic and untouched – no crowds, just pure safari atmosphere.

As the sun dips low, you head toward your tented camp for a warm welcome, dinner, and your first night under the African stars.

Accommodation:  Tented Camp in Mkomazi National Park

A Rare Encounter – Conservation in Action

Wake up to the sounds of the bush and enjoy breakfast as the first light washes over Mkomazi’s rugged hills. Today is the heart of your adventure – a journey into two of Africa’s most important conservation success stories.

Your morning begins with an exclusive visit to the Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary, a heavily protected refuge where the critically endangered black rhino is being brought back from the brink. Here, rangers and conservationists work tirelessly to monitor, protect, and breed these magnificent creatures. Watching a black rhino stride across its sanctuary is a powerful reminder of Africa’s wild heritage – and why it must be protected.

From there, you continue to the African Wild Dog Conservation Center. African wild dogs are among the continent’s rarest and most charismatic predators, known for their intelligence, teamwork, and beautiful painted coats. This project is one of Tanzania’s most successful efforts to rebuild their numbers. Standing just meters from a pack, you’ll feel the energy and curiosity of these incredible animals – a thrilling moment few safari-goers ever experience.

After your conservation visits, head out for an afternoon game drive across Mkomazi’s sweeping savannahs. Keep watch for elephants, giraffes, buffalo, oryx, zebra, and an abundance of birdlife. With luck, you may even spot lions or cheetahs against the volcanic ridges.

Return to your tented camp for dinner, a campfire atmosphere, and another peaceful night under the star-filled sky.

Accommodation: Tented Camp in Mkomazi National Park

Final Safari Moments – Farewell to the Wilderness

Your final morning in Mkomazi begins with a relaxed breakfast before setting out for one last game drive. Early hours in the park are magical – golden light, cooler air, and animals on the move. Look out for giraffes stepping across the plains, elephants browsing in the thickets, and antelopes grazing in the morning calm.

Birdlife is particularly active now, with raptors riding thermals and ground birds striding across the savannah. Every bend of the track offers a chance for one final memorable sighting.

After your final circuit through the park, begin your journey back toward Moshi or Arusha, arriving in the afternoon. Though your safari ends today, the memories – especially of rhinos and wild dogs – will stay with you long after the dust settles.