As dawn approaches, swirls of opaque mist obscure the rising sun. The first light casts a russet glow over the fluffy grass heads that ripple across the plain. A herd of zebras, blending seamlessly into their surroundings at this early hour, stand poised like ballerinas, their heads aligned and stripes flowing in graceful motion.

Mikumi National Park, located adjacent to Africa’s largest game reserve, the Selous, is intersected by the paved road connecting Dar es Salaam and Iringa. This makes it the most accessible segment of a 75,000 square kilometer (47,000 square mile) expanse of wilderness that extends nearly to the Indian Ocean.

The expansive horizons and rich wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the park’s prominent feature, are often compared to the renowned Serengeti Plains. Lions keep watch over their domain—from the tops of termite mounds or, during the rainy season, from high perches in trees—while zebra, wildebeest, impala, and buffalo herds migrate across the landscape. Giraffes browse in the isolated acacia groves along the Mkata River, which also provide shade for Mikumi’s elephants.

With a well-maintained network of game-viewing roads, the Mkata Floodplain is one of the best places in Tanzania to spot the powerful eland, the world’s largest antelope. The striking greater kudu and sable antelope are found in the miombo-covered foothills of the surrounding mountains.

The park is home to over 400 bird species, including vibrant residents like the lilac-breasted roller, yellow-throated longclaw, and bateleur eagle, as well as numerous European migrants during the rainy season. Hippos are a major attraction at the two pools located 5 km north of the main entrance, accompanied by a variety of waterbirds.