"MKOMAZI" is derived from the Pare vernacular, one of the biggest tribes in the Kilimanjaro Region in Northern Tanzania, meaning "The source of water." Indeed as the name befits, the only permanent and reliable source of water in the Mkomazi-Umba Game Reserve is the Umba River. The river also forms the boundary to the South East of the reserve.

The Mkomazi-Umba Game Reserve was established in 1951. In 1960s the government of Tanzania had to redefine the reserve boundaries and the administration of the reserve was then transferred to Kilimanjaro and Tanga region authorities. Mkomazi falling under Kilimanjaro and Umba under the Tanga Region administration.

Mkomazi Game Reserve, click the map to expand and view details

Mkomazi Game Reserve covers an area of 3,496 sq. kms in north eastern Tanzania and a portion of its southern boundary adjoins Kenya's Tsavo National Park. and in the east of the Pare Mountains in Tanzania’s Eastern Arc range. Mkomazi forms part of the vast Tsavo eco-system. The country is very arid with open plains and thorn bush and isolated rocky hills. The fauna includes elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, lesser kudu, gerenuk and fringe-eared oryx. The Reserve is seldom visited an is an excellent area in which to experience wild Africa.

The park boasts 78 kinds of mammals and over 400 bird species. The endangered

The savannah and grasslands around Mkomazi Game Reserve may be perfect for black rhinos, but it is dry and dusty for most of the year. When frequented water holes dry up, game becomes elusive and hard to find. Compared to larger and more populated national parks, Mkomazi Game Reserve has its own unique appeal. wild dogs have recently been introduced to the region, and the reserve does have a wide variety of indigenous snakes.

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. [see] 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.

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

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 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.

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).

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. Arusha 2.5 hours. Dar es Salaam 5 hours.

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.

By Air: There is an airstrip for light aircraft. There are no scheduled flights. Rates will be given on request.

Mkomazi Ecological Research Programme: An ecological survey of the Mkomazi Game Reserve in northern Tanzania, providing base-line data to underpin long term conservation and management plans for the reserve.

Organised by the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) in collaboration with Department of Wildlife, Tanzania.

The Mkomazi Game Reserve in northern Tanzania is of great biological significance, representing species and ecosystems not commonly found elsewhere in East Africa. However the reserve brings few local and national economic benefits, while internationally it has become a cause célèbre for both those championing the rights of people to resources and those seeking to preserve and restore ecosystems.

The process of addressing these controversial issues needs to be well informed and in this context the Tanzanian Department of Wildlife and the Royal Geographical Society undertook the five-year Mkomazi Ecological Research Programme.

The programme was established as a collaborative venture, associated with local Institutions and Departments within the host country. The main objective has been to describe the fauna, flora and physical geography of the area in order to develop a viable and long-term management plan for the reserve, balancing rich species diversity with growing population densities and associated pressures along the periphery of the reserve.

The Reserve covers an area of 3,701 km sq. along the Kenya-Tanzanian border, between Kilimanjiro and the coast, (adjacent to the Tsavo National Park 21,000 km sq.). This area of semi-arid savanna comprises a single ecological unit, individual parts of which provide seasonal refuges for many species of large mammals and migrant birds. The flanking ranges of the North and South Pare and Usambra mountains provide climatic and topographical diversity, which in turn produces great habitat and species diversity, especially in the western and central areas. In addition the Reserve lies at the southern extremity of the great arc of semi-arid savanna, the Sahel, into which many Somalian species of plants and animals are funnelled, but beyond which they are unable to extend their range, concentrating species diversity, and making this one of the richest savannas in Africa. To date almost 450 species of birds have been recorded and over 100 species of plants. Entomologists studying the