Mkomazi National Park

Mkomazi National Park occupies a special place in Tanzania's conservation story. Located in the Kilimanjaro and Tanga Regions of northeastern Tanzania, bordering Kenya's Tsavo West National Park to the north, Mkomazi covers 3,234 square kilometres of semi-arid savanna and thornbush that supports two of Africa's most endangered large mammals through dedicated conservation programmes.

The park's black rhino sanctuary is one of its most important features. Established in the 1990s through a partnership between the Tanzanian government and the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust, the rhino sanctuary currently protects a small but growing population of eastern black rhino — one of the world's most critically endangered subspecies. The sanctuary operates under strict security protocols, and sightings of the resident rhinos, while not guaranteed, are possible during carefully guided visits.

Equally significant is Mkomazi's African wild dog breeding programme, run by the same trust. Wild dogs — also known as painted wolves — are Africa's most endangered large carnivore, with a global population estimated at fewer than 7,000 individuals. The Mkomazi programme has successfully bred and released wild dogs into the Tanzanian ecosystem, contributing meaningfully to the regional recovery of this spectacular pack-hunting predator.

The landscape of Mkomazi is strikingly different from Tanzania's better-known parks. The semi-arid thornbush and rocky hillsides, interspersed with seasonal riverbeds and occasional baobab trees, create a harsh but beautiful environment. The Kilimanjaro massif is visible on the horizon from many parts of the park, providing a dramatic backdrop to game drives.

Wildlife beyond the rhinos and wild dogs includes elephant, giraffe, zebra, eland, oryx, lesser kudu, gerenuk (the long-necked gazelle unique to drier East African habitats), and Grant's gazelle. The predator suite includes lion and leopard, while cheetah are occasionally sighted in the open plains. The park's bird list exceeds 450 species, with many dry-country specialists not easily found in wetter parks. Vulturine guineafowl — one of Africa's most spectacular birds — is commonly encountered along the park's roadsides.

The park can be combined with a Kilimanjaro climb or an Amboseli National Park visit across the Kenyan border, making it an excellent addition to any northern Tanzania itinerary.