Mikumi National Park is Tanzania’s fourth-largest park, 3,230 sq km (1,250 sq miles) and 283 km (175 miles) west of Dar es Salaam. It makes an ideal safari destination for those without much time for an extended safari itinerary. Its tract of wilderness stretches east almost as far as the Indian Ocean and because of its accessibility, Mikumi is one of the most popular parks in Tanzania. The park is decorated by its superbly scenic plains, baobabs and its open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata floodplain draws frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti plains. It is perhaps the most reliable place in Tanzania for sightings the world’s largest antelope – The eland. It is also home to a spectacular concentration of wildlife which are rarely seen in other parks like the magnificent Sable antelope, African hunting dog, blue wildebeest, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest and the equally impressive greater kudu that haunt the spectacular miombo foothills of the mountains. Most visitors come to Mikumi National Park aiming to spot the ‘Big Five’. Hippos are the star attraction of the pair of pools situated 5km north of the main entrance gate, supported by an ever-changing cast of water-birds. More than 400 bird species have been recorded. The park borders the Selous Game Reserve to its northern border and also Udzungwa National Park. The three make a pleasant safari circuit