Mkomazi National Park

In 1951, Mkomazi was designated a Game Reserve. However, this did not stop the habitat turmoil that transpired. Persistent poaching erased the Black Rhino from the landscape, and elephant numbers plummeted to 11 individuals. At the same time, heavy grazing and annual burning led to extreme land degradation. A natural disaster was taking place.

1989 was a pivotal year in Mkomazi’s history. The Tanzania Government stepped in to resolve the situation, and they hired the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trusts (GAWPT) to restore the reserve and re-introduce the Black Rhino and the African Wild Hunting Dog.  Tony Fitzjohn, George Adamson’s (Born Free) successor, managed the project.

Over the years, Tony and his team established vast kilometres of roads, fences and water systems. A team of rangers and an air unit started patrolling the park for ivory poachers whilst breeding programs for Wild Dog and Black Rhino were established. It was a huge task. Importantly, the local community was involved, and several projects were set up, including ‘Rafiki wa Faru’ (Friends of the Rhinos), which teaches young school children about the park’s conservation work.

Today, over ~500 elephants have been recorded and ~200 Wild Hunting Dogs run free. It is home to Eland, Zebra, Buffalo, Hartebeest, Giraffe, and Warthog. Moreover, it is also one of the best places to see large herds of Oryx and Gerenuk roaming freely in the open bushland. Other small and large mammals that call Mkomazi their home include Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Hyenas, and Jackals. However, sightings of the larger predators are rarer.

A healthy population of ~450 bird species are also found in the park and several species can be seen during a game drive. The most commonly seen species include Go-away birds, Ostriches, Long-crested eagles, Hoopoes and Bustards. Around the Umba River, sightings of Kingfishers, Flamingos, Cormorants, Plovers, and Ducks.