Mkomazi National Park

Mkomazi National Park protects a vast tract of semi-arid savanna in northeastern Tanzania, ecologically connected to Kenya's Tsavo National Park across the border. Its defining mission is rhino conservation: the Tony Fitzjohn African Wildlife Foundation has operated a black rhino sanctuary here since 1989, and today Mkomazi holds one of the more important rhino breeding populations in East Africa.

The park's landscape is characterised by arid thornbush, baobab woodland, and the dramatic volcanic cone of Mount Kilimanjaro visible on the southern horizon. Wildlife includes elephant, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, and gerenuk — an elegant long-necked antelope that browses on its hind legs.

African wild dogs are present in numbers unusual for this park type, and the combination of rhino sanctuary visits, wild dog tracking, and the dramatic mountain backdrop makes Mkomazi a worthwhile addition to any northern Tanzania itinerary.