Black Rhinos
Mkomazi includes protected areas connected with black-rhinoceros conservation. Visits require advance arrangement and confirmation.
Mkomazi National Park
Semi-arid landscapes • Conservation programmes • Near Same
Savannah
Semi-arid landscape
Birdlife
Varied habitats
Black Rhino
Conservation programme
Wild Dogs
Conservation programme
Landscape and conservation
Located in northeastern Tanzania near the Kenyan border, Mkomazi forms part of the wider Tsavo–Mkomazi ecosystem. Its semi-arid country supports dryland species such as gerenuk and lesser kudu, alongside conservation programmes involving black rhinoceros and African wild dogs.
Semi-arid landscapes
The park combines semi-arid savannah, acacia-commiphora woodland and views towards the Pare and Usambara mountains. Wildlife distribution changes with rainfall and water availability.
Its position near Same can make it a practical addition to an Usambara Mountains route, subject to timing and current park arrangements.
Rhino conservation
Wild dog conservation
Scenic Landscapes
The vast savannah of Mkomazi
Conservation programmes
Access to programme areas must be arranged in advance and wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
African Wild Dogs
African wild dog conservation has also been associated with Mkomazi. Ask what educational access is currently available before planning around it.
Birdlife
Mkomazi’s habitats support varied birdlife. Species and viewing conditions change through the year.
Sanctuary arrangements
Sanctuary visits require advance arrangement and are subject to confirmation. If access is available, the visit can include information about conservation work; seeing a rhinoceros is never guaranteed.
Plan Your Visit
Location
The Zange Gate is reached from the area around Same, on the road between Moshi and Tanga. Confirm the current route before travel.
Conditions
June to October is often drier. Rainfall, vegetation and wildlife locations vary, so ask about current conditions.
Accommodation
Accommodation and campsite availability changes. Your itinerary and quote will confirm the current overnight arrangement.
In pictures
Dry country
Practical notes
Planning a visit
A quiet park most northern-circuit itineraries skip entirely, and the easiest to reach from Lushoto.
- Getting there
- Zange Gate is about 10 km from Same town, some 15 to 20 minutes. Same lies roughly 112 km south of Moshi, around 2 to 2½ hours.
- Suggested stay
- 1–2 nights, commonly combined with time in the Usambara Mountains.
- Best months
- June to October is drier and tracks are firmer. The park is at its greenest after the rains.
- Landscape
- Around 3,245 km² of dry savannah and acacia under the Pare and Usambara ranges, with the Kenyan border beyond.
- Worth knowing
- The park holds a fenced sanctuary of roughly 55 km² — the first of its kind in Tanzania — established for black rhino and open to visitors since 2021. Sightings still depend on the day.
- Access and mobility
- Game drives are on rough tracks and can be jolting. There is little required walking. The short distance from Same means you can break the day easily if you need to.
Journeys that include this destination
Ready-made itineraries you can take as they are or adapt to your dates.
Nearby on the same routes
Places that pair well with this one.
Connect Mkomazi with Usambara
See how Mkomazi can fit into a route through northeastern Tanzania.