Visitor Information -- An entrance fee of $20 per person per 24 hours is payable at both parks. At Udzungwa, the daily guide fee is $10 per party, and an armed ranger is required for longer hikes, costing $20 per party. For more information, visit www.udzungwa.org.
Getting There & Around -- Mikumi National Park lies about 290km (180 miles) southwest of Dar es Salaam, a 3- to 4-hour drive on a fairly surfaced road that goes right past the main entrance gate. A 4X4 may be required inside the park, and internal roads may sometimes become impassable during the rainy season. Any operator in Dar es Salaam can organize a road safari to Mikumi, whether in isolation or as part of a package that also includes Ruaha. Alternatively, Safari Air Link (tel. 022/550-4384; www.safariaviation.info) runs a daily shared charter flight between Dar es Salaam, Selous, and Mikumi during the high season ($160 per person).
There are no flights to Udzungwa, and accommodations close to this park are rather basic, so most tourists visit as a day trip from one of the more upmarket camps in Mikumi National Park, following the B127 south from Mikumi town to the park entrance gate at Mang'ula. The road is paved as far as Kidatu, about 35km (22 miles) south of Mikumi, but the last 24km (15 miles) to Mang'ula is quite rough -- expect the drive to take around 1 hour in either direction.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
