Mikumi National Park, Tanzania
'Camp fires and warm hospitality create a relaxing bush atmosphere against which to experience the thrill of being close to the multitudes of wild animals in timeless Africa'.
'Vuma' translated from Kiswahili means "a good rumour that is spread with the blowing wind". Vuma Hills Tented Camp is a medium-sized, classic tented safari camp, which is presented in colonial style. The Vuma Hills Tented Camp stands high above the trees that look out over the seemingly endless wilderness that lies to the southwest of Mikumi National Park.
Featuring just 16 extremely luxurious and colonially-styled tents, the camp has its own swimming pool and central dining and bar area while activities include extensive guided safari game drives. Vuma Hills Tented Camp prides itself on delivering ‘exclusive camping African style', which combines creature comforts with an authentic bush experience.
The best time for visiting is in the dry months between June to February. Vuma Hills Tented Camp remains open all year round, but access to some areas of the park may be limited during March to June, due to the rains. Birdlife during this time of year is glorious and compensates for the scarcer viewings of game animals.
Mikumi National Park
‘Mikumi' is the Swahili name for the borassus palm, which grows profusely in this pretty, undulating and wildlife-rich park. Lovely but often underrated, Mikumi National Park is the fourth largest park in Tanzania and lies between the Uluguru Mountains to the northeast, the Rubeho Mountains to the northwest and the Lumango Mountains to the southeast.
Easily accessible, the Mikumi National Park is popular with weekend visitors, taking only four hours on a good road from Dar es Salaam. Bordering the Selous and Udzungwa National Parks and transacted by the Dar es Salaam-Iringa highway, the landscape of Mikumi National Park is typically woodland interspersed with grassy plains, the most verdant of which is the Mkata River floodplain, which attracts animals all through the year.
Tanzania luxury safari tented camp: location
Foxes Safari Camp is in the north-eastern sector of the park, 7km south of the mian Dar-Iringi road. The Mikumi National Park is 280 kms west of Dar es Salaam (4 hours by car, 45 minutes by plane), north of Selous and enroute to Ruaha. Mikumi can be accessed by road or air or by the private luxury train, the Safari Express. By road from Dar es Salaam takes approximately 4 hours and is on tarmac all the way. Scheduled flights are available from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, continuing onto Ruaha National Park. From Ruaha there are also scheduled flights onto Arusha and the Northern Parks and also Katavi and Mahale to the west.
The background to your Tanzania tented camp safari
Mikumi was gazetted as a National Park in 1964 and is named after the spindle shaped Borassus palm trees. The Mkata plain supports vast herds of plains game such as wildebeest, impala, zebra and giraffe, hunted by their associated predators; while you are more likely to find Lichtenstein's hartebeest, greater kudu, roan and sable antelope in the surrounding less fertile hills. Although game sightings can never be guaranteed, there are lots of sightings of the African 'wild dog' hunting the plains in packs.
Likely safari sightings from your tented camp include: lions, elands, hartebeests, wildebeests, giraffes, zebras, hippos and elephants. Often known as ‘midget' the elephants of Mikumi National Park are significantly smaller than those in the other parks; they are also primarily grazers, thus causing significantly less damage to the landscape. Popular game-viewing areas include ‘Little Serengeti' an area on the Mkata floodplain north west of the main road and the Hippo Pools, which lie 5km from the Mikumi National Park main gate.
Mikumi wildlife safari highlights
Mammals include yellow baboon, vervet monkey, Sykes monkey, lion, elephant, rhino, giraffe, zebra, eland, buffalo, greater kudu, bushbuck, waterbuck and Lichtenstein's hartebeest.
Accommodation: a Tanzania luxury safari tented camp
Vuma Hills Safari Camp offers just sixteen spaciously comfortable, custom-designed tents, which are raised on timbered platforms for optimum viewing conditions. Widely spaced with 360 degree views across the floodplains, the tents feature luxurious colonially-styled furniture and have ensuite bathrooms to the rear (shower, WC and hot water), twin double beds with mosquito nets, generator electricity and complimentary laundry.
Tanzania luxury tented camp: dining and bars
The dining room overlooks the swimming pool. Menus feature Tanzania and international choices and meals are typically table d'hote. Vuma Hills Safari Camp offers a full bar service and campfire ‘sundowners' are a feature of camp life.
Conference and event facilities at Vuma Hills Safari Camp
Vuma Hills Safari Camp does not offer specific conference facilities but will be happy to quote for small meetings and social gatherings.
Weddings and honeymoons at Vuma Hills Safari Camp
This Tanzania tented camp makes an ideal Tanzania honeymoon destination.
Child-friendly facilities at Vuma Hills Safari Camp
Vuma Hills Safari Camp welcomes children and will be pleased to supply additional beds.
What to see and do at Vuma Hills Safari Camp
The camp has its own swimming pool. The keys to an outstanding game drive are experience, knowledge and a suitable vehicle. All game drives around the park are taken in open 4 wheel drive vehicles. These vehicles have been designed to ensure maximum visibility for all passengers. All have 2 way radio in case of emergency. The Vuma Hills Safari Camp game drives are led by a trained, experienced English speaking guide who will ensure that you get the most out of every safari you make.
Guided safari walks and ornithological tours are also popular since Mikumi National Park boasts over 400 species of birds, many of which are migratory. Prized sightings include the violet turaco and the pale-billed hornbill. Popular Mikumi National Park game-viewing areas include ‘Little Serengeti' an area on the Mkata floodplain north west of the main road and the Hippo Pools, which lie 5km from the main gate.
When to visit Mikumu National Park
Mikumi National Park can be visited year-round, though it is better in the dry season since during the Tanzania rainy season (December to May) some areas can become inaccessible and the animals tend to be more widely scattered.
Safari tented camp experiences in Mikumi National Park
Typical Tanzania safari experiences at this tented camp include: morning safari game drives in especially adapted 4WD safari vehicles (with professionally trained Tanzania safari guides), safari bush breakfasts, lunches and dinners; cocktails around the safari campfire and guided safari walks. The tented camp also offers ornithological tours, cultural performances and visits.
Tanzania safari tented camp experiences around Mikumu National Park
Areas of interest around Mikumi National Park include the Ruaha River Gorge, the Udzungwa Mountains National Park, the Ruaha National Park and the Kitulo National Park.
Vuma Hills Tented Camp - Mikumi • Tanzania Safari Tented Camps
To enquire about booking this Tanzania safari hotel, please Contact Us!