Mikumi National Park accommodation: three places to sleep
Where you stay shapes your safari more than the style of the building. Inside the park you find bandas and cottages, a rest house, campsites and private tented camps. In Mikumi town, just outside the western boundary, you find guesthouses and lodges. A third group sits along the highway corridor. A name that includes Mikumi does not mean the place is inside the park, so ask for the location before you book.
Staying inside the park saves the drive to the gate each day. Staying in town means a short drive to the main entrance near Mikumi town, and the gate closes at 18:00. If you want a guided trip with the overnight included, compare the 2 day safari from Zanzibar and day trip options first.
Types of accommodation in and around Mikumi
What each option offers and what to ask.
| Type | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bandas and cottages | Inside the park | Park-run rooms. The current number of open units and rates for 2026 need checking before you book. |
| Rest house | Inside the park | A park-run bed-and-breakfast option. |
| Public campsite | Inside the park | Water and sanitation facilities. |
| Special campsite | Inside the park | A natural site without those facilities. Book in advance. |
| Private tented camp | Inside the park | Run by a private operator under a concession. |
| Guesthouses and lodges | Mikumi town and the highway | Outside the park. Park entry is charged separately when you drive in. |
For most visitors who want comfort and a short drive to the gate, a place in town or along the road is the simple choice. If you want to wake up in the park, look at the private tented camps or the park-run bandas. If you carry your own gear, the campsites are the most affordable option. Use the type and the location to narrow your search.
Our pick: a stay near Mikumi
Two nights at a camp near Mikumi, combined with a hike in Udzungwa.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Mikumi safaris with an overnight stay
Guided Mikumi and Udzungwa trips from Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, with live prices and availability. Check whether the stay and the park fees are included.
Mikumi lodges and park-run stays: 2023/24 tariff amounts
These are the 2023/24 tariff amounts, before 18 percent VAT. Check the current amount before you book, and ask whether your quote includes them.
| Category | Non-EAC visitors and residents (USD) | East African citizens (TZS) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public camping, age 16 and over | $30 | TZS 5,000 | Per person per night |
| Public camping, ages 5 to 15 | $5 | TZS 2,500 | Per person per night |
| Special camping, age 16 and over | $50 | TZS 10,000 | Per person per night, book ahead |
| Special camping, ages 5 to 15 | $10 | TZS 5,000 | Per person per night, book ahead |
| Cottage or rest house, B&B single | $50 | TZS 30,000 | Single rate |
| Cottage or rest house, B&B double | $75 | TZS 40,000 | Double rate |
| Guest room, single | $30 | TZS 20,000 | Single rate |
| Guest room, double | $45 | TZS 30,000 | Double rate |
| Hostel, organized groups | $10 | TZS 5,000 | Per person per night, book ahead |
Children under 5 stay free in the camping categories. Do not read the double rate as a total room price for two people without asking how it is charged. A private concession category exists as well, at $25 per adult per night and $10 for ages 5 to 15, or TZS 20,000 and TZS 5,000 for East African citizens. It is a separate charge from the lodge price and not a full bill. The park entry fee, vehicle fee and any guide are charged on top of all of these. See Mikumi park fees for those.
Where to stay for your plan
Match the stay to what you want from the trip.
A short safari from Dar es Salaam
Sleep in Mikumi town or near the road, then enter at the main gate early. This keeps the travel day short and leaves the full next day for game drives.
Safari from Dar es Salaam →Game drives at both ends of the day
A stay inside the park saves the daily drive to the gate. It suits visitors who want the early and late hours on the Mkata Floodplain.
Udzungwa and the forest
For the Sanje waterfalls, Mang'ula is the base. There are public and special campsites, and guesthouses stand nearby. Special camps must be booked ahead. A rest house is also on the tariff at $50 per person per night, so ask whether it is open.
Udzungwa Mountains →Morogoro and the Uluguru Mountains
For the town and the mountain trails, a stay in Morogoro is simpler than a stay near the park gate.
Morogoro guide →Booking tips for Mikumi lodges and camps
Questions that save trouble on arrival.
Ask for the location
Confirm whether the place is inside the park, in town or on the highway, and how long the drive to the gate is.
Ask what the price includes
Park entry, vehicle fee and activities are separate items in the tariff. A lodge price may or may not cover them.
Book special camps ahead
Special campsites and the hostel need advance booking. There is no general rule on minimum nights or cancellation, so ask in writing.
Plan for the gate time
The gate normally closes at 18:00. If your transfer runs late, a stay in town may be safer than a stay deep in the park.
Park fees
Entry, vehicle and activity charges.
Dar es Salaam to Mikumi
Train, road and transfers.
Weather and best time
Dry season, rains and monthly figures.
For a stay in the Rufiji area to the south, see the Nyerere lodges guide.
Mikumi accommodation: frequently asked questions
Are there lodges inside Mikumi National Park?
Yes. Inside the park you find bandas and cottages, a rest house, public and special campsites and private tented camps. The number of open units and the 2026 rates change, so confirm them before you book.
Can I stay in Mikumi town?
Yes. Mikumi town sits outside the western boundary and has guesthouses and lodges. You pay park entry separately when you drive in, and the gate closes at 18:00.
How much does camping in Mikumi cost?
In the 2023/24 tariff, public camping was $30 per adult per night for non-EAC visitors, and special camping $50. Children aged 5 to 15 paid $5 and $10, and under-5s were free. Check the current amount before you book.
Do I need to book a special campsite?
Yes. Special camps are natural sites without facilities and must be booked in advance. Public campsites have water and sanitation.
What should I ask before I book a stay?
Ask where the place is, how far the drive to the gate is, and whether the price includes park entry, the vehicle fee and activities. The gate normally closes at 18:00, so a late transfer may favor a stay in town.