ruby_sage

Hi,

We're planning our first safari, and EASTCO has suggested visiting this game reserve. We asked to visit some locations that are more remote.

Anyone been to this reserve? How was the game viewing? We would be there in early January.

Thanks!
RS

atravelynn

Your agent has provided you with off the beaten path alright!

It looks like an intriguing place. No personal experience. Never heard of it until your question, but it prompted me to do some searching. You might have found the same info.

Mkomazi:
30 mammal species. Herds-giraffe, hartebeest, eland, giraffe. Predators-lion, hyena, leopard, cheetah, wild dogs introduced. Animals are a shy due to few guests and no opportunity to habituation to vehicles and due to fear of getting shot. (Previously hunting grounds??) Black rhino breeding program. Variety of indigenous snakes.

Some quotes I found to be informative: “Far from maddening crowds of 4-wheel drive vehicles.” “Other vehicles are rarely seen.” “Not a developed tourist area” “It's a quiet little corner of the African savannah.” “Main attractions are the scenery and privacy.”

Beautiful 15 km scenic beach “still unspoilt by tourism” is nearby.

When the water holes dry up, the animals disperse and can be elusive. That makes me think January would be better than Sept-Oct.

This is not a typical first safari (any safari) destination, even when remote is what you requested. Other remote destinations in Tanzania would be Ruaha, Selous, even Katavi. You would likely be sacrificing game viewing for seclusion and remoteness with Mkomazi. You might also be spending a good deal of time getting to this remote location. Most people don't have the luxury of lots of spare time while on safari. But that's why this place remains remote--just what you requested.

Mkomazi, coupled with other parks would make for an interesting and unique safari experience. I'd sure be interested in your trip report!

Leely

Well, I'm curious too. If you have the time/$$ to go...well then go!

It sounds like there's not much in the way of accommodations in this area; are you camping?

Sincerely,
A former camper

lisa

Hmm...interesting...this may be a place I saw once on television where they said you could see lions on the beach which I remember thinking sounded unreal...

ruby_sage

Thanks everyone! Yes, we would definitely be camping there. I hear there are almost no services which is intriguing. The only other thing I know about the area is that it is home to a black rhino sanctuary (a reintroduction area), and an african wild dog reintroduction program.

Our proposed trip also includes stops in Ngorongoro, Seregeti, and Tarangire.

If we end up going there I will definitely post a trip report and pictures (although it won't be until Jan 2007). Seems so far away...

atravelynn

Ruby Sage,

Keep an eye out and a ready camera for those lions on the beach!

aby

Hi Ruby

Mkomazi is the southern part of the Tsavo ecosystem & animals pass between the two without stamping a visa (just like Serengeti-Mara)

In Tsavo, Lake Jipe on the Tanzanian border is quite a place .Pity, the southern shores of Jipe were not included in Mkomazi Game Reserve whose borders are a way to the east

Nyamera

Hi Ruby,

Mkomazi Game Reserve is known for the extremely unjust eviction of thousands of Maasai from their grazing areas in 1988.

It’s a continuation of Tsavo West and rhinos and wild dogs have been reintroduced, but they’re not easily seen and the wildlife viewing can’t compare with the better-known parks.

utlending

Hi Ruby
We will be in Mkomazi next week for 2 days and are travelling with EASTCO on a 3 week trip. I will let you know what it's like on our return in March