Mikumi National Park to Open SGR Railway Access Gate in Kilosa to Boost Tourism

Mikumi National Park will open a new entrance gate in Kilosa District to serve tourists arriving via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), reducing the travel distance from Kilosa SGR station to the park from 120km to 19km.

The announcement was recently made by Park Chief Warden Commissioner Augustine Masesa, who explained that the new gate is being constructed 19km inside the park in response to growing domestic tourist numbers arriving via the SGR.

The project is part of the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA)’s broader efforts to enhance access to parks by aligning with modern transport developments, including the SGR.

In parallel, land has been allocated near Kilosa station for investment in hotels and lodges to support the expected rise in tourist arrivals using the railway.

Regional authorities also reported that discussions were underway with tour operators to establish Kilosa as a central terminal for southern circuit tourism, serving Mikumi, Udzungwa, and Nyerere national parks.

Mikumi National Park is located in Morogoro Region, approximately 300km west of Dar es Salaam along the Dar–Mbeya highway.

Covering 3,230km², it is Tanzania’s fourth-largest national park and one of the most accessible in the country.

It shares an ecosystem with the Selous Game Reserve, creating a connected habitat that supports a rich diversity of wildlife.

The park is home to elephants, lions, buffalo, giraffes, antelopes, hippos, sable antelopes, African hunting dogs, and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest.

Currently, there is no direct rail connection from Dar es Salaam to Mikumi. Visitors travelling by train typically disembark at Kisaki station and continue by road. Alternatively, the journey from Dar es Salaam to the park by road takes several hours.