Mikumi forms the northern border to Africa's biggest game protected area, the Selous Game Reserve. This park is well known for its big variety of game, like the very rare African wild dog. Mikumi is one of Tanzania's most popular game parks.

The main feature of the park is the Mikumi flood plain, along with the mountain ranges that boarder the park on two sides. During the wet season many animals retreat to the Miombo woodlands which grow along the slopes of the mountains.

The flood plains below are home to formidable herds of buffalo. Elephants of Mikumi are smaller than their relatives in the other parts of Tanzania, but they are still very imposing. The national park is distinguished for its many lions. There is also an important educational centre where students can study ecology.