Mikumi National Park covers 3237 square kilometers and lies within the Mkata River plain bordered by the Uluguru Mountain range to the east and the Rubeho Mountains on the west, an area of lush vegetation which particularly attracts elephant and buffalos. Open grasslands dominate in the flood plain eventually merging with the miombo woodland covering the lower hills. Wildlife is abundant with giraffes, zebras, buffalos, hartebeests, elephants, wild dogs, and smaller mammals and reptiles. Mikumis vegetation includes woodland, swamp and grassland with two water holes, Mkata and Chamgore. Apart from the saddle-bill stork, hammer kop and malachite kingfisher, there are also monitor lizards and pythons.