Guide to a Tanzania Safari in Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park
Ibanda Kyerwa is one of the least visited national parks in Tanzania, with visitor statistics frequently absent from popular sources. The park is located park location is on the Eastern bank of kagera River and the river is a natural boundary boarder between Tanzania and Rwanda. This stunning park covers an area of about 200 square kilometers. This park was originally opened in 1974 and it was gazetted as a national park in 2019. The area was the ancestral home to the Nyambo community and a domain of the former Karagwe Kingdom.
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park rich with variety of attractions ranging from savannah, lakes, rivers and swamps inhabited with different kinds of wildlife also the park is gifted with various wild animals such as African buffalos, hippos, leopards, antelopes like the reed buck, roan and birds which makes your best safari destinations in Tanzania. The Kagera River is bordered on the Tanzanian side by grassy banks leading down to heavy vegetation with forest trees and palms. More so, the Kagera River is the main source of water for this park and nourishes its rich resources
Attractions in Ibanda-Kyerwa national park include;
wildlife
The park is home to many different animals. You can see elands, impalas, reedbucks, and bushbucks all around. Large herds of roan antelopes roam the area, while buffalos and hippos can be found in the River Kagera and in some nearby lakes and swamps. The main hunters in the park include leopards, hyenas, and other similar predators.
Kagera River
The Kagera River is one of the biggest rivers in Tanzania and serves as a natural border between Tanzania and Rwanda. It divides the two countries as well as their national parks: Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park in Tanzania and Akagera National Park in Rwanda. To the north, the river also forms a boundary with Uganda, making it convenient for visitors from Uganda and Rwanda to access the parks.
Stunning landscape
Ibanda- Kyerwa National Park is home to a wide range of natural vegetation, ranging from savannah woodlands, plains, hills, valleys, and rivers, making the park look unique and attractive by the tourists.
Birdlife
For bird lovers this place, is a bird watching paradise. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded. The park is a haven of bird species including the African fish eagle, African olive pigeon, Augur buzzard, Bar-tailed trogon, Beared vulture, Black saw-wing, Cinnamon –chested bee-eater, Egyptian goose, Great creasted grebe, Hartlaub’s little grebe, Narina trogon and Peregrine among others.
Amazing things to do in Ibanda- Kyerwa national park
Guided nature walks
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park is a wonderful place for nature walks, where you can fully enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. As you stroll through the savannah grasslands, you might spot a variety of animals, herds of buffalo, leopards, topi, eland, impala, waterbuck, reedbuck and roan antelope. It’s a great chance to get close to these amazing creatures and capture some memorable photos of them.
Game Drive
Exploring Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park on a game drive is an unforgettable experience. As you travel through the park in a sturdy vehicle, you’ll have the chance to spot a variety of wildlife, including like herds of buffalo, leopards, zebra, eland, impala, waterbuck, reedbuck, giraffe and almost every animal species is in the park. The park’s diverse landscape, ranging from savannah woodlands, plains, hills, valleys and rivers making the park look unique and attractive. Keep your eyes peeled for birds, too, as the park is home to many colorful species
Bird watching
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park is a fantastic place for bird lovers. You’ll find a variety of colorful birds here, such as the African fish eagle, African olive pigeon, Augur buzzard, Bar-tailed trogon, Beared vulture, Black saw-wing, Egyptian goose, Great creasted grebe, Hartlaub’s little grebe, Narina trogon, Peregrine and many more. birdwatching in this stunning national park can be spotted during walking safari, others can be spotted around River Kagera frying around on the river.
Camping.
Ibanda-Kyerwa national park has camping available for tourists, with options for both the public and special campsites where the tourists enjoy the nature of wilderness in the park
Wildlife viewing
The park is gifted with various wild animals such as African Buffalo, Hippos, Leopards, Antelopes like reed buck and roan and birds you can also go and get nearer to them and take some photos.
Best time to visit Ibanda-kyerwa national park.
The park experiences has two rainy seasons in a year. The short rainy season which runs from October to November, and the longer wet season is from March to May. The ideal time to visit the park is at the end of the short rainy season every year.
Accommodation at Ibanda-Kyerwa national park.
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park is new, and currently, there are no lodges built in the area. Visitors can only find special campsites, so you’ll need to bring your own camping gear if you want to stay inside the park. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can find places to stay in nearby towns.
Ibanda-kyerwa national park has simple accommodations available in the nearest town of Murongo which is about 3 and a half kilometers from the park boundary, also simple accommodations are available in the nearest town Murongo which is about 3 and a half kilometers from the park boundary.
How to get to Ibanda-Kyerwa national park.
By air
you can fly to Ibanda-Kyerwa national park from either Dar-es-salaam Airport or Kilimanjaro International airport. Additionally, there are flights from Arusha and Mwanza airport. Once you arrive at Chato, the park is just a short drive away.
By road
If you prefer to drive, its about 220 kilometers from Bukoba to Murongo, and about 327 kilometers from Chato to Murongo. You can also cross from Uganda to Tanzania via Murongo, which is about 3.5km from Murongo to reach the park.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information about these and more about a guide to a Tanzania Safari in Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park and Book with our tours and travel companies such as; Focus East Africa Tours who offer the best tour packages while on you are in Tanzania.
