What to know about Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park: The Park is located in the northwest of Tanzania where it borders Rwanda to the west and shares a short boundary with Akagera National Park. The actual Park boundary is the Kagera River. To the north, the Park shares a boundary with Uganda where again the actual boundary is the Kagera River. The national park was previously Ibanda Game Reserve, a national park in Tanzania. Originally established in 1974, it was designated a national park in 2019 and it covers an area of approximately 200 square kilometers (77 sq mi). The park is rich in wildlife attractions and sunrise and sunset are easily seen. Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park is home to incredible wildlife species such as hippos, antelopes, Thomson gazelles, impalas, elands, and baboons.
The park encompasses open Acacia savannahs, with some medium grass, are characteristic of this remote and beautiful corner of Tanzania, a line of rolling hills and valleys to the west and south border a central basin with low hills and plains dissected by seasonal rivers and with scattered lakes and swamps. Kagera River is the main source of water for this park and nourishes its rich resources.
Amazing activities carried out.
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park also boasts a number of interesting and fascinating activities for visitors including;
Game Drives; Game drives is one of the most famous activities in Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park where tourists will have getting opportunity to explore the park in a comfortable way on a safari with an experienced game guide. Game drives in Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park are done either in the morning or evening game drives. During the game drive along, you will follow network of game viewing tracks, there are plenty of animals to see including roan antelopes, elephants, buffalo, zebra, hippos, crocodiles, impalas, eland, waterbuck, and many other mammal species. Guided game drive in Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park also offers a great opportunity to see gentle hills blending in beautifully with lowland swamps and water bodies.
Nature Walks and hiking; Exploring the park’s diverse landscapes through nature walks and hiking is a must. The park has various trails to cater to different levels of fitness, allowing both casual walkers and experienced trekkers to enjoy the natural beauty of the park. Guided nature walks and hikes provide insights into the flora and fauna, highlighting unique plants and ecosystems. During the nature walks which take 2 to 3 hours, you will follow different hiking trails where you will be able to have more time and engagement concerning butterflies, insects, and plants that you could easily miss while on a safari. You will also enjoy the cool breeze, view of the beautiful hills, and listen to nice sounds of bird species among others
Boat safaris; The park is home to several rivers and lakes, making it a perfect destination for boat safaris. Visitors can cruise along the Kagera River where they will get an opportunity to fish and learn about the different marine species such as Nile perch, catfish, and Nile tilapia among other types of fish. During the boat cruise, you will also have the chance to spot a variety of wildlife school as hippos and crocodiles in the waters and see other animals like buffaloes, waterbucks, elephant, and warthog drinking water at the shores, among others
Sport Fishing; Sport fishing is one of the most amazing activities in Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park. Sport fishing in the national park is normally done in the Kagera River and scattered lakes where You will get an opportunity to fish and know the different marines’ species such as Nile Perch, Tilapia, and Catfish among others. At the serene waters, you can fish to the background music of chirping birds and hippos that grunt as if to cheer you on. You are free to keep your catch to roast, fry, or grill it and enjoy the taste of fresh fish from Tanzania.
Cultural experience; Engaging with local communities around the Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park provides a cultural experience. tourists can participate in traditional dance, visit local farm, and learn about the customs and lifestyles of the indigenous people. Craft workshops offer hand-on opportunities to create traditional crafts, fostering a deeper appreciation for the local culture. Sharing meals and stories with community members enhances the travel experience allowing visitors to form meaningful connections. This cultural immersion not only enriches the journey but also supports economies, promoting sustainable practices.
Best time to visit Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park
The best time to visit the parks is during the dry season which typically runs from June to August. during this period, the wildlife is most active, and the vegetation is less dense, making it easier to carry out excellent wildlife spotting. The park has a variety landscape including wetlands, savannah grasslands, and woodland, scattered lakes, rivers and rolling hills provide a unique backdrop for wildlife viewing and photography. Also, from mid-December to mid-February, there’s a dry spell within the wet season, which is also a good time for wildlife spotting. During this time, animals tend to concentrate around the lakes due to the thinner bush cover.
How to get to Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park is accessible both by road and air, providing convenient options for travelers.
By Air
There are airports at Chato and Bukoba from which light aircraft can fly to Ithanda Village or an airstrip within the park.
By Road
From Bukoba to Murongo (220 km). From Chato to Murongo (327 km). From Murongo to the Park is about 3 and a half kilometers. From the airstrip at Ibanda to Murongo (110 km). A traveler coming from the neighboring countries like Uganda can also drove via Murongo
Accommodation at Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park.
Due to the fact that this astonishing national park is a newly gazetted national park, currently, there are no lodges constructed around yet, it only offers special campsites so visitors while on a Tanzania safari have to come with their own camp facilities. But they can opt to stay outside the park in the nearby towns. The national park is about 3 and a half kilometers from the nearest town of Murongo which acts as the park boundary.
Contact our trusted tour operators for more information all to know about 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 you are in Tanzania.
