Discovering the hidden gems of Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park: Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park formerly known as the Ibanda Game Reserve, became distinct and gazetted as a national park in 2019 and it covers the vicinity of 200 square kilometers. It is wealthy in natural world points of interest together with hippos, antelopes, Thomson gazelles, impalas, elands, and baboons additionally lovely dawns and sundowns are without problems visible in this remarkable National Park. The Kagera River, which is among the biggest rivers in Tanzania, serves this park as the principal water supply for wild animals within the park. The national park is located in Kagera Region and it encompasses hills, valleys, and plains related to Acacia grasslands, the important basin divided with the aid of seasonal rivers, fulfilling the scattered lakes and swaps
Climate
The park’s temperature ranges between 13°C to 41°C depending on the area elevation. The park experiences two rainy seasons in a year and that is the short rainy period which is from October to November and the wet season is from March to May, the best time to visit the park is at the end of the short rainy season every year as well as wonderful time for birdlife watchers although accessibility through most of the roads becomes impossible because of heavy rains. Therefore the best time to visit the park is between January to February and June to August, when the area is dry.
Attraction
The Park is exceptionally gifted with a variety of attractions ranging from savannah, hills, and plains inhabited with different kinds of wildlife.
Wildlife
The national park is home to a variety of wildlife species including large herds of Buffaloes, Leopard, Hippopotamus, Thomson gazelles, baboons, Reedbuck, Giraffe, Zebra, Roan Antelope, Topi, Eland, Waterbuck, and Impala are everywhere inhabiting.
Bird species
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park is one of the best birding destination in Tanzania, the national park is home to over 300 species of birds can be seen here such as African Green Broadbill, Bronze Sunbird, African Pitta, Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Great Blue Turaco, Purple-Breasted Sunbird, African Thrush, Blue-Headed Sunbird, Black-Headed Gonolek, Grey Crowned Crane, Red-Rumped Tinkerbird, Black-Bee-Eater, Black-Capped Apalis, Black-Throated Apalis, Blue-Breasted Kingfisher, shoebill stork, African fish eagle, the African fish eagle, African olive pigeon, Augur buzzard, Bar-tailed trogon, Bearded vulture, Black saw-wing, Egyptian goose, Great crested grebe, Hartlaub’s little grebe, Narina trogon and Peregrine among others
Kagera River
Kagera River is the main source of water for this park and nourishes its rich resources. The section of river named Kagera begins in Burundi flowing out from Lake Rweru. From the lake, it flows east along the Rwanda-Brundi and Rwanda-Tanzania borders to a confluence with the Ruvubu River. The waters of the Kagera are thus provided by two major tributaries, the Nyabarongo of Rwanda, which feeds Lake Rweru, and the Ruvubu of Burundi. It is unknown which of these two feeder rivers is the longer and hence the ultimate source of the Nile. From the confluence, the Kagera flows north along the Rwanda-Tanzania border, over Rusumo Falls. This amazing river separates the two nations and also the two national parks, the Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park in Tanzania and the Akagera National Park in Rwanda which act as the home to numerous crocodiles and hippos, and different kinds of fish species such as Nile perch, catfish, and Nile tilapia among other types of fish as well as water bird species.
Scenic landscapes
The park is encompassing is a variety of natural vegetation ranging from savannah woodlands, plains, scattered lakes, hills, valleys, and meandering rivers, making the park look unique and exhilarating.
Amazing things to do while Discovering the hidden gems of Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park.
Game drives
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park offers unforgettable game drive safaris, where tourists can explore the park’s open grasslands, the scattered acacia, hills, kagera river and the basins a game drive inside the park to search for the park’s incredible wildlife species. Game drives in the park are normally done early in the morning and late afternoon when the animals are most active. While on a guided game drive safari in the park, you will have the chance to spot a variety of wildlife such as Buffaloes, Leopard, Hippopotamus, Thomson gazelles, baboons, Reedbuck, Giraffe, Zebra, Roan Antelope, Topi, Eland, Waterbuck and Impala among others up close in their natural habitat.
Bird watching
The national park is home to over 300 species of birds, making it a Tanzanian bird watcher’s paradise. The park’s diverse habitats ranging from woodlands, plains, scattered lakes, hills, valleys and meandering rivers, attract both migratory and endemic birds. While on your birding safaris in the park, you will have the great opportunity to spot different kinds of bird species of your interest such as Abyssinian Ground Thrush, Great Blue Turaco, Purple-Breasted Sunbird, African Thrush, Blue-Headed Sunbird, Black-Headed Gonolek, Grey Crowned Crane, Red-Rumped Tinkerbird, Black-Bee-Eater, Black-Capped Apalis, Black-Throated Apalis, Blue-Breasted Kingfisher, shoebill stork, African fish eagle, the African fish eagle, African olive pigeon, Augur buzzard, Bar-tailed trogon, Bearded vulture, Black saw-wing, Egyptian goose, Great crested grebe and Hartlaub’s little grebe among others.
Nature Walks;
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park management offers nature walks in some areas of the park with a ranger guide. 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
Camping safaris
For those seeking a more immersive experience, camping in Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park offers an exciting way to connect with nature. Campsites equipped with essential amenities allow visitors to enjoy the wilderness under a starlit sky. Campfire gathering fosters camaraderie’s among fellow travelers as stories and experiences are shared. The sounds of nocturnal wildlife create an enchanting atmosphere, depending on the adventure. waking up to the sounds of nature and breathtaking sunrise enhances the sampling experience, making it an unforgettable aspect of any visit to the park.
How to access the park
Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park is accessible both by road and air, providing convenient options for travelers.
By Road: Reach the park by taking the Bukoba to Murongo route (220km) or the Chato to Murongo route (327km). Visitors from Uganda can also access the park via Murongo town, just 3.5km from the park’s entrance.
By Air: Enjoy the ease and speed of a scheduled flight to Chato or Kigoma Airports for direct access to the park’s wonders.
Where to say while Discovering the Hidden Gems of Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park.
Due to the fact that the national park is a newly gazetted national park, currently, there re 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.
