Tourist activities to do in Kigosi National Park

Tourist activities to do in Kigosi National Park: The activities to do at Kigosi National Park are too many and they extend simply from driving inside the park and sitting comfortably in your vehicles as you enjoy the astonishing views of the park to camping in the wild to enjoy the true African wilderness. Kigosi National Park is located in the western region of Tanzania, suited between the shimmering shares of Lake Kigosi and the expansive landscapes of the surrounding wetlands. The national park extends in Bukombe, Mbogwe (Geita region), Biharamulo (Kagera region), Kahama (Shinyanga Region) and Kaliua in Tabora region, Urambo district in Western Tanzania. More so the Kigosi National Park was informally a game reserve, then Kigosi was established as a park in 2019, the park covers an area of 8, 265 square kilometers and encompasses a vast shallow basin drained by 7 slow-moving rivers, the Malagarasi, Moyowosi, Nikonga, Ugalla, Kigosi, Nikonga, and Gombe.

The park is renowned for its rich wildlife and includes a variety of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Tourists can easily spot large hers of elephants, pride of lions, lions, buffaloes, crocodiles, topis, sitatunga, warthogs, baboon, zebras, sable, bushbuck, oribi, common and Bohor reedbuck, hyenas, hippos and Defassa waterbucks among others. The park is also a haven for bird enthusiasts, hosting over 300 bird species including colorful kingfishers, shoebill storks, grace-wattled cranes, pygmy geese, pelicans, and fish eagles that thrive near the lakes. Additionally, the waterways around Kigosi attract numerous aquatic mammals and contributes to the park’s rich biodiversity. However, there are many activities visitors can enjoy or participate in while on a safari in Kigosi National Park and we are going to discuss some of the most popular activities such as;

Cycling tour

Cycling through Kigosi National Park is one of the tourist activities to do in Kigosi National Park and is an exhilarating way to explore its stunning landscape and diverse wildlife. The park features various trails that wind through picturesque forests, open savannas, and tranquil lakes. During your cycling tours, you will have the chance to encounter large herds of buffalo, sable, roan antelopes, kudu, leopard, and topi, colorful bird species, and even the occasional troop of monkeys as they pedal through the ark. Local guides often lead cycling tours, ensuring riders navigate the best routes safely while gaining insights into the area’s ecology and conservation efforts. It’s a fantastic option for families and individuals seeking an active day immersed in nature, combining exercise with the thrill of adventure.

Camping

Camping in Kigosi National Park allows tourists to immerse themselves in nature and experience the African wild up close. The park has several campsites, offering a mix of basic amenities and more luxurious options. While on camping excursions, you will have the chance to enjoy the thrill and darkness of African wilderness while enjoying the sounds of the wild such as the orchestra of crickets, distant animal calls, and rustling leaves. Waking up in the morning brings stunning sunrises over the lakes, making it the perfect place for breakfast.

Day Game drives

Day game drives at Kigosi National Park are one of the best tourist activities to do in Kigosi National Park, this amazing activity is done on vehicles transverse through the woodlands and the plains where you will be greeted with the astonishing views of the park’s wild animals using the vehicle. During your day game drives, you will have the great chance to spot numerous arrays of stunning wildlife in their natural environment such as Zebras, Baboons, Eland, Lions, buffaloes, topis, leopards, and many more as well as a large number of bird species.   This amazing activity offers you the best moment in Kigosi National Park. The swampy areas of the south of the park are known for sightings of sitatunga and which is one of the other largest protected sectors in East Africa the sitatunga has waterlogged regions that provide the perfect habitat for waterbuck, hippos, and crocodiles.

Night game drives

Night game drives in the park is also another thrilling activity in Kigosi National Park. as darkness falls, guided vehicles venture into the park to explore the nocturnal world of wildlife. The unique experiences allow tourists to witness the behavior of animals that are typically unseen during the day. While on your night game drives, you will have the chance to spot elusive wildlife that are rarely spotted during the day time such as leopards, hyenas and owls. Armed with powerful spotlights, experienced guides share fascinating insights about the nocturnal ecosystem and how these creatures play in it. Night game drives create an exhilarating atmosphere, as the sounds of the African night set the stage for unforgettable encounters.

Nature walks.

Nature walks in the park are one of the best ways to explore the hidden gems of the park, this amazing safari in a guided tour where tourists have a chance to navigate the terrain landscape of the park on foot. Nature walks can be done in Kigosi National Park this is where the tourists organize and move in their groups while walking around the park with the help of the park guide. During your guided nature walks, you will have a great chance to spot a variety of the park’s wildlife since the park is in a wetland, various animal and bird species can be spotted during your nature walks and so many park features can be identified as well.

Birding

Kigosi National Park is a birdwatcher’s paradise, basting over 300 bird species. The national park is an ideal destination for rare water-loving birds such as the shoebill stork, wattled crane, and Pel’s fishing owl, and among many others, the swamps are the best habitats for the bird species where the tourists have the chance to spot a variety of bird species in the park during their birding tour in the park. the best time for birding is early mornings and evenings when activity levels are at their peak.

Sport fishing

Kigosi National Park is home to several freshwater lakes teeming with fish, making it an ideal destination for sport fishing. Visitors interested in sport fishing can expect to catch fish species such as tilapia, Nile perch catfish, and many other types of fish. Fishing excursions in the park often include local guides who share their expertise on the best fishing spots and techniques. A fishing trip in Kigosi National Park not only provides a thrilling experience but also the opportunity to connect with nature and appreciate the thrill of reeling in catch amidst the park’s breathtaking scenery is an adventure to cherish.

Photography /filming tours

Kigosi National Park is dreaming destination for photography, filming enthusiast. The park’s stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and stunning sunsets create perfect opportunities for stunning photographs. During your photography/filing tours, you will be guided to the best places with various light conditions where you can capture the best pictures of this stunning national park including the wildlife and colorful bird species.

How to access Kigosi National Park

The park is accessible by air with chartered flights organized from Arusha and Dar es Salaam and by road you can access the park easily using the four-wheel drive cars from Arusha or Dar es Salaam to the park.

Where to stay while on safaris in Kigosi National Park

There are no accommodation facilities within the park. But camping is recommended for the guests who would need permission to camp in the area. Guests can stay in typical safari lodges and tented accommodation on the outskirts of the park, or in basic frame tents in the adjoining Moyowosi Game Reserve.