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About

Burigi-Chato National Park is located in northwestern Tanzania along the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and Lake Victoria. The park covers approximately 1,844 square miles (4,777 sq km), making it one of the largest national parks in Tanzania.

Established in 2019, the park was formed from the former Burigi, Biharamulo, Kimisi, Ibanda, and Rumanyika game reserves. Burigi-Chato is part of an extensive transboundary conservation landscape that connects with protected areas in neighboring countries. It also lies near the recently established Rumanyika-Karagwe National Park and Ibanda-Kyerwa National Park, helping create one of East Africa’s largest protected wilderness regions.

Burigi-Chato National Park is best known for its remarkable variety of landscapes and wildlife habitats. The park offers visitors a unique combination of lakes, rivers, wetlands, rolling hills, savannas, and woodlands. Unlike many of Tanzania’s more famous safari destinations, Burigi-Chato remains relatively undiscovered, providing an authentic wilderness experience with few visitors.

The park’s scenic beauty is enhanced by numerous lakes, including Lake Burigi, one of Tanzania’s largest natural lakes. Visitors are drawn by opportunities for wildlife viewing, birdwatching, photography, boating, and exploring vast landscapes that retain a strong sense of natural solitude.

The geography of Burigi-Chato National Park is exceptionally diverse. The park contains broad savanna grasslands, acacia woodlands, river valleys, wetlands, and extensive lakeshore environments. Lake Burigi serves as one of the park’s defining features, stretching across a large portion of the protected area and supporting a rich aquatic ecosystem.

Seasonal rivers and marshes provide critical water resources for wildlife throughout the year. The varied terrain includes gently rolling hills and open plains that create excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. This diversity of habitats supports a wide range of plant communities and contributes significantly to the park’s ecological importance.

Wildlife thrives throughout Burigi-Chato National Park. Large mammals include elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, eland, roan antelope, sable antelope, topi, and several other herbivore species. The park is one of the few places in Tanzania where both roan and sable antelope can be found in significant numbers. Predators such as lion, leopard, spotted hyena, and occasionally African wild dog also inhabit the area. Hippopotamuses and crocodiles are commonly found within the park’s lakes and wetlands.

Birdlife is particularly abundant, with fish eagles, kingfishers, storks, herons, cormorants, and numerous migratory species utilizing the park’s diverse aquatic habitats. The combination of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems creates excellent opportunities for wildlife observation.

Burigi-Chato National Park plays a vital conservation role by protecting one of East Africa’s most diverse wilderness landscapes. The park safeguards critical wildlife corridors, extensive wetland systems, and habitats that support numerous threatened and regionally important species.

Its lakes and wetlands provide ecological functions similar to those found in major African freshwater ecosystems such as Bangweulu Wetlands and Okavango Delta, while its savannas support large mammal populations characteristic of East African grasslands. As one of Tanzania’s newest national parks, Burigi-Chato represents a significant commitment to conservation and landscape-scale protection. Today, it serves as an important refuge for biodiversity while offering visitors the opportunity to explore one of the country’s most scenic and least-visited wilderness destinations.

Things to See

Predators

Burigi-Chato National Park, situated along the shores of Lake Victoria and bursting with diverse landscapes, is home to a range of apex predators that dominate both land and water.

African Lion
As the “king of the savannah,” the African lion prowls the park’s open plains in prides, working together to bring down large prey like buffalo.

Leopard
This stealthy and solitary predator thrives in the park’s wooded areas, silently stalking antelope before delivering a powerful pounce.

Spotted Hyena
Known for their bone-crushing jaws, spotted hyenas often hunt in packs or scavenge the remains of kills across the open grasslands.

Cheetah
With its unmatched speed, the cheetah races across the savannah, targeting smaller herbivores like gazelles with swift and precise chases.

African Wild Dog
These highly social predators work in packs to coordinate hunts, using endurance and teamwork to outlast and surround prey.

Nile Crocodile
Lurking in the park’s rivers and lakes, Nile crocodiles ambush unsuspecting animals that wander too close to the water’s edge.

Serval
The serval, a medium-sized feline with long legs, uses its agility to hunt small rodents, birds, and reptiles in the grasslands.

Side-striped Jackal
This opportunistic predator hunts alone or in pairs, feeding on small mammals, insects, and carrion left by larger carnivores.

Honey Badger
Fearless and tough, the honey badger is known to tackle prey much larger than itself, using sharp claws and teeth to overwhelm its target.

African Rock Python
One of the largest snakes on the continent, the African rock python lies in wait, coiling around prey such as antelope and birds.

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Burigi-Chato National Park is equally rich in non-predatory species, offering a stunning array of herbivores and other unique wildlife that thrive in its diverse ecosystems.

African Elephant
The park’s gentle giants roam through woodlands and open plains, using their trunks to forage for grasses, leaves, and water.

Cape Buffalo
Often seen in large herds, Cape buffalo graze on tall grasses, relying on strength and numbers for protection from predators.

Masai Giraffe
The tallest mammal in the world, the Masai giraffe browses on the tops of acacia trees, using its long neck to reach high branches.

Zebra
Distinctive for their black and white stripes, zebras travel in herds across the plains, grazing on grass while staying vigilant for predators.

Impala
Graceful and agile, impalas are among the most common antelope in the park, capable of leaping long distances to evade predators.

Hippo
Largely aquatic, hippos spend their days submerged in water to stay cool, venturing onto land at night to graze.

Waterbuck
Easily recognizable by its shaggy coat and white rump ring, the waterbuck prefers to stay close to rivers and wetlands.

Topi
This sleek, reddish-brown antelope is often seen in small groups grazing on the park’s grassy savannahs.

Bushbuck
A solitary browser, the bushbuck moves quietly through wooded areas, feeding on shrubs and small plants.

Warthog
Warthogs root for tubers and grasses with their strong snouts and tusks, often seen darting across open areas with tails upright.

Birds

The diverse habitats of Burigi-Chato National Park make it a prime destination for bird enthusiasts, with both resident and migratory species finding refuge here.

African Fish Eagle
This iconic bird of prey soars above the park’s lakes, swooping down to snatch fish with its powerful talons.

Grey Crowned Crane
The national bird of Uganda, the grey crowned crane dances gracefully in wetlands and grasslands, showing off its striking golden crest.

Secretary Bird
Known for its long legs and distinctive crest, the secretary bird hunts snakes and small animals on the savannah floor.

Marabou Stork
This massive, scavenging stork thrives near rivers and carcasses, often seen soaring with its expansive wingspan.

Lilac-breasted Roller
With its brilliant, multicolored plumage, the lilac-breasted roller is a dazzling sight perched on trees across open landscapes.

Shoebill
A rare and prehistoric-looking bird, the shoebill stalks wetland areas, patiently waiting to strike at fish and amphibians.

African Jacana
Known for its long toes, the African jacana walks effortlessly across floating vegetation, foraging for insects and seeds.

Malachite Kingfisher
This vibrant, small kingfisher hovers above water before plunging in to catch small fish with incredible precision.

Helmeted Guineafowl
Often seen in flocks, these ground-dwelling birds forage for seeds and insects, their spotted plumage providing camouflage.

White-backed Vulture
A crucial scavenger, the white-backed vulture patrols the skies, descending to feed on carcasses left by predators.

Things To Do

Engaging Burigi-Chato National Park

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Game Drives

Game drives in Burigi-Chato National Park provide an extraordinary opportunity to witness the park’s incredible diversity of wildlife. Guided by experienced rangers, visitors venture into vast open plains and woodlands in 4×4 vehicles, where predators like lions and leopards roam and herds of elephants and buffalo graze.

Early morning and late afternoon drives are particularly rewarding, as the wildlife is most active during these times. Along the journey, guides share insights about animal behaviors and the ecological balance of the park.

With stunning landscapes and wildlife at every turn, game drives offer an exhilarating experience for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.

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Boat Safaris

A boat safari on Lake Burigi offers a tranquil yet immersive way to explore the park’s aquatic habitats and observe its wildlife. Visitors drift along the lake’s calm waters, where hippos surface and Nile crocodiles bask on the banks.

The surrounding wetlands and reed beds are prime birdwatching areas, with sightings of African fish eagles, malachite kingfishers, and shoebills. As the boat glides quietly, visitors enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding hills and savannahs reflected on the water.

This serene experience allows for close encounters with aquatic species while offering a peaceful escape into the park’s natural beauty.

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Nature Walks

Guided nature walks in Burigi-Chato National Park offer an intimate way to explore its hidden treasures. Walking trails lead visitors through the park’s woodlands and grassy clearings, where smaller species like bushbucks, warthogs, and reptiles can be observed up close.

With expert guides pointing out animal tracks, plant species, and unique insects, every step reveals a deeper connection to the park’s ecosystem. Nature walks also allow visitors to hear the calls of birds, spot monkeys swinging in trees, and experience the quiet stillness of the African wilderness.

This immersive and educational activity brings visitors face-to-face with the park’s lesser-seen wildlife and landscapes.