25 Largest National Parks And Reserves In East Africa

25 Largest National Parks And Reserves In East Africa

There is still a lot of misinformation regarding the African continent. It is not a surprise that some people still assume that Africa is a country with people living in bushes with many starving kids in the middle of the hot Savannah planes. Though there are some part of Africa suffering from famine, there are also well off localities with almost everything you can find in the western countries.

However, the developed parts of Africa are not popular for safaris; it is the national parks that are the most popular tourism destinations on the African continent. Anything else that is not a national park is likely to be a beach or a waterfall and life in the rural communities of the different African countries.

Southern Africa and East Africa are the most popular tourism destinations on the African continent in regard to wildlife safaris. These often cover primate safaris which are more of treks and hikes; along with game drives with the most popular one in Tanzania and Kenya; the great migration.

The south and the East are far apart, for this reason we have compiled for you a list of the top 25 largest wildlife reserves and national parks in East Africa. East Africa is made up of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and Burundi.

Unfortunately, Burundi, and Rwanda do not make it anywhere in the largest 25 national parks and reserves in East Africa. The list is mostly dominated by Tanzania.

1. Nyerere National park (30,893km2) Tanzania

Nyerere National park is the newest national park in Tanzania. It was separated from Selous game reserve in commemoration of the late Julius Nyerere. When you search for the biggest national parks in Africa, Kruger national park often pops up on top, however Namib-Nankluff park (49,768 km2) is the biggest national park in Africa followed by Nyerere national park in Tanzania as of 2020 against the 19,485km2 Kruger national park.

Wildlife in Nyerere national park includes but not limited to; Buffaloes, elephants, zebras, water-bucks, hartebeest, impalas, rhinos, giraffes among several other mammal species.

2. Selous Game Reserve (23,707 km2) Tanzania

Selous game reserve not only East Africa’s largest game reserve but also Africa’s biggest game reserve seated on a land expanse of 54,600 km2. It is from part of this game reserve that we got Nyerere National Park. It is one of the few parks in Africa where you can not only do a photographic safari but also a hunting safari in East Africa. Wildlife in Selous game reserves includes; Buffaloes, hippos, lions,   wildebeests, zebras, water-bucks, elands, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, Impalas, greater Kudu and giraffes while hosting over 430 bird species.

3. Southern National Park (23,000 km2) South Sudan

South Sudan has a total of six national parks, these include; Nimule national park, Shambe national park, Lantoto national park, Boma national park, Bandingilo national park, and Southern Sudan national park. Out of these six national parks, Southern national park is the largest national park in South Sudan offering game drive opportunities to spot giraffes, Elephants, Buffaloes, oribi, kobs, warthogs, lions, and hartebeests among several other wildlife species.The park is water by mainly four rivers, the Nile, Sue River, Gel river and Ibba river. These are primary sources of water for wildlife throughout the year which also offer special opportunities of spotting wildlife on the river bank; mainly the Nile crocodiles.

4. Boma National Park (22,800 km2) South Sudan

Sometimes we might be over taken by size, but though Boma national park comes second of southern national park, the park also has a variety to offer in terms of wildlife however much the most dominant animal species are the white eared kobs. Other animal species in this park include; cheetahs, lions, leopards, giraffes, hartebeests, elephants, lesser kudo, buffaloes among several other common African wildlife species. The park is mainly know for the antelope migration just like Serengeti’s great migration

5. Ruaha National Park (20,226 km2) Tanzania

Ruaha national park is the third largest national park in Tanzania. Like other African national park, it is mainly known for wildlife. These include but not limited to African elephants, lions, leopards, zebras, giraffes, jackals, lions, impalas among several other antelopes

6. Serengeti National park (14,750 km2) Tanzania

The face of Tanzanian safaris is Serengeti national park. It is mainly known for the great wildebeest migration which is one of the most fascinating wildlife activities on the African continent. The park has the highest population of some of the world’s most threatened wildlife species such as the African elephants, cheetas, wild dogs, black rhinos among several other animal species. The park offers some of the best game drives in the whole of East Africa, however you will need a very good car lest you get stranded in this big park. In case of break down, it might take you up to more than 8 hours to find a solution.

7. Tsavo East National Park (13,747 km2) Kenya

Tsavo national park is the largest national park in Kenya. It was divided into two for proper management forming Tsavo East national park and Tsavo west national park. Animals such as the African elephant, black rhinos, hippos, lions, leopards, hartebeests among several other antelopes can be spotted in this park. The park’s location makes is one of the best options in case you are to drive from Mombasa to Nairobi Kenya.

8. Bandingilo National Park (10,000 km2) South Sudan

Just like Boma national park, Bandingilo national park is mainly known for the antelope migration. Seated on a land expanse of around 10,000km², the park is the third largest national park in south Sudan. It has a variety of wildlife species including but not limited to; Nubian giraffes, cheetahs, caracals, lions, spotted hyenas, white-eared kob, reedbucks, and African elephant wildlife among several other wildlife species.

9. Tsavo West National Park (9,065 km2) Kenya

Tsave west national park is an extension of Tsavo west national park. It was separated from Tsavo East mainly for administrative purposes. But you are most likely to find almost all the wildlife in common in varying times and seasons of the year.

10. Ngorongoro Conservation Area (8,292 km2) Tanzania

Ngorongoro conservation area is the second most popular wildlife destination in Tanzania. The highlights of park include but not limited to; Black rhinos, Elands, Hippos, Jackals, Kobs, Lions, Gazelles, wildebeest, leopards, African elephants, and several other antelopes. It is also popular for the crater lakes.

11. Burigi- Chato National Park (4,702 km2) Tanzania

Burigi-Chato National park is one of the new national parks in Tanzania; it was formed after merging Biharamulo game reserve, Kimisi game reserve and Burigi game reserve. The park is located near Rwanda Tanzania Rwanda border just below Lake Victoria. The most popular animals in this park include; giraffes, impalas, elephants, zebras among several other savannah African wildlife species.

12. Katavi National Park (4,471 km2) Tanzania

Buffaloes are the major icon of this park, it is known for hosting the biggest herd of buffaloes on the planet. The park is a combination of Savannah plains, streams, grasslands and thickets. Other wildlife that can be spotted in this park include but not limited to crocodiles, hippos, lions, elephants, zebras, impalas, buffaloes among other grassland wildlife species.

13. Uwanda Game Reserve (4,100 km2) Tanzania

Uwanda game reserve is an extension of Katavi national park. This implies that you are likely to find similar ecosystems in the Uwanda and almost majority of the wildlife species; these include but not limited to elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, zebras, and several antelope species.

14. Murchison Falls National Park (3,893 km2) Uganda

Murchison falls is the largest national park in Uganda. Its main icon is Murchison falls which are the strongest falls in the whole world. However besides the falls, the park is home to a number of wildlife species including but not limited to chimpanzees, elephants, impalas, lions, leopards, buffaloes among a number of primates that can be found in Budongo forest.

15. Mkomazi National Park (3,234 km2) Tanzania

Mkomazi national park is one of the most recommended destination for anyone that wants to double their Kilimanjaro mountaineering with a game drive. The wildlife in this park includes but not limited to; elands, giraffes, impalas, leopards, cheetahs, lions, hartebeest, lesser kudu among several other antelopes.

16. Mikumi National Park (3,230 km2) Tanzania

Mukimi national park borders Selous game reserve. It has a similar landscape to that of Serengeti national park. It is home to baboons, black antelope, zebras, giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, impalas, elands, lions among several other predators. It proximity offers a great opportunity to connect to selous game reserve and Ruaha national park.

17. Ugalla River National Park (3,865 km2) Tanzania

Ugalla river national park is one of the newest national park in Tanzania. It was formed in 20119.The wildlife in this park includes but not limited to; African elephant, lions, leopard, giraffe, zebras, roan antelopes, sable antelopes, sitatungas among several other wildlife species.

18. Kakamega Forest National Reserve (3,034 km2) Kenya

Kenya is commonly known as a magical destination. Kakamega forest national reserve is one of those places that make Kenya magical. There is nothing spectacular to look out for but in its simplicity, it never fails to offer a great experience. The highlights include; Isiukhu falls, Mukanga trails, several bird species, snake species and mammals including but not limited to monkeys, duikers among several other mammals.

19. Tarangire National Park (2,850 km2) Tanzania

Like Murchison falls national park in Uganda, Tarangire national park acquires its name of Tarangire River. The major highlights in this park include but not limited to; bird watching, sightseeing, cultural visits, nature walks among several other activates.

20. Pian Upe Game Reserve (2,275 km2) Uganda

Pian Upe game reserve is one of the least visited reserves in Uganda. This makes non affected by human activities unlike some of the other reserves and park in Uganda. The major highlights in the park include cultural tours, and game drives.

21. Udzungwa National Park (1,990 km2) Tanzania

Udzungwa national park is one of the most unique national parks in Tanzania. It has a combination of mountain rainforest, miombo woodland, grassland and steppe. Primates, bird watching and sightseeing are the major highlights of the park

22. Queen Elizabeth National Park (1,978 km2) Uganda

Queen Elizabeth national park is the second most visited national park in Uganda after Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The park is a combination for streams, grasslands, and forests. The major highlights in this park include; boat cruise, game drives, tree climbing lions and camping safaris. It is also home to African leopards, elephants, buffaloes, chimpanzees among several other primates.

23. Kora National Park (1,788 km2) Kenya

The park is located east of mountain Kenya. Its major highlights include; fishing, game viewing and rock climbing. Wildlife species in the park include but not limited to; Bush elephants, spotted and striped hyenas, caracals, hippos, cheetahs and several wildcats.

24. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park (1,688 km2) Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most popular national parks in Tanzania. Kilimanjaro Mountain is the highest mountain in Africa. It offers great opportunities to spot several species of flora and fauna. Wildlife species in Kilimanjaro national park include but not limited to; warthogs, water buffaloes, monkeys, blue monkeys, dik dik, bushbuck, giraffes among several other wildlife species.

25. Mahale National Park (1,650 km2) Tanzania

Mahale national park is one of the only two national parks in Tanzania where you can spot chimpanzees. The park is located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika offering great opportunities for bird watching, boating, fishing, photography, farm trips and cultural tours. Wildlife; chimp, lions, leopards, hippo, Buffalo, zebra, elephant, Giraffe among several other wildlife

Other Large National Parks in East Africa include;

1. Sibiloi Hills National Reserve (1570 Km2) Kenya
2. Marsabit National Park (1554 km2) Kenya
3. Matheniko Game Reserve (1520 Km2) Uganda
4. Masai Mara Game Reserve (1510 Km2) Kenya
5. Kidepo Valley National Park (1442 Km2) Uganda
6. Akagera National Park (1122 km2) Rwanda
7. Saadani National Park (1100 km2) Tanzania