Best Time To Visit Ugalla River National Park

Wondering when you can visit Ugalla River National Park, this blog talks about the best time to visit Ugalla River National  Park and what you will  see during the season you choose to visit.

Ugalla River National Park

The Ugalla River National Park is found in the Tabora region, west of Central Tanzania. It was gazzatted in 2019 by GN No 936 dated November 2019. The gazettement combined an area which formerly was Ugalla North Game Reserve 1811 kilometers squared and North Ugalla Forest Reserve 205 kilometers squared covering a total land area of 3,865 kilometer squared.

The park was named after the life giving river which is Ugalla River that is a permanent water source for both wildlife and the birds during the dry season. Ugalla River flows slowly westwards beyond the boundaries of the national park and eventually drains into Lake Tanganyika.

Ugalla River National Park is one of the greatest and unexplored national parks in Tanzania, blessed with different species of flora and fauna which makes the area very potential for tourism activities.

Ugalla River National Park is a typical safari site beaming with a variety of wildlife species for example species like zebras, elephants, giraffes, dik dik, leopards among others. Ugalla river national park also comprises of several swamps, tall savannah grasslands, woodlands, land escapes and beautiful scenery.

The river is famous for its slow moving nature, oxbow lakes, shallow pools and stretches and it is a home of different bird species for example the shoebill storks, pygmy  geese and wattled cranes. Ugalla River National park is reputed to have some of the largest crocodiles ever recorded in Africa making this a unique destination for dinosaur descendants. The crocodiles mainly feed on catfish during the dry season and then later on wild animals that slope to drink water on the Ugalla River such as zebras during.

When To Visit Ugalla River National Park | Best Time To Ugalla River

The park is always open through out the year for tourists to travel to the destination however, its swampy and the wet spots here and there makes it difficult for some tourists to make it during the wet season. Therefore, tourists are encouraged to visit Ugalla river national park in Tanzania between July and October which is the dry season.

The park is opened to tourists from different countries. It majorly experiences dry season which is the best time to visit Tanzania because that simplifies the movements around and within the park unlike during the wet season.

The dry season

This is the best time to visit Ugalla River National Park. The dry season runs from between July to early November. Animals like sitatunga antelopes have their offsprings during this season and it is an experience which one would not love to miss out on.

The animals mainly depend on Ugalla River during this season and it becomes a place where most of exciting wildlife lies around during this season.

Tourists mostly visit Ugalla River National Park in the dry season as hippos and crocodiles are bound to leave the river as they tend to feed on the animals that come down to drink water on the banks of the river and  Ugalla River is reputed to have some of the largest crocodiles ever recorded in Africa.

The following should be expected in the dry season

Thin vegetation, no rainfall, dusty roads, hippos and other animals concentrated at the hippo pool, animals concentrated in waterholes, too much heat, dry roads and easy spotting of animals.

The number of tourists here is very high during this period and it is known as the peak season.

The wet season

Tourists also visit Ugalla River National Park during the rain seasons which are between Januarys to April and this gives a wonderful time for bird watchers although the accessibility to the clear viewing sites is always impossible due to the heavy rains received in such areas.

Ugalla river following its endless twists and loops offer beautiful looks to the tourists  for example the the groves of huge trees along the banks that provide a wonderful places to camp or just relax, for a mid-day coffee break.

The following should be expected in the wet season;

Rain in the afternoons, green and lush scenery, few tourists, low prices for accommodations and some flights, animals seeking shelter from the rains and  muddy roads, new born animals,

The number of tourists at this time is extremely low due to the heavy rains and this season is known as the low season.

There is also the transition season whereby the season is changing from dry to rainy season. This is a low season as few tourists are traveling because they may not have the luxury to enjoy activities such as game drives, nature walks, and others.

Attractions in  Ugalla River National Park

River Ugalla in Ugalla River National Park

The Ugalla River flows slowly westwards beyond the boundaries of the national park into waterways that are complex and into the wetlands of the Moyowosi swamps, and later it drains into Lake Tanganyika and the river is the main source of water to the animals and birds especially during the dry seasons. River Ugalla has the largest crocodile species to have been ever recorded around Africa and many birds and crocodiles use the the river banks as their breeding grounds.

Ugalla River dominates several hills and valleys are drained through the vegetation around such as the tall grassland savannah and miombo woodlands. It meanders slowly in the middle of the park and is a major source of tourism attraction at the park.

Wildlife at Ugalla River National Park

The park is sanctuary to several wildlife both animals and nature and examples include baboons, leopards, elephants, bush pigs, hyenas, giraffes and so many more .

The swampy sections of Ugalla River are grounds which are common for the cape clawless, sitatunga antelopes, among other animals.

Walking Safaris at Ugalla River National Park

This is an amazing attraction at Ugalla River National park in Tanzania where tourists get a chance to stretch their legs and tour through the park on foot.

Tourists are in position to see different animals and birds during the nature walk through the park under the guidance of well-trained tour guides and therefore several animals like dik-dik, elephants, zebras and others will be in full view. Birds too are not an exception around Ugalla River National Park because they will be seen chirping all around and tourists are encouraged to move with their cameras to take photos of wildlife for a better perception after the tour.

Bird watching at Ugalla River National Park

The park has several bird species and most of them are water birds for example wattled cranes and shoebill storks which are always spotted swimming in the river and flying about. The other bird species that can be seen while tourists enjoy their tour include; pygmy geese, honey guide greenbul, the African paradise fly-catcher, African emerald cuckoo and so many others. The best time to visit Ugalla National Park for bird watching is the wet season.

Game Viewing at Ugalla River National Park

Tourists are are able to spot several species of animals and birds on the banks of Ugalla River especially when they come together which is a common occurrence during the dry season. When animals such as lions, elephants, buffalos and giraffes gather to drink water from the river, It is also fun to watch them as they co-exist in their natural habitats.

Bee Keeping at Ugalla River National Park

Bees collect nectar  from the wild flowers that are provided by the Miombo woodlands and savannah grasslands to make honey. Tour guides give a chance to tourists to harvest honey for consumption and fun while at the park.

Vegetation at Ugalla River National Park

Ugalla River National Park is made up of savannah and miombo woodlands. Between January and April which is the dry season around the national park, the bushes look radiant and water birds like geese and shoebill stalk can easily be spotted and this is very interesting for bird watchers.

Activities at Ugalla River National Park

Game Drive

The drive can be done in the tourists circuit and mostly along Ugalla River that tends to flow its endless twists and loops where tourists get an opportunity to see different animals that always slope down to drink from the Ugalla River thus making the visit of the tourists unforgettable. The game drives are done in a 4×4 safari land cruisers with open roofs for proper game viewing and photography.

Bird Watching

Ugalla River National Park has several bird species especially water birds for example the shoebill storks, wattled cranes and the pygmy geese hence a haven for bird watching that attracts most bird lovers mostly in the wet seasons.

Walking Safari

This is done when the temperatures are low in the morning or evening since during these times animals are also active looking for food and therefore a larger percentage of the walking safaris are done during morning hours taking advantage of cool temperatures .

It provides an opportunity to experience the real nature through walking and enjoying the beautiful sounds of nature comprised of birds voices as they sing their melodious tunes.

Sports Fishing at Ugalla River National Park

Sports fishing is mainly done on fun at Ugalla River and tourists get a good experience when they are helped by the local fishermen who them how to capture the fish and then later they are released back into the river without hurting them. Tilapia is the most common fish species found around Ugalla River and this passively gives tourists an opportunity to spot other animals around the river banks for example water dwellers like crocodiles.

Photography

The park provides the best place for professional photographers. Whether your interest is to capture wildlife, riverine landscapes, sunsets, bird life and scenic vistas, Ugalla River National Park is the best destination for you. Early in the morning, the golden light, misty atmosphere create a perfect back drop for your photographs.

Camping

Ugalla River National Park has camping sites that are designated professionally on the wilderness for which the visitors will find the well planned tent accommodations. At some comping sites, visitors are advised to come with their own tent gears to plant.

Animals at Ugalla River National Park

The park is rich in animals and bird species that include the big five that help in maintaining the eco system of the national park.

It has animals such as elephants, lions, giraffes, sable antelopes, roan, wild dogs, greater kudu, leopards, buffaloes, crocodile, East African bush duiker, eland, hyena, impala, common reedbuck, bush pigs, zebras and other swamp dwelling animals.

Accessibility to Ugalla river national park

Tourists are able to get to Ugalla river national park by railway transport, road transport or air transport.

By road transport

The park can be accessed by road during the dry season from June to early November from Tabora Town, Kaliau district 45 kilometer and from Urambo district which is 75 kilometer from the park.

Ugalla river national park is 814 kilometer away from the former capital city of Tanzania which is Dar es Salaam that makes it the first destination to tourists coming from other countries who may use tourists vans or buses.

By air 

Tourists use air transport to the national park using near by airports of Tabora, Kaliau and Urambo which is the fastest way to get there although it is usually used by few tourists with disposable income.

The tourist can book a chartered flight from Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam to Ugalla national park. Also using the existing airstrips of Kasense, Siri and Muhuba within the park that can be used only during the dry season.

By train

Ugalla River National Park can be accessed by use of train by going through Tabora route at Usoke and Kaliau station and also through Mpanda to Kaliau route at Lumbe and Ugalla station.

Accommodation At Ugalla river National Park / Hotels At Ugalla River National Park

The accommodation currently available is by the private camping arranged through Tanzania National Park Authority Headquarters in Arusha. Ugalla river national park is blessed with many types of accommodation around it and therefore tourists are offered the best beddings when they happen to visit Ugalla river national park. It offers luxury, mid-range and budget accommodation for example Palahala luxury camp, Lupita island private resort and the Grand penta hotel.

Luxury accommodation

Luxury accommodation refers to those hotels that offer a range of high-end amenities and features that are typically not found in ordinary services. The amenities include; bathrobes, coffee kit, gym and spa, bar area, to mention but a a few. Luxury accommodations are usually used by clients with more disposable income as they tend to be given first class treatment since they are able and willing to spend on such luxurious services and these include the following;

• The Grand Penta Hotel

This hotel is found right at the city center that is, Tabora, hence easy accessibility. The Grand Penta hotel has a bar and restaurant, free Wi-Fi and various types of services.

• Lupita Island Private Resort

This hotel is found on Lupita island, a small island on Lake Tanganyika. It is the ultimate accommodation for one seeking privacy and a quiet serene atmosphere.

• Palahala luxury camp

This camp is located in Katavi National Park. It is a secluded camp which is permanently tented with a great number of services such as bar and restaurants, butler services,  library space and lounging area.

Mid-range accommodation

• Tabora Belmonte Hotel

Tabora Belmonte Hotel is located in Tabora. It offers a garden which provides a beautiful view from the balconies and it also has a restaurant, outdoor pool, private parking, flat scree and offers paid airport shuttle service.

• Mwafrika Hotel

It has best services for tourists of Ugalla river national park and is located in the busy commercial place at Tabora.  Mwafrka hotel offers free Wi-Fi, bar and security.

Budget accommodation

This is the accommodation that most tourists use because it is the most affordable to all tourists around Ugalla river national park. The budget accommodation is offered to tourists who have a fixed budget and examples include;

• Deluxe Lodge

This lodge is situated in Mpanda city in Katavi region. It is a short distance from this lodge to the park and each room in this lodge has a television for entertainment purposes to the clients.

• Kinday Lodge

• Barcelona Lodge

It is found in Tabora region 2.3 kilometer from the park. It offers free wifi and its rooms are for non- smoking clients as smoking  is prohibited within the premises.

• Golden Eagle Hotel

It is situated in Tabora. It has restaurant services and all rooms have televisions for purposes of entertainment.

Frequently asked questions.

1.What is unique about about Ugalla National Park?

The park harbors the largest of crocodiles ever recorded in Africa.

2. Where is the Ugalla National Park?

Ugalla River National Park is found in Tabora region, in western Tanzania.

Conclusion about Ugalla National Park in Tanzania

Other than the best activities done around and within Ugalla National Park,  the park is blessed with the largest crocodiles ever recorded in Africa and has several animal, bird and plant species. It is equipped with natural attractions such as savannah grassland, Masito hills and narrow steep valleys that quench the destinations desires and therefore tourists  should not miss out on the opportunity to come through and explore at Ugalla National Park that offers the best experience.