Ugalla River National Park Explained

Ugalla River National Park
Iucn Category:II
Photo Alt:Satellite view of Ugalla River system taken from ISS
Photo Width:225
Map:Tanzania
Map Alt:A map showing the location of Ugalla River National Park
Map Width:225
Relief:1
Location:Tabora Region
Nearest City:Mpanda
Coordinates:-5.8104°N 31.9018°W
Area:3865km2
Designation:National Park
Established:2019
Named For:Ugalla River
Governing Body:Tanzania National Parks Authority under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism

The Ugalla River National Park (Hifadhi ya Taifa ya Mto Ugalla, In Swahili) is a Tanzanian national park in Tabora Region, of west-central Tanzania.[1] The park covers 3865sqkm.[2] It is bounded on the south by the Ugalla River.

Etymology

The Ugalla River, which during the dry season is the only source of permanent water for wildlife, inspired the park's name. The river gently meanders westward outside of the national park's boundaries into the intricate network of marshes and rivers known as the Moyowosi Swamps, which finally empty into Lake Tanganyika.

History and Attractions

The National Park was established in 2019 after the Tanzanian parliament separated part of the Ugalla River Game reserve to form a national park.[3] It is located in the central-western part of Tanzania, in the eastern part of Lake Tanganyika.[4]

The whole area is a spacious landscape dominated by Miombo forests and high grassy savannas inhabited by buffaloes, elephants, leopards, giraffes, zebras, etc.[5] The average amount of rainfall is 600–750 mm per annum.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ugalla North Forest Reserve. World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA).
  2. Web site: Tanzania National parks Brochure 2020. Tanzania National Parks.
  3. News: Masare . Alawi . Tanzania clinches 'top position' as more parks are approved . 12 April 2020 . The Citizen . citM.
  4. Web site: Ugalla River Game Reserve. 2021-02-22. Tanzania Zalendo. en-US.
  5. Web site: Ugalla River National Park. 2021-02-22. Ratel Adventures. en-US.
  6. Web site: BirdLife Data Zone. 2021-02-22. datazone.birdlife.org.