African national parks and reserves. Scenic reserves and national parks of Africa National park or reserve of Africa

Lake Nyasa is one of the largest African lakes, in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, 560 km long, up to 80 km wide and up to 704 m deep. Nyasa means "lake" in the Yao language.

Lake Nyasa is located between Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique. The relief of the coastline varies from rocky cliffs to spacious beaches. The coastal plains are especially wide in the northwest, where the Songwe River flows into the lake, as well as in the southern part of the coast. The lake is fed by 14 year-round rivers, including the most important Ruhuhu, Songwe, North and South Rukuru, Dwangwa, Bua and Lilongwe. The only external drain of the lake is the Shire River. The water of the lake varies from warm to cool in places.

The lake is famous for its wide variety of fish species. In addition to fish, this lake is characterized by a large number of crocodiles, as well as African whooper eagles that hunt fish.

Lake Nyasa is a natural landmark worthy of the attention of travelers.

Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi is the second deepest lake in Africa. Lake Malawi is also known as the "Calendar Lake" for its length of 365 kilometers, as the number of days in a year.

A beautiful, landlocked freshwater lake that makes it unique and natural, with beautiful golden beaches in the country. Local fishermen suggest taking a trip around the lake to see a huge number of colorful fish. Also on the shore of the lake there is one interesting entertainment - feeding the eagle. It is necessary to say a word and toss the fish high so that the eagle can get a treat before the fish falls into the water. On the lake you can swim surrounded by colorful fish. For those who wish there is scuba diving.

Lake Amaramba

Lake Amaramba is a shallow lake, along the edge of which the state of Malawi is located. The lake is located on the Nyansa plateau and has a total area of 20,600 acres. It is also known to lovers of water sports as a place for "sailing safari".

The lake once had a rich wildlife, but during the period of poaching during the civil war, a significant part was exterminated. The aqua fauna of the lake has also been affected by excessive emigration from the country of Malawi. After such a defeat, the World Wide Fund for Nature initiated various activities to restore nature. The five-year program provides for the creation of a lake reserve to conserve fish and waterbirds. To protect the surrounding area of forests and thus restore wild life on the shores of the lake.

Lake Malombe

Lake Malombe is located in southern Malawi, on the Shire River, in the Southern Region. The area of the lake is about 450 square kilometers.

The lake is fed by the Shire River and has a depth of 2-2.5 meters. Rice and corn (maize) are grown along the shores of the lake. Fishing is also very popular on the lake. You can go boating on the lake to appreciate the purity and beauty of the water, see the colorful fish and enjoy the fresh air. This is a very large fish that grows to a length of more than 20 cm. Here you can also fulfill your dream - diving.

The article tells about the most popular parks and reserves of the continent. Contains information about the first National Park in the history of the mainland.

National parks of Africa

Almost 4% of all African land was taken under protection by 1990.

Pongola is the first reserve of national importance created in Africa. It was founded in 1894 in South Africa.

Rice. 1. Pongola Park.

862,940 sq. km. the territory of the continent is now under the protection of the states of the continent and the world community. Any mining and forestry activities are prohibited here.

In these territories there are national parks, natural monuments, nature reserves and other attractions.

Reserves of Africa

Africa is a unique place on earth. All of it can be considered a large nature reserve. A significant variation in climatic zones has affected the living conditions for an impressive number of flora and fauna species.

All this magnificence and diversity can be seen in the national parks and reserves of the continent.

The Central Kalahari National Preserve is located in the vast expanses of the Kalahari Desert. It occupies the second position among the world's largest reserves.

The black continent has become the owner of the largest reserve in the world. The Kavango Zambezi complex borders on five states at once. The main area of the reserve is over 44 million hectares. The territory concentrates about 40 nature reserves, as well as the lands that adjoin them. Almost half of all elephants in Africa are located in the reserve. Over half a million varieties of flora of the continent and about three hundred species of feathered representatives of the animal world.

What have we learned?

We learned which place became the first park on the territory of the hottest continent on the planet. We got an idea of the richness and diversity of the flora and fauna of parks and reserves in Africa.

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The nature of the African continent is distinguished by an amazing diversity of animal species and large population sizes.

Where else can you watch prides of lions, peacefully grazing elephants, swift cheetahs or grandiose herds of zebras and antelopes crossing the area in search of water and food, if not in the reserves and national parks of Africa.

Protected areas of Africa on the map

The most visited national parks and reserves of the continent are located in the zone African savannah, which is distinguished not only by the diversity of flora and fauna, but also by the ease of observing animals.

In the expanses of the savannah, any animals are visible from afar, which distinguishes this space from the African jungle.

The African savannah is extraordinary picturesque terrain and the beauty of the landscape: it is here that the African Great Lakes and mountain systems, in particular, the majestic one, are located. To see all this splendor, you can visit one of the national parks or reserves located on this amazing continent.

Location

The vast majority of national parks and reserves in Africa are located south of the equator in the African savannah - an ecosystem characterized by amazing diversity and large populations of wild animals.

A significant part of the national parks falls on the East African countries: Kenya, Tanzania and Botswana, in which the savanna area is the largest. Other countries with notable parks and reserves include border countries:

Uganda;
Malawi;
Congo;
Rwanda;
Namibia;
Mozambique;
Zimbabwe;
South Africa.

How to get there?

You can get to African reserves in different ways, as some of them, such as Nairobi Park, are located in close proximity to large cities, others may be located in difficult terrain.

On the territory of some national parks, operating airports, so you can fly to them from capitals or large cities using local airlines.

But in order to visit most of the parks, you will have to rent a car and drive tens or even hundreds of kilometers along African roads. In order to make it easier for you to visit the reserves of Africa, you can use the services of travel companies that will provide transportation to the park or even accommodation in local hotels located right on the territory of the reserves.

List of national parks of Kenya

On the territory of this East African state there are about 60 different national parks and reserves, most of which are dedicated to the flora and fauna of the African savannah.

Tsavo

Tsavo Park is divided into 2 major parts: Eastern Tsavo and West Tsavo. The total area of the two parts is about 20 thousand km², this is the largest park in Kenya. The park was founded in 1948, and a railway was laid through its territory, connecting the capital of Kenya, Nairobi, with the eastern part of the country.

One of the features of Tsavo is the opportunity to observe the night watering places of animals: elephants and other wild animals come to the ponds located right at the walls of the hotel at night.

Another highlight of the park is located on its territory. black rhino sanctuary, in which 50 individuals of this rare species of animals live.

The fauna of Tsavo is typical of the African savannas; many species of animals live here, including the so-called "African Big Five", which consists of the most valuable African safari trophies:

lion;
rhino;
buffalo;
elephant;
Leopard.

Aberdare

Aberdare Park (Aberdare, Aberdare) is located in central Kenya, 150 kilometers from Nairobi in the Aberdare mountain range. The park was organized in 1950, its area is about 750 km².

The majestic Victoria Falls is located in Africa. Read on, where else you can see the largest streams of water rushing down.

Aberdare features landscape diversity- from high peaks to deep valleys, climate humidity and, as a result, rather dense vegetation, including bamboo thickets. The park is home to elephants, lions, leopards, as well as other animal species and a huge variety of bird species.

Most of the tourists come to the park for night safari during which you can watch the animals directly from the windows of the hotel.

Amboseli

Amboseli National Park is located on southeast of the country 250 kilometers from Nairobi. Amboseli is considered the most visited park in Kenya, the main reason for this is that the peak of Kilimanjaro is visible from its territory.

Amboseli was singled out as reservation territory for the Maasai tribe at the beginning of the 20th century, but in 1974, in order to preserve the unique ecosystem, it was transformed into a national park. Amboseli is considered the best place to observe wildlife, especially elephants, due to sparse vegetation due to long periods of drought.

The highlight of Amboseli National Park is the opportunity to get up close to grazing elephants.

Nairobi

Nairobi park - first from those that appeared in Kenya. This reserve is interesting because it is located on the territory of the capital of the country, the city of Nairobi, its discovery took place in 1946. The size of the park's fauna increases significantly during the dry season (mid-March), when water resources dry up in the surrounding area.

Nairobi park is home to typical savanna animals: lions, antelopes, cheetahs, leopards and others. Nairobi Park is considered the best place in Africa to watch black rhinos.

In the park is Burnt Ivory Monument located at the site of the destruction of this valuable material obtained by poachers.

Masai Mara

The Masai Mara National Park is located in the southwest of Kenya and is part of the Serengeti region - oldest ecoregion continent.

The area of the reserve is 1500 km², species of animals typical of the African savannah live in the park. The most famous and observed species of the Masai Mara are lions, cheetahs and wildebeest, which number in the millions.

Antelope migration during the dry season is the main highlight of the park - the huge wildebeest herds that cover the savannah impress any tourist. Also, the reserve is considered a major center for the study and conservation of black rhinos, hippos and spotted hyenas.

The largest natural areas of Tanzania

The national parks of Tanzania are considered among the best places for ecological tourism worldwide. It is on the territory of this country that most of the Serengeti region is located - a unique and oldest ecosystem in the world.

Selous

Selous - largest natural park in Africa and one of the largest nature reserves in the world. Its area is 55 thousand km², which is 5% of the territory of Tanzania. Selous was founded in 1905 as a hunting reserve and was later named after the famous British hunter and naturalist Frederick Selous. The fauna of Selous is represented by animal species typical of the savannah:

elephants;
lions;
Leopards;
Antelopes;
hippos and other animals.

Serengeti

The Serengeti National Park is located in the north of the country and is part of the Serengeti region - one of the oldest ecosystems in the world.

The Serengeti reserve was formed at the beginning of the 20th century, and in 1951 its territory was expanded and it was transformed into a national park.

In total, there are more than 3 million individuals large animals, including 3 thousand lions. Serengeti is considered the best place to watch lions and cheetahs. The park is famous for its migrations, when during the period of drought almost 1 million antelopes and about 200 thousand zebras cross its territory in search of water.

Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro Park was created in 1959 when the area around the Ngorongoro Crater was carved out of the Serengeti and made into a separate biosphere reserve. The area of the park is 9,000 km², of which 265 km² is occupied by the grandiose Ngorongoro Crater.

The inhabitants of the territory of the crater are 25 thousand animals, and here there is the highest density of predators throughout the continent (primarily lions and leopards). The big problem of the park is the locals: there are more than 60,000 shepherds and 350,000 domestic animals, which threatens the richness and diversity of the local fauna.

kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro National Park is located in northern Tanzania. He got his name from the famous highest peak in Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro. A feature of this national park is that its entire territory is located at an altitude of more than 2700 meters.

Despite the small size of the park (just over 1500 km²), the flora here extraordinarily rich: there are many lions, elephants, black rhinos and other animal species. The park is divided into 7 zones, the most interesting for tourists are the zone of wild nature and zones of hiking trails of varying intensity. Every year more than 10,000 tourists climb Mount Kilimanjaro here.

Rungwa

Rungwa National Park (Ruaha) is located in the central part of Tanzania, its area is more than 10 thousand km². The park is located on the banks the Ruaha river, because of which he received his second name.

The Rungwa fauna is typical of the African savannah and is rich and varied. Also growing in the park over 1600 species plants and trees, a significant part of which is endemic and grows only here.

A feature of Rungwa is the possibility of a walking safari accompanied by a guide, which is not often found in African reserves.

What nature reserves are there in Botswana?

Together with Kenya and Tanzania, Botswana is one of the countries best suited for eco-tourism on the African continent.

Chobe

Chobe National Park is the oldest reserve Botswana, located in the north-west of the country in the border areas with Namibia. Chobe area - more than 10 thousand km². The protected area was organized here in the early 1930s, and the status of the park was received in 1967.

The reserve has one of the largest populations in the world. African elephant- in total, more than 50 thousand individuals of this animal live here.

Central Kalahari

Central Kalahari - huge (53 thousand km²) hunting reserve in the central part of the country, located on the border with the Kalahari Desert. A significant part of the reserve is covered with sand dunes; rare shrubs and grass grow in the rest of the territory.

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The fauna of the Central Kalahari is typical of the African savannas: lions, giraffes, leopards, antelopes and other animals. One of the oldest rivers in the world flows on the territory of the park - a drying River "Valley of Deception", the formation of which began more than 16 thousand years ago. The river got its name because of the mirages that appear on its banks.

Nature of other countries of the African continent

In addition to these countries, amazing reserves can be found in almost any African country located in the subequatorial belt south of the equator.

Nyasa

Nyasa is located in the north of Mozambique on the border with Tanzania and has the status of a hunting reserve. As in other African reserves, the fauna of Nyasa is distinguished by its extraordinary diversity- lives here:

Over 16 thousand elephants;
800 lions;
Many kinds antelope;
Leopards;
hippos;
Zebras;
buffaloes and other kinds of animals.

Causes great damage to the reserve poaching local residents, because more than 35 thousand people still live on its territory.

Climate change, time difference and other changes in the habitual way of life in a foreign country can cause acclimatization. To be fully equipped, read.

Nechisar

The Nechisar Reserve is located in southwestern Ethiopia and covers an area of 500 km². The reserve is located near two large lakes: blue lake Chamo and brown abaya.

First of all, Nechisar is famous for its crocodiles, whose local individuals reach a length of 6 meters and are considered the largest in Africa. These reptiles live on the coast of Lake Chamo. Other representatives of the local fauna include typical African species of animals and birds: hippos, hyenas, zebras, gazelles, jackals, pelicans and flamingos.

Volcanic National the park

national park Birunga volcanoes in Rwanda is located in the heart of Africa at an altitude of 2 to 4.6 kilometers above sea level. There are 6 extinct volcanoes on the territory of the park, because of which it got its name.

The territory of the reserve is overgrown tropical forest, in which many different species of primates stand out.

The pride of the park are mountain gorillas, of which there are 7 large families.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Bwindi Impenetrable (Impenetrable) Forest Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda. Its area is about 300 km². Despite the small size of the park, its fauna is unusually rich, with more than 120 animal species and about 350 bird species.

More than 300 mountain gorillas live in the Bwindi forest - half of the world's population of this animal species.

Kruger

Kruger National Park in South Africa is the oldest nature reserve in this country, located in Transvaal province between the Crocodile River and the Limpopo River, famous in Russian children's literature.

Its area is more than 300 km². The reserve got its name in honor of the former president of the Transvaal Republic. Paul Kruger, who at the end of the 19th century proposed to organize a nature protection zone in this area.

It is believed that in the Kruger Park there is highest density of animals in the world: there are more than 12 thousand elephants, 5 thousand rhinos, 1500 lions, 1 thousand leopards, 17 species of antelopes and many other animal species.

Etosha

Etosha National Park is located in northern Namibia on the edge Kalahari Desert in close proximity to the Etosha Salt Flats. Despite the harshness of the terrain and the poverty of saline soil, the park is home to many different animals fighting for survival on the edge of two ecosystems: the savannah and the Kalahari desert.

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You can see the locals at watering hole: more than 100 species of mammals and 350 species of birds gather daily on the shores of perennial lakes.

The African continent has the highest concentration of national parks on the planet. As of 2014, there are 335 national parks here. More than 1,100 species of mammals, 100,000 species of insects, 2,600 species of birds and 3,000 species of fish have found protection in them. In addition, there are hundreds of sanctuaries, forest, marine and national reserves, as well as nature parks.

The Black Continent is rich in diversity of habitats. Tropical rainforests and dry savannah plains in the Sahara Desert are home to a wide variety of wildlife. Africa is home to many fascinating animals, including endangered ones. It is also considered as the place of origin of human civilization.

Serengeti National Park

Zebra migration in the Serengeti National Park. .

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is one of the oldest and most famous nature reserves in Africa. The park is famous for the annual migration of millions of wildebeests, hundreds of thousands of gazelles and zebras, as well as predators that hunt them. This is one of the most impressive natural spectacles in the world. The Great Migration, which spans 1,000 kilometers of annual circular march, passes through unique scenic spots with vast treeless expanses and spectacular gently sloping meadows dotted with exposed rocks and interspersed with rivers and forests. This park hosts one of the world's largest and most diversified predator-prey interaction populations.

Serengeti National Park covers an area of 12,950 square kilometers and is considered one of the least disturbed natural ecosystems on Earth.

Masai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara is a national reserve located in the Narok district of Kenya. It borders the Serengeti National Park, and was named after the Masai people who inhabited these regions. It is famous for its exceptional population of lions, leopards, and cheetahs, as well as the annual migration of zebras, Thomson's gazelles, and wildebeest, which travel to this place from July to October from the Serengeti every year. The event is known as the "great migration".

Masai Mara occupies a relatively small area, but here you can observe an amazing concentration of wildlife. The park is home to 95 species of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and over 400 bird species. The Big Five (buffaloes, elephants, leopards, lions and rhinos) abound throughout the park. Leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, wildebeest, swamps, baboons, warthogs, buffaloes, zebras, elephants, hippos and crocodiles converge at the Mara River.

An aerial view of a wildebeest herd following several leading zebras in the Masai Mara.

bwindi national park

Bwindi National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in East Africa. It occupies 331 square kilometers of jungle and, as the name suggests, you can only get to this place on foot. Located on the eastern edge of the Albertine Rift Valley, the park has a rich ecosystem and perhaps the largest number of tree species in East Africa. It also hosts a diverse fauna including a number of endemic butterflies and one of the richest concentrations of mammals in Africa.

Bwindi is home to almost half of the world's mountain gorilla population, which, unfortunately, has only 340 individuals.

Mountain gorilla in Bwindi National Park.

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli National Park is one of the most popular parks in Kenya. It is located in the south of the country, on the border with Tanzania. The park offers one of the most classic and breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, with its 5,985-meter peak towering over the plains. Amboseli attracts visitors primarily because of its huge herds of elephants, although the park is also inhabited by many predators such as lions, cheetahs and leopards.

An elephant crosses a dirt road in Amboseli National Park. Mount Kilimanjaro is visible in the background.

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa and one of the largest national parks in the world. Its area is 19,485 square kilometers. It is also the first national park in South Africa, which was opened in 1926, although the territory of the park has been protected by the state since 1898.

Kruger National Park has more species of large mammals than any other African reserve, including the "big five" - lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes.

Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park is located in the northwestern part of Botswana, near the border of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia. It is famous for its amazing population of elephants. Experts estimate that 50,000 of these large animals live here, perhaps the highest concentration of elephants in Africa. The best time to visit Chobe is during the dry season from April to October, when the waters dry up and the animals gather close to the river bank, where they are easy to spot.

Baby elephant on the banks of the Chobe River in the national park of the same name.

Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park is located in northwestern Namibia and covers an area of 22,270 square kilometers. It takes its name from the silvery-white salt crystals that cover the large panoramas that cover almost a quarter of Etosha's territory. The park is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including several rare and endangered species such as black rhinos.

The Etosha salt marsh covers an area of 4,800 square kilometers and formed 16,000 years ago. .

Central Kalahari National Game Reserve

The Kalahari Game Reserve covers an area of 52,800 km² in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana. It is about twice the size of Massachusetts, making it the second largest nature reserve in the world. Its territory is characterized by vast open plains, salt lakes and ancient riverbeds. The land is mostly flat and slightly undulating, covered with shrubs and grass, but also includes sand dunes and areas with large trees.

The park is home to wildlife species such as giraffe, brown hyena, warthog, cheetah, wild dog, leopard, lion, blue wildebeest, eland, gemsbok, kudu and red hartebeest.

The Bushmen have inhabited the Kalahari for thousands of years since the Stone Age. They still live here and move around the territory as nomadic hunters.

Bushmen in the Kalahari.

Nechysar National Park

The Nechisar National Park occupies only 514 sq. km., located on the excellent picturesque part of the Rift Valley between two lakes. The park in the east borders on the Amaro mountains, which rise up to 2000 m, and in the north - on Abaya Lake with eternally red waters (1070 sq. Km.). In the south - with a small transparent lake Chamo with an area of 350 km. To the east is the city of Arba Minch.

Africa is a huge continent, on the territory of which there are a large number of natural zones and various ecosystems. In order to protect the nature of this continent, various states have created a large number of parks in Africa, the density of which is the highest on the planet. Now there are more than 330 parks, where more than 1.1 thousand species of animals, 100 thousand insects, 2.6 thousand birds and 3 thousand fish are under protection. In addition to large parks, there are a huge number of nature reserves and nature parks on the African mainland.

In general, Africa has the following natural areas:

equatorial forests;
evergreen forests;
savannas;
variable-humid forests;
deserts and semi-deserts;
altitudinal range.

The largest national parks

It is impossible to list all the national parks of Africa. We will discuss only the largest and most famous. Serengeti is located in Tanzania, was created a long time ago.

Serengeti

Gazelles and zebras, wildebeest and various predators are found here.

There are endless expanses and picturesque places, with an area of over 12 thousand square meters. kilometers. Scientists believe that the Serengeti is the ecosystem on the planet that has the least changes.

The Masai Mara is located in Kenya and was named after the African Masai people who inhabit the area.

Masai Mara

There is a numerical population of lions, cheetahs, buffaloes, elephants, hyenas, you can meet leopards, gazelles, hippos, rhinos, crocodiles and zebras.

The area of Masai Mara is small, but there is a high concentration of fauna. In addition to animals, reptiles, birds, amphibians are found here.

Reptile

Ngorongoro is a national reserve, which is also located in Tanzania. Its relief is formed by the remains of an old volcano. Here, various kinds of wild animals are found on the steep slopes. On the plain, the Maasai graze livestock. It combines wildlife with African tribes that bring minimal changes to the ecosystem.

Ngorongoro

In Uganda, there is the Bwindi Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the dense jungle.

Bwindi

Mountain gorillas live here, and their number is equal to 50% of the total number of individuals on earth.

In southern Africa, there is the largest Kruger park, where lions, leopards and elephants live. There is also a large Chobe Park, where various animals live, including a large population of elephants. There are a huge number of other African national parks, thanks to which the populations of many animals, birds and insects are preserved and increased.