Kizigo Game Reserve
Kizigo Game Reserve is located n the southern part of Tanzania, specially within the Iringa region. The Reserve is also located between the Ruaha National Park and the more remote grasslands of the region. It also provides a crucial wildlife corridor. Its strategic location allows for each access to other nearby conservation areas, making it a significant site for both wildlife and ecological research.
The Reserve started at the confluence of the Nzombe and Kizigo rivers the boundary follows upstream along the right east bank of the Kizigo river to the confluence of the Kizigo and Jamono rivers; then the boundary Singida – Manyoni District. 4,000 square kilometers follows upstream along the right-hand bank of the Jamono river to the site of Nayirago village; from here the boundary follows a demarcated and graded line in a south easterly direction to the boundary of the Rungwa Game Reserve near the old site of Usuhilo village; from along the boundary of the Rungwa Game Reserve to where it meets the Nzombe river; thence downstream along the north bank of the Nzombe river to the point of commencement.”
Established in 1997, Kizigo game reserve covers an area of approximately 2,000 square kilometers. It was created to protect the diverse range of habitat types, including miombo woodlands, savannahs, and wetlands. The reserve aimed to preserve the rich biodiversity of the area while promoting sustainable tourism.
Kizigo Game Reserve is home to a variety of wildlife species, including elephants, lions, cheetah, buffaloes, Nile crocodiles, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and several antelope’s species such as kudu and impalas. Bird watchers also appreciate the reserve for its extensive bird population. Featuring species such as African fish eagle, grey-headed kingfisher, yellow-billed stork, greater-honeyguide among others.
The reserve’s diverse ecosystem provides a sanctuary not only for large mammals bit also for numerous smaller species, making it a vital area for biodiversity preservation
Tourist activities to do at Kizigo Game Reserve
Bird watching
Kizigo Game Reserve is a birder’s paradise. Featuring an impressive diversity of bird species. While on your birdwatching safaris, you’ll find a colourful mix of bird species including the migratory species. Such birds that can be spotted includes Kori bustard, lilac-breasted rollers, banded martin, woodland kingfisher, African openbill, African fish eagle, grey-headed kingfisher, yellow-billed stork, greater-honeyguide among others. A birdwatching safari will give you the chance to view kizigo’s bustling treetops in a whole new light.
Game drives
Game drives in Kizigo Game Reserve offers thrilling opportunities to explore the natural beauty of wildlife of the area. Game drives in the reserve are done early in the morning and late in the afternoon in a safari 4×4 vehicle. During your game drive tours, you will have the chance to spot a variety of wildlife species such as the elephants, lions, cheetah, buffaloes, Nile crocodiles, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and several antelopes species. The drives offer unique perspectives on the ecosystem and ample chance for memorable photographs.
Guided walks
This is an amazing activity where visitors get the opportunity to explore the hidden treasures of the reserve on foot in a company of an armed park rangers. These rangers are well conversant about the reserve’s different walking trails. The Reserve offers shot walks which takes about 1-2 hours, long walks which takes more than 3 hours. During your guided walks, you will have the chance to come close and personal to animals in their natural habitat, plants, and tress, view colorful bird and enjoy the peaceful environment.
Photography
Photograph enthusiasts will find Kizigo Game Reserve to be a stunning canvas filled with picturesque landscapes and incredible wildlife. The Reserve’s vibrant colors and diverse ecosystem provides countless opportunities for captivation shots. Guided photography tour offer insight into capturing the perfect images, ensuring that every moment spent in the Reserve is memorable.
Cultural tours
Cultural tours in Kizigo Game Reserve allows visitors to engage with local communities and experience their rich heritage. During the cultural tours, you will be able to interact with the local people, where you will learn their way of life, culture, dress code, history, view their homestands, listen the ancient stories, taste their traditional food, visits their farmlands and buy sone items among others.
Best time to visit Kizigo Game Reserve
Kizigo Game Reserve can be visited anytime of the year, but the most recommended time is during the dry seasons. Typically run from June to October due to its less vegetation in the reserve which offers an opportunity to clearly views wildlife grazing in the open remote landscape. During the dry season, animals gather around the water sources to drink water which offers you an opportunity to have a grate wildlife view and take amazing photos.
How to access the Reserve
One can get to Kizigo Game Reserve either by road or air depending on the traveler’s choice.
By road, most trips to Kizigo Game Reserve start from Dar-es-Salaam at Julius Nyerere airport. The journey takes between 10 to 12 hours. However, those visiting Kizigo Game Reserve can combine it with Ruaha National Park, Mikumi national park since the journey between these two parks from the reserve takes 5 hours.
By air, you can use chartered or scheduled flights like; auric link or coastal aviation. These flights set off from Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Kigoma and Dodoma to Msembe airstrip and Jongomero airstrip in Ruaha Iringa region then drive to Kizigo Game Reserve.
Accommodation in Kizigo Game Reserve
The Reserve may not have the well-established accommodation safaris but visitors while on a Tanzania safaris here have the options of staying in the nearby by Ruaha national park. The park has got a number of accommodation facilities ranging from budget to mid range and luxury. Some of these facilities include; Kigali camp, Jongomero camp, Ruaha River Lodge, Mwagusi safari camp, Tandala tented camp, Sunset Mountain lodge, Ruaha hilltop lodge, Jabali Ridge among others.
