National Parks Of Africa Not To Be Missed
The African territory is truly amazing, the great diversity of fauna and natural landscapes is truly incredible. If you are planning a trip to this continent, we recommend that you visit some of its most impressive natural areas. Read on to discover Africa’s best national parks.
Which National Parks in Africa Should You Visit?
It is very difficult to answer this question given the entire continent is home to more than 100. The three countries with the highest density of reserves are Tanzania, Kenya and Gabon and the most common habitats are jungles, forests and savannas. Among these stand out:
1. Serengeti National Park
It is one of the most famous and is located in Tanzania. It has an extension of 13,000 km² and is the cradle of the “big five”: buffalo, rhinoceros, lion, leopard and elephant. Thousands of wildebeest also live in it , protagonists of one of the most impressive annual migrations.
The Seregenti National Park (photo that opens this article) is also home to zebras, hyenas, vultures, ostriches, owls, hippos, giraffes, cheetahs and even fossils and remains of ancient human civilizations. Today the Masai tribe still lives, which has inhabited this region for thousands of years.
2. Kruger National Park
When we think of the national parks of Africa, this reserve which is located in South Africa and which has an extension of 19,000 km² automatically comes to mind. Until the 1920s it was used as a hunting reserve, but in 1926 it was transformed into a protected area.
Typical Kruger fauna include zebras, oxen, elephants, lions, hippos, leopards, rhinos, meerkats, crows, cheetahs and crocodiles. Of the more than 500 species of flyers that can be spotted, half live in the park all year round. Those who want to be in full contact with nature can sleep in private campsites and shelters… and well guarded!
3. Etosha National Park
It is located in Namibia and is one of the largest national parks in the world with more than 22,000 km². It is a large matorral with savannas, dry salt lagoons and several depressions. It is home to more than 100 animal species, including lions, elephants, zebras, antidorcads (African antelopes), rhinos and giraffes.
The Etosha National Park was founded in 1907 and its territory has expanded little by little. From October to May the rains are abundant and the animals take the opportunity to drink and cool off in the various puddles or lagoons that form ; temperatures at this time of year are around 40 ° C.
4. Semien National Park
It is located in Ethiopia, to be exact among the mountains of the same name, in the Amara region, where the highest peak in Africa is located, Ras Dascian. The park was created in 1969 and extends for 16,000 hectares, including grasslands, forests and rocky outcrops.
In the Semien mountains there are the caberù, the eared vulture, the Semien ibex, the Verraux eagle, the lanner and the kestrel. Among the main inhabitants of this park are the Gelada baboons, similar to the classic baboons, but with a red spot on the chest.
5. Virunga National Park
The last of the African national parks on our list is in the Democratic Republic of Congo, between the Virunga Mountains and the Ruwenzori Mountains. First nature reserve on the continent, it has become famous for hosting mountain gorillas, an endangered species.
In this region, to be exact near and inside Lake Eduardo, you can find large groups of hippos, elephants, giraffes, okapi, chimpanzees, black buffaloes and endemic birds.
