African National Park Tai Forest National Park is located in the southwest of Côte d'Ivoire, on the border with Liberia. The park area is one of the last tracts of wild forest West Africa. total area The park is 5330 km².

Located in Central Kenya 140 km from Nairobi, Lake Nakuru National Park was established in 1960, and was originally considered as a nature reserve for birds. In 1968, the reserve received the status of a national park. Recently, in order to combat poachers, the territory of the park was expanded. The total area of ​​the park is 188 km². The park's ecosystem is formed around Lake Nakuru, surrounded by forest and grasslands.

East Tsavo/Tsavo National Park is one of the oldest and largest national parks Africa, located in Central Kenya, between Nairobi and east coast. The name of the park comes from the Tsavo River, which flows through the park. Together with Tsavo West Park, the reserve occupies 4% of the entire territory of Kenya and is one of the largest national parks in the world. The total area of ​​the park is 11,747 km². The park was founded in April 1948.

One of the most visited reserves in Africa, the Masai Mara, is located in southwest Kenya, 224 km from Nairobi and is an actual continuation of the larger Serengeti National Park. The name of the reserve comes from the traditional population of the area - the Maasai tribe, as well as from the name of the Mara River flowing through its territory. The total area of ​​the reserve is 1510 km2. The reserve is located in the region of the East African Rift System. The territory of the reserve is predominantly covered with grassy savannah with acacia groves.

West Coast National Park is located on the southwestern coast of South Africa, 120 km from Cape Town. The total area of ​​the park is 27,500 hectares, including the Langebaan lagoon (6,000 hectares). The park is located near the city of Yzerfontein, the coast Atlantic Ocean and the R27 motorway.

The largest of the reserves in Tanzania and Africa, Selous is located in the south-eastern part of Tanzania. The total area of ​​the park is 54,600 km², which is equal to about 5% of the territory of Tanzania. The Rufiji River flows through the park area. Northern part The river is the most developed tourist area of ​​the park; in the southern part there are reserves for safaris with animal hunting. The park is in many ways an expensive place, designed for tourists with means.

One of the oldest reserves in Africa - Garamba National Park (in French - Parc national de la Garamba) is located in the northeast Democratic Republic Congo. The area of ​​the park is 4920 km². One of the main attractions of the park is one of the rarest subspecies of white rhinoceros, the northern one, which lives here. white rhinoceros.

One of the most famous and oldest nature reserves in Africa is the Kruger National Park, located in the north of South Africa. Since 2001, Kruger Park has been part of the Kruger to the Canyons Biosphere Reserve. The park is located in the east of the Transvaal in the area between the Limpopo and Crocodile rivers. The length of the park is 340 km. The park's territory is divided into three zones (northern, central and southern) formed by the flow of the Sabie and Olifats rivers. The total area of ​​the reserve is 18,989 km².

Located in the north-west of Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park borders Virunga National Park and Mgahinga National Park, located in Congo and Uganda respectively. The park is mainly known for the mountain gorillas that live on its territory. There are five volcanoes in the park: Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabinyo. The total area of ​​the park is 130 km².

One of the youngest national parks in Africa, Marakele National Park, is located in the north of South Africa, in the Waterberg Mountains, 250 km from Johannesburg, in the Limpopo province. The park is a biosphere reserve. The total area of ​​the park is 670 km², but soon it is planned to expand the territory to the north.

Hot and welcoming Africa happily opens the doors of its most intimate and interesting places. Safari - please, wild and exotic animals - please. All animal world Africa is open to visitors, and you can see it in the most beautiful and famous national parks and reserves in Africa.

It is with them that we want to introduce you in this article, take you into the world of animals and birds and show what secrets mysterious Africa keeps.

This park is famous for the annual migration of zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and, accordingly, the predators that hunt them. The national park is considered one of the most undisturbed ecological systems in the world. It is also the oldest park in Africa.

The park is located in Tanzania, the coordinates of the park are 2°19′51″ S. w. 34°50′00″ E. d. Upon arrival, you can stay at the Serengeti Safari Camp and spend an unforgettable time traveling through the valleys and expanses of Tanzania.

Perhaps this is the most famous and popular nature reserve in Africa. It is located in one of the districts of Kenya called Narok. The coordinates of the reserve are 1°29′24″ S. w. 35°08′38″ E. d. It is named after the tribe that lives here.

From September to October, an impressive event takes place in this reserve - the wildebeest migration. In general, the reserve is a continuation of the Sarengeti National Park. But most of all it is famous for the lions that live here in large numbers.

Upon arrival, you can stay at one of the many campsites located on site.

Unlike the previous two, this park is located in the jungle, and you can only travel through it on foot. This park is located in the Albertine Valley, the coordinates of the park are 1°03′29″ S. w. 29°42′01″ E. d.

Here you can enjoy the largest variety of trees in Africa. The park is also home to exotic and stunningly beautiful butterflies.

Gorilla safari is popular here and there is even a cottage called Gorilla Safari Lodge. The official website of the park will inform you about all the details of your stay.

This is both a nature reserve and a national park at the same time. Also, this is the very first national park in Africa. It has the most a large number of mammals, the most popular of which are lions, rhinoceroses, elephants, leopards and buffaloes. The park coordinates are 24°00′41″ S. w. 31°29′07″ E. d.

It is open from 6.00 to 17.30, and on its territory you can stay in both private campsites and regular recreational sites. You can book your safari and arrival time on the official website.

Already from the name it becomes clear that it is located in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. This is the second largest nature reserve in the world. The desert, you might think, what to do there. Despite this, the park contains salt lakes and ancient riverbeds along with sand dunes. This park has the largest concentration of wild animals in the world.

The most famous residents are white rhinoceroses, crocodiles, hippopotamuses, giraffes, wild dogs, cheetahs, hyenas and, of course, lions and leopards. The coordinates of the reserve are 21°53′22″ S. w. 23°45′23″ E. d. Of course, the infrastructure is developed here and anyone can visit and even hunt wild animals.

National parks and reserves of Africa have a special charm, and the point is not even in the famous safaris, the point is rather in the fact that they have retained their pristine beauty, pristineness, grandeur and a certain inaccessibility. These factors attract millions of tourists from all over the world to unravel the mysteries and mysteries of the beautiful African nature.

Africa is a huge continent with a large number of natural areas and various ecosystems. To protect the nature of this continent, various states have created a large number of parks in Africa, the density of which is the greatest 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 protected. In addition to large parks, on the African continent there are great amount natural reserves and natural parks.

In general, Africa has the following natural areas:

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

The largest national parks

List all National parks Africa is impossible. We will discuss only the largest and most famous. The Serengeti is located in Tanzania and was created quite a long time ago.

Serengeti

Here you can find gazelles and zebras, wildebeest and various predators.

There are endless spaces 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 change.

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

Masai Mara

There is a large population of lions, cheetahs, buffalos, elephants, hyenas, leopards, gazelles, hippos, rhinoceroses, crocodiles and zebras.

The Maasai Mara is small in area, but here high concentration fauna. In addition to animals, there are reptiles, birds, and amphibians.

Reptile

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

Ngorongoro

In Uganda there is the Bwindi Nature Reserve, located in dense jungle.

Bwindi

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

Located in southern Africa largest park Kruger, home to lions, leopards and elephants. There is also big park Chobe is home to a variety of animals, 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.

Wonderful video from the African National Park

Africa has the most large nature reserve in the world. It is called Kavango Zambezi. The complex is located on the borders of five Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The total area of ​​the reserve exceeds 44 million hectares. The protected area united 36 nature reserves and the lands surrounding them. Kawang Zambezi is home to almost half of all African elephants, more than 600 species various plants and about 300 species of birds.

With the formation of such conservation complexes as the transnational reserve of Africa, called Kavango Zambezi (abbreviated KAZA), which are prone to migration (elephants and rhinoceroses) feel completely safe in a vast territory the size of Sweden.

Tourist paradise

This land is home to many world famous attractions. For example, Despite the fact that this African reserve was founded quite recently (2011), one of the main tasks that the five states set for themselves was to create conditions for the free migration of all species of animals. In addition, for these countries, nature reserves in Africa are the most important tourist sites. Thousands of tourists from all over the world come to this unique transboundary reserve every year.

Animals

Undoubtedly, the main representatives of the animal world living in the complex are elephants. It may be hard to believe, but almost half of these giants live in the protected area. total number elephants of Africa. These vast territories are home to 600 plant species. There are many unique ones among them. In the most picturesque areas of the region, 300 species of birds have found their home.

South Africa is the land where amazingly the incompatible is combined. Landscapes of amazing beauty are concentrated in the country's reserves and national parks.

Kruger Park

The cross-border territory, with an area of ​​20 thousand square kilometers, is located between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Elephant and lion, buffalo and rhinoceros, and leopard feel quite comfortable here.

Statistics confirm the uniqueness of these places. The area occupied by this African reserve can be compared with the territory of Wales. It consists of countless picturesque meadows and pastures, coastal forests, which are home to about 150 species of mammals, including the largest population of rhinoceroses.

Five hours' drive from South Africa's largest metropolis - Johannesburg - you can see the inhabitants wildlife and get an unforgettable experience. For example, in Kruger Park you can watch a fight between a lion and a crocodile.

The most intrepid tourists can go on a guided tour, accompanied by armed guards. Nature reserves and national parks in Africa are best visited in winter. At this time, the vegetation does not grow so rapidly and does not block the view. Animals can be seen near numerous bodies of water, and at this time the risk of contracting malaria is minimal.

Royal Natal

One of the most picturesque mountain ranges in Africa is the Drakensberg. The name translates as Sharp tops of the mountains here smoothly turn into green slopes, which are covered with irregularities and hillocks.

Royal Natal National Park is located on a not too large territory(2500 sq. km), part of the Ukahlamba complex, is a World Heritage Site. Despite this, the Drakensberg is one of the most famous rock formations on Earth.

Cedeberg Nature Reserve

This mountain range is located 200 km north of Cape Town. The Sedeberg African Nature Reserve consists of many sandstone hills, dense thickets fynbos and the magnificent Mount Saint Roc. Excursion routes last from one hour to several days.

During this walk you will be able to enjoy the wild nature of these places. You can climb steep slopes to the picturesque hills - the Wolfberg Arch or Tourists prefer to stay at the Sanddrift base. There is an observatory and a huge wine library here. Best time for travel - from April to August. At this time the weather for walking will be the best.

Mapungubwe

National reserves in Africa amaze tourists with the beauty of pristine nature. Mapungubwe is no exception. It is located along the borders of Botswana and Zimbabwe, in a valley. In these places, giraffes and elephants, baboons and leopards stroll leisurely between the trees.

Mapungubwe is on the World Heritage List and is historical value, so if you're in Johannesburg, be sure to come here.

In ancient times, this territory was the center of the South African kingdom. In 1300 BC. Nine thousand people lived in these places. Archaeologists were able to discover hills with burials in which unique valuables were buried, for example, a golden figurine of a rhinoceros. It is better to come here in June-August.

Blyde River

Nature reserves and parks in Africa differ from each other natural landscape. This canyon is worth seeing with your own eyes. It rises above the Blyde River, and seems to burst from the tops of the Drakensberg ridge with the luxurious crowns of thousands of beautiful trees.

What makes this place even more beautiful are the green, gentle slopes, above which rise hills of sandstone and limestone. The most famous of them is the Triple Rondavel rock, with its huge arches and semicircular peaks that resemble the roofs of rondavels (African houses).

It is better not to visit African nature reserves from January to March. At this time, traveling here is not very comfortable - humid air descends from the mountains, and there is a danger of contracting malaria.

iSimangaliso

This place seems to be created for ecotourism lovers. The name of this wetland park means "miracle" in Zulu. You can't say anything more precise about this place. The national park covers an area of ​​3320 square meters. km is an ecosystem of global importance. The territory of Isimangaliso is covered with lakes, swampy forests, coral reefs. This is the largest river delta on the continent and about 220 km of beaches located on the shores of the Indian Ocean.

The reserves of Africa are large and not very large, mostly prepared to welcome tourists. For example, Isimangaliso Park has excellent conditions for diving and horse riding. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you can go kayaking and watch wildlife.

Within one day in these places you can see a whale and a rhinoceros. This park, located 375 km from Durban, is especially good from June to October, when there is no sweltering heat and the risk of contracting malaria is minimal.

Namaqua

Not all nature reserves Africa can boast such unique vegetation as Namakuwaland, located along the coast of South Africa. It is often called the African garden, blooming in spring with a thousand colors. This is a true gem of an arid continent. From the beginning of August to the end of September you can see this beauty with your own eyes.

The park is located near Cape Town. This true treasury has the richest flora. Just take into account the blooming of daisies in this park - it is a mesmerizing sight.

Kgalgadi Transfrontier Park

A “wild island” of land located on the hot sands of the Kalahari Desert. Kgalgadi Park is located in the transboundary zone between Botswana and South Africa - it is the world's largest conservation area. There are many animals here - lions and ostriches, leopards and cheetahs that survive in these arid lands.

Ktugalgadi Park - beautiful place for observing big cats. However, you must be careful - at any moment you can find yourself on the same path with a lion.

Table Mountain

A national park with such strange name, is located on the Cape Peninsula. From here you have a stunning view of Cape Town, the most... Old city SOUTH AFRICA.

This park offers many great opportunities for activities. active rest. Here you will be offered a paragliding ride from the Lion's Head rock. You can go rock climbing on the highest slope of Table Mountain and walk along the picturesque paths. Locals It is recommended to climb uphill through the meadows of the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden.

Golden Gate

The Maluti Mountains are located 300 km northeast of the city of Bloemfontein. In the early morning, you can see herds of antelope grazing here. The magnificent view of the mountains in the rays of the setting sun, when the slopes are covered with golden color, gave this park its name. Mount Brandwag is especially beautiful - it can be seen from any point.

The continent of Africa - 54 countries. On the continent (as of 2014) there are 335 environmental protection zones - sanctuaries, nature reserves, and natural parks.

All of them, besides marine reserves, are included in the list of reserves and national parks in Africa. You can view this list as a whole and for each country separately. This list does not include private parks and private natural areas African continent.

TOP 10: the most famous oldest reserves and national parks in Africa

  1. Garamba, Uganda
    Area: 4,900 km2 National Park and 7,527 km2 Domaines de Chasse - African Parks Project 2005. Managed by the African Parks organization DRC in partnership with the Institute for Conservation of Nature (ICCN)
  2. Akajera, Rwanda
    Area: 1122 km 2 - in Africa, the 2010 “Parks” project. Akagera is run by a joint venture between African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board.
  3. Bangweulu, Zambia
    Area: 6000 km 2 - in Africa, the 2008 “Parks” project
    Bangweulu Wetlands is managed through a partnership between African Parks, the Wildlife Institute Authority (Zawa) and the six Chiefdoms of Zambia where the park areas are located.
  4. Leuwa National Park Zambia
    Area: 3660 km 2 - “Parks” project 2003
    Liuwa African Park is governed by a partnership between African Parks and Borotse Royal - traditionally owned by the Lozi people.
  5. Mazhet, Malawi Game Reserve
    Area: 700 km 2 - Parks project in Africa 2003
    Managed by the Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife Society (DNPW)
  6. Odzala-Kokua, Congo
    Area: 13,500 km 2 - in Africa park project 2010
    Odzala-Kokoua National Park is managed by the African Parks Foundation and the Congolese government.
  7. Serengeti, Tanzania
    Endless Plains - 14,750 km 2 of the Eastern Mara of northwestern Tanzania - bordered on the north by the Kenyan border, continuous with National Nature Reserve Maasai. The Serengeti lies to the southeast of Ngorongoro Park, to the west are the Ikorongo Game Reserves and Grumeti Game Reserves - together, these areas form a large single ecosystem.
  8. Zakouma, Chad
    Area: 3054 km 2 - in Africa the Parks project since 2010
    Zakouma is a partnership between African Parks and the Government of Chad
  9. Bwindi, Uganda
    Impenetrable forest
  10. Kruger National Park, South Africa.
    One of the most famous parks African continent- a nature reserve and a national park at the same time.

Welcome to the world of African reserves and national parks!

1. Garamba in Africa is one of the last true wildernesses. An impressive savannah with a large section of forest, with exceptionally high biodiversity. Open, rolling grasslands provide the stage for spectacular encounters with large herds of elephants, buffalo, the Ugandan Kob antelope (the country's symbol), and the less common species of giraffe and equine antelope.


2. Akazhera
Akagera National Park is located in the northeast of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. It is named after the Akazhera River, which flows along its eastern border and feeds a labyrinth of lakes, of which Lake Ihema is the largest. Acacia groves, wetland brachystegia, combined with scattered meadows and a fringe of lakes along the meandering Akagera, connected by watercourses, create a park of breathtaking beauty.

3. Bangweulu
Adjacent to the upper reaches of the Congo River Basin in northeastern Zambia is one of the most large systems wetlands of Africa - Bangweulu. Bangweulu is a local word meaning "where the water matches the sky" - seasonally flooded areas of untouched wilderness. The wide system of Bangweulu includes lakes, floodplains, swamps, termitaria forests, vast areas of virgin miombo, and pastures. The Chambeshi and Luapula rivers are the main southern tributaries of the Congo River in this area. Bangweulu is home to a significant number of endemic plants and animals. For example, black lychee. The current estimate is over 75,000 animals. The Shoebill bird lives here, one of Africa's enigmatic ornithological assets.

4. Liuwa
Liuwa Plain lies on the upper floodplains of the Zambezi River in western Zambia and is bounded by the Luambimba and Luanginga rivers. Liuwa is a seasonally flooded grassy plain dotted with forested islands. Liuwa has been a national park since 1972 and is the oldest preserved park in African history. Originally proclaimed by the King of Barotseland in the early 1880s, it was historically used as a royal hunting ground and protected by the Lozi people. Liuwa is home to the second largest wildebeest in Africa and is home to a thousand fascinating animals. Herds of zebras, lyre-horned hares tsessebe graze, and on the plains they are pursued by predators - wild dogs, hyenas, cheetahs, lions. Liuwa supports bird populations globally - more than 330 species.

5. Smears
Majete Nature Reserve - declared in 1955, the Majete Nature Reserve is located in the Lower Shire Valley, in the Great Rift Valley of Africa, with an area of ​​700 km². The vegetation is varied, ranging from rain forests miombo, in the western hills, ending with the dry savannah in the east with prominent thickets along the rivers. Malawi launches wildlife reintroduction program

6. Odzala
Second largest in the world a tropical forest, second only to the Amazon (Amazonian forests), Odzala-Kokoua is a vast protected forest. They are located in the northwestern part of the Republic of Congo. This is 13,546 km2 of untouched wilderness - incredible biological diversity extraordinary complex ecosystem.

7. Serengeti
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania - famous for the annual migration of zebras, wildebeest, gazelles and raptors - is considered one of the most undisturbed ecological areas in the world. The neighboring Maasai Mara Reserve is located in one of the districts of Kenya. In general, the reserve is a continuation of the Sarengeti National Park. It is famous for the lions that live here in large numbers.











8. Zakuma
Zakouma is located in Salamat in south-eastern Chad, west of the town of Am-Timan, approximately 800 km by road south-east of N'Djamena. It is described as one of the last wilderness strongholds for Central Africa and is considered a major wildlife conservation success.

9. Bwindi
Bwindi National Park is located in the jungle and can only be explored on foot. This park is located in the Albertine Valley - here greatest number the most diverse trees in Africa. Bwindi Park is home to exotic, stunningly beautiful butterflies.

10. Kruger Park
The oldest national park in South Africa, National Park Kruger is the flagship park South Africahuge numbers wild animals for the size of a small country. Kruger National Park has the largest number of mammals. The park is divided into 17 ecological zones, where larger animals live than in any other biome in the world - elephant, white rhinoceros, buffalo. During the rainy season, there is a great population of birds. Big cats: leopard, cheetah, lion - the subject of interest of the tourist Safari.