Ugalla River
Ugalla River National Park is part of a vast and largely unexplored ecosystem of meandering rivers, swamps, and miombo woodlands, extending well beyond the park's borders, reaching as far as Katavi National Park. With only a handful of visitors each year, Ugalla River remains Tanzania’s least frequented national park, allowing for a most authentic connection with nature.
Named after the slowly flowing Ugalla River, the park was established in 2019, combining a game reserve and a forest reserve. Covering 3,865 square kilometers—about four times the size of the German island of Rügen or 125% the size of Yosemite National Park—it is one of Tanzania’s smaller (!) national parks.
Ugalla River is home to rare species such as the Roan and Sable antelopes. The chances of spotting them here are high, with the more approachable Sable antelopes being especially welcoming, while the shyer Roan keep their distance. Due to its low visitor numbers and its former use as a hunting block, the wildlife—particularly elephants—tends to be more cautious than in other parks. But wildlife is abundant at Ugalla River, which is also known for its extensive awe-inspiring Borassus palm forests.
What further sets Ugalla River apart from Tanzania’s other national parks is the absence of permanent safari camps or public campsites. The best way to experience the park is through Nomad’s seasonal Expeditionary Walking Camp, which offers incredible walking safaris from August to October. For self-drive adventurers, the park offers near-endless opportunities for fly camping, allowing you to set up camp anywhere you choose.
Browse the photo-gallery below to get an idea of Ugalla River National Park’s landscape and wildlife or return to the destinations overview by clicking here.
Tanzania Map Highlighting Ugalla River Nat'l Park
Driving through the center of the park
Sunrise over our camp
Hippos in the Ugalla river
Sunset over Ugalla river
Herd of waterbucks
Elephants emerging from the palm forest near the river
Hippo by the river in the morning
Center: Sable antelope bull
Driving through Ugalla River N.P.'s beautiful borassus palm forest
Ugalla river
Section of a larger herd of sable antelopes
Sunrise at Ugalla River N.P.
Hippo passing our camp at sunrise...
…making its way back to the river
Evening at the river near Siri
Section of a large herd of sable antelopes crossing our path
Elephant mock charge
Roan antelopes galopping into borassus palm forest
Lone hippo by the river
Driving through a grove of borassus palms
Fly camping in Ugalla River N.P.
Anna at sunrise
Three young male sable antelopes
Two young male sable antelopes
Giraffe galopping past a herd of roan antelopes in the mid-day heat
Mid-day picknick at Ugalla River N.P.