Lake Victoria Circuit · Lakes & Miombo
A Wild, Uninhabited Country
One of the main draws of this national park is the third-largest lake in the nation. It is a long lake with numerous islands, inlets, and bays scattered throughout. Some of them are swampy, and they are home to the unique sitatunga antelope and, presumably, the extremely rare shoebill stork.
All of the lakes are situated along winding valleys that are mostly vegetated with trees and a few palm trees. They offer peaceful and lovely locations for camping and modest cottages, as well as fantastic boating and waterborne game viewing opportunities. This place exudes the feeling of a wild, uninhabited place that would take a lifetime to fully explore and discover all of its secrets.
- The third-largest lake in Tanzania
- Sitatunga antelope and the elusive shoebill stork
- Boating and waterborne game viewing
- Camping and modest cottages in genuine wilderness
Good to Know
Burigi-Chato at a Glance
Wildlife You May Spot
Location
North-western Tanzania, reached via Biharamulo and the Nyungwe gate from Mwanza.
Best Time
June to September, the dry window between the two rainfall peaks.
Landscape
Freshwater lakes, escarpment crags, flood plains and miombo woodland.
Staying
Public campsites and modest cottages by the lakes.
- Elephant
- Buffalo
- Zebra
- Giraffe
- Waterbuck
- Eland
- Roan
- Sable
- Topi
- Sitatunga
- Lion
- Leopard
- Cheetah
- Hippo
- Crocodile
Things to Do
Diversity and Richness of Wildlife
Elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, waterbuck, eland, warthog, roan, topi, impala, sable and many other smaller species are among the numerous wildlife species that are becoming more numerous throughout the park. Oribi is also typically encountered, while the swamp-dwelling sitatunga is less common.
The big cats — lion, leopard and cheetah — are all present, and the lakes and rivers hold a great many crocodiles and hippos. It is a must-visit as part of a Tanzania safari because of its diversity and richness of wildlife, which includes rare bird species as well as carnivores and herbivores.
- Full-day game drives across the plains and woodland
- Boat trips and game viewing from the water
- Birding for rare species including the shoebill stork
- Camping beside the lakes
Genuinely Off the Map
Burigi-Chato sees almost no visitors. If you want the wildest end of Tanzania, talk to us.