Mkungunero Game Reserve
Mkungunero Game Reserve is situated within the breathtaking landscapes of Tanzania’s Dodoma Region, especially near the Kondoa District. Its lies to the north of Dodoma city and slightly southwest of the renowned Tarangire National Park. providing a unique opportunity for wildlife enthusiast to explore the two distinct yet interconnected ecosystem.
Mkungunero Game Reserve (MKGR) covers an area of 743 square kilometers and was designated as a Protected Area (Game Controlled Area) in 1974 and later on upgraded to Game Reserve in 1996.
The name Mkungunero believed to originate from Irangi people vernacularly call it “Nkunganero” having various meaning as “Mbuga ya wanyamapori”, “Bwawa” and an area far from resident for firewood collection. Mkungunero Game Reserve forms part of Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem (TME) which is significant in terms of biodiversity conservation and the protection of Tarangire rive
The Reserve is marked by a tapestry of dry woodlands, savannah and seasonal wetlands that creates an ideal environment for a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
Mkungunero Game Reserve is home to an impressive array of wildlife, including various antelopes such as Lesser and Greater kudu, and Oryx, wildebeest, long-necked gerenuk, impala and others. More so the reserve is also home to wild dogs, lions, buffalo and elephants, primates like baboons and vervet monkeys. over 500 species of bird occur in the reserve. Species include hornbills, woodpeckers, weavers, tawny eagle and a variety of starlings. The flora is equally noteworthy, with acacia tree, baobabs and other indigenous plants forming the backbone of the reserve’s ecological tapestry.
The landscape of the Reserve is relatively flat to elevated hills, eroded valley and flood plains. The Oldonyokirwa (1,310m) on the north eastern side is the only visible hill in the Reserve that provides vantagepoint for species in Maasai plains. The reserve is surrounded by Irangi escarpment to the western part which forms a scenic grandeur
Key attractions
wildlife
The reserve is famous for housing both species of kudu, large herds buffalo, spillover of wildlife from Tarangire National Park particularly Zebra and Wildebeest during Wet season while during the dry season large herds of Elands are commonly seen ranging from 60 to more than 80 individuals which is the largest group size to have been recorded in the Tarangire – Manyara Ecosystem. The large herds of Eland also stay together with other herbivore species like Zebra and Wildebeest forming a unique attraction along the Acacia drepanolobium flood plains. The reserve also harbors a good group of giraffes which are conspicuous in dry season. Other wildlife species that dwell in the reserve includes lions, leopards, African buffalos, grant gazelle, waterbucks, bushbucks, hyena baboon, vervet monkeys, suni and black-backed jackal. Reptile species such as Nile monitor, python and various species of snakes (Boomslang and Puff Adder)
Birds
Mkungunero Game Reserve has a number of avian species that abundantly in Tarangire Manyara Ecosystem. Some of the birds looked at includes common ostrich, vulturine guinea fowl, Kori bustard, secretary bird, African fish eagle, marabou stork, red-billed quelea, greater flamingo, and crowned crane among others.
Flora
In additional to the diverse wildlife, Mkungunero Game Reserve is composed of various acacia bushed grassland, Thickets, Acacia flood plain, Pennisetum flood plain. Acacia bushed grassland being the most dominant community with variety of species including Acacia tortilis, Balanitesaegyptiaca, Maeruaangolensistrees, Acacia mellifera, Dichrostachyscinerea which form shrubby patches (bushes) found mainly on dry woodlands and shrub savanna grasslands. Patches of open grasslands contain Bothrochloapertusa, chlorisspp, Cynodonspp, Pennisetumspp, and Panicum spp
Tourist activities at Mkungunero Game Reserve
Game drives
Game drives in Mkungunero Game Reserve is one of the main highlights of a Tanzanian safari is a game drive in Mkungunero. Game drives in the reserve are done in early morning and late afternoon when the animals are most active. During your game drive safaris at the reserve, you will have the chance to spot a variety of stunning animals like buffalo, zebras, elephants, and antelopes as well as colorful birds.
Walking Safari
In Mkungunero Game Reserve, a walking safari allows you to see everything in great detail. You may discover the greatest paths that are inaccessible to automobiles by going on a walking safari. A rare chance to see animals is on a nature walk or walking safari. It enables you to take in the gorgeous surroundings and delight in up-close wildlife viewing.
Bird Watching
For bird watching, visit Mkungunero Game Reserve! Every year, more than 500 different bird species travel to Mkungunero Game Reserve. The Tanzanian Game Reserve’s dry regions are the best places to see common ostrich and Kori bustard, secretary bird, African fish eagle and marabou stork. Around the park’s swampy regions, you can view migrating birds such as guinea fowls, lilac-breasted rollers, and starlings are some of the migratory birds found at Mkungunero Game Reserve.
Photography safaris
The stunning landscape and rich wildlife make Mkungunero a fantastic setting for photography. Guided tours can be tailored to help photographers capture the best wildlife and landscape shots.
Best time to visit
Rainfall in Mkungunero Game reserve is doubled-peaked with short rains between November to December followed by dry spell and long periods of rain between January and June. Average annual rainfall range between 150.8mm and 472.9mm which is below to that of the semi-arid areas with which is between 200mm and 800mm.
That to say best time to visit is from July to December whereas most of animals aggregate in groups for resources utilization. The weather is also generally cooler and drier, making outdoor activities more enjoyable. While the rainy season (November to may) brings lush greenery and vibrant flora, wildlife often more dispersed and some roads may become less accessible.
Where to stay
The accommodation services and facilities for visitors can be obtained at the nearby towns of Dodoma such as Spring Hills Hotel, Dream Stay Lodge and Restaurants Dodoma, Inoga Luxury Hotel. Best accommodations in Babati includes ASMOREIN HOTEL, GOOD LIFE HOTEL and Mato Boutique Hotel and Kondoa includes Kolo River Camp and Munange Hotel among others. Inside the reserve, there are numerous places for camping and picnic site.
Accessing Mkungunero Game Reserve
By Road:
The Reserve can be accessed by road from Dodoma City about 250km, Arusha roughly 220km, Kondoa -90km and Babati -60km drive.
By Air:
The Reserve can also be accessed by scheduled chartered flight from Arusha to Maweni airstrip at Chubi village which is about 25 km from the Reserve