The second largest contingent on the
globe, Africa is far more nuanced and
diverse than many mainstream media accounts imply. A broad array of vibrant
groups cultures call the continent home. Africa is a continent with immense and
iconic ecological diversity as well. Over the past century or so, lots of this
beautiful land has fallen under state protection in the form of national parks
and game conservatories. Here are the 10 most extraordinary among them.
1. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
The Serengeti is one of the most famous
regions of Africa. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and many consider it to
be the seventh wonder of the world. A lot of wildlife lives here, and
the Serengeti National Park serves to protect
and preserve it. One of the most exciting events that take place here each year
is the great wildebeest migration, where six million of these animals partake
in this 40 km long ritual that has existed for millennia. In addition to
witnessing this magnificent aspect of nature, Serengeti National Park maintains
the natural balance of predator and prey. You can see lions, serval cats, and
aardwolves on the hunt here as well.
Serengeti National Park,
Tanzania +255 27 250 3471
2. Etosha National Park, Namibia
Located in northwestern Namibia, Etosha National Park has been a game
reserve since 1907 in order to repopulate the region after large game animals
like elephants and lions were hunted nearly to the point of extinction.
Visitors can camp here, and there are multiple extended safaris available, some
lasting up to two weeks. There is an enormous variety of species residing
within the bounds of the park, including endangered animals like the black
rhinoceros. Etosha National Park has a diverse range of landscapes including
savannas and grasslands. Plus, the park encapsulates nearly all of the Etosha
Pan, a dry lakebed. There are also dolomite hills, which are home to mountain
zebras.
Etosha National Park, Namibia +264
81 180 0016
3. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kruger National Park in South Africa was established in 1898.
The park boasts that it contains African wildlife’s ‘Big Five,’ which includes
lions, rhinos, elephants, buffalos, and leopards. Here you can even go on an
elephant back safari. Like many of the national parks on our list, Kruger
prides itself in its grassroots animal breeding and conservation efforts. There
are also unique historical and archaeological sites within the bounds of the
park where you can see things like ancient bushman rock paintings. If you
aren’t able to make it to the park, you can also keep track of what’s going on
through the park’s live webcams.
Kruger National Park, South
Africa +27 13 735 4000
4. Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya
Deemed ‘the bird watcher’s
paradise,’ Lake Nakuru National Park is
home to a type of algae that attracts staggering numbers of pink flamingos to
feed on the algae in Lake Nakuru each year. Sometimes these numbers reach into
the millions. The park harbors an ecologically broad spectrum of species
beyond the iconic flamingos as well, including white rhinos, baboons, warthogs,
cheetahs, giraffes and more. Established only about 55 years ago, the park was
recently enlarged to help provide sanctuary for the rare and endangered black
rhino. Some of the other bird species worth watching out for at Lake Nakuru
National park are the pied kingfisher, African fish eagle, and the Goliath
heron.
Lake Nakuru National Park,
Shauri Yako, Nakuru, Kenya +254 20 2664071
5. Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
The Soussusvlei clay and saltpan,
Naukluft Mountains, and part of the Namib Desert are located inside the Namib-Nuakluft National Park in
Namibia. The striking orange dunes are perhaps what make this park so
incredible. It is the largest national park in Africa, and one of the largest
in the world. Despite the aridity of this region, plenty of interesting
creatures reside here including geckos, snakes, rare insects, hyenas, and
jackals. The park is located near the Atlantic coast, which allows fog to
settle of the area. The fog creates enough moisture to sustain the animal’s
native to this region.
6. Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic
of the Congo
If you’re in search of biodiversity,
head to Virunga National Park. It is the most
biologically diverse part of the continent. You’ll find rainforests, volcanoes,
mountains with glacial peeks, savannas, swamps and more. From the top of the
Nyiragongo Volcano, you can see a full view of the largest volcanic lake in the
world. Featured in the 2014 documentary, Virunga, the
park does a lot to protect the mountain gorillas who live here and are nearly
extinct. Chimpanzees and lowland gorillas live here as well. A dedicated group
of forest rangers run the park and ward off poachers.
Virunga National Park, Ituri,
Congo (DRC) +244 913 016 130
7. Ngorongoro National Park, Tanzania
Part of the Serengeti, Ngorongoro National Park is
located in Tanzania. It is
largely populated by native Maasai pastoralists. Ngorongoro means ‘gift of
life’ in Maasai. The park is also the site of the Ngorongoro Crater, which was
created after a large volcanic explosion. Today, none of the head
administrators for the park are actually Maasai. In fact, those in charge
intend to eradicate 40,000 of the 65,000 Maasai people living on this land to
make it more suitable for luxury hotels that cater predominantly to foreign
tourists. The park, though extremely beautiful in its own right, raises
questions about the ethical side of park governance with regard to the locals.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area,
Ngorongoro, Tanzania
8. Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Amboseli National Park contains
over 400 species of birds and 47 species of raptors thanks to the presence of a
large system of swamps. It is said to be one of the best places in the world
for viewing birds and other wildlife. Come and marvel at parades of elephants
as they pass by against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro, which makes up a
large portion of the horizon. In fact, this is also one of the best places in
Africa to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures. The park
originally began as a reservation for the Maasai peoples, and there is
legislation in the works to afford them more control over park activities and
upkeep.
Amboseli National Park, Loitoktok
District, Rift Valley, Kenya +254 45 622251
9. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
If you’re looking for the world’s
tallest waterfall, head to Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Here you will find Victoria
Falls. Hwange National Park was named after a celebrated leader of the local
Nhanzwa tribe. Over 500 species of animals and birds reside in this unique
ecosystem of forests at the edge of the Kalahari Desert. Elephants in
particular tend to thrive in Hwange National Park. Unfortunately, the park has
experienced some poaching issues in the last few years, including the tragic death of the famed lion
named Cecil. Still, the park authorities are doing what they can to
prevent such awful acts on this beautiful and biologically diverse land.
Hwange National Park, Hwange,
Zimbabwe +263 4 706 077
10.Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania
Lake Manyara National Park spans from
the soda lake Manyara all the way to the Gregory Rift. The lake nearly
disappears during the dry season, yet it makes up a large portion of the park
during the rainy season. The park attracts plenty of wildlife. Like Lake Nakuru
National Park which is located in neighboring Kenya. In addition, you will find Masai
lions, Tanzanian cheetahs, blue monkeys, African bush elephants, giraffes,
hippos, gazelles, Grant’s zebras, African leopards and more at this park. The
big cats of the park have been known to spend their days lounging in trees when
they aren’t stalking prey. It is also possible to observe the hippos at their
favorite pond – from a safe distance, of course.
Lake Manyara National Park,
Karatu, Tanzania
