The Home of Wild Waters

Recently gazetted as a National Park BurigiChato combines 3 former Game Reserves into 1 unit that is now 4,707 sq km making it the 4th largest National Park in Tanzania.

Stretching from Lake Victoria in the East to the Rwandan boundary in the West, BurigiChato is an enormous piece of wild country encompassing fresh water lakes, long hills, rocky crags along escarpments, deeply set valleys lined with forest, open plains, swamps, rivers, flood plains and hundreds of square kilometres of medium and tall grass wooded savanna – mostly combretum and Terminalia known as Miombo. 

Climate and SeasonsThis part of East Africa has two rainfall peaks, November / December and another in March / April, with dry weather from June to September. Temperatures are pleasant with cool nights and warm days.

How to get there

The nearest local town is Chato which has an International Airport, and private charters are possible to an airstrip near the Nkonje Ranger Post beside Lake Burigi, or to the Birahamulo airstrip.

Accessibility by road to the park is also possible as the park is connected to close towns including Chato and Karagwe

Best time to visit the Park

The best time to visit is the Park is on June – September

Park Attractions

A key attraction in this National Park are the lakes with Lake Burigi being the 3rd largest lake in the country. It is a long lake with a number of islands, inlets and bays along its length, some of which are swampy and are home for the rare Sitatunga antelope, and possibly also the even rarer shoe billed stork.

Shoebill Stork

Wild Savanna

Tourism Activities

The park offers a number of tourist exaction activities, this goes from game viewing, boat excursion, sport fishing, camping, bird watching and Nature walking safaris.

Accommodation

So far the park is still new and the accommodation available is through camping

Full Itinerary of Bugiri Chato National Park

Burigi-Chato National Park starting from Moshi — designed for a remote wilderness safari experience in western Tanzania.

🐘 7-Day Itinerary: Moshi → Burigi-Chato National Park

Day 1: Moshi – Mwanza (Long Travel Day)

Depart early from Moshi and begin the journey toward Lake Victoria.

• Route: Moshi → Arusha → Singida/Dodoma → Mwanza (or flight option)
• Travel time: 12–16 hours by road or 1–2 hour flight + transfers
• Arrival in Mwanza in the evening

Overnight: Mwanza hotel

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Day 2: Mwanza – Chato/Kagera Region

Continue journey toward western Tanzania.

• Drive through Lake Victoria shores and rural landscapes
• Arrive in Chato area (park gateway zone)
• Check in at lodge and meet safari guide
• Brief safari briefing and rest

Overnight: Chato/Kagera lodge

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Day 3: First Game Drive – Burigi-Chato National Park

Enter Burigi-Chato National Park for the first safari experience.

Activities:

• Morning game drive in savannah and wetland zones
• Wildlife viewing:
  • Elephants
  • Buffalo
  • Antelopes
  • Hippos and crocodiles
• Scenic drive near Lake Victoria shoreline areas
• Picnic lunch inside or near the park

Overnight: Lodge or campsite near the park

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Day 4: Full Day Exploration of the Park

Full safari day in different park ecosystems.

Activities:

• Early morning game drive
• Explore wetlands, rivers, and woodland areas
• Bird watching (high diversity species)
• Photography stops in remote wilderness
• Afternoon game drive in new zones

Overnight: Kagera lodge

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Day 5: Lake Victoria Ecosystem Experience

Focus on water-based and cultural exploration.

Activities:

• Visit Lake Victoria shoreline
• Optional boat safari (where available)
• Fishing communities visit
• Cultural interaction with local villages
• Relaxation at lodge

Overnight: Kagera region lodge

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Day 6: Wildlife & Remote Safari Day

Deep exploration of less visited areas.

Activities:

• Morning game drive in remote sections
• Search for rare wildlife sightings
• Bird watching in wetlands
• Optional walking safari with ranger (where permitted)
• Sunset photography

Overnight: Lodge near Chato

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Day 7: Return Journey to Moshi

• Breakfast at lodge
• Begin long return journey to Moshi
• Stopover in Mwanza or Arusha depending on route
• Arrival in evening or next day