Where to stay in Burigi-Chato National Park
1 hand-picked glamping stay in and around the park.
Burigi-Chato National Park guide
Overview
Burigi-Chato National Park covers about 4,707 km² in the Kagera and Geita regions of north-western Tanzania, between Lake Victoria and the border with Rwanda. It was gazetted in 2019, combining the former Burigi, Biharamulo and Kimisi game reserves, and it’s the fourth-largest national park in the country.
The park is made up of freshwater lakes, including Lake Burigi, long hills, escarpments, valleys lined with forest, swamps and wide areas of grassland and miombo woodland.
Burigi-Chato is very new to tourism and gets very few visitors. It’s a destination for travellers who want to explore somewhere wild and undeveloped.
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Wildlife
Elephant, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, roan and sable antelope, sitatunga and hippo live in the park, along with lion and leopard.
Birds
The lakes and swamps are good for waterbirds, including the shoebill in some areas.
Best Time to Visit
Short answer: June to October, in the long dry season, when roads are easiest and wildlife gathers near water.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Jun – Oct | Long dry season | The best game viewing and driving conditions. |
| Nov – Dec | Short rains | Green, with some showers. |
| Jan – Feb | Short dry spell | Warm and fairly dry. |
| Mar – May | Long rains | Very wet. Some roads become impassable. |
Facilities are still basic. Plan your trip with an experienced operator.
Getting There
By air
| Airport | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mwanza (MWZ) | Domestic flights | About 4 to 5 hours by road. |
| Bukoba (BKZ) | Domestic flights | About 3 hours by road. |
By road
The park lies along the main road between Mwanza and the Rwanda border via Biharamulo and Chato. You need a 4×4.
Entrance & Fees
Tanzania National Parks charges a conservation fee per person for each 24 hours in the park, paid electronically before or at the gate. From 2026/27 the tariff is quoted in Tanzanian shillings.
| Visitor | Adult | Child (5–15) |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident | TZS 76,650 | TZS 25,550 |
| Expatriate / resident foreigner | TZS 38,325 | TZS 12,775 |
| Tanzanian citizen | TZS 5,000 | TZS 2,000 |
Children under five enter free. Vehicle, camping and activity fees are extra, and VAT may be added, so confirm the total when you book.
Fees last checked October 2026 against the Tanzania National Parks tariff system (2026/27).