If you want a Tanzania safari where you can drive all day without meeting another vehicle, Ugalla River National Park is one of the few parks that still offers it. This 3,865 square kilometre park in Tabora Region, western Tanzania, is former hunting country known for sable and roan antelope. Roads open only from June to early November, visitors camp, and non resident entry is TZS 51,100 a day on the current TANAPA tariff.
Is Ugalla River National Park Worth Visiting?
Ugalla River National Park is worth visiting for travellers who have already done the northern circuit and want quiet, self sufficient wilderness with sable and roan antelope; it is not the right first safari. TANAPA describes it as one of the few places in Tanzania where both antelope live, and tourism here is still tiny, so a game drive along the river can pass without another car in sight.
The reasons people book it are specific. You get a river safari landscape of oxbow lakes and floodplain that looks nothing like the Serengeti plains. You can walk with a ranger, camp on the riverbank and look for shoebills in the western swamps. Entry costs about a third less than nearby Katavi on the current tariff.
Who should skip it? Anyone who needs a lodge, a fixed daily schedule or guaranteed big cat sightings. Decades of trophy hunting before the upgrade left much of the game shy of vehicles, and press coverage of the new park warned that photography can be hard until animals relax around people. If that trade sounds fair, Ugalla rewards the effort; if not, Katavi or Ruaha give a similar western or southern feel with beds and easier logistics.
Best Months for Game Drives in Ugalla River
The best months for game drives in Ugalla River are June to October, the dry season, when the river is the only permanent water and animals gather along it. TANAPA states that road access works from June to early November, so the dry season is also the only practical window to reach the park by vehicle.
Plan for heat late in the season. September and October bring the strongest concentrations of animals but also the hottest afternoons, so walks run at dawn and dusk and the middle of the day is for shade at camp. Tsetse flies are active through the dry months in miombo woodland; pack neutral clothing (more on that under where to camp).
Birders face a real trade off. The swamps hold the most water and the most birds in the wet months, yet the roads that reach them are closed then. June and July, when the floodplain still carries water and the tracks have just opened, are the better compromise for shoebills and wattled cranes.
Ugalla River National Park Fees, Camping and Guide Charges
Ugalla charges non residents TZS 51,100 per person per 24 hours for entry on the current TANAPA tariff, which runs from 1 July to 30 June and lists every fee in Tanzanian shillings. At the TZS 2,555 to USD 1 rate the tariff is built on, that works out at about USD 20. East African citizens pay TZS 4,000 per adult. TANAPA’s tariff page states that all fees are inclusive of 18% VAT where applicable; confirm the total when you pay.
One quirk catches families: at Ugalla the non resident child rate for ages 5 to 15 is the same TZS 51,100 as an adult, whereas Katavi charges children half. Under fives enter free.
| Charge | Non resident | EA citizen | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry, adult | TZS 51,100 | TZS 4,000 | Per 24 hours |
| Entry, child 5 to 15 | TZS 51,100 | TZS 2,000 | Per 24 hours |
| Public campsite | TZS 76,650 | TZS 5,000 | Adult, per night |
| Special or fly camp | TZS 127,750 | TZS 10,000 | Adult, per night |
| Park guide | TZS 102,200 | TZS 30,000 | Per group, per day |
| Short walk | TZS 51,100 | TZS 5,000 | Adult |
| Night game drive | TZS 255,500 | TZS 20,000 | Adult |
| Vehicle up to 2,000 kg | TZS 127,750 | TZS 20,000 | Foreign or local plates |
Other charges on the Ugalla schedule: a long walk of more than four hours is TZS 63,875 for a non resident adult, cycling TZS 51,100, catch and release sport fishing TZS 25,550 a day, a company boat trip TZS 12,775 and a public motor boat TZS 127,750. Non resident children pay TZS 12,775 at a public campsite. There is no concession fee on the Ugalla list, because no lodge operates inside the park.
Fees are paid through TANAPA’s online system and the government e-payment gateway (GePG), so arrange payment before you reach the gate. A park entry permit runs for 24 hours from the time you enter. For how these fees fit into a full trip budget, see what a Tanzania safari costs.
Ugalla River Fee Estimator
Enter your group, days and activities to total the TANAPA park fees for a Ugalla River trip. Vehicle hire, fuel, food and hotels outside the park are not included.
Estimated park fees
TZS 0
About USD 0 in total
| Item | TZS |
|---|---|
| Calculating estimate | 0 |
| Total | 0 |
| Charge | Non resident | EA citizen |
|---|---|---|
| Entry per 24 hours | 51,100 and 51,100 | 4,000 and 2,000 |
| Public campsite per night | 76,650 and 12,775 | 5,000 and 3,000 |
| Special or fly camp per night | 127,750 and 25,550 | 10,000 and 5,000 |
| Park guide per group per day | 102,200 | 30,000 |
| Short walk | 51,100 and 25,550 | 5,000 and 2,500 |
| Night game drive | 255,500 and 127,750 | 20,000 and 5,000 |
| Sport fishing per day | 25,550 and 25,550 | 10,000 and 10,000 |
| Vehicle up to 2,000 kg per day | 127,750 foreign plates | 20,000 Tanzanian plates |
Last checked November 2026. Indicative figures from the current TANAPA tariff for Ugalla River National Park (1 July to 30 June), which lists fees in Tanzanian shillings; TANAPA states fees are inclusive of 18% VAT where applicable. Expatriates and residents pay the non resident rate at Ugalla, except a public campsite child rate of TZS 51,100. USD shown at TZS 2,555 per dollar. Children under 5 are free; walks are for children aged 12 and over. Confirm the total when you pay through the TANAPA system. Source: tanzaniaparks.go.tz tariff.
Where to Camp and Stay for a Ugalla Safari
For a Ugalla safari you either camp inside the park or sleep in a hotel or guest house in Tabora or Kaliua; TANAPA lists no lodge inside the park. The park brochure says public and private campsites are available and asks visitors to book them before arrival.
Public Campsites Inside Ugalla River
Public campsites are the standard option for a camping safari in Ugalla, at TZS 76,650 per non resident adult per night on the current tariff. Facilities are basic and nothing is sold in the park, so bring everything with you.
Special and Fly Camps Along the River
Special campsites and fly camps are private pitches booked in advance, at TZS 127,750 per non resident adult per night. Some specialist operators run mobile fly camping trips here in the dry season, moving camp along the river; ask any operator to confirm in writing which TANAPA campsite they hold.
Hotels and Guest Houses in Tabora and Kaliua
Tabora, 170 km from the park, has the widest choice of beds, including the Orion Tabora Hotel on Station Road, the colonial era railway hotel that travellers use before heading west. Kaliua, 45 km from the park and home to the park office, has small guest houses. Check rates directly with each property.
Because the park is self sufficient camping, the kit list matters more than it does on a lodge safari. Pack these before leaving Tabora:
- Spare fuel in jerrycans, as there is no fuel in the park
- Drinking water and food for every day plus one
- Tents, bedding and a cool box
- Recovery gear and two spare tyres
- Khaki, olive or tan clothing, never dark blue or black
- Insect repellent, long sleeves and a first aid kit
- Offline maps and a printed copy of your park permit
Fuel is the item most often underestimated, because the nearest pump is in Kaliua or Tabora.
Reaching Ugalla River from Tabora by Road, Rail and Air
Most visitors reach Ugalla River from Tabora town, 170 km away by road, during the dry season from June to early November. TANAPA also lists road access from Kaliua (45 km) and Urambo (75 km), two railway routes and charter flights.
Flights to Tabora and Park Airstrips
Air Tanzania runs scheduled flights from Dar es Salaam to Tabora, a flight of roughly two hours on a Dash 8. Charter aircraft can use Tabora, Urambo and Kaliua airports, and three airstrips inside the park, Muhuba, Siri and Kasense, which TANAPA says are usable only in the dry season.
Road Route via Kaliua
The road route from Tabora runs west towards Kaliua and then into the park, with the last stretch on dirt tracks that need a high clearance 4×4. A foreign registered vehicle up to 2,000 kg pays TZS 127,750 per day at the gate, a Tanzanian registered one TZS 20,000. Allow most of a day from Tabora with time to stock up.
Train on the Central Line
The Central Line train from Dar es Salaam to Kigoma passes through Tabora and stops at Usoke and Kaliua stations, and the Mpanda branch stops at Lumbe and Ugalla stations, according to TANAPA. A train arrival still needs a prearranged 4×4 and guide to collect you, since there is no transport from the stations into the park.
Ugalla River Safari Activities: Game Drives, Walks and Birding
The main Ugalla River safari activities are game drives along the river, walking safaris with a ranger, birdwatching in the swamps and riverside camping, with night drives, cycling and catch and release fishing also on the TANAPA fee list.
Game Drive Safaris Along the River
Game drive safaris in Ugalla River follow the loops of the river, where TANAPA says wildlife gathers through the dry season. Expect long stretches of miombo woodland between sightings, then sudden concentrations of game at the pools.
Walking Safaris with a Park Ranger
A walking safari in Ugalla runs in the early morning or late afternoon, when it is cooler and animals are active. A short walk of one to four hours costs TZS 51,100 per non resident adult, and children must be at least 12 to join.
Birdwatching Safaris in the Swamps
Birdwatching safaris here focus on water birds: TANAPA lists shoebill, wattled crane, African pygmy goose, blacksmith plover, black headed heron and several storks. The best birding is on the wetter western stretches of the river.
Night Game Drives and Fishing Trips
Night game drives cost TZS 255,500 per non resident adult and are run under TANAPA guidelines, so book them with the park in advance. Sport fishing on the river is catch and release only, at TZS 25,550 a day, and is allowed between 7am and 5pm.
Sable, Roan and Other Animals of Ugalla River National Park
Ugalla River National Park holds sable and roan antelope, elephant, lion, leopard, African wild dog, buffalo, greater kudu and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, according to TANAPA’s species list. Sightings are not guaranteed, and the park has no published game count yet.
Sable and Roan Antelope
Sable and roan antelope are the reason many travellers come, since few Tanzanian parks hold both. They graze the woodland edges and floodplain, most often seen in the dry season near water.
Predators and Large Mammals
Elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena and African wild dog live in the park, alongside topi, eland, zebra, impala, oribi and two species of reedbuck. Wild dogs range widely, so treat a sighting as luck.
Swamp and River Species
The swamp antelope sitatunga lives in the western swamps, Cape clawless otters use the river, and TANAPA says the Ugalla holds some of the largest crocodiles recorded in Africa. No measurement has been published to back that claim, so read it as the park’s own description. In the wet season the crocodiles feed mainly on catfish.
Main Sights Along the Ugalla River
The main sights in Ugalla are the river itself, its floodplain and termite mound country, and three cultural and historical sites that TANAPA names near the park.
The Ugalla River and Its Oxbow Lakes
The Ugalla River runs through the middle of the park in slow loops of sandbanks, shallow pools, oxbow lakes and swamps. TANAPA calls it the park’s lifeline and its only permanent dry season water.
Termite Mounds of the Floodplain
Low termite mounds break up the flat grassland and, as TANAPA notes, give predators a lookout over their prey.
Mfinula, Senga II and Ilyamchele Sites
TANAPA lists the Mfinula ritual site at Ikunkwa and two historical sites, Senga II and Ilyamchele, which keep cultural value for communities living beside the park. Ask the park office in Kaliua whether a visit can be arranged.
How Ugalla Differs from Katavi National Park
Ugalla is cheaper to enter and far emptier than Katavi, its nearest big neighbour in western Tanzania, but it has no lodges and opens to vehicles only in the dry season. Katavi charges non residents TZS 76,650 a day against Ugalla’s TZS 51,100.
Two charges cut the other way. The Ugalla park guide fee is TZS 102,200 per group per day, double Katavi’s TZS 51,100, and Ugalla charges children the full adult entry. For a couple on a camping safari Ugalla still costs less in park fees; for a family of four the gap narrows.
Ugalla was hunting country until its recent upgrade, while Katavi has been a national park for decades, so Katavi’s wildlife is far more used to vehicles.
Ugalla River National Park History, Size and Status
Ugalla River National Park, one of Tanzania’s newest parks, was gazetted on 29 November by joining the Ugalla North Game Reserve (1,811 square kilometres) and the North Ugalla Forest Reserve (2,054 square kilometres) into one 3,865 square kilometre park, according to TANAPA. It is run by Tanzania National Parks from a park office in Kaliua.
Before the upgrade the area was leased to trophy hunting companies; as a national park it is open to photographic tourism only. The rest of the wider Ugalla ecosystem, south of the park, remains a game reserve where licensed hunting operators still work, so check that any “Ugalla” camp you read about is inside the national park.
The park takes its name from the Ugalla River. Beyond the boundary the river flows west into the Moyowosi swamps, part of the Malagarasi Muyovozi wetlands that drain eventually into Lake Tanganyika. Miombo woodland covers most of the park, with Zambezian flooded grassland on the floodplain.
Where Is Ugalla River National Park in Western Tanzania?
Ugalla River National Park is in Tabora Region in western Tanzania, about 170 km by road from Tabora town, 45 km from Kaliua and 75 km from Urambo. The park office address is PO Box 08, Kaliua, Tabora.
Some websites place the park in Katavi Region or list it at 1,491 square kilometres; both are wrong. That figure is the park’s area in square miles, not kilometres. Ugalla lies east of Lake Tanganyika and north of Katavi National Park, on the railway corridor between Tabora and Kigoma. Contact the park on ugallariver@tanzaniaparks.go.tz to confirm current road conditions before travelling.
How Many Days to Spend in Ugalla, with Sample Plans
Spend at least four days on a trip to Ugalla, giving two full days in the park after the long journey from Tabora. A week lets you combine Ugalla with Katavi on one western Tanzania safari.
Four Day Ugalla River Camping Safari from Tabora
Day 1: fly Dar es Salaam to Tabora on Air Tanzania, meet your 4×4 and guide, then stock up and sleep in Tabora. Day 2: drive 170 km to the park via Kaliua, then make an afternoon game drive along the river and camp. Day 3: morning walking safari with a ranger, a midday rest at camp and an evening drive to the pools. Day 4: early birding on the floodplain, then return to Tabora.
Seven Day Ugalla and Katavi Western Tanzania Safari
Days 1 to 4: follow the plan above, camping three nights at Ugalla and leaving westward instead of returning to Tabora. Day 5: travel south on the Mpanda road, the same corridor the Mpanda railway branch follows, and allow a full day to reach Katavi. Days 6 and 7: game drives in Katavi, then fly out from the Katavi region or drive back. Tanzania Safari.travel can quote this route with the current park fees for your group.
Ugalla River National Park FAQs for First Time Visitors
Where is Ugalla River National Park?
Ugalla River National Park is in Tabora Region, western Tanzania, about 170 km by road from Tabora town and 45 km from Kaliua, where the park office sits. It lies east of Lake Tanganyika and north of Katavi National Park.
Is Ugalla River National Park open all year?
Ugalla is reachable by road only from June to early November, according to TANAPA. Rains from November to the end of May, heaviest in April and May, make the tracks impassable, and the park airstrips are also dry season only.
How much is the entry fee for Ugalla River National Park?
The entry fee for Ugalla River National Park is TZS 51,100 per non resident per 24 hours on the current TANAPA tariff, about USD 20, and the same for children aged 5 to 15. East African citizens pay TZS 4,000. TANAPA states fees include VAT where applicable. Add camping, the TZS 102,200 group guide fee and any vehicle fee.
Are there lodges inside Ugalla River National Park?
There are no lodges inside Ugalla; visitors use the park’s public and private campsites, which TANAPA asks you to book in advance, or stay in Tabora or Kaliua. Some operators run mobile fly camps in the dry season.
Can you see shoebills in Ugalla?
Shoebills live in the swamps of the Ugalla River, according to TANAPA, alongside wattled cranes and African pygmy geese. Sightings depend on water levels and are never guaranteed; the western swamps early in the dry season give the best chance.
Can I self drive to Ugalla River?
Self drive to Ugalla is possible in a high clearance 4×4 in the dry season, but you must carry fuel, water, food and recovery gear, and a park guide is charged at TZS 102,200 per group per day. A foreign registered vehicle pays TZS 127,750 per day.
Are tsetse flies a problem in Ugalla?
Tsetse flies are common in Ugalla’s miombo woodland, and hunting operators cited them as a drawback when the park was created. Wear light neutral colours with long sleeves, and expect pockets of flies rather than constant swarms.
Tanzania Safari.travel plans safaris across Tanzania’s national parks, including remote western parks such as Ugalla River and Katavi, and can arrange a 4×4 with a guide, camping equipment, TANAPA permits and campsite bookings for your dates. Send your travel month and group size to Tanzania Safari.travel for a quote built on the current park fees.