These 20 African parks will make you dream

These 20 African parks will make you dream

Beautiful scenery, species diversity, exuberant flora, presence of "Big Five" of course ... The parks abound on the continent and across the globe are dreaming. Here is a partial selection of twenty of the most beautiful parks in Africa. 

Maghreb 

National Park Djurdjuran (Algeria) 

The (© Algeria-monde.com) National Park Djurdjuran in Algeria 

Located in north-eastern Algeria and extending over an area - mountain - 18 5000 ha National Park Djurdjuran is characterized by snowy winter, numerous rivers and forests heights. The flora of this national park has no less than 600 species, including many maples and pines. Visitors can also observe Macaque monkeys (or Barbary macaques), partridges, eagles Boots, hawks, etc. The site is also famous for its ski slopes and hiking trails. Its underground cavities are appreciated by cavers. Both resorts welcome the park each year more than 500,000 visitors. 

Cultural Park Ahaggar (Algeria) 

The Ahaggar National Park, located in southern Algeria (Algeria-monde.com ©) 

The Ahaggar National Park is located in southern Algeria, in the largest mountain range in the country, the Hoggar. Declared a national park in 1987 and renamed cultural park in 2011, it covers an area of ​​450 000 km2. With a priceless historical value, it houses archaeological sites dating back hundreds of thousands of years. Sites engravings and paintings of Tit-Aguenar-Silet are among the most famous. 

The flora of the Ahaggar Cultural Park is composed of a wide range of species: olive, lavender, myrtle, drinn, tamarisk, palm, etc. It's the same for wildlife: fennec, Dorcas gazelle, Barbary sheep cuff, rock hyrax, steppe eagle, storks, etc. 

National Park Ichkeul (Tunisia) 

National Park Ichkeul in Tunisia (© Dhfaouzi / Wikimedia Commons) 

First game reserve protection benefiting national and international biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1977 and registered natural heritage by UNESCO in 1979, the site became a National Park in 1980 The wetland covers an area of 12,600 acres is home to a very rich and diverse flora and fauna with over 200 animal species and 500 plant species. 

West Africa 

National Park Niokolo- Koba (Senegal) 

Natural Park Niokolo- Koba in Senegal (© Atamari / Wikimedia Commons) 

Inscribed on the World Heritage List of Unesco, National Park Niokolo- Koba is one of the most important plant and animal reserves in Africa West. It is known for its rich fauna includes 80 species of mammals (whose last eland, as well as elephants, lions, leopards, chimpanzees, baboons, hippos, etc.), several reptiles (Nile crocodiles, monitor lizards of Nile turtles) and 330 species of birds (cranes, eagles, etc.). The flora is also very diverse, with nearly 1500 species of plants. 

The W National Park of Niger (Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso) 

The W National Park of Niger (© FlickrreviewR / Wikimedia Commons) 

The W National Park of Niger is part of the transnational complex of W, divided between Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso, and covers 220,000 hectares. It is listed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1996 and is recognized as a biosphere reserve in 2002 by the UN organization. It lies in an area of ​​transition between savanna and forest and has a rich biodiversity. It is home to several endangered species such as wild dog, cheetah, elephant, manatee and the red-fronted gazelle, but also 350 bird species, 114 fish species and 500 plant species. 

Central Africa 

The Virunga National Park (DRC) 

The Virunga National Park in DRC (© Julien Harnels / Flickr) 

Established in 1925, the Virunga National Park, formerly Albert Park is the oldest national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and even Africa. Located in the east, it covers some of the Virunga Mountains that give it its name. It has one of the highest population densities in Africa, with more than 400 inhabitants per km2. It is on the World Heritage by UNESCO for its exceptional wealth spanning 790,000 hectares it has an incomparable variety of habitats, ranging from swamps and steppes to the snowfields of Rwenzori, through the plains of washing the savannahs on the slopes of volcanoes. 

Also diverse wildlife since the park is home to 218 mammal species, 706 bird species, 109 reptile species and 78 amphibian species. It is home to mountain gorillas, which are among the last specimens of this species in critical danger of extinction, and okapi (also endangered). Approximately 20,000 hippopotamuses live in the rivers and birds from Siberia spend the winter. However, oil exploration allowed in the area since 2010 threaten this exceptional place. 

The Waza National Park (Cameroon) 

The Waza National Park in Cameroon (© Dirk.Heldmaier / Wikimedia Commons) 

Located in northern Cameroon, the Waza National Park in first game reserve, covering an area of ​​170,000 hectares. It counts 379 species of birds and 30 species of mammals including the giraffe, hyena, waterbuck, leopard, elephant. It has been a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1979. 

Loango National Park (Gabon) 

Loango National Park in Gabon (© Janhamlet / Flickr) 

The Loango National Park covers an area of ​​155,000 hectares along the Atlantic Ocean. Beaches, lagoons, mangrove swamps, savannah and forests ... This rare mixture of ecosystems attractions include elephants, hippos, crocodiles and buffalo. The beaches greet sea turtles that come to lay their eggs. Since these beaches it is also possible to see whales, dolphins and surfers hippos. Loango is also renowned for its rich birdlife, including housing pseudolangrayens African gray or pink bee. 

The Dzanga Sangha National Park (Central African Republic) 

The Dzanga Sangha National Park Central African Republic (© Damiano Luchetti / Wikimedia Commons) 

Located in the southwest of the Central African Republic, this national park covers an area of ​​1143 km2. He is best known for its high density of gorillas: 1.6 specimens per km2, is one of the largest density of lowland gorilla West on Earth. The park is also home to elephants, chimpanzees, and over 350 species of birds. 

The Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda) 

The Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda (© Dave Proffer / Wikimedia Commons) 

Located in the northeast of Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park covers 130,000 hectares and includes five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains. The park is known worldwide as the last great sanctuary of mountain gorillas. It has a research center devoted to the study, founded by renowned primatologist Fossey Dan. Other mammals like the golden monkey or buffalo are present and que178 bird species. 

East Africa 

Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) 

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania (© David Dennis / Flickr) 

Located in northern Tanzania, Serengeti National Park covers 14,763 km2. It is the second most important African wildlife park, home to about 4 million animals. He is known among others for the famous annual migration of over 1.5 million wildebeest and 250,000 zebras. The five species that make up the "Big Five" are also represented (lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, African buffalo) and the park contains many crocodiles. According to Unesco, which has World Heritage, Serengeti has one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth, which allows it to accommodate a very large ungulates (hoofed animals) and therefore the number highest concentration of large predators in the world. Serengeti National Park is the park with the most African lions with over 3000 specimens. 

Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda) 

The (Flickr © rytc /) Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda 

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the largest national parks in Uganda and most visited. There is also since 1979 a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Again, ecosystems are an abundant diversity: savannah, rainforest, lakes, etc. The park also contains volcanic phenomena, such as crater lakes, hot springs or salt lakes. Up to 57 different types of plant species have been identified in this vast expanse that houses 95 species of mammals and over 600 species of birds. Visitors can observe the two iconic animals of Uganda that are Crowned Crane and the Ugandan job, as well as black-maned lions (able to climb trees), hippos, chimpanzees, elephants, baboons, leopards, buffaloes or warthogs. 

The Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya) 

The Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya (© Christopher Michel / Flickr) 

This national reserve is located in southwestern Kenya. It is a natural extension of the Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) and covers 1,510 km2. Elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes ... It also houses more than 500,000 wildebeest and over 100,000 zebras. It allows to observe the migration of wildebeest, zebra and Thomson's gazelle, which also pass through the Serengeti. Many species of birds and reptiles are also live. 

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania) 

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania (© William Warby / Flickr) 

Located in the Arusha region, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area covers plateaus and savannahs and the eponymous massive Ngorongoro. It primarily houses ungulates, such as black rhino, elephant, hippo, zebra, etc. In summer, 1.7 million wildebeest, 470,000 gazelles, 260,000 zebras and thousands of other mammals, birds and predators, leaving the Serengeti plains to feed on pasture Ngorongoro. Visitors come not only to observe the flora and fauna, but also to visit the important archaeological sites housed the conservation area. 

Southern Africa 

The Kruger National Park (South Africa) 

The Kruger National Park in South Africa (© Martijn Barendse / Flickr) 

The Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa. It covers more than 20,000 km2. Established in 1898 and opened to the public in 1926, it houses 336 species of trees, 507 species of birds and 147 species of mammals, including about 11 000 elephants, 5,000 white rhinos, lions 1500, 1000 and 200 leopards cheetahs . The animals are mostly scattered in small groups, unlike the Tanzanian or Kenyan parks in which they move in large herds. The trails are in great condition and the park has a score of camps and a dozen lodges for tourists. 

Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe) 

Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe (© Kennedy Vlei / Flickr) 

Hwange National Park covers 14,620 km2 and is home to 9 of the 10 countries of protected species, including the black rhino and elephant. It counts 107 species of mammals and 450 species of birds. This is one of the last great sanctuaries for elephants and buffalo in Africa, the elephant population of Hwange National Park is one of the largest in the world. Nearly as crowded as the Kruger National Park, offers visitors to observe elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras and cheetahs in peace. 

The Chobe National Park (Botswana) 

The Chobe National Park in Botswana (© Massimilliano Sticca / Flickr) 

Located in northeastern Botswana, Chobe National Park is bordered by the Chobe River and southwest by the Okavango Delta. Like Hwange, Chobe National Park is world famous for its unique concentration of elephants: it is home to around 50,000 people, called "elephants Kalahari" which are the largest recorded. The park is also famous for its lions and hosts many hippos, buffaloes, zebras and crocodiles. It is also possible to observe leopards and cheetahs. 

South Luangwa National Park (Zambia) 

The South (Flickr © Alex Berger /) Luangwa National Park in Zambia 

Animal at its creation in 1938 reservation, the area became South Luangwa National Park in 1972 and now covers 9,050 km2. The park is home to 60 species of mammals and over 400 species of birds. It is distinguished as much by its populations of elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, zebras and giraffes by its varied landscapes (plains, sandy landscapes, forests). South Luangwa is renowned as a good "spot" to see leopards: these predators hunt at night and the park is one of the few in Africa that advances night game drives. 

The Etosha National Park (Namibia) 

Etosha (© Massmo Relsig / Flickr) National Park in Namibia 

Etosha National Park is established on a vast salt marsh, visible from space. There are over 340 species of birds, over 100 species of reptiles and over 114 species of mammals including zebras, elephants, lions, giraffes, impalas, etc. The park is best known for its elephants, which move in herds sometimes up to fifty specimens. There is also black-faced impala and black rhino, two endangered species. 

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park (South Africa) 

The National Park iSimangaliso Wetland in South Africa (© Joe Townsend / Flickr) 

"ISimangaliso must be the only place on Earth where the oldest land mammal, rhinoceros, and the largest land mammal, the elephant, share an ecosystem with the older fish, the coelacanth, and the largest marine mammal, the whale, "said Nelson Mandela Aboutthe park, inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 1999, the environmental heterogeneity of the National park iSimangaliso Wetland and its location between subtropical Africa and tropical Africa offer breathtaking scenic vistas and explain the exceptional diversity that characterizes it. Visitors can observe 512 species of birds, including large colonies of pelicans, flamingos, storks, and many hippos. But the most impressive natural spectacles living are certainly those of many nesting turtles on the beaches, the abundance of dolphins and migrating whales and whale sharks off.

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