Nature reserves in Africa. The most famous reserves and national parks in Africa. Cedeberg Nature Reserve

Africa is a unique, incredibly beautiful continent, which no other corner of the planet can compare with. We want to tell you about what national parks and reserves there are in Africa, where the main heritage of the continent in the field of flora and fauna is concentrated and preserved.

Main national parks and reserves

Let's consider the features, attractions and location of large reserves and national parks in Africa.

Kruger and Bwindi National Parks in Africa

The oldest natural Park V Republic of South Africa and one of the largest nature reserves in Africa.
Bears the name S. J. P. Kruger- President of the country from 1880 to 1900, who first put forward the idea of ​​​​creating a reservation to protect wildlife and hunting restrictions. Later, in 1926, the country's first national natural park was created on the site of the reserve.
The park is known for its historical artifacts - traces have been found on its territory ancient looking people - Homo erectus - 500 years ago, remains of dwellings, more than 100 places with rock paintings.
The Kruger Park is home to 150 species of wild animals, the largest concentration on the continent. There are also about 420 species of birds in the park.
The type of vegetation here is more typical of a savannah with little forest cover.
The Kruger Nature Reserve includes several small private parks, such as. Its specialty is a professionally organized safari. Here everything happens calmly and measuredly, there is no large flow of tourists. Service - on high level. The only negative is the rather high price.

Bwindi – national park in a forested mountainous area in southwestern Uganda with an area of ​​330 sq. km near the border with Congo. The terrain of the park is mountainous, in some places flat, there are several small rivers.
Basically, the territory of Bwindi is a difficult jungle.
The climate here is typical of the jungle - distinctly tropical.
The biological system of the park is rich in the diversity of inhabitants living here:

• animals - about 150 species;
• birds – 350 species;
• butterflies - about 200 species.

Bwindi's main living attraction is the mountain gorillas; almost half of the entire earth's population of this animal species lives here.
The local flora is also interesting - more than 200 species of plants. There are about 100 varieties of ferns alone.

Rwenzori and Virunga National Parks in Africa

Rwenzori is a nature reserve located in the mountain range of the same name in Uganda.
In Rwenzori there are:

• one of the highest mountain peaks of the continent - Margherita - 5100 m high;
• several lakes and waterfalls;
• glaciers on mountain tops.

The most famous and largest river in Africa, the Nile, originates on the territory of the reserve.
The park is rich in magnificent rich vegetation.
Among the animals in the reserve there are quite rare species, for example, some species of primates.
Gorilla watching excursions are popular.

Virunga National Park(until 1962 - Albert Park) is located in a mountainous area in Democratic Republic Congo in Africa near the border with Uganda. The area of ​​the reserve is about 8000 square meters. km.
The nature reserve in these places was created in 1925 - during the period of colonization of the DR Congo by Belgium (1908-1960) - and was originally named after the Belgian King Albert I.
The territory of the park can be divided into three geographical parts:

• northern, where the Rwenzori mountain range is located;
• central with flat terrain and Lake Edward;
• southern - directly mountain complex Virunga with several volcanoes, including active ones.

The nature in all parts of the park is very diverse, with unique landscapes, rich wildlife and flora. Many species of birds (more than 700) live here permanently or come for the winter.
The main inhabitants of Virunga Park are considered to be mountain gorillas, which mainly live on the slopes of the mountains.

Garamba and Salonga National Parks in Africa

Garamba Nature Reserve located in the northeastern part of the DR Congo near the border with Sudan.
The park area is 4.5 thousand square meters. km is occupied by savannas, tropical forests and meadows.
Garamba is famous for its northern white rhinoceros, a subspecies of rhinoceros that almost disappeared in the 1980s and is now considered close to extinction.
The reserve also boasts a large colony of elephants and giraffes.

Salonga. Another of the DR Congo’s natural reserves is located in the Congo River basin, and tourists can only get to the park by water.
The park was created to protect the rainforest.
The diversity of fauna and birds here is not as great as in other reserves, but it is quite interesting in its composition. Here you can find:

• bonobo primates, living only in these places;
• African gray parrot (Jaco) and Zairean peacocks;
• narrow-snouted African crocodile.

Kameya National Park and Nyasa Nature Reserve

Kameya National Park in Angola, which has been such since 1957.
The area of ​​the park is relatively small - 1500 square meters. m. This is predominantly flat terrain, with small forest areas and thickets of bushes and reeds.
Several rivers flow through the reserve, which affected the structure of the parks’ relief, and also periodically flood its territory. There are also lakes in the reserve, one of which, Dilolu, is the largest in Angola.
Such saturation of reservoirs predetermined the saturation of a large number of aquatic bird species in the adjacent territories.
Of the mammals in the Kameoya Park, the most common species of antelope are found.

Nyasa - nature reserve, including the lake of the same name and the surrounding area. It is located on a plateau at an altitude of about 1400 m above sea level.
Lake Nyasa was formed as a result of the filling of a huge depression (depth - more than 700 m) between the states of Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi with water. Its total length is 590 km.
The coastal terrain is varied: from plains and beaches to mountains descending directly into the water of the lake.
A dozen local rivers flow into the lake, feeding it with fresh water.
In the waters of this huge lake lives big number There are about 1000 species of fish, as well as crocodiles.
On the Mozambican part of the lake coast near the border with Tanzania there is a reserve containing more than 400 species of birds, with a traditionally developed population of animals.
Tourism in the Nyasa Nature Reserve is most developed from Mozambique and Malawi, where you can have an interesting time staying on one of the islands.

Kilimanjaro National Park in Africa

The reserve is located in the northern part of Tanzania and is famous for the highest point in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m), located on its territory.
Kilimanjaro is the first and main attraction of the park. Many come here precisely to climb one of the three peaks along the routes developed for this. Climbing some of them is relatively simple; the only difficulty is the acclimatization process, because to get to the top, you need to cross several climatic zones.
It is better to plan ascents at any time of the year except for the rainy season (October-November, March-April).
Climbing the mountain, tourists can see:

• a unique attraction - a snowy mountain peak and a glacier in the middle of Africa;
• the stunning sight of an extinct volcano crater;
• several beautiful mountain lakes;
• a mountain plateau connecting two mountain peaks.

The vegetation of the park is very rich and varied, as it changes along with the change in climatic zones when climbing to the top.
At the base of the mountains there are picturesque rainforests and savannah, several interesting walking routes for tourists have been developed here.

Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks

Southeast of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is another famous national reserves of Africa - Serengeti. By the way, Tanzania is the country where the most nature reserves are located in Africa.
The area is more than 15 thousand square meters. km, it is the largest in the country.
The ecosystem of this reserve has been least affected by human activity.
The huge plateau on which the park is located is home to many species of animals and birds. It is very interesting to watch them, for example, during a safari.
Particularly impressive are the spectacles of animal migration during periods of drought, when endless lines of living creatures move, covering a total of thousands of kilometers.

Central attraction Ngorongoro Nature Reserve in Tanzania, formerly part of Serengeti park, considered to be an extinct, destroyed crater of an ancient volcano.
Its dimensions are amazing:

• diameter – more than 20 km;
• depth – 610 m;
• total area – 270 sq. km.

It is interesting that the crater has its own unique biosystem - many species of animals living here have never been outside its boundaries. The total number of animals inhabiting the crater exceeds 25 thousand.
Inside the crater there is an unusual Lake Magadi - salty, formed by hot springs.
There are several people living on the lake interesting species birds including flamingos, herons and pelicans.
On the slope near the crater there is the grave of German zoologists Bernhard and Mikael Grzimek, who made a huge contribution to the research, conservation and popularization of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro parks.

Rungwa Game Reserve, Maasai Mara and Selous

Rungwa- another of the national parks of Africa in Tanzania, the second in area.
The beds of several rivers stretch across the park, the largest of which is the Ruaha, with whirlpools and picturesque backwaters. Some of the rivers are very dry.
This abundance of water bodies predetermined the diversity of flora and fauna living in Rungwa.
It should be noted that these places are difficult to navigate, which made it possible to preserve the biological system of the reserve almost untouched. Walking is allowed in certain parts of the park.

Selous Nature Reserve. The largest conservation reserve in Tanzania and on the continent, its area is approximately 45,000 square meters. km, named after the British traveler and explorer F. C. Selous.

1. The Rufiji River flows through the entire territory of the park.
2. The park is home to more than 2,000 species of plants and trees, and large tracts of mangrove forests.
3. The variety of birds is more than 400 species.
4. Animals living in the park - typical representatives African savannah, although Selous is home to record populations of buffalo, elephant and hippopotamus.
5. Hunting safaris are held in the southern half of the park.

Masai Mara National Park located in Kenya, in its southwestern part.
The park has become a natural extension of the nearby Serengeti nature reserve.
The Masai Mara takes its name from the Maasai people, whose tribes historically settled in this area, near the Mara River. The park is a savanna overgrown with grass and shrubs, swampy in places, with occasional acacia groves.
Like the Serengeti, the Masai Mara is famous for the spectacular migrations of its many species of animals.
There is a colossally large population of wildebeest - more than a million animals - as well as lions and leopards.
Hippopotamuses and crocodiles are often found in local rivers.
The eastern sector of the reserve is more popular among tourists, which is geographically located closer to the capital of the country - Nairobi (220 km).

Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks in Africa

Tsavo - a park in Kenya, one of the world's largest natural parks(area – 20,000 sq. km).
The landscape of the park is predominantly savannah, covered with shrubs, and swampy in places.
Several rivers flow through the territory, the largest is Galana; sometimes there are lakes, springs gushing out of the ground and small waterfalls.
The park is famous for its diverse fauna, as well as an abundance of birds, and quite rare animals can be found here.
From a tourism point of view, the most developed East End Tsavo Nature Reserve with a tourist center in the town of Voi.
In the western part of the park, tourists flock to the village of Mtitto Andey.

Amboseli Park is located in southeastern Kenya near the border with Tanzania. Relatively small in area - 400 sq. km.
From the territory of this reserve, the snow-white peak of Kilimanjaro and its picturesque surroundings are clearly visible. Amboseli is known for its large elephant population - about 900 animals, and is even called the “land of elephants”.
Tourists are allowed to hike in Amboseli, provided they are accompanied by an armed guide.

Etosha (video) and Kafue National Parks

A large (more than 22,000 sq. km) reserve in Namibia, located near the northern edge of the Kalahari Desert, one of the largest national parks in South Africa.
Part of the territory of Etosha Park is occupied by the salt plateau of the same name.
Etosha Park serves as a habitat for many species of living creatures - mammals and birds, among which quite rare ones, such as rhinoceroses, can be found.

The fauna of the desert is extremely diverse. Especially when it comes to Namibia. Among the inhabitants of the Namib Desert are a variety of antelopes (springbok, oryx, kudu, dig-dig and others), huge desert elephants, giraffes, zebras, leopards, lions, etc. Enjoy watching!

Kafue- the largest nature reserve in Zambia. Named after one of the rivers flowing through its territory. Kafue is the largest of Zambia's rivers; along its course there are rapids, whirlpools and even small waterfalls.

Another attraction of the park is the Itezhe-Tezhe Dam, which blocks the Kafue River and was built to collect reservoir water and power the local power plant.
I would like to note that almost all of the listed national parks are included in the UNESCO list of natural monuments - World Heritage Sites. Unfortunately, the situation around some large reserves in Africa (for example, Virunga or Cameo) is quite complex due to conflicts and military operations that periodically arise on their territory or in the vicinity, as well as due to harmful human economic activities. Maybe we need to stop and stop making nature hostage to human greed and irresponsibility? What do you think?

When you think of Africa, wild animals immediately spring to mind. Africa is a continent with a rich diversity of flora and fauna, much greater than any other continent on our planet. With a wide variety of climate zones, from subarctic to tropical, Africa has many different habitats: tropical rainforests, savannas, plains and the arid Sahara Desert. Africa is also considered the continent where the first people appeared.

African continent has the highest concentration of national parks - 335 as of 2014, protecting more than 1,100 species of mammals, 100,000 species of insects, 2,600 species of birds and 3,000 species of fish. In addition, there are hundreds of game reserves, forest reserves, marine reserves, national reserves and nature parks.
Serengeti National Park

Zebra migration in Serengeti National Park

The Serengeti National Park in Tanzania is one of the oldest and most famous reserves in Africa. The park is famous for the annual migration of millions of wildebeest and hundreds of thousands of gazelles, zebras and predators, making it one of the most spectacular natural spectacles in the world.
Serengeti National Park covers an area of ​​12,950 square kilometers and is considered. This park is considered the place where the natural ecosystem is least disturbed.

Masai Mara National Reserve
The Maasai Mara is a national reserve in Kenya and is named after the Maasai people who inhabit these regions. It is famous for its lions, leopards and cheetahs, as well as the annual migration of zebra, Thomson's gazelle, and wildebeest.

The Maasai Mara is relatively small, but has an amazing concentration of wildlife. The park is home to 95 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles and more than 400 species of birds.

Bwindi National Park
Bwindi National Park is located in southwestern Uganda in East Africa. The park includes 331 square kilometers of jungle forests and can only be reached on foot. Situated on the eastern edge of the Rift Valley, the park has a rich ecosystem. It also has a wide variety of fauna, including a number of endemic butterflies and one of the richest assemblages of mammals in Africa. The park is home to almost half of the world's mountain gorillas, of which, unfortunately, there are only 340 individuals.

Amboseli National Park
Amboseli National Park is one of the most popular parks in Kenya. Situated in the south of the country, on the border with Tanzania, it offers one of the most spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro with its 5,985 meter peak rising above the plains. Amboseli attracts visitors primarily because of its huge herds of elephants. The park is also home to many predators such as lion, cheetah and leopard.

Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa and one of the largest national parks in the world, with an area of ​​19,485 square kilometers. It is also the first national park in South Africa. It was opened in 1926, although the park's territory has been protected by the state since 1898. Kruger Park has the largest number of species of large mammals.

Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park is located in the northwestern part of Botswana, close to the border of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia and is home to a stunning elephant population. It contains an estimated 50,000 elephants, perhaps Africa's highest concentration of elephants. The best time to visit Chobe is during the dry season from April to October.

Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is located in northwestern Namibia. It covers an area of ​​22,270 square kilometers. The park is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including several rare and endangered species such as black rhinoceroses.

Central Kalahari
The Central Kalahari Game Reserve in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana covers an area of ​​52,800 km², approximately twice the size of Massachusetts, making it the second largest game reserve in the world. The park contains wild animals such as giraffes, brown hyena, warthog, cheetah, wild dogs, leopards, lions, blue wildebeest.

Bushmen inhabited the Kalahari for thousands of years. These tribes still live here and roam the area as nomadic hunters.

Auwash National Park
Auwash National Park occupies only 514 sq. km, located in a picturesque part of the Rift Valley between two lakes. It is considered an important habitat for bird populations, especially kingfishers, storks, pelicans, flamingos and eagles.

Ngorongoro
Ngorongoro is located in northwestern Tanzania. This is actually the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, an extinct volcano that left behind a crater. The steep slopes of the crater provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. The area also has great importance in the study of human origins, because it was here that some of the earliest human remains were found, including traces of his presence here 3.5 million years ago.

Hello to all readers of the blog site! Today I have prepared for you a lot of interesting information about the creation of nature reserves in Africa, a little about this incredible beauty of nature, about all sorts of animals living there, etc. Enjoy...

Due to man's irresponsible attitude towards nature, many species of the once richest flora and fauna of the African continent have irrevocably disappeared from the face of the planet. National parks and reserves are being created on the “dark continent” to prevent such devastation of nature.

National parks of Africa.

Almost 4% (about 1,170,880 sq. km) of the entire African territory was taken under protection by 1990. Pongola, the first African nature reserve, was established back in 1894 in South Africa, although most of the current protected areas have appeared relatively recently.

862,940 sq. km of the continent, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and natural resources(MSPR), is under full protection, and excludes the conduct of any mining and forestry work.

These areas contain national parks (where visitors are allowed only subject to minimal changes to the landscape), natural monuments, nature reserves and other attractions.

Partial protection applies to the remaining 307,940 sq. km, this means that in these territories the land can be used for resort and tourism infrastructure and for some types of mining operations.

There are many protected areas throughout Africa, but in the south and east of the continent there are the most picturesque and extensive reserves, and UNESCO has classified some of them as world natural and cultural heritage.

World Heritage of Humanity.

There are 601 protected areas with an area of ​​over 1000 hectares in Africa. International Committee world heritage 26 of them are classified as official List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity.

The objects included in this List are "outstanding value of universal significance" due to their cultural and historical importance, natural features or a combination of all these factors.

World Heritage Sites in the early 80s. last century, were declared together with the adjacent conservation area in central and northern Tanzania.

In the southeast of Algeria, Tassili-Ajjer with a combination of cultural monuments and unique natural conditions– is another site on the World Heritage List. This sandstone plateau, due to erosion of the rock, dotted with intricate patterns, is known for its unique geological formations.

Scientists have discovered examples of rock art on these formations that are perfectly preserved. The age of the drawings is approximately determined at 10 thousand years; the climate of the Sahara at that time was quite rainy, and juicy herbs grew up in what is now the desert.

North Africa.

Most North African countries had almost no protected areas until the 1960s. In 1884, only in Tunisia appeared civil service forestry, and subsequently restrictions on hunting were introduced. And in Algeria, the first North American national park was approved in 1923.

Today, to protect certain species of animals, national parks have been created in North Africa. For example, in the Taza National Park - Barbary macaques, in the Toubkal Park, in the middle of the High Atlas ridge in Morocco - representatives of the mountain fauna, in the Tenere and Aire natural reserves in Nigeria - oryx and rare mendes antelopes.

Several nature reserves have also been created in the coastal areas of this region. For example, on the coast of Mauritania, Ban d'Arguin is a wetland where millions of birds spend the winter. The rare Berber deer and caracals are found in the same wetland in Algeria's El Kala National Park.

Deforestation, combined with overgrazing and drought in the depleted grasslands of the Sahel plain, have taken a huge toll on wild North Africa. This effect was also aggravated by wars, including in Algeria, where chemical defoliants were actively used during the fighting for independence of 1952 - 1962. Awareness of the need for environmental protection is growing along with the importance of tourism for the development of these countries.

West and Central Africa.

In one of the most densely populated areas - West Africa, demographic growth has led to the disappearance of a significant part of the rain forests and savannas that once existed there, and consequently of many biological species.

Over 100 years, up to 90% of the forests in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire have been cleared due to logging. Even in the forests of the Taï National Park in Côte d'Ivoire, poaching, gold exploration and timber logging continue unabated. Ecologists in a number of countries are actively searching for optimal methods of environmental protection that would be consistent with the needs of the population, often living in poverty.

In 1979, a campaign was organized within the framework of the project "Mountain Gorilla", the purpose of which was: to form among the local population careful attitude to nature. One of the most densely populated countries is Rwanda.

A 1980 study in Rwanda found that areas Volcanoes National Park, the habitats of unique gorillas - more than half of Rwandan farmers are not averse to using them to create farms there.

Environmentalists toured almost all the villages, convincing local residents in the need to save gorillas, in particular, pointing out the importance of these animals for the development of one of the main sources of employment in the country - tourism.

The same survey in 1984 showed that the number of people wishing to use park lands for agricultural needs had already decreased to 18%. The gorilla population began to increase towards the end of the 80s, but in the 90s. mass migration of residents and war reduced all previous efforts to zero.

East Africa.

It is quite difficult to protect and manage forest reserves, and not everyone gets to see animals there. Therefore, in Africa, the most popular reserves are in the savannah - a tropical steppe with rare individual trees.

Both predatory (leopards, lions, cheetahs) and herbivorous (rhinoceros, antelopes, elephants, buffalos, giraffes, zebras, gazelles, etc.) wild animals are found in the savannah of East Africa.

Savannah-dwelling jackals, wild dogs and hyenas feed on carrion. Crowds of tourists are of course attracted by this diversity of fauna. In Kenya in 1990, tourism income was US$467 million, more than the combined volume of the country's two main exports - tea and coffee.

IUCN in 1990 compiled a list of 36 protected areas in Kenya, including 3 national parks of historical and archaeological significance, 3 marine national parks and 16 major national reserves, reserves and parks.

Tsavo Park, located along the Nairobi-Mombasa road, is the largest national park. This park is famous for its unique population of elephants; the area of ​​Tsavo Park is 20,807 square meters. km.

Nairobi National Park is located only 6 km from the capital of Kenya, the park area is only 114 square meters. km., but despite its size, on its territory the park accommodates an amazing variety of animal species, including lions, leopards and cheetahs and natural environments.

Tourism in Tanzania is not as developed as in Kenya, however, the potential of nature reserves and game reserves in this country is truly enormous. There are 6 major national parks in Tanzania (in addition to the Ngorongoro Crater and the famous Serengeti) and several game reserves, which may well be awarded the status of national parks in the near future.

Serengeti is a national park in northern Tanzania, one of the largest parks in the world. It is located at a distance of 320 km from Arusha, at an altitude of 910 m to 1820 m above sea level, its area is 1.3 million hectares. "Serengeti" means "endless plains" in the Maasai language.

The Serengeti is the first of all African reserves total number animals and the number of species that inhabit it. More than 1.5 million large mammals, mainly ungulates, live within the reserve.

About 35 different types Animals can be seen here, including the "big five" - ​​leopards and lions, elephants, hippos and buffalos. Other animals include rhinoceroses, giraffes, zebras, Thomson and Grant's gazelles, wildebeest, cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles, baboons and other monkeys, as well as more than 500 species of birds - jabiru stork, flamingos and others.

- an extinct shield volcano, up to 2338 m high, located near western edge Rift Zones, in northern Tanzania, on the border with Kenya. Steep cliffs of the crater walls border on spacious valleys covered with bushes and grass.

The reserve, spread around the Ngorongoro Crater, covers an area of ​​about 800 thousand hectares, after it received the official status of an International Conservation Zone and Biosphere Reserve, its importance has increased.

This area was once part of the Serengeti National Park. but as a reserve, it fulfills two main tasks - preserving the natural resources of the region, as well as protecting the interests and traditional way of life of the Maasai tribe, which grazes herds of cattle, goats and sheep here.

The center of the reserve is the Ngorongoro Caldera, one of the largest calderas in the world. Its total area is 264 km2, depth – 970 to 1800 m, length 22 km. Two destroyed craters are located in the southwestern part, one of these craters is filled by Lake Magadi Ngorongoro.

Many different herbivores feed the savannah, especially during the dry season, when there is enough food for more than 2 million herbivores of various sizes. Like a catalog of African fauna, here begins the list of animals: zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, Thomson and Grant's gazelles, giraffe, eland and warthog, two-horned rhinoceros, elephant.

Most of these animals roam the vast Serengeti, while others, such as the hippopotamus, live near swamps and. Where there is plenty of prey, there are also predators; Ngorongoro Reserve supports spotted hyena, lion, jackal, leopard, cheetah and serval populations.

Uganda has some wonderful parks, but in the 70s and 80s. last century, during the civil wars, they suffered enormous damage, and the desperate population, in order not to die of hunger, shot many animals.

South Africa.

The list of the most unique protected regions in the world includes the continental part of South Africa. About 7% of the territory is under state protection, although in the 80s - 90s. During the civil wars in Mozambique and Angola, this did not go unnoticed for wildlife.

Botswana has the largest concentration of parks and game reserves, with 17% of the country's territory being protected areas. Back in the 90s. XX in the environmental movement originated in Africa. Of the 43 government protected areas by 1929, 27 were in South Africa.

The most famous national park in this region has its origins from the Sabi and Shingwedzi reserves. The merger of these reserves occurred with the adoption of the National Parks Act in 1926, in what was then the Transvaal, a province in the northeast of the region.

Occupying an area of ​​19,485 sq. km, the Kruger Park on its territory shelters a huge number of animals taking advantage of the diversity of natural environments. Such rare species of animals as white rhinoceroses are found in this park.

In South Africa, according to the IUCN, in 1990 there were 178 conservation areas with a total area of ​​63 100 km2. km, this is 5.2% of the total area of ​​the country. In addition to the Kruger Park, the picturesque Golden Gate Highlands, the Kalahari Jemsbok, through which the migration routes of a huge number of antelopes pass, and the Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth are famous.

Zimbabwe and Madagascar.

The amazingly picturesque Victoria Falls Park and the neighboring Zambezi National Park are located in Zimbabwe. - one of the most remarkable nature reserves in the world, inhabited by rare animals, is located in the north-west of the country. The Zimbabwe Grand National Monument and Park is of extraordinary historical interest.

The island of Madagascar in eastern Africa is striking in the number of living animals. It is the island nature of the state that determines the uniqueness of this biodiversity.

Madagascar fauna and flora have evolved and been enriched with new species over many millennia. But for environment The destructive impact of civilization has not passed by - 45 species and subspecies of the rarest lemurs are under threat of extinction, and almost 4/5 of the forests have been cut down.

The country does not have sufficient resources to ensure control over compliance with environmental legislation, even despite the creation of nature reserves in 1927.

Forecast.

Quite a lot serious problems faces environmentalists in Africa, caused by the growth of the countries' agro-industrial potential and demographic factors. But there are still reasons for optimism.

It can be expected, especially in countries dependent on tourism, that the area of ​​protected areas will still expand. It is also encouraging that awareness of the benefits of environmental protection is increasing among the African population, with community-based environmental organizations being established everywhere.

Creation biosphere reserves is a reflection of the current trend in environmental protection. In these reserves, the central area is fully protected; it is surrounded by a buffer zone and then by an external territory; industrial exploitation and tourist visits are allowed.

Modern technologies play an important role. Radio tracking devices record the migrations of animals, and any changes in the nature of vegetation are noted by satellite devices. Large animals, if necessary, are immobilized and transferred to a safe place, and rare species are allowed to breed in captivity, then released into their usual habitat.

And yet it seems to me that this is a fairy tale... It’s so tempting and beautiful there, lakes, volcanoes, pink flamingos... Oh... I JUST WANT TO THERE!!!

Maltsev Igor

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Africa is a continent with a wide variety of flora and fauna, much more than any other continent on our planet. With a wide variety of climate zones, from subarctic to tropical, Africa has a variety of habitats: tropical rainforests, savannas, plains and the arid Sahara Desert. Africa's reserves date back to the first government structure for the protection of forests, which was created in Tunisia in 1884, and almost 40 years later the first Taza National Park was established in the country. Now in North Africa there are national parks created to protect certain species of animals. The African continent has 335 national parks, protecting more than 1,100 species of mammals, 100,000 species of insects, 2,600 species of birds and 3,000 species of fish.

Continent: Africa Location: Algeria Taza National Park is one of Algeria's smallest protected areas. The central natural formation in the park is Mountain chain Petite Kabylie. The park also covers 10,500 hectares of Guerrouch forest and 9 km of coastline Mediterranean Sea. The climate in Taza Park is humid Mediterranean, with annual precipitation ranging from 1000 to 1400 mm, and average annual temperature is 18°C, there are almost never temperatures below freezing here. Taza National Park

The flora is quite diverse, but the most common species in the park are Quercus canary grass, B. afares and Q. Saber, sticky alder, Prunus avium, Salix pedicellata, Fraxinus angustifolia and Acer monspessulanum. In general, the local forests have a varied composition and range from 350 m to 1121 m above sea level. The fauna of the park is capable of surprising; it contains such unique mammals as magots, recognized as an endangered species. In addition to primates, the following animals live in Taza Park: cheetah, maned ram, gundi, caracal, horse and saber-horned antelope, rock hyrax, sand cat and other mammals. Hyraxes or fat hyraxes are not the most typical mammal for Africa, but they are found in large numbers in Taza National Park. The hyrax itself is a small, stocky, herbivorous animal. In Africa, the yellow-spotted or mountain hyrax, also known as Bruce's hyrax, is found. Has the following appearance. The body is elongated by 32.5-56 cm, weight is approximately 1.3-4.5 kg, and females are slightly larger than males. The mountain hyrax is quite densely built and has a narrower muzzle than other hyraxes, for example, Cape hyraxes. Externally, Bruce's hyrax looks like guinea pig or a groundhog. The hair is dense and coarse, up to 30 mm long, with black tips. The fur color can be gray or brownish-red, the belly always differs in color - either white or cream. The dorsal gland (up to 1.5 cm long) has yellow. Vibrissae up to 90 mm long grow on the hyrax’s muzzle. Mountain hyraxes prefer to settle on rocky hills, screes and mountain slopes. In the mountains they can be found up to an altitude of 3,800 m above sea level. Mountain hyraxes live in colonies of up to 34 individuals, the basis of this life is a harem, i.e. The group includes one adult male, up to 17 adult females and young animals. Hyraxes are active during the day or on bright moonlit nights. If a hyrax senses danger, it emits shrill screams, thereby giving others a signal to hide. Hyraxes are capable of speeds of up to 5 m/s; They jump well.

Tsavo National Park Location: Coastal Province, Kenya (between Nairobi and Mombasa) Total area: 22 thousand square meters. km. Year of foundation: 1944 Tsavo National Park is one of the largest national parks in the world. The park is divided into two zones - Tsavo East and Tsavo West. The landscape of East Tsavo is represented by a grassy savanna with thickets of thorny bushes, as well as marshy areas near the Voi River. The fauna of the reserve is very diverse. Live here: lions, leopards, cheetahs, zebras, giraffes, servals, spotted hyenas, ostriches, gazelles, buffalos, different kinds antelope Also, more than 500 species of birds nest in the park, including migratory ones, settling here from late October to January. Sedentary species also live here: palm vulture, many species of weavers. Thus, the largest population of African elephants lives here, which numbers up to seven thousand individuals. These animals love to pour red clay on themselves, which is why they are often called “red elephants.”

East Tsavo The territory of East Tsavo is essentially an arid savannah, which is strewn with bushes and many swamps. Here is the largest plateau on the planet - the Yatta Plateau, formed from cooled lava. During droughts, the Aruba Dam, where animals come to drink, almost completely dries out. In this case, the animals go to the Athi River, which during high water (May, June, November) appears in all its splendor and ends with the seething Lugard Falls. The reservoirs are home to a huge number of Nile crocodiles, which hunt inattentive mammals trying to quench their thirst. In Tsavo East you can see elephants, ostriches, hippos, cheetahs, lions, giraffes, herds of zebras and antelopes. Near the waterfall there is a black rhinoceros reserve. All conditions have been created here to increase the population of these animals, since due to poachers their number has decreased to fifty individuals. This part of the park is a nesting site for many migratory birds that arrive here at the end of October from Europe. Water cutters, palm vultures, weaver birds and other birds live here.

What is Tsavo West like? The territory of Western Tsavo, compared to Eastern Tsavo, is much smaller. The area of ​​this part of the national park is seven thousand square kilometers. However, there is quite a diverse flora and fauna here, with approximately 70 species of mammals living in these parts. The landscape of Western Tsavo is more rocky and there are also more varieties of vegetation here than in the eastern part. Chulu is also located here - these are young mountains that were formed from compressed ash as a result of a volcanic eruption. They rise at an altitude of two thousand meters and absorb moisture, and then, feeding underground springs, return it to the earth. According to researchers, the age of the youngest mountain is approximately five hundred years. This part of Tsavo Park is also famous for the underground springs Mzima Springs, which translates as “living”. With the help of groundwater coming to the surface, many reservoirs were formed in the reserve, which provide mammals with vital moisture. Here you can often find hippos swimming, and white and black rhinoceroses wander into the green thickets surrounding the lake. The latter can be seen only at night, during their activity, since these animals wait out the heat of the day in the shade of trees.

Serengeti and Ngorongoro National Parks South-east of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is another of Africa's famous national reserves - the Serengeti. By the way, Tanzania is the country where the most nature reserves are located in Africa. The area of ​​the Serengeti is more than 15 thousand square meters. km, it is the largest in the country. The ecosystem of this reserve has been least affected by human activity. The huge plateau on which the park is located is home to many species of animals and birds. It is very interesting to watch them, for example, during a safari. Particularly impressive are the spectacles of animal migration during periods of drought, when endless lines of living creatures move, covering a total of thousands of kilometers.

The central attraction of the Ngorongoro Nature Reserve in Tanzania, formerly part of the Serengeti Park, is considered to be the extinct, destroyed crater of an ancient volcano. Its dimensions are amazing: diameter - more than 20 km; depth – 610 m; total area – 270 sq. km. It is interesting that the crater has its own unique biosystem - many species of animals living here have never been outside its boundaries. The total number of animals inhabiting the crater exceeds 25 thousand. Inside the crater there is an unusual Lake Magadi - salty, formed by hot springs. The lake is home to several interesting bird species, including flamingos, herons and pelicans. On the slope near the crater there is the grave of German zoologists Bernhard and Mikael Grzimek, who made a huge contribution to the research, conservation and popularization of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro parks.

Masai Mara National Reserve The Masai Mara is a nature reserve in southwestern Kenya. It is the northern extension of the Serengeti National Park. The reserve is named after the Maasai tribe, the traditional population of the region, and the Mara River, which divides it. The Masai Mara is famous for the large number of animals that live there, as well as the annual wildebeest migration that takes place in September and October. Area 1510 km2. Located in the East African Rift System, stretching from the Red Sea to South Africa. The landscapes of the Masai Mara are grassy savanna with acacia groves in the southeastern part. The western border of the reserve is formed by one of the slopes of the rift valley, and this is where most of the animals live, as the marshy area guarantees access to water. The eastern border is located 220 km from Nairobi, which is most visited by tourists.

The Masai Mara is most famous for its lions, which live here in large quantities. It is home to the most famous pride of lions, called the swamp pride. According to unofficial data, it has been monitored since the late 1980s. In the early 2000s, a record was recorded for the number of individuals in one pride - 29 lions. The reserve is home to cheetahs, which are endangered, mainly due to the irritation factor of tourists interfering with their daytime hunt. . The Masai Mara has the largest population of leopards in the world. All other Big Five animals also live in the reserve. The black rhinoceros population is critically endangered, with only 37 individuals recorded in 2000. Hippopotamuses in large groups live in the Mara and Talek rivers. Most large population Among the animals of the reserve are wildebeest. Every year, around July, these animals migrate in huge herds north from the Serengeti plains in search of fresh grass, and return back south in October. Other antelopes also live in the Masai Mara: Thomson's gazelle, Grant's gazelle, impala, topi, etc. Zebras and giraffes also live. The Maasai Mara is a major center for spotted hyena research. More than 450 bird species have been recorded in the reserve.

Kruger National Park Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa and one of the largest national parks in the world. Its area is 19,485 square kilometers. It is also the first national park in South Africa, which opened in 1926, although the park has been protected by the state since 1898. The park is located in the east of the former Transvaal province between the Limpopo and Crocodile rivers (now the park territory is included in the provinces of Mpumalanga and Limpopo). To the east, the park borders Mozambique. The total length of the park from north to south is 340 km. The three main parts of the park (northern, central and southern) are formed by the Ulifants and Sabie rivers. The climate in the park is subtropical, the rainy season is usually from October to March (inclusive)

The territory of the Kruger Park is dominated by park savannah vegetation characterized by open forests, dry deciduous forests, and cereals. Part of the park located north of the river Ulifants is mopane veld, while the southern part is thornveld. The park is home to 17 of the 47 species of trees protected by the state. The area is inhabited by elephants, hippopotamuses, giraffes, rhinoceroses, lions, leopards, Nile crocodiles, and 17 species of antelope. According to the park management, about 1,500 lions, 12,000 elephants, 2,500 buffalos, 1,000 leopards and 5,000 rhinoceroses (both white and black) live in its territory.

Mammals of Nyala Park African elephants Leopard Warthog White rhinoceros African buffalo

Birds of the park More than 400 species of birds live in the park. Silver eagle Brown-headed alcyone Toko Tockus leucomelas Buffoon eagle Common guinea fowl Roller

From the snow-capped heights to the scorched land of the Bushveld, from subtropical beaches to the Kalahari Desert... South Africa is a territory where the incongruous combine in an unimaginable way. The best landscapes and the most fascinating places are concentrated in the country's parks and reserves. This is where it is best to get acquainted with wild nature, enjoying its pristine purity and pristineness.

http://www.krasnayakniga.ru/taza-nacionalnyy-park https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%94%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD_%D0% 91%D1%80%D1%8E%D1%81%D0%B0#/media/File:Ein_klippschliefer.jpg http://goodnewsanimal.ru/news/afrikanskij_gryzun_gundi/2013-05-08-3241 https://ru .wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9A%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%BB http://womanadvice.ru/nacionalnyy-park-cavo http: //phototravelguide.ru/nacionalnye-parki-zapovedniki/masai-mara-keniya/ http://phototravelguide.ru/nacionalnye-parki-zapovedniki/ngorongoro/

Africa is an amazing continent with outlandish beauties: unusually towering mountain formations, origins mountain rivers with thundering waterfalls; evergreen tropical thickets; silent deserts; grassy and wooded savannas; diverse fauna and flora. Most of its territory is under state protection and is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List, so Africa can rightfully be considered a huge national park for all humanity.

All over the world, African national parks are recognized as the legitimate pride of all humanity. In various areas of the continent, people of many nationalities continue to take part in the work of parks. Thus, thanks to everyone’s efforts, hundreds of species of rare animals have been saved from extinction and extermination.

The continent of Africa has an excellent natural basis for the prosperity and development of tourism. South Africa is home to many different national parks and reserves, where people come to see how animals behave in natural environment habitats, as well as admire the exotic nature of this mysterious continent. The largest number of national parks are concentrated in Kenya.

For visitors to African national parks, certain rules of conduct are established. So, for example, it is permissible to drive cars only on special paths designated for this purpose, from which you cannot move to the side, or pick anything up from the ground; Driving is permitted only in the car of a park ranger and in his direct accompaniment; you can't shout; It is prohibited to feed animals, smoke, litter, etc.

The main reserves and national parks of Africa

National parks of Kenya

Tsavo is the largest national park in area, occupying the territory of the entire island of Jamaica. This is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world where wild African safaris are allowed.

The park is divided into two equal parts, each of which is unique and unique: East Tsavo, characterized by flat terrain covered with thorns and low-growing acacias, and West Tsavo - this is a volcanically active part of the park with rocky mountains and hills, which is also considered more rich and vibrant .

Tsavo Park has quite a variety of animal world, numbering about 500 species of individuals: zebras, giraffes, impalas, antelopes, waterbucks, buffalos, cheetahs, leopards, crocodiles, lions. The park is particularly famous around the world for its many rhinoceroses and a huge herd of “red” elephants, so named because their skin has a pink tint caused by the red-pink dust that covers their bodies.

The main attractions of Tsavo are the Mzima springs - a real fragrant oasis in the middle of a lifeless and dusty savannah; Growling rocks, from where the most beautiful panoramic views of the park open; volcanic block and crater of Chaumu volcano; Kanderi swamps - natural spring fresh water; Lugard Falls and rapids on a raging river, disappearing from view in a narrow gorge.

Amboseli - a beautiful ancient park, located near the slope of Mount Kilimanjaro, which offers the best views of its snow-capped peaks. Most of the territory of Amboseli is occupied by lakes, so the flora and fauna here are quite diverse: 425 species of birds, more than 50 species of mammals (lions, hippos, leopards, elephants, rhinoceroses, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, rhinoceroses and others). There are many types of acacia growing in the park - such a variety of them is not found anywhere else.

One of the most breathtaking sights to witness here is the tranquil stroll through the savannah of huge herds of elephants. Amboseli is also home to a rare and critically endangered species of rhinoceros: the black rhinoceros.

Located close to the financial and economic center and capital of Kenya, Nairobi, this fact, in turn, contributes to its popularity among foreign tourists. The park was opened earlier than other similar parks and is considered the oldest in the country. It incomprehensibly combines the beauty of untouched wild nature and the silhouettes of tall office buildings visible from afar.

On the territory of Nairobi there are many savannas, steep gorges, plains, and forests, which are home to various species of animals and birds. In addition, it is famous for being the site of ivory burning. In order to stop the extermination of elephants by poachers, President Moi ordered the burning of 10 tons of ivory in Nairobi.

Located in the Aberdare mountain range, rich in picturesque landscapes. Its views are amazing: forests of huge trees, picturesque rocks with crystal clear waterfalls erupting from them; bamboo jungle; cascades of icy rivers; moorlands. Aberdare has a very diverse flora and fauna. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

National parks of Tanzania

The Serengeti is the world's most famous wildlife sanctuary., located in the Great African Gorge area at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, covering an area of ​​​​about 30 thousand square meters. km. Its name translated from the Maasai language means “elongated platform.” The park is characterized by a changing landscape: from short and long grass to hills covered with green forests. Africa's Serengeti National Park has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. It is rightfully considered the main treasury of wild nature.

Representatives of the local fauna thanks to their unique climatic conditions are very diverse: more than one million large animals live on endless savannas, plains, lakes and rivers. These are leopards, crocodiles, buffalos, lions, rhinoceroses, hyenas, giraffes, baboons, foxes, antelopes, zebras; more than 300 species of reptiles; about 450 species of birds. It was in this park that the world's largest flock of lions, consisting of 41 individuals, was discovered. One of most interesting events In the life of the Serengeti is the annual migration of artiodactyl animals, in particular wildebeest and zebra, moving from the hilly northern regions to the plains of the south.

Every year attracting the attention of millions of tourists from all over globe. It is also called the “eighth wonder of the world” and is rightfully considered a world heritage. Most of this giant tropical park is located in the huge volcanic crater of the same name. The diameter of the volcano's funnel is 20 km, and the area of ​​the crater is 265 square meters. km. The uniqueness of this crater is that over the course of several years, many species of animals have formed their own habitat there. More than 30 thousand species of fauna live on its territory.

At the very bottom of the crater is the alkaline Lake Magami - favorite place flamingo habitat. The area also contains pastures for zebras, antelopes and gazelles.

Another attraction of the Ngorongoro Nature Reserve is the Olduvai Gorge, famous for the fact that excavations were constantly carried out on its territory. Thus, archaeologist Jonathan Leakey discovered the remains of Homo Hablis (“handy man”). Also in the area of ​​this gorge there is a 100-meter high rock, Nazara Rock, known for the presence of man there in the prehistoric period.

Other African countries

Zambia

Kafue is the largest and oldest park, the largest in Zambia. Its area is 2.24 million hectares, which is comparable to the area of ​​Wales. Almost the entire park area is a large strip of forest savannah. Kafue is striking for its lush dambos; the beautiful grass plains of Busanga; ancient savannas; the amazing rivers Lafuta, Kafue and Lunga with hydropower facilities; teak forests with a variety of insects.

Africa's Kafue National Park, like other parks, provides habitat for huge populations of animals: 150 species of mammals, 480 species of birds, 70 species of reptiles.

Congo

Verunga is a national park located in north-eastern Congo, characterized by an outstanding diversity of natural habitats: alpine meadows, peat swamps, snow-capped peaks of the Rwenzori and Verunga mountains, grassy and tree savannas, bamboo thickets, vast lava plateaus, low-mountain rain forests. Its area is 7800 sq. km. The park has a fairly diverse flora - about 2000 plant species. And its fauna is represented by 110 species of reptiles, 197 species of mammals and 89 species of amphibians.