KIJERESHI GR
'Explore the turning point of the Great Wildebeest migration’
Kijereshi Game Reserve was established by Government Notice Number 215 of 1994.The name “Kijereshi” came from the village bordering the reserve known as Kijilishi, a Sukuma tribe word without a specific meaning. The Reserve size is 82 km2, a part of Western corridor of the Serengeti Ecosystem and a world- famous ecology for the migratory Wildlife movements (The great Wildebeest Migration).
Geographically the GR is found in Busega and Bariadi districts in Simiyu Region, bordering the Serengeti National Park to the North and East and a total of six villages of Lukungu, Mwabayanda, Mwakiroba, Kijilishi, Nyamikoma and Senta to the South and West.
Small streams and rivers provide the main source of water for wildlife, the riverine vegetation habitat forms a nucleus for large mammals, predators and birds. It is an ideal place for game drive to trace the big five of Africa.
Administration: The main offices or headquarter is situated in Busega district at Lamadi town-Lukungu village, South.of Serengeti National Park following the main road to Musoma.
Photographic activities in Kijereshi Game reserve includes Game drive, walking safaris, bird watching, filming and cinematography, picnics, enjoying Bush meal, camping (Special and Public) and cycling. Located quite close to Lake Victoria, means that visitors can combine a Great Migration safari in Kijereshi GR with boat cruises across the lake while staying.
Spectacular scenery
Kijereshi forms a part of the Serengeti short-grass plains. It is a migratory route for wildlife species and a dry season refuge for wildlife in Serengeti Ecosystem. It also acts as a buffer zone to Serengeti National Park. Kijereshi being located in Serengeti Ecosystem is very potential for wildlife and thus harbors various species of wildlife like buffalo, elephant, lion, roan, impala, Thomson’s gazelle and there is also an abundance of zebra, waterbuck and warthog, wildebeest, eland, hyena, jackal, ostrich and roan antelope.
Reserves keystone species
Kijereshi Game Reserve is an integral part of the Western corridor of the Great wildebeest migration of the ecosystem. As it located at the western end of its transit route, becoming part of the "wet season transition phase" of the migration, as the migrant’s with calves passes through the western areas of the ecosystem between May and July yearly depending with the rains. A reserve stands as a last destination (Turning point) of wildebeest migration for Tanzania’s side.
Birds
It is also a breeding ground or site for Ostrich birds and Saddle Bill Stork that are found in abundance compared to other areas of the Country.
Vegetation
Kijereshi forms a part of the Serengeti short-grass plains with scattered acacia woodland.
Accommodation available inside the reserve includes camping sites (special and public) and the Kijereshi Tented Camp at affordable prices for all visitors. However, visitors may also seek accommodation from hotels and camps outside the reserve in Bariadi, Lamadi and Bunda.
It is a tropical climate characterized by two wet season from September to December and then February to May. While dry season begin from May to September. The average annual temperature is 22.40C
By road:
Through Mwanza - Musoma highway, the reserve can be accessed from, Lamadi (3 km), Bunda (20 km), Musoma (86 km), Tarime (137 km) and Mwanza city centre (135 km).
From Arusha, Kijereshi Game Reserve can be accessed via Serengeti road (471 km) while the Arusha - Shinyanga - Simiyu road is 840 km and Bariadi (70 km).
By Air:
The reserve can be accessed through Mwanza international airport (135 km) and Musoma airport which is about 86 km.
By water:
The reserve is about 2.5 km from the Lake Victoria shoreline.
KIJERESHI GR Gallery
