LIPARAMBA GR
'Explore, authentic wilderness’
Liparamba Game Reserve was established as by Government Notice Number 289 of 2000 covering 571 square kilometers. After designation it was managed by Mbinga district council and later handed over to Director of Wildlife in 2006.
Liparamba is a local name which means Klipspring (Liparamba in native matengo language) and it is located within Mbinga, Nyasa and Songea rural district between 1100. 34’ latitude (south), 3700.07’ and 3500. 20’ latitude East in Ruvuma region.
The Reserve headquarters is located at Mbinga town, 80km from the reserve.
Tourism activities includes walking safaris, quad bike tours, canoeing, sport fishing, camping, bird watching, picnicking, game drive, hiking, night game drive, sunbathing, rock climbing and swimming
Quad ride is conducted through the following routes;
- From Mtua game post via Nakavuru road, stopover at Nakavulu River camp all the way to Lunyere River (North)
- Mitomoni game post camp via beacon number 17 all the way to beacon number 15 along Ruvuma floodplain (South east)
- Mitomoni game post via Kisomanga to Kipingi which is the Tanzania – Mozambique international boundary set by Germans during colonial rule.
Spectacular scenery: Liparamba has a varied landscape of flat, mountainous area and valley suitable for various wildlife habitats and tourism activities such includes;-
Nakatuta water falls: Produce loud and attractive sound, it is a good place for canoeing activities that include swimming, abseiling, walking and jumping.
Katumbikamo Ridge: Climbing to the top of the ridge, tourist can clearly view the scenic beauty of the natural forest of miombo woodland, animals, rivers, landscape and nearby villages. Breezing wind and birds voices bring different experience.
Mkuyu dam: This is narrow deep dam which can be used for sport fishing and swimming. Camping nearby this dam provide opportunity game viewing and bird watching .Beautiful rocks and sunny, provide good place for sunbathing.
Manyigu Hill: To the top of the hill is where natives perform their rituals.The white flag used by elders to indicate the ritual site.
Nature adventure with quad ride tours: Tourist do experience undisturbed natural miombo forest, animals and landscape, with quad ride.
Reserves wildlife species: Elephant, Buffalo, Sable Antelope, Eland, Greater Kudu, Bushbuck,Waterbuck, Reedbuck, Duiker, Hipotatmus, Leopard, Civet, Serval cat, Golden Jackal, Mongoose, Honeybadger, Yellow Baboon, Black faced Monkey, Bush baby, Nile Crocodiles, Monitor lizard, Pangolin, Aardvark. Snakes include python, black mamba, cobra and adders.
Birds: It also harbours bird species like Guinea fowl, Francolin, Spur fowl, Geese, Cormorant, Hammekop,Bustard, African Hoopers, Ground hornbill, Doves, Green pigeon, Sandgrousand Weavers.
Vegetation: The reserve is dominated by Miombo woodland river line forest along Ruvuma River. Diversity in vegetation type and permanent water sources attract wildlife population along the river during dry season and suitable habitats for various wildlife species which includes endangered, threatened and rare species.
Camping sites (special campsite) is allowed inside the reserve. There is plenty, affordable and comfortable accommodation from hotels and lodges in Songea, Mbambabay & Mbinga town from which visitors can seek.
The best time to visit the reserve is from June to November. The temperature of the area ranges between 10◦c to 25◦c
Tourists can access Liparamba Game Reserve by road and air from Songea to Mbinga town 100 km, where the Head Quarter is available. The reserve entrance gate is accessed by rough road about 43km from Mbinga town. That makes total distance of 138km from Songea town to entrance gate.