Uwanda – Rukwa Game Reserve is located in Sumbawanga District, Rukwa Region. It covers an area of 4100 sq km and extends from the eastern escarpment of Lake Tanganyika to the hilly central plateau that includes almost half of Lake Rukwa.
Regular floods have created floodplain habitat of woodland and grassland, which attracts and harbors large herds of herbivores during the dry season.
This is the place to see rare species of Puku (Kobus vardoni). It is also the place where one can see albino giraffes, unusually-stripped zebra, and spiral-horned antelopes related to the Uganda kobs. Other animals include topi, eland, reedbuck, impala, roan antelopes, greater kudu, normal giraffes, elephants and hippopotamus. Lake Rukwa has highest density of crocodiles in Tanzania.
Lake Rukwa which is alkaline attracts many birds. Over 400 species have been recorded the famous ones being grey parrots, red shark, and wood peckers. Uwanda is considered to be the breeding place for red locust insects, which attract many birds.
The reserve is easily accessible by road using Four wheel car and chartered aircrafts.