Uganda has a network of ten national parks protecting a wide range of flora and fauna. These national parks are managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a governmental parastatal. These parks range from forest parks to savanna parks. Most safaris in Uganda take tourists around these national parks. There are lots of things to see in each parks as well as adventure activities to undertake.
Uganda’s national parks protect the unique flora and fauna of the country. Uganda as a country is a member of East African Federation and is one of the countries on the African continent that are also gifted by nature which prompted the British premier to also declare it the pearl of Africa in 1908. It also contains ten national parks that are well set to be encountered on your Uganda safari. The classic Uganda safari experience starts with Lake Mburo National park which is the smallest savannah park in Uganda located along Masaka-Mbarara road in the south west of the country well known for its populations of the impala, Zebra and the eland more than any other park. You will proceed to gorilla safari destination of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the home of the endangered mountain gorillas well known for gorilla tracking.
A Uganda safari can also take you to Queen Elizabeth National park, this is the world biosphere reserve to view the tree climbing lions of the Ishasha, and there is also the famous boat ride of Kazinga channel and the game drive along the Kasenyi track. There will be a proceeding to the north to encounter the 1,509 Mt Ruwenzori famously known as the mountains of the moon suitable for the adventure safaris most especially mountain climbing.
There is the primate capital – Kibale National park which is also well known for its populations of habituated chimpanzees thus a haven for the chimpanzee trekking in Uganda before proceeding to the birding destination-which is semuliki National park and the sempaya hot springs.
The journey in Uganda also continues to Murchison falls National Park– the largest protected area in Uganda for the powerful Murchison falls, the big five, giraffes and the Nile River itself. In the north, there is kidepo National park which is one most remaining wilderness parks in Africa to encounter the endemics like the cheetah, Kayirondo bush baby, and the ostrich among others plus the rewarding landscapes of the Karamoja region that will optimize the Uganda safari. Mount Elgon which is the dormant volcanic mountain suitable for hiking, viewing sipi falls, the caves and the paintings on the mountain side before announcing the end of the Uganda safari tour.
Here are the Uganda’s National Parks
Forest Parks
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park protecting mountain gorillas
- Mgahinga National Park –
- Kibale Forest National Park, the best place to track chimpanzees in Uganda
Savanna Parks
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Semuliki National Park
- Kidepo Valley National Park
- Lake Mburo National Park
Mountain Parks
- Rwenzori National Park
- Mount Elgon National Park
There are 10 national parks in Uganda. These parks protect a wide range of flora and fauna. In addition these national parks represent a variety of landscape, wildlife, primates, nature and much more. Because of the national parks beauty and tourism treasures, Uganda receives millions on different Uganda safari tours all heading out to explore the Pearl of Africa. Despite all Uganda national parks being gorgeous, there are some that are believed to be outstanding and are common in most safaris in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
One of the most beautiful mountain gorillas tracking park in the world and totally fascinated with multiple amazing attractions that make it another world on the planet. A gorilla trekking tour to Bwindi impenetrable forest take you to the magical joy world hence giving life lasting memories after a cool sweaty nature walk through the thick forested hilly vegetation. If you want to feel the same, begin thinking about a Uganda gorilla tracking tour not only to see mountain gorillas but also to explore other forest incredible attractions as well as the forest people culture that many call “The batwa forest experience”.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is a compact gem, located conveniently close to the highway that connects Kampala to the parks of western Uganda. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks and underlain by ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks which date back more than 500 million years. It is home to 350 bird species as well as zebra, impala, eland, buffalo, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, leopard, hippo, hyena, topi and reedbuck.
Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders. Once covered by open savanna, Lake Mburo National Park now contains much woodland as there are no elephants to tame the vegetation. In the western part of the park, the savanna is interspersed with rocky ridges and forested gorges while patches of papyrus swamp and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland line many lakes.
Kibale Forest National Park
Best place for chimpanzee tracking and Chimpanzee habituation in Africa and a home to over 13 primate species with chimps as the prime park attraction.Kibale forest national park offers perfect chimpanzee safari tours found nowhere else and a cool place for all primate lovers. Would highly recommend this park to those on primate safaris or gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safaris. No prior experience for one to explore this park as long as you have a chimpanzee trekking permit or habituation permit. However, one can enjoy forest walks to Bigodi wetland, and in Kanyanchu a thing you will definitely love.Kibale forest national park is one of the most famous chimpanzee trekking park in Africa and I highly recommend it.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
There is plenty of wildlife, birds, primates; lakes that can easily make your stay awesome though you can just pick to engage in some park tour activities because of time, trip arrangement and money. If you want to only see wildlife, and primates,2-3 days are enough to explore ishasha sector for tree climbing lions & Kasenyi, take an afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga channel and also track chimpanzees in Kalinzu forest reserve or Kyambura gorge. Queen Elizabeth National Park is also one of the most visited in Uganda and tourists usually combine it with a visit to Bwindi forest national park. Queen Elizabeth is pretty convenient if you want to see wildlife, chimpanzees and mountain gorillas on a single trip to Uganda.
Murchison Falls National park
Another fantastic safari destination in Uganda nice to be explored year round.Murchion falls has no high and low season because every day is amazing for a safari to Murchison falls. I would recommend this place for whoever has 2-3 days in Uganda or during the weekend. There is a lot to enjoy and see including wildlife viewing, bird watching, boat cruise of the Nile, chimpanzee trekking, hiking, and much more. It’s a must to see the Big five and other incredible wildlife , the might falls beauty make you love your stay even more and a hike to the top of the fall is something you shouldn’t miss out. If you have been to Uganda for a safari tour, please add your favorite places.
Kidepo Valley National Park
The park is located near karenga in Kaabong District, in the northeastern corner of Uganda. It is approximately 220 kilometers, by road northwest of Moroto, which is the largest town in the sub-region. It is approximately 520 kilometers, by road, northeast of kampala, Uganda’s capital and city. The northwestern boundary of the park runs along the international frontier with Bira, South Sudan. The biggest part of the park is open tree savannah due to the differences in rainfall with annual average of 89 cm in Narus and 64 cm in kidepo basin vegetation therefore animal populations vary between the two valleys.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest national park located in southwestern corner of Uganda o 33.7km2 and covers the northern slopes of three virunga volcanoes. Mt Muhavura, mt Gahinga and Mt Sabinyo. The park is in south of kisoro about 10km and is bordered to the south by the volcanoes national park of Rwanda and the west by the Virunga National park of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The park consists of the partly forested slopes of three extinct volcanoes and is part of the larger virunga conservation area that spreads over the three countries where each of these countries protects its own portion of the Virungas.