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 most amazing 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 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 Kasinga 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
Uganda’s National Parks
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
This is an ancient forest . one of the few in Africa to have flourished throughout the Ice Age . it is a home to half of the world endangered mountain Gorilllas .mountain Gorilla trekking is the best selling tourism activity performed in Bwindi impenetrable national park. The national park has 90 mammal species including 11 primates , of which the black and white colobus , with its lovely flowing white tail is prominent. The forest birding ranks with the best in Uganda with 23 highly localized Albertine endemics present
Kidepo Valley National Park
The best of the best Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda is the wish list of wildlife lovers around the world famous for excellent game viewing platform. I would recommend a trip to Kidepo for any tourist to Uganda and you will definitely love what the park has to offer from game drives to walking safaris because there is a lot to see. The moment you open your Banda in the morning, your eyes just catch up with sightings of black backed jackals, zebras, buffalos and beasts coming to the water hole close to the Uganda Wildlife Bandas will also make your day. The road to kidepo is very good –Kampala- Kitugum even the Murram section of about 100km is well maintained so driving to the park is just fine. There are other lodges that cater for Luxury travelers and Apoka is one of them and Ngamoru Wilderness camp. With the beautiful views of the park and wildlife, kidepo Valley is worth visiting for superb wildlife safaris in Africa.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
The name Queen says it all no wonder it’s the first thought tourist destination for many on Uganda gorilla safari tours. Get romantic images of endless savannah plains, wildlife, tree climbing lions of ishasha, Chimpanzees and other primates, birds, Hippos and crocodiles and much more with only a trip to the beautiful paradise-Queen Elizabeth National Park. Visit the park any time of the year January to December provided you have ample time to experience the natural wonders of Uganda. The famed tree climbing lion park-Queen Elizabeth also offers visitors a chance to see chimpanzees in mornings and evenings in Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu Forest reserve.Birders can spot various bird species at the Kazinga chhanel and also around the park savannah vegetation.
Murchison Falls National Park
The Largest and oldest game reserve in Uganda,Murchion falls offers incredible wildlife watching experience especially for those seeking for natural beauty. The might falls of Murchison falls lives within the park and it’s another impressive park attraction with lots of eye catching views, birds, wildlife and hikes to the top of the falls. One of the popular features of this park is the might Murchison falls on the Nile, abundant wildlife, Top of the falls, Rhinos and the forest vegetation of Budongo also known as a chimpanzee trekking ground and a birders paradise. The scenery ranges from dense forests to sweeping grasslands ideal for game viewing and photography .In addition, the park is ideal for not only wildlife safaris but also a great place for Family holidays in Africa.
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.
Park at a Glance
Size: 370km2
Altitude: 1,220m – 1,828m above sea level
Wetland habitats comprise 20% of the park’s surface
The parks’ precarious past has seen wildlife virtually eliminated several times: firstly in various attempts to rid the region of tsetse flies, then to make way for ranches, and finally as a result of subsistence poaching.
20% of the park’s entrance fee is used to fund local community projects such as building clinics and schools.
