Wildlife Viewing in Uganda: Murchison Falls vs Queen Elizabeth vs Kidepo – Uganda is one of the places in Africa that many travelers want to visit for wildlife viewing. Even though most safaris in Uganda focus on gorilla trekking, almost every safari itinerary includes one or more wildlife viewing activities in national parks.
There are many places to see wildlife in Uganda, but this article looks at the three most popular parks: Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park.
These three offer the best wildlife experiences. I will compare them based on different factors to help you choose the best.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is the biggest park in Uganda. It covers about 3,840 square kilometers and has over 77 types of mammals and 452 bird species. The River Nile passes through the park and forms the famous Murchison Falls, where the water drops 46 meters through a narrow gorge. The northern part has savanna, palm trees, and riverine woodland, while the southern part is mainly forest.
This park has the best range of accommodation, from budget to luxury. Good accommodation is very important because poor lodging can spoil the whole safari experience. No matter your budget, you can find a good place to stay inside the park.
This is also the only park in Uganda where you can see all of the Big Five animals: lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos (found at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary). Other animals include giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes, kobs, oribi, and hartebeests. Because the park is large, you can do different game drives and still see something new each time.
Murchison Falls NP is about 5 hours from Kampala by road or 40 minutes by flight, which makes it the easiest park to reach from the capital. That’s why many safari packages start here.
The downside is that it’s not safe to walk near the water. The Nile has many crocodiles, so you must follow all safety rules. Also, it can take a long time to reach your lodge, especially if you are staying on the other side of the park after crossing the bridge.
Hot-air ballooning is available in this park. One company, Dream Balloons, offers balloon rides that cost $380 for adults and $180 for children.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is said to be the most visited park in Uganda. It has savanna, forests, lakes, and wetlands that support many animals and birds. It is known for its views of the Rwenzori Mountains, crater lakes, and the Kazinga Channel.
You can see many animals here, including elephants, buffaloes, hippos, lions (especially the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha), kobs, and many others. The park has different sectors for game drives like Kasenyi and Ishasha, and both offer great chances to see animals.
Accommodation here is very good, and you can choose from many lodges such as Mweya Safari Lodge, Kyambura Game Lodge, Katara Lodge, and others.
Queen Elizabeth NP is about 8.5 hours from Kampala by road or 2 hours by flight. It is located in Kasese, Western Uganda, between Lake George and Lake Edward. If you enter through Kigali, Rwanda, the journey is shorter.
Dream Balloons also operates in Queen Elizabeth NP. The hot-air balloon rides here are said to be better than in other parks because of the views.
The only problem is the long travel time by road. Many travelers find the 8-hour drive tiring, and not everyone can afford flights.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo is one of the least visited parks, but it is one of the best. It is found in the far northeast of Uganda, close to the border with South Sudan and Kenya. Kidepo has over 78 animal species and 478 bird species. It has only two rivers (Kidepo and Narus) which dry up in the dry season but leave behind pools for animals to drink from.
Kidepo has animals like cheetahs and ostriches that are not found in other parks in Uganda. In fact, it borders the famous Masai Mara in Kenya, which is known as the best wildlife park in Africa. CNN once ranked Kidepo as the third-best national park in Africa.
There is no hot-air ballooning in Kidepo yet, maybe because not many tourists visit the park. Flights could be added if more people begin to visit.
Kidepo is very far from Kampala. By road, it takes more than one day. Most people sleep in Gulu or Kitgum before continuing to the park. The long travel time is the main reason many tourists skip Kidepo. However, you can reach it by flight.
The park has limited accommodation. Apoka Safari Lodge is the only luxury option. Other options include Ngamoru Wilderness Camp (mid-range) and Apoka Rest Camp (budget).
My Opinion
Even though it is far, I would choose Kidepo first, then Queen Elizabeth, then Murchison. If you prefer short travel times, then Murchison is the best option. But Queen Elizabeth has more variety and is better than Murchison in my view. Kidepo may be far, but it has animals you won’t find anywhere else in Uganda.
To know what suits you best, try visiting all three parks. You can book a safari that includes Murchison Falls NP, Queen Elizabeth NP, and Kidepo Valley NP in one trip.
After that, you can decide for yourself which one gave you the best experience. For me, Kidepo is the best place for wildlife viewing in Uganda.
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