Uganda is a landlocked country in the eastern part of Africa. It is also known as the “Pearl of Africa.” It is bordered by Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and South Sudan. Uganda has 12 reserves and 10 national parks.
Uganda’s national parks can be visited throughout the year. However, the best time to visit is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. During this time, wildlife viewing is easier, hiking trails are less muddy, and roads to the parks are in good condition.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to about half of the world’s mountain gorilla population. These gorillas are found only in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.
There are more than 15 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi that tourists can trek daily. Only 8 visitors are allowed to visit a gorilla family, and each group spends one hour with them.
Bwindi is also the only park in the world where visitors can join the gorilla habituation process. This allows you to spend 4 hours with the gorillas as researchers and rangers study them. Habituation is the process of making gorillas get used to humans so that tourists can visit them safely.
For over 500,000 years, Bwindi was home to the Batwa people, who depended on the forest for shelter, food, and medicine. In 1991, they were evicted when Bwindi was declared a national park. Today, the Batwa live at the forest edge and often work as laborers on nearby farms. Visitors can support them by learning about their culture and past forest life.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most visited park, located in the western part of the country. It is a paradise for bird lovers with more than 500 bird species, some of them found only in this region. The park is also home to 95 species of mammals, including chimpanzees.
Activities in the park include wildlife viewing, birding, exploring crater lakes, a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, cultural encounters, chimpanzee tracking at Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu Forest, and guided forest walks. The park is also famous for its tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, a rare sight found only here and in Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is located in the northwestern part of Uganda. The park is split by the Nile River, the world’s longest river, and is famous for the powerful Murchison Falls. It is the largest national park in Uganda and was established in 1952.
Activities here include boat cruises, sport fishing, wildlife viewing, birding, chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest, and cultural encounters.
Visitors should also stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way to the park. This is the only place in Uganda where you can see rhinos.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is in northeastern Uganda. It covers 1,442 sq km and was gazetted in 1962. It is less visited because of its remote location, but it is one of Africa’s most remarkable national parks.
The park offers wildlife viewing, birding, and cultural visits with the Karamojong and Ik people. It is also home to some animal and bird species not found elsewhere in Uganda. For travelers looking for a true African wilderness, Kidepo is the perfect destination.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale Forest National Park is often called the primate capital of the world. It is home to 13 primate species, including the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda. The park covers 776 sq km in western Uganda.
Kibale is also the only park in Uganda where you can take part in chimpanzee habituation. In addition to primates, the park has 229 tree species, 325 bird species, more than 1,000 flowering plants, and 70 mammal species.
The main activity is chimpanzee trekking, which offers the best chance to see chimpanzees in Uganda. Visitors can also join researchers and rangers during chimpanzee habituation.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda. It is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area. Like Bwindi, it is home to endangered mountain gorillas.
The park was once home to the Batwa people, who were evicted in 1991. Today, they live at the park edge and share their traditions with visitors.
Mgahinga is also the best place to track golden monkeys. In addition, the park offers volcano climbing, as it is home to three Virunga volcanoes: Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Muhabura.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is Uganda’s smallest savannah park, found in the western part of the country. It is the perfect weekend escape from Kampala and is ideal for visitors with limited time, as it is only a 3-hour drive from the capital.
The park is surrounded by 13 lakes, 5 of which lie inside its boundaries. Despite its small size, it offers plenty of activities such as wildlife safaris, birding, boat cruises, guided nature walks, and horseback riding.
Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park is located in Bwamba County in southwestern Uganda, near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of Africa’s oldest tropical forests, having survived the ice age 18,000 years ago, and is famous for its rich biodiversity and birdlife.
The area first served as a game reserve under the colonial government before becoming a national park in 1993. Today, Semuliki is home to 400 bird species and 60 mammal species. One of the highlights is visiting the Sempaya hot springs, known as the male and female springs, which come with fascinating cultural stories told by local guides. Other activities include game drives, chimpanzee tracking, guided nature walks, and hiking.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is in southwestern Uganda and covers 1,000 sq km. It lies within the Rwenzori Mountains, also called the “Mountains of the Moon.” The park has rich plant life, five distinct vegetation zones, 89 bird species (some found only here), 15 butterfly species, 4 primate species, as well as waterfalls, glaciers, snowfields, and lakes.
Mount Rwenzori, within the park, is the third highest mountain in Africa at 5,109 meters above sea level. There are two main hiking trails to the peak, suitable for experienced climbers in good shape. The climb usually takes 9 to 10 days. The best time to visit Rwenzori is during the dry season when hiking trails are easier and the views are clear.
Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park is located in eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya. Mount Elgon was once the highest mountain in Africa, but erosion over millions of years reduced its height to 4,321 meters above sea level. It is one of the country’s oldest features, believed to have erupted 24 million years ago. Mount Elgon also has the world’s largest volcanic base and is Africa’s oldest solitary volcano.
The park is home to 144 bird species, some unique to the area, as well as buffalos, small antelopes, and several monkey species. Visitors can enjoy camping, cave exploration, mountain climbing, hiking, birding, exploring gorges and waterfalls, and mountain biking.
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