Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable NP is one of the most alluring Uganda national parks that you need to visit in Uganda. This park is located in southwest Uganda, and it was first gazetted in 1932, when two blocks of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park were formed as crown forest reserves.

Later in 1991, it was designated as one of the Uganda national parks to help in the conservation effort of wildlife.

Bwindi is a UNESCO natural World Heritage Site and it is one of the few places with Gorillas in its diverse ecosystem. This park is home to almost half of the world’s population of these primates, which you can trek in its dense forests on your Uganda safari.

Attractions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

There are many attractions that you can see within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park on your trip to the Uganda national parks and the most iconic are;

1. Gorillas, the main attraction in the Bwindi dense forests that you can see through the Gorilla treks.
2. Other animals like Forest Elephants, Buffaloes, Forest hogs, Bush bucks, etc.
3. Other primates to see include L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Black-and-white Colobus Monkey, etc.
4. Bird species: there are over 350 species of birds, with the highest Albertine endemic bird being the rare African Broadbill.
5. Batwa people: these are well-kept local communities rich in culture.
6. The tropical forests within the park area.

Safari Activities in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Among the few activities to engage in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park include;

1. Mountain Gorilla Trekking: Gorilla trekking is one of the other highlights on a Uganda safari, as you get to meet the primates and be with them for one full hour. Your Gorilla trekking permits to the park can be booked through a trustworthy tour operator or directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
2. Gorilla habituation: gives four full hours with the Gorillas.
3. Birdwatching: You can follow the main trail, Waterfall Trail, Mubwindi Swamp Trail, and Bamboo Zone for the best birding.
4. Nature walks: you get to explore the park on foot, giving you close encounters with the wildlife.
5. Batwa cultural experience: you can witness there way of life, like how they prepare their food, light their fire, and enjoy their traditional dance.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is fabled as the medley of wonders and it is one of the most beautiful national parks on a Uganda tour. This park is situated in western Uganda, near the Rwenzori Mountains and bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It covers an area of 1978 km2, making it the second biggest national park in Uganda.

It was declared one of the Uganda national parks in 1952 as Kazinga National Park, and it was renamed two years later to commemorate the visit of Queen Elizabeth II and it became Queen Elizabeth National Park.

What to See in Queen Elizabeth National Park

With its diverse ecosystem, there are various things to do in Queen Elizabeth NP, as seen below.

1. Wildlife animals: there are over 95 animal species, including tree climbing Lions on acacia trees, Leopards, Elephants, Hyenas, and many antelope species. It has the highest population of Hippos along the Kazinga Channel.
2. Bird species: there are over 600 species of birds, including Albertine Rift Endemics and 54 raptor species.
3. Lakes: these are Lake George, Lake Edward, Kazinga Channel and the Lake Katwe evaporation pans
4. Maramagambo Forest: is situated near the park and it has many attractions, especially birds.
5. Lake Katwe evaporation pans

Safari Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park

As most of the Uganda national parks in East Africa, there are various things to do in Queen Elizabeth National Park and they include.

1. Game drives: are enjoyed in the morning, afternoon, and sometimes at night. They are best in the Mweya peninsular, Kasenyi plains, and the Ishasha sector.
2. Bird watching: since there are many bird species, birding is unique, with sightings of colorful birds within the different parts of the park.
3. Chimpanzee tracking/Chimp tracking: there is a Chimpanzee community that you can track within the Kyambura Gorge.
4. Boat cruise along the Kazinga channel: gives you sightings of aquatic animals and those that come to the shores to refresh. Beginning at the boat landing site, there are numerous animals to explore along the way.
5. Nature walks: you can always explore the park on foot with close encounters with the abundant wildlife.

Other activities are lion tracking, mongoose tracking, hippo census, crater lake drive, and community visits outside the park.

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is the biggest of the Uganda national parks, covering an area of 3,840 m2 and having the world’s strongest waterfalls. It is located in the northwest of Uganda, at the end of the Eastern Rift Valley.

It was protected as a game reserve in 1926 and then declared one of the Uganda national parks in 1952. Some scenes of the African Queen movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Kathrine Hepburn were acted within Murchison Falls National Park because of its natural beauty.

Attractions in Murchison Falls National Park

1. Murchison Falls: This main attraction of the park is the strongest waterfall in the world formed when the Nile River through the Victoria Nile squeezes through an 8 meter gorge before dropping 45 meters down.
2. Wildlife animals: there are about 144 mammal species. This park has 4 of the big 5 and has the highest number of Rothschild Giraffes and Nile Crocodiles.
3. Beautiful birds: there are 556 bird species to see and it is the best place for seeing the rare Shoebill stork and other water-associated birds.

Other highlights of the attractions in the park are Budongo Forest, Rabongo Forest, Kaniyo-Pabidi Forest, and Lake Albert Delta.

Safari Activities in Murchison Falls National Park

Below is a list of the activities at Murchison

1. Game drives: are best enjoyed in the northern sector along the Buligi game area and they mostly last for 2 hours
2. Boat cruise: this takes you the bottom of Murchison Falls on the Nile River and birders can go to the Albert Delta
3. Chimpanzee: gives you one full hour with Chimpanzees at Kaniyo Pabidi
4. Bird watching: is enjoyed during nature walks, boat cruises, and game viewing on drives
5. Sport fishing: is enjoyed near the bottom of the falls
6. Nature walks: you explore the park on foot on well-developed trails
7. Murchison Falls hike: gives you up-close views of the falls and how they are formed
8. Cultural encounters: you can visit Boomu women’s group and the Mubako community for amazing experiences

Kibale National Park

Kibale National Park/Kibale Forest National Park is the primate capital of the world, having over 13 primate species. Kibale Forest National Park in western Uganda in the districts of Kabalore and Kamwenge just 320km by road from Kampala.

Kibale Forest Park was first gazetted in 1932 and established as a national park in 1993. Kibale Forest National Park is one of the tropical forests in Uganda, having over 351 tree species.

Attractions in Kibale Forest National Park

Below are some of the major attractions in Kibale Forest National Park.

Chimpanzees: The main attraction are about 1500 Chimpanzees that you can see during Chimpanzee tracking at the Kanyanchu visitor’s center.

Other primates: Apart from the Chimps in Kibale Forest, there are 12 more primate species, including nocturnal primates (Pottos and Galagos). Some of the primates to see include;

• Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys
• Red-tailed monkeys
• L’Hoest’s monkeys
• Vervet Monkeys
• Olive Baboon
• Blue Monkeys

Bird species: there are about 375 species of birds, including 6 Albertine endemics in Kibale Forest and the most sought after bird is the Green-breasted Pitta.

Other animals: within Kibale Forest National Park, there are about 70 mammal species that you can see like Forest Elephants, Buffalos, Forest hogs, etc.

Activities in Kibale National Park

Below are the major activities in Kibale Forest during your Uganda trip.

Chimpanzee Trekking/Chimp Tracking; is best enjoyed in Kibale National Park and you get to be with Chimps for one full hour, which is an enticing experience that starts with a briefing.

The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience; is the slow introduction of wild Chimpanzees to recognize human presence and you be with the Chimps for almost a full day.

Bird watching; you can follow the trail at Kanyanchu Visitors Center and the Bigodi Swamp for the best birding.

Nature walks; there are nocturnal walks within the jungle and they offer you sightings nocturnal animals like Galagos and Pottos.

Other safari activities in Kibale include the

• Bigodi swamp walks within Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary
• Community visits

Kidepo National Park

Kidepo National Park is one of the scenic places to be for safaris and it was ranked by CNN Travel as one of the best parks in Africa. This park is located furthest among parks of Uganda in the north eastern Uganda corner in Karamoja district in the South Sudan and Kenya Uganda border. Thus an isolated national park offering pristine experiences to travelers.

Kidepo Valley National Park was gazetted as a game reserve in 1958 and in 1962, it was established as a national park and named Kidepo Valley National Park. Kidepo Valley National Park is an open park with open savannah grasslands having tepid hot springs, which are the permanent water source of the park.

Things to See – Attractions in Kidepo National Park

Below are the top things to see at Kidepo Valley National Park.

Wildlife animals; there are about 77 mammal species, including 4 of the big 5 the Rhino being absent. It is one of the few places to find Cheetahs and Wild dogs and it has the highest concentration of buffaloes.

Bird species: there are about 476 species of birds and 60 of these have not been recorded anywhere else in Uganda, like the common ostrich and the secretary bird.

Other attractions

1. Local communities and culture (this includes the Karamojong and Iks tribes)
2. Kanangorok Hot Springs
3. Mountain Morungule

Safari Activities in Kidepo Valley National Park

At Kidepo Valley National Park, you can participate in the following safari activities:

Game drives; are the best way of encountering animals in the wild is when in your vehicle. They are mostly enjoyed within the Narus Valley and Kidepo Valley of Kidepo Valley National Park.

Bird watching; some of the birds to see include the Abyssinian Roller, Jackson’s Hornbill, Pygmy Falcon, Abyssinian Scimitarbill, Karamoja Apalis, etc.

Hiking and nature walks; start at 7 am at Apoka Tourism Center and they take you Narus Valley with sightings of several animals and birds. You can also hike Mountain Morungule and Mountain Konyilli.

Cultural visits; you can visit the IK tribe in Mountain Morungule and the Karamojong, as they have a well-kept culture.

Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is located in western Uganda in Nyabushozi County, Kiruhura district. It is the nearest park to Kampala, just 240km away and it is the smallest savannah park, covering an area of 370 km2.

Lake Mburo National Park was first gazetted in 1933 to control hunting, upgraded to an animal reserve in 1963, and formed into a national park in 1983.

Attractions in Lake Mburo National Park

Wildlife animals; there are 68 animal species, with the highest number of Burchell’s zebras, and it is the only place with Impala antelopes. There are a few carnivores in Lake Mburo National Park, though it has the highest number of leopards.

Birds: Nakivale has over 350 species of birds and most of them are acacia-associated birds. Around Nakivale wetland, you can spot the rare Shoebill stork.

People and culture; the park is surrounded by many people rich in culture, especially the Banyankole. You can visit the Enyemebwa center and the Igongo Cultural Center.

Activities in Lake Mburo National Park

Game viewing on drives lasts for 2 hours when in your vehicle, and they are most enjoyed along the Research Zebra track, Warukiri track, Kazuma track, Impala track, and Rwizi track.

A boat cruise is the best way to see animals on the shores of Lake Mburo, beginning from Rwonyo Jetty, and you can get sightings of Crocs and Hippos.

Birding; you get sightings of the different birds and the best birding is along the Warukiri and Rwonyo swamp areas.

Nature walks give you opportunities to explore the park on foot, and they are best enjoyed in the Rubanga forest, around lake shores, and around Rwonyo.

Other activities to enjoy in Lake Mburo Park include;

• Cycling safaris
• Horseback riding
• Community and cultural visits
• Sport fishing

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga National Park is situated in southwest Uganda in Kisoro district, bordering Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It is within the Virunga Conservation Area/Virunga Mountains, and it has 3 inactive volcanoes: Mountain Muhavura, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Gahinga. Mgahinga Park is the smallest national park in Uganda, covering an area of 34 km2.

This park was made an animal sanctuary in 1930 to protect the gorillas, and it was established as a national park in 1991.

Attractions in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mountain Gorillas: There is the Nyakagezi Gorilla family, which has 10 individuals that you can always visit on your safari.

Golden Monkeys: there are about 2000 to 4000 of these monkeys that are only endemic to the Virunga Conservation Area/Virunga Mountains.

Birds: this park is home to over 180 species of birds, including 14 endemic Albertine Rift

Other wildlife: there are about 76 mammal species, butterfly species, reptiles, and different insect species.

Volcanic Virunga Mountains: This park is dominated by 3 in-active volcanoes: Mountain Sabyinyo, Mountain Muhavura, and Mountain Gahinga which are all part of the Virunga Conservation Area/Virunga Mountains.

Activities in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Gorilla trekking: tourists can go gorilla trekking the Nyakagezi Gorilla family and be in its presence for one full hour.

Golden Monkey Trekking: This is the best way to meet the golden monkeys in the bamboo sectors of the Mgahinga and you are with the monkeys for one full hour.

Bird watching: Birders can always follow the Sabyinyo gorge trail for amazing birding and they can see birds like Rwenzori Nightjar, African Olive Pigeon, Rwenzori Batis, Alpine Swift, etc.

The Batwa trail experience: visitors can follow the Batwa trail, which leads from the Muhavura cave, and you can learn more from these people, like their traditional dance, hut building, and making a local fire.

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is situated in western Uganda within Bundibugyo district, just 370 km from Kampala. It is on the Western Albertine Valley, which was gazetted in 1991 and in 1994, it was recognized as a natural World Heritage Site and a Ramsar site in 2008.

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park is made of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as “Mountains of the Moon” since they are snowcapped.

Attractions in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

Rwenzori Mountains: there are 6 mountains covering 65 km and these are among Africa’s top-tallest Mountains. These are Mountain Speke, Stanley, Baker, Emin, Gessi, and Mountain Luigi da Savoia.

Rwenzori Glaciers: there are peaks with permanent snow, despite being near the equator, like Margherita peak, Alexandra, Edward, Albert, and Vittorio Emanuele

Triffids are wonderful plants that grow on the highest mountains, and some of these include lobelia, groundsel, gnarled trees, heather, and crish and colored mosses.

Vegetation zones: the park is rich with flora with different ecological zones like Afro-montane forest, Bamboo zone, Heather zone, Alpine zone, and rock and glacier.

Beautiful birds: there are about 217 species of birds, including 19 Albertine rift endemics, making it a birding haven.

Wildlife animals: this park is a natural habitat for over 70 mammal species, including cats, primates, and many antelope species.

Lakes: there are about 20 lakes that you can see like Lake Lugembe, Lake Muhoma, Lake Bujuku, and Lake Kitandara

Safari Activities in Rwenzori Mountains National Park

1. Mountain hiking and climbing is the most popular activity to enjoy within this park
2. Bird watching is thrilling
3. Cultural experiences as you get to know more of the locals
4. You can also see animal species within the park area

Mount Elgon National Park

Mountain Elgon National Park is situated in a secluded location in eastern Uganda on the Kenya Uganda border in Mbale district. Mount Elgon National Park was first discovered by Henry Morton Stanley in 1875 and the locals call it Masaba.

The Mount Elgon National Park was declared a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in 2005 and it is the second-tallest mountain in Uganda. Mount Elgon National Park also has the second biggest caldera in Africa after the Ngorongoro crater.

Attractions in Mountain Elgon National Park

The Mount Elgon natural beauty will allow you to explore its beautiful attractions. for example.

Peaks of mountain Elgon: there is Jackson’s summit, Mubiyi peak, Sudek peak, and Koitobos.

Birds: Mount Elgon National Park has over 300 species of birds, including the endangered Bearded Vulture.

The Caldera: this is a bowl-like area covering an area of 40 km and this makes it the second biggest caldera in Africa.

Wildlife animals: there are some amazing animals to see, including primates and many land-dwelling animals. You can see forest Elephants, Forest Hogs, Blue Monkeys, etc.

Vegetation zones: there are many vegetation zones to explore, like Lush Montane forest, Mixed Bamboo, Heath Zone, and Moorland zone.

Other attractions include the Elgon caves, Jackson’s Pool and Jackson’s peak, and the Sipi Falls.

Activities in Mountain Elgon National Park

Mountain hiking: tourists can hike to the highest peak for a better experience which can take 6-8 days using the trails like Sasa trail, Sipi trail, and the Piswa trail.

Bird watching: is enjoyed within the different vegetation zones and it starts from Pakwai Forest Conservation center.

Community tours: tourists can always visit the Sebei and Bagisu people to enjoy the Mbalu ceremony and coffee tours

Rock climbing: there are basalt cliffs that you can climb and get scenic views of the Karamojong plains.

Other activities to enjoy at Mount Elgon National Park include;

1. Nature Walks
2. Sipi Falls Hike
3. Abseiling at Sipi Falls
4. Mountain Biking
5. Sport fishing at Sipi Falls

Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is located in western Uganda, within Bundibugyo District, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Semuliki National Park was one of the Uganda national parks that was first gazetted as a game reserve in 1932 and established as a national park in 1993.

Semuliki National Park makes an extension of the great Ituri forest of the Congo basin and it sits in the rift valley region.

Attractions in Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park has a number of attractions, as seen below.

Birds: there are about 441 recorded species of birds, 66% of these species are true forest birds, and 35 Guinea-Congo biome species.

Wildlife animals: this park hosts 53 mammal species and among these are 8 primates. Some of the animals to see are Forest Elephants, Chimpanzees, Buffalo, Forest hogs, etc.

Sempaya hot springs: The Sempaya hot springs are a must see as they boil at 100 oC, meaning that they can boil eggs at a short time. There are both the female and male hot springs.

Activities in Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park also has incredible activities to participate in as seen below.

Bird watching: this is most enjoyable activity in Semuliki National Park and it is ideal in the morning and evening time. Some of the birds to see include the Piapiac, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Double Toothed Barbet, African Crake, etc.

Nature walks: there are well-developed walking trials that you can follow for thrilling experiences, giving you close encounters to butterflies, primates, birds, and moths.

The well-known trails are Kirumia walking trail, the red-tailed monkey trail, and the Sempaya nature walking trail.

Community encounters: you can visit the Batwa pygmies for the best cultural experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda National Parks

1. How Many National Parks are in Uganda?

There are 10 most beautiful national parks in Uganda and these Uganda national parks include the following.

• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

• Murchison Falls National Park

• Kidepo Valley National Park
• Lake Mburo National Park
• Kibale National Park

• Rwenzori Mountains National Park
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

• Mount Elgon National Park
• Semuliki National Park

2. What is the Most Visited National Park in Uganda? | Which Park is Most Visited in Uganda?

Queen Elizabeth National Park in Kasese District in western Uganda ranks as the most visited of the Uganda national parks.

3. What’s the Largest National Park in Uganda? | Which is the Largest National Park in Uganda? | Which is Biggest National Park in Uganda?

Murchison Falls National Park in northwestern Uganda is the country’s largest national park and one of the most beautiful national parks, with an area of 3,840 square kilometers.

4. What is the Best Wildlife Park in Uganda?

Uganda is blessed to have a number of the most beautiful national parks in Uganda to explore during your trip in the country. Some of the most visited of these parks include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.

5. What is the Smallest National Park in Uganda?

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda, covering an area of 33.7 square kilometers.

6. Which Game Park in Uganda is Famous for Mountain Gorillas?

Bwindi Impenetrable NP is the game park that is famous for harboring the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas in Uganda. However, you may also watch the Gorillas in Mgahinga National Park.

7. What is the Best Time to Visit the Uganda National Parks?

The Uganda national parks can be visited all year round within both the dry season and the wet season. However, the best time to visit the Uganda national parks is in the dry season which around June to September and December to February.

Unlike the wet season when the tracks are muddy and hard to pass through, the drier season provides easier movements due to the dry tracks and trails.

Nonetheless, the wet season has its advantages like the lesser crowd and lower costs in some lodges due to few people.

Conclusively, the Uganda national parks provide some of the most unforgettable experiences to have in East Africa. With some being famous for being the most renowned destination for seeing primates, especially the Mountain Gorillas in the world, the Uganda national parks will also give you the opportunity to meet the abundant wildlife, communities and physical features during your Uganda safaris and tours.