The ten National Parks include Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley, Kibale, Mount Elgon, Rwenzori Mountains, Semuliki, Mgahinga Gorilla, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. These parks display the best in East Africa. Their Rift Valley landscapes and tropical forests make dramatic backdrops to an extensive variety of flora and fauna.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi National Park is located in southwestern Uganda along the Albertine Rift Valley, spanning 331 sq km of thick jungle containing montane and lowland forest. The park protects many endangered and endemic wildlife, including the popular Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi National Park is the prime destination for Mountain Gorilla trekking in Africa. It is also Africa’s number one Birding spot. Other tourism activities include: nature walks in the forest, and Batwa pygmy community tour.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest (est. 1952) and largest national park (covering 5072 sq km), located along the River Nile. Murchison Falls harbors the biggest diversity of wildlife in Uganda, including 87 mammals, over 650 birds and 14 reptiles. The park is therefore prime destination for wildlife safaris in Uganda, boasting a wide range of tourism activities that include, Game drives, boat trips along the Nile, hike to the Murchison Falls, Birdwatching, Sport Fishing, Chimpanzee tracking and Habituation in Budongo Forest, and Nature walks.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is arguably Uganda’s most scenic national park. It is set on the base of the rift valley with beautiful crater lakes and rich grasslands. The size of the park is 1978 sq km, and lies along the Equator in southwestern Uganda. It harbors a formidable diversity of wildlife which includes: 66 animals, and over 568 bird species. The park is popular for Tree-climbing Lions. Tourism activities include: Game drives, boat trips on the Kazinga Channel, Katwe local salt mining experience, birdwatching, Chimpanzee tracking and guided nature walks in Kyambura Gorge.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is Africa’s best national park for spectacular landscape – made of rugged mountains and flat valleys! The park is remotely situated in the far northeastern corner of Uganda in the rugged plains of the Karamoja province. Kidepo is one of Africa’s most pristine wildernesses because it has not been touched. It has an impressive species diversity which includes 80 mammals, 28 of which are not known to occur in another park in Uganda, and more than 465 bird species. Tourism activities include: Game drives, nature walks, birdwatching, hikes to the Mountains (Mt. Morungole), tour of the local communities of the Karamojong and Ik people.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the only park in Uganda that has both Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys, two world endangered animals and endemics of the Albertine Rift Valley. It is located in southwestern Uganda and is part of the Virunga Conservation Area. It is the smallest park in Uganda with a size of 33.7 sq km. Tourism activities include: Mountain Gorilla trekking, Golden Monkey tracking, Birding, Volcano hiking, Batwa cultural walk.
Kibale Forest National Park
An evergreen rainforest, Kibale Forest has the highest concentration of primates in Africa, comprising of 13 species, including Chimpanzees – man’s closest relatives. It is the prime destination for Chimpanzee trekking and Habituation in Uganda. Other tourism activities include Birding and guided nature walks in Bigodi Swamp.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest of the Uganda’s savanna parks with a size of 260 sq km. Its species diversity is however very impressive with 68 mammals. It is very popular for lots of herbivores including many species of antelopes. It is located along the highway to southwestern Uganda, hence a great stopover for safari en-route to Bwindi, Mgahinga and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tourism activities include: Game drive, boat trip on Lake Mburo, guided nature walks, horseback riding, and birdwatching.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The fabled “mountains of the moon” are the biggest mountain ranges in Africa, spanning over 120km along the Uganda – Democratic Republic of Congo border. Rwenzori Mountains National Park lies astride the Equator yet it permanently snow-capped on its highest peaks. Mountain Stanley (5109m) is Africa’s third highest peak. The Rwenzori Mountains are ranked one of the best destinations in the world for Mountain Climbing and Hiking. The mountains are also impressive for birdwatching in Uganda.
Mountain Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park is the main tourist destination of eastern Uganda. The mountain is located on the border with Kenya, wagagai (4321m), Africa’s fourth highest peak lies in Uganda. The slopes support a variety of vegetation that is rich with lots of wildlife. Tourist activities include: Mountain Climbing, Hiking, and Birdwatching.
Semuliki National Park
Semuliki forms the meeting point of the Central Africa’s rainforests and East Africa’s savannas. Measuring 220 sq km. the park is one of Africa’s richest areas of floral and faunal diversity. It harbors up to 8 primate species of the total 60 mammals. One of its popular features are the Sempaya hot springs. Tourism activities include: Birdwatching, and Hike to the hot springs.
