Uganda is naturally endowed and boasts of its 10 most pristine national parks where most safaris are conducted and many wildlife reserves. These ten national parks that protect incredible wildlife. The diverse vegetation within the parks protects the wide range of flora and fauna. Ecologically, Uganda is where the East African savannah meets the West African jungle. Where else but in this impossibly lush country can one observe lions prowling the open plains in the morning and track chimpanzees through the rain forest undergrowth the same afternoon, then the next day navigate tropical channels teeming with hippo and crocodiles before setting off into the misty mountains to stare deep into the eyes of a mountain gorilla?
Here is a list of Uganda’s National Parks;
Uganda’s most popular national parks include Murchison Falls National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Semuliki Valley National Park should be a must for you to pay a visit.
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Mgahinga National Park, home to the endangered mountain gorillas
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Kibale Forest National Park
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Semiliki National Park
- Kidepo National Park
- Mount Elgon National Park
- Mount Rwenzori National Park
Bwindi impenetrable national park
Positioned in the southwestern region of Uganda in Kanungu district, Bwindi Impenetrable national park is part of the thick rainforest of Bwindi Impenetrable forest which is situated along the border of Democratic Republic of Congo near Virunga National park on the edge of the Albertine Rift valley. The park is known for protecting almost half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas that can be seen in from its four sectors during the gorilla trekking experience. The four sectors where the experience takes place are; Ruhijja, Rushaga, Buhoma and Nkuringo sectors. For one to take part in the gorilla watching experience, he/she must possess a valid trekking permit that costs USD 700 per foreign nonresident during gorilla trekking and for gorilla habituation, one must buy a habituation permit at USD 1500 for the foreign nonresidents.
Besides gorilla watching, other activities in the park include bird watching, safari walking, Batwa cultural experience, mountain biking and others.
Kibale forest national park
Referred to as the Primate capital of Uganda and East Africa at large, Kibale forest national park is ranked among the top destinations to visit in Uganda. The park is famous for hosting the largest population of to about 13 species of primates in its forested area and among these include over 1500 chimpanzee individuals. This big population of the species offers a trekker 100% chances of watching the chimps in their nature habitats. If you would like to go on primates safari, this is the ultimate destination to visit in Uganda.
Apart from the above-mentioned destinations, the Pearl of Africa is a home to other more attractions that will surely make your stay in the country not only amazing but also memorable.
Lake Mburo national park
Lake Mburo national park in Kiruhura district is also ranked among the top best destinations in Uganda. Besides its small size of approximately 260 square kilometers, national park is known for hosting a large population of wildlife species like hippos, impalas, warthogs, common eland, African buffalo, and others. The park is also a home to various predators like lions, leopards, hyenas, genets, civets, jackals, serval cats and others. During the trip in the park, you will have a clear view of the attractions during the park activities like game drives, nature walks and boat launching on the cool and safe waters of Lake Mburo.
Mgahinga gorilla national park
Positioned in the Virunga Mountains, Mgahinga gorilla national park is another place which is among the top destinations in Uganda. With an area of approximately 33.9 square kilometers, the park is the second destination in Uganda after Bwindi Impenetrable national park where one can watch the endangered mountain gorillas. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home to two gorilla habituated families – Nyakagezi and Hirwa. These families can be seen during the gorilla trekking experience which involves hiking through the rainforests of the park in search of the endangered species and once they are allocated, the trekkers are allowed to spend an hour in their presence as they learn more about their lifestyles.
Besides the mountain gorillas, Mgahinga gorilla national park also hosts other species like the unique golden monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, and several mammal species like leopards, elephants, bushbucks, black fronted duiker, bush pigs, buffalos, giant forest hog and many others. For the bird lovers, the park is also among the best destinations since it hosts over 300 species of birds such as red throated alethe, Kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori turaco, Rwenzori batis, collared apalis, double collared sunbird and many others.
Murchison falls national Park
Standing as the country’s largest and oldest national park, Murchison falls national park is among the top destinations in Uganda. The national park is known for its unique vegetation zone that ranges from riparian forests to broad open savannah. This vegetation attractions a number of species like primates, birds and mammal species. The primate species in the park include the chimpanzees that can be spotted in the small forested area of Budongo which hosts more than 50 endangered chimps, the park provides a wider opportunity of seeing a number of animals including the four of the big five african animals – lions, elephants, African buffalos, waterbucks, hartebeests, giraffes, and many others. These animals can be spotted easily and clearly during the park experiences like boat trip on Victoria Nile, game drives in the open savannahs of the park, nature walks and bird watching experiences. Also, you can get a chance to track the white Rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary during your transfer to the great national park.