There are 10 national parks in Uganda, often referred to as the Pearl of Africa, known for its beautiful weather, vegetation, gorge Lakes, Rivers, and mountains.
Beyond these natural wonders, Uganda is also endowed with a diversity of breathtaking national parks, detailed below.
Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park is located in the eastern region of Uganda, near Mbale. Having the largest caldera in the world, Mount Elgon offers a wide range of attractions including beautiful caves, Sipi Falls, Jackson’s Pool, and diverse wildlife such as buffaloes, forest hogs, baboons, blue monkeys, and elephants.
These animals are rarely observed in forest settings. The park is also home to bird species like the African blue flycatcher, black kite, and black-collared apalis.
Activities here include mountain/volcano climbing, birding, cultural encounters, nature walks, hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Dubbed as the true African wilderness, Kidepo Valley National Park is the most isolated national park with amazing wildlife. The park boasts big game such as elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and beautiful Savannah vegetation.
Activities include game drives, nature walks, hiking, cultural encounters with the Ik people, and birding. Kidepo Valley National Park is located in the northern region of Uganda.
Murchison Falls National Park
Home to the strongest waterfall in the world, Murchison Falls National Park offers one of the most remarkable wildlife encounters in Uganda. The park is renowned for the big five (excluding rhinos), attracting tourists globally.
Over 450 bird species, including the rare shoebill stork, also make the park a treasure for birdwatchers. Activities here include hiking to the top of the falls, boat cruises on the Nile River, hot air balloon safaris, and game drives.
Murchison Falls is located in the northwestern region of Uganda.
Kibale Forest National Park
Known as the primate capital of the world, Kibale Forest National Park is home to the great chimpanzees, the animal most closely related to humans. Besides chimpanzees, visitors can see other primates such as baboons, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and red-tailed monkeys.
The park also hosts 70 mammal species including elephants, forest hogs, and buffaloes, along with over 300 bird species like the African grey parrot, blue-breasted kingfisher, and purple-breasted sunbird.
Activities include chimpanzee trekking and habituation experiences, birding, nature walks, and cultural tours.
Semuliki Valley National Park
Semuliki Valley National Park stretches across the floor of the Semuliki Valley on the western side of Mount Rwenzori. Known as a true bird haven, Semuliki National Park boasts over 441 bird species including the red-billed dwarf hornbill, yellow-throated nicator, and great blue turaco.
The park is famous for the Sempaya hot springs, attracting tourists worldwide. Activities include hiking, birding, cultural encounters, game drives, fishing on the River Semuliki, and butterfly watching.
Lake Mburo National Park
Located in the western region of Uganda along the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara highway, Lake Mburo National Park is famous for its unique beauties including zebras, impalas, and acacia-associated birds like the grey crowned crane, yellow-breasted apalis, Nubian woodpecker, and white-headed barbet.
The park also hosts mammals such as waterbucks, warthogs, eland antelopes, hyenas, and leopards. Activities here include boat cruises, birding, game drives, horseback safaris, spot fishing, and nature walks.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Located in western Uganda, in the southern part of the Albertine Rift Valley, Queen Elizabeth National Park is a diverse ecosystem and one of the most visited national parks in Uganda.
It offers a wide array of wildlife, nature, birds, and primates. The park is renowned for its tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector.
Activities include game drives, where you can spot animals like lions, hyenas, buffaloes, and elephants, as well as hiking, nature walks, chimpanzee tracking, birdwatching, and boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Situated in the southwestern part of Uganda on the edge of the Rift Valley, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to the endangered mountain gorillas, with over 400 individuals in its four sectors.
Activities in the park include cultural encounters, birding (for rare species like the African emerald cuckoo and dark-caped bulbul), hiking, and nature walks.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda at 34 sq km, located in the far southwest and part of the Virunga Volcanic Ranges.
It is home to over half of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas in one gorilla family. Activities here include golden monkey trekking, hiking, nature walks, birding, and cultural encounters.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Located in western Uganda within the “Mountains of the Moon,” Rwenzori Mountains National Park lies in the East African Rift Valley and extends into the Democratic Republic of Congo and Virunga National Park’s conservation area.
The mountain is the third highest in Africa, rising about 16,700 feet above sea level. Its peaks are permanently snow-capped and often shrouded in clouds. Activities here include hiking to the summit, nature walks, birding, and cultural encounters.
Ugandan National Parks are true destinations worth visiting, offering havens for all your dream treasures including wildlife, birds, and nature. All the parks are very safe and accessible. Let Uganda expose you to the wilderness.
