Uganda is recognized as the Pearl of Africa because of its abundance of natural beauty and Resources. Uganda as a tourism destination rewards a traveler with 10 national parks options scattered all over the country starting with gorilla trekking when you choose Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park or at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Marvelous landscapes near the equator which is good for photography, immerse yourself into the Rwenzori Mountains, experience unique birds in Lake Mburo. Enjoy unlimited game drives in Uganda’s savannah national parks for wildlife viewing such as the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth national park.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison falls national park is Uganda’s largest most iconic wildlife safari destination situated at the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley in northern Uganda. Murchison falls national park spans approximately 1,500 square miles, spreading up to the shores of Lake Albert that is intersected by the worlds’ Victoria Nile.
Murchison falls mighty falls plunges out through a narrow gorge that creates the spectacular waterfall view. Murchison falls national park offers the chance for travelers to see the four of the Big five such as Buffaloes, elephants, leopards, and lions. Other specials residing in Murchison falls include the endangered Rothschild’s giraffe, chimpanzee troops of Budongo forest, over 524 bird species, and the rare shoebill storks.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is perched in southwest Uganda where the enormous plains meet gigantic swathes of Africa’s oldest montane forest standing out for the incredible flora & fauna, harboring over 160 tree species, approximately over 100 different types of fern, birds, plants, and colorful butterfly species that belong to the endemic Albertine Rift Valley.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is among the only four national parks worldwide that are protecting the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural environment. The Bwindi impenetrable forest harbors half of the world’s total gorilla population. Bwindi habituates over 12 gorilla families that can be tracked on foot, it offers unforgettable eye-catching encounters. Bwindi’s Other primate species include the chimpanzee, giant forest hogs, forest elephants, and Lhotse’s monkey among others.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla national park Covers about 13 square miles situated in southwestern Uganda, and the smallest national park in the corner of Uganda bordering Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo within the valleys of the Virunga chained Mountains.
Mgahinga gorilla national park harbors the cross-border gorilla families. Mgahinga is the only national park in Uganda protecting the endangered golden monkeys, it also offers the three cone-shaped experiences, extinct volcanoes national park’s sceneries.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale forest national park is situated just opposite the shore of Lake George, which can be combined with Queen Elizabeth National Park’s big five safaris to create one wildlife viewing corridor. Kibale forest national park is known for the thick lowland and montane forest in Southwestern Uganda. Kibale forest accommodated more than 350 tree species that have been there for the last 200 years, Kibale forest protects Uganda’s largest chimpanzee population.
Most travelers come here to track the park’s habituated troops of chimpanzees on foot as they observe their familiar behavior that is closest to human living relatives. Kibale forest is the home close to 13 other primate species including the red colobus, black &white colobus monkeys, blue-tailed monkeys, and the rare Lhotse’s monkey among others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth national park is a popular safari destination, it protects a diverse variety of wildlife species situated in southwestern Uganda between Lake George and Lake Edward, the two lakes are divided by the Kazinga Channel.
Queen Elizabeth national park has different habitats showcased within 760 square miles which includes the savanna, wetlands, forests, hills, volcanic craters. With all that put together to protect over 95 mammal species, four of the Big Five animals, over 600 bird species chimpanzees in the Kyambura gorge, and the famous tree-climbing of the Ishasha sector.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Rwenzori mountains national park is situated in Kasese, covering about 385-square-mile. Rwenzori mountains national park is incorporated by having its highest peaks standing third-tallest peak in Africa. The Rwenzori Mountains are comprised of glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and lakes in existence within the shortest miles from the equator, Rwenzori mountains have an abundance of endemic alpine flora within the Albertine rift valley zone, Rwenzori mountains are presented with multi-day hiking, and endless climbs.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo valley national park is located in Uganda’s corner of the far north-eastern between South Sudan and Kenya borders. Kidepo valley national park is Uganda’s most remote national park offering a pristine wilderness in the Savannah vegetation.
Kidepo valley national park Spans up to 556 square miles, Kidepo valley national park is characterized by semi-arid nature and the two seasonal rivers that are the Kidepo and the Narus. Kidepo valley national park protects more than 77 mammal species, 475 bird species, nature walks, unlimited game drives where you may be able to spot the Nubian giraffe, lions, elephant, and buffalo.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo national park is the nearest national park in Uganda surrounded by lakes, it was named after one of the 14 regional lakes that form a rich wetland catchment system stretching up to more than 30 miles. Five of the lakes are located within the lake Mburo national park borders.
Lake Mburo national park protects zebras, hippos, Nile crocodiles surviving along the lake banks. while on your tour to Lake Mburo you may spot other animals such as waterbucks, buffaloes, oribi. Lake Mburo National Park also harbors a huge population of impala, elands, and shoebill stork.
Mount Elgon National Park
Mountain Elgon national is located in eastern Uganda along the Kenya border with Kenya, named after the extinct volcano situated in the heart of Mt Elgon. Once named the highest mountain in Africa before the erosion that took place over 24 million years ago. since then it stands at a height of 14,176 above sea levels, mountain Elgon is the eighth highest peak in the world. Mountain Elgon’s round trip to the summit takes about 4-7 days depending on the traveler’s ability. Travelers may choose that includes the descent into the caldera that is 15-square -miles. As they climb, don’t forget to look out for the majestic bearded vulture, often seen wheeling overhead. Mountain Elgon boasts over 300 bird species, forest elephants, bush pigs, buffalo, and leopards.
Semliki National Park
Toro Semliki national park spans up to 85 square miles near the DRC border, closest to Kibale forest National Park and the Rwenzori Mountains. The Toro Semliki national park protects a tract of true African tropical lowland forest, that extends to the Congo’s ancient Ituri Forest. Semliki offers hot bubbling female and male springs, woodland hiking trails, more than unique 60 bird species, primates’ species that include chimpanzees, red colobus, Mammal species like forest elephants, and fanged deer, pygmy antelope.
