National Parks in Uganda; Uganda, the Pearl of Africa offers boundless opportunities for spotting exotic wildlife in their natural habitat, watching a plethora of birds, and loosening yourself in some adventures that really deserve the cognomen “spellbinding”. Whether you desire to explore the sweeping savannah plains dotted with big game, hike snow-capped peaks, walk through dense rainforests and meet face-to-face with primates that are our closest relatives in their natural habitat, you will always find your happy place in Uganda.
This country has 10 spectacular National Parks in all the regions, offering extraordinary wildlife species, magnificent landscapes, and exceptional visitor experiences. Here are Uganda’s National Parks;
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Known as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has existed since 1991 and received its first gorilla trekkers in 1994. There are 120 mammal species and over 350 bird species in this 321-square-kilometer Protected Area set in the southwestern side of the country. Gorilla trekking is the main activity here, thanks to the 20 habituated gorilla families. Also, travelers can enjoy mountain biking, forest walks, birding, and community tours.
Murchison falls National Park
Nestled in the north-western side of the country, this vast savannah wilderness became Uganda’s first National park in 1952. Its 3840-square-kilometer size is comprised of savannah plains, woodlands, part of River Nile (the World’s second longest River), swamps, forests, and Valleys. There are over 76 mammal species and 500 bird species in Murchison falls National Park. This beautiful Protected Area can be explored via game drives, hot air balloon tours, boat rides, and bush walks.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Uganda’s second-largest National Park is where travelers get to spot the rare tree-climbing lions. This Park has existed since 1952, within the western side of the country, and offers some of the rarest and most unforgettable experiences. The exciting things to see here are over 95 mammal species and about 600 bird species, the highest ever recorded in a single destination. Activities to enjoy are game drives, boat rides through Kazinga Channel, bush walks, community tours, hot air balloon tours, and experiential tours like lion tracking, to mention but a few.
Lake Mburo National Park
This beautiful National Park, which is located in the western part of the country is notable for being the smallest savannah National Park in the country. Gazetted in 1983, this 370-square-kilometer Protected Area is home to 70 mammal species and about 350 bird species. The majority of the travelers visit Lake Mburo National Park to undertake game drives, boat rides, nature walks, horseback rides (it’s the only Park offering this adventure), quad bike rides, community walks, and forest walks.
Kidepo valley National Park
This remote National Park, located in the North-Eastern side of Uganda presents one of the most jaw-dropping landscapes of semi-arid punctuated by sweeping savannah plains, woodlands, Rock kopjes, and Volcanoes. Often rated as one of Africa’s authentic wilderness areas, this 1440-square kilometer Park has over 80 mammal species and about 475 bird species, that include some of the rarest species like cheetahs, Ostriches, striped hyenas, and caracals. Activities enjoyed by Kidepo visitors include game drives, community visits to Karamojong people, bush walks, and birding.
Mount Elgon National Park
Along the Eastern border of Uganda is the beautiful 1279-square-kilometer Protected Area known as Mount Elgon National Park. Since 1993 when it was gazetted into a National Park, it has become a significant historical, biological and cultural area. There are 23 small mammal species and 240 bird species in this Park, and it can be explored through mountain climbing, forest walks, and bird watching among others.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
This stunning National Park, situated on the western border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, consists mainly of mountain slopes, snow-capped peaks, rainforests, and typical mountain vegetation. These areas support a wide range of mammals, totaling 18 species, and birds totaling 217 species. This 998-square-kilometer Park was gazetted in 1991, and since then has attracted visitors for mountaineering experiences, bird watching, and forest walks.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another of Uganda’s gorilla trekking destinations but is the smallest Park extending for only 34 square kilometers. It has existed since 1991, in the southwestern side of the country. Thanks to its 3 Virunga Volcanoes, 76 mammal species and over 115 bird species, travelers have the chance to enjoy gorilla trekking tours, golden monkey tracking, bird watching, Volcano climbing, forest walks, and so much more.
Semliki National Park
Known as one of the rarely visited National Parks, Semliki National Park is 220 square kilometers and located in the western side of Uganda. It has existed since 1993 and is home to 53 mammal species and over 447 bird species. Here, visitors can enjoy chimpanzee trekking, game drives, bird watching and nature walks introducing you to some of the most breathtaking views including of Sempaya hot springs.
Kibale Forest National Park
If you want to track the chimpanzees, our closest relatives in the animal Kingdom, then Kibale Forest National Park is the best place to be. This Park is home to 70 mammal species that include 13 species of primates (like chimpanzees), as well as 375 bird species. Chimpanzee treks, forest walks, bird watching, and community tours are some of the activities that travelers can enjoy in this 795-square-kilometer Protected Area.
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