10 National Parks to visit in Uganda

10 national parks to visit in Uganda

10 National Parks to visit in Uganda. If you are ever in Uganda or planning a trip to the ‘Pearl of Africa,’ here are 10 national parks that you should checkout before making your final travel plans for your Uganda Safari. All the national parks in Uganda are managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, which is a government agency/organization.

1. Murchison Falls National Park.

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest national park in Uganda covering an area of 3,840 square kilometers. It was gazetted as a national park in 1952 and is quite famous for its stunning wildlife numbers and the mighty Murchison falls, which are considered to be the world’s most powerful waterfalls. The national park covers five districts in Uganda which include; Nwoya, Masindi, Packwach, Kiryandongo, and Buliisa.

Murchison Falls National Park is home to 76 species of mammals and 451 species of birds. There are plenty of attractions for visitors to see at the park such as; African bush elephants, buffaloes, eland, antelope, hippos, duikers, Nile crocodiles, giraffes and aquatic birds like the rare Shoebill stock.

Visitors in Murchison falls national park can take part in quite a number of activities which are offered by the park, and these include; hike to the top of the Falls, a boat cruise on the Nile, morning and night game drives, sport fishing, hiking and guided nature walks, bird watching, hot air balloon safaris, and cultural encounters.

There are also other places of interest to visit outside the national park such as; Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary where visitors can get to see rhinos in the wild, Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi Forests where visitors can do chimpanzee trekking from.

There are plenty of accommodation facilities where visitors can stay during their visit to Murchison falls national park, and these offer visitors a wide range of lodging options. Accommodation facilities within Murchison Falls national park include; Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Murchison Safari Lodge, Red Chill Rest Camp, GeoLodges- Nile Safari Lodge, Sambiya River Lodge, GeoLodges Shoebill Camp Site, Yebo Safari Camp, and UWA Campsite. There are also other accommodation facilities located close to the park and these include; Boomu Women’s Group Bandas, Budongo Ecolodge, Masindi Hotel and New Court View Hotel.

Murchison falls national park is located about 290 kilometers from Kampala city and can take approximately 4 to 5 hours of driving. Visitors can access the national park from any of its gates at Chobe, Paraa, Kichumbanyobo, Bugungu, Wankwar, Mubako, and Tangi.

2. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is what one would call a haven for the endangered species of Mountain Gorillas. This national park is one of two national parks in Uganda where you will be able to track mountain gorillas from, with the other park being Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The park is home to 459 mountain gorillas as of the recent 2018 gorilla population census that was carried out in the national park. It has a total of 19 habituated gorilla groups, with only 15 groups available for tourists to track.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda in Kanungu district. It spans over a radius of 321 square kilometers and was declared a national park in 1991 and later named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994. This national park is also home to about 400 plant species, and over 350 species of birds, including 23 bird species which are endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley area. It is also the source of five major rivers which flow into Lake Edward, and also comprises a series of steep ridges and valleys.

There are a number of activities that visitors in Bwindi national park can do like; gorilla trekking, Birding, guided forest walks, the Batwa Trail Experience, and community tours.

Visitors looking to spend a night or more in the park can find accommodation in facilities such as; Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi, Gorilla Resort, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, and Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge among others. These lodges carter for luxury, mid-range and budget visitors. Visitors can also choose to stay in hotels in Kisoro town or any lodge at Lake Mutanda.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed by visitors travelling from Kampala. The park is located about 460kms from Kampala. This is convenient for visitors driving to Buhoma which are the park’s headquarters. The national park can also be accessed from Mweya in Queen Elizabeth National Park, which is approximately 160kms from Bwindi.

3. Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the second largest national park in Uganda by surface area. This national park covers an area of about 1,978 square kilometers.  It was declared a national park in 1952 and is found in Kasese district in the western region of Uganda. The park is home to at least 652 recorded bird species, and over 95 species of mammals

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Queen Elizabeth National Park is most famous for its tree climbing lions which can be seen roaming the savannah grasslands in the Ishasha sector, which is located in the southern part of the park. other amazing wildlife that visitors can see in the park include; buffaloes, leopards, antelopes, zebras, giraffes, hippos, Nile crocodiles, duikers, elephants, Nile monitor lizards, warthogs, chimpanzees and baboons to mention but a few.

Activities carried out in Queen Elizabeth national park include, game drives, birding, boat cruise on Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee trekking, Lion tracking experience, nature walks, cave expeditions, wildlife experiential tours and community visits among others.

There is a wide range of accommodation facilities available for tourists visiting the national park and these include; Mweya Safari Lodge, Ishasha Bandas, Jumbo and Pelican bungalows which are managed by UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) and Pumba Safari Cottages among others.

Queen Elizabeth National Park can be accessed from Kampala which is about 379 kilometers, taking approximately 6 and a half hours to reach the park.

4. Kidepo Valley National Park.

Kidepo Valley National Park is situated in the far northeastern corner of Uganda. This national park is known for its marvelous beauty, which is why it is also referred to as the ‘Masai Mara’ of Uganda. The national park is located in Kaboong district and spans over an area of 1,442 square kilometers. It was named a national park in 1962 and is home to about 77 mammal species and around 475 bird species.

Visitors planning to visit this national park can carry out activities such as; morning and night game drives, bird watching, community cultural tours, hiking and guided nature walks.

Some of the stunning attractions in the park include; the vast and serene savannah plains, Ostriches, leopards, the Narus Valley and river, the Lomej hills, Kidepo Valley and River, Kanangorok Hot springs and so much more.

There are a couple of lodging facilities in Kidepo Valley National Park and these provide visitors with exquisite services ranging from Budget to Mid-range and Luxury. Some of the accommodation options available to tourists include; Apoka Safari Lodge, Apoka Rest Camp, Kakine Self-catering Campsite, Kidepo Savannah Lodge, Adere Safari Lodge and Nga Moru Wilderness Camp.

Travelers can get to Kidepo valley national park from Kampala city using the Kampala-Gulu Highway, passing through Kitgum district. This journey covers a total distance of 571km, taking about 10 hours to get to the national park.

5. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is by far the smallest national park in Uganda, covering only 34 square kilometers. It is found in Kisoro district in southwestern Uganda, and is the second destination where visitors can see mountain gorillas. The national park was first established in 1991. This national park is adjacent to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Activities offered by the national park include; gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, Cave expeditions to Garama Caves, Hiking Mount Gahinga, Muhabura and Sabyinyo, Bird watching, guided forest walks and the Batwa community visit.

Mgahinga national park offers visitors accommodation within the park, and these include; Amajambere Iwacu Camp and Volcanoes Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge. However, visitors can get accommodation in nearby lodges and hotels such as; Bird nest Bunyonyi Resort, Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Kisoro Travelers’ Rest Hotel, Countryside Guesthouse, and Mountain Gorilla Safari Hotel.

The national park is located about 15 kilometers south of Kisoro town, and about 55 kilometers west of Kabale district. Visitors can also access the park from Kampala city, which is located approximately 494km using the Kabale- Mbarara road. Visitors travelling from Kampala will have to drive for about 8½ hours to reach the national park.

6. Lake Mburo National Park.

Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest savannah national park in Uganda, covering about 370 square kilometers. It was named a national park in 1983. This national park is situated in Lyantonde district, east of Mbarara town.

Tourists visiting this national park can take part in a number of interesting activities like; game drives, boat cruise on Lake Mburo, horseback riding, sport fishing, hiking and guide nature walks, community visits, birding, mountain biking and camping.

Accommodation facilities in Lake Mburo national park include; Mihingo Safari Lodge, Rwonyo Rest Camp, Mburo Safari Lodge, Mantana Tented Camp, Ssana Community Lodge and Eagles’s Nest among others.

Visitors can access the national park from Kampala. The park is situated approximately 228 kilometers from Kampala city which is about 3 and a half hours’ drive.

7. Semuliki National Park.

Semuliki National Park is situated in Bundibugyo district in the western part of Uganda. The national park covers an area of 220 square kilometers and was established in 1993. The park is home to about 53 species of mammals and more than 441 recorded bird species. Some of the wildlife that visitors are likely to see in the national park include; birds, monkeys, giraffes, zebra, buffalo, forest elephants, hippos, potto, bush babies and crocodiles among others. This national park is popular among tourists because of the renowned Sempaya hot springs.

Activities carried out in Semuliki national park include; Birding, Game drives, Hiking and Guided nature walks, and cultural encounters.

Visitors looking for accommodation in Semuliki National Park can do so in the following lodging facilities; Kirimia Guesthouse, UWA Bandas and Campsite in Sempaya, and Semliki Safari Lodge.

Semuliki National Park is located about 180km from Kampala via Mubende and 465km via Masaka, Mbarara and Kasese.

8. Mount Elgon National Park.

Mount Elgon National Park is situated in the eastern region of Uganda, in the districts of Kapchorwa and Mbale. It was declared a national park in 1968 and covers 1,121 square kilometers.

Activities visitors can do in the national park include; climbing Mount Elgon, hiking to Sipi falls, bird watching, cultural/community visits, rock climbing, camping, nature  walks and mountain biking.

For accommodation, visitors travelling to Mount Elgon national park can stay in the following lodges; Suam Guesthouse, Kapkwai Bandas, Moroto Bandas, Pian-Upe Wilderness Camp and guest house.

The national park is just 235km from Kampala via road. Visitors will have to drive for about 3-4 hours to get to the park.

9. Mount Rwenzori National Park.

Mount Rwenzori National Park in Uganda is about 996 square kilometers in size and is one of the national parks that tourists can visit on trip to Uganda. It is located in Kasese district and was gazetted as a national park in 1991.

The national park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, and has got a variety of plant life and unique bird species such as the Rwenzori Blue Turaco, Rwenzori nightjar, and the Rwenzori Batis among others.

Activities carried out in the national park include; Climbing Mount Rwenzori, Birding, and Guided nature walks.

Visitors looking for where to stay while visiting the national park can find accommodation in the following places; Rwenzori Turaco View Campsite, Ruboni Community Camp, Hotel Margherita, Equator snow lodges, and Katara lodge among others.

The park is located about 5 to 6 hours’ drive from Kampala city and can be accessed by visitors travelling by road.

10. Kibale National Park.

Kibale National Park is situated in the western part of Uganda in Kabarole district. The national park spans over an area of 795 square kilometers and is home to over 375 bird species, 70 species of mammals and 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees for which the park is famous. It was declared a national park in 1932 and it encompasses large parts of the Kibale Forest.

The national park offers its visitors activities such as; Chimpanzee habituation experiences, Birding, Hiking and guided nature walks, and Cultural/Community tours. Some of the interesting wildlife that can be seen in the national park include; forest elephants, bush bucks, Sitatunga, buffaloes, duikers and primate species like chimpanzees, olive baboons, L’Hoest monkeys, Colobus monkeys and vervet monkeys among others.

Accommodation facilities in the park include; Primate Lodge, Kibale Forest Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Kanyanchu River Camp, Sebitoli Camping Ground, Chimps’ Nest, Kibale Forest Camp and Mantana Tented Camp among others.

Tourists can access Kibale National Park from Kampala city. The national park is situated about 308 kilometers from Kampala, about a 4-5 hours’ drive from Kampala.

Uganda is a land that is truly gifted by nature. Visitors travelling to the Uganda can access the country from Entebbe International Airport. Contact our team of travel consultants at Explore Rwanda Tours in case you wish to visit any of these 10 national parks during your Uganda Safari.