National Parks in Uganda-most safaris in Uganda are mainly conducted in the National Parks. Compared to Tanzania or Kenya, Uganda currently boasts of only 10 National Parks, both savanna and rain-forested parks. Each of the beautiful 10 National Parks in Uganda has something distinct for nature loving travelers on Uganda safari to enjoy, explore and experience. Uganda’s National Parks host diversity of wildlife species, bird species, flora, beautiful waterfalls, hot springs, rivers, lakes etc. The 10 National Parks in Uganda are exceptionally stunning and worth visiting while on Uganda safari or any African safari. All the 10 Uganda National Parks are managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) whose headquarters is based in Kampala.
10 National Parks in Uganda-Wildlife & Primate safari parks
1: Murchison Falls National Park-Uganda
2: Kidepo Valley National Park/KVNP
3: Kibale Forest National Park
4: Semuliki National Park
5: Queen Elizabeth National Park/QENP
6: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
7: Mount Elgon National Park
8: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park/MGNP
9: Rwenzori Mountains National Park
10: Lake Mburo National Park
Murchison Falls National Park/MFNP
Found in the Northwestern Circuit of Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park (MFNP) is without doubt a premier Uganda National Park. It is a splendid savanna National Park and also the largest of all the 10 Uganda Parks. Sitting on the land area of about 3840sq.kms, Murchison Falls National Park makes up part of the extensive Murchison Falls Conservation Area and takes its name from Murchison Falls.
Murchison Falls National Park is one of the leading Uganda safari destinations sheltering diversity of wildlife, 451 bird species. Wildlife safaris in Murchison Falls N/Park guarantee you remarkable encounters of special species of wildlife including the bush elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards, the rothschild giraffes, hippos, Nile crocodiles, waterbucks, hartebeest, oribis, warthogs, diverse primates such as chimpanzees, baboons, l’hoest monkeys and others.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Sitting in the extreme North-Eastern Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park is with no doubt one of the Africa’s remotest National Parks noted to offer authentic wilderness experiences. It is by far an off-the-beaten path destination lying in the Karamoja region, most popular for its breathtaking semi-arid landscape.
Kidepo Valley National Park is Uganda’s 3rd biggest National Park expanding on 1442sq.kms of land area. Its outstretched acacia tree semi-arid landscape boasts of huge concentration of wildlife including cheetahs, black backed jackals, aardwolves, elephants, buffaloes, 475 bird species.
Queen Elizabeth National Park-QENP Kasese
There are very few safari parks in Africa with huge concentration of wildlife species like Queen Elizabeth National Park. Lying in the Western part of Uganda-The Pearl of Africa, QENP is noted for its biodiversity that sprawl within its magical savannas, crater lakes, dense forests to wetlands. About 100 distinct mammal species all freely roam within this splendid savanna park including 4 of the Big 5 Game.
It is only in Queen Elizabeth National Park where the tree climbing lions live in Uganda and they exist only in the Southerly sector-Ishasha. The other popular animal species to expect to sight while on Uganda safari in Queen Elizabeth N/P include buffaloes, hippos, crocodiles, elephants, 620 bird species, primates including chimpanzees.
Established in 1952, Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) is popular for its rich ecosystem. It sits on 1978sq.kms of land area and features a range of exciting wilderness experiences for Uganda safari travelers to engage in including game drives, bird watching, nature walks, boat/launch cruise, chimpanzee tracking, lion tracking experience etc.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park-BINP
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park a UNESCO Heritage Site sits on the Southwestern Uganda, a home to 459 mountain gorillas. The dense rain-forest park was founded in 1991 to protect mountain gorillas and no wonder today, Bwindi National Park is one of the world’s most visited gorilla trekking destinations.
Bwindi National Park is 8-10 hours of driving off from Kampala/Entebbe. Over 120 mammal species are confined the 331sq.kms impenetrable forest park and they include endangered mountain gorillas; 220 butterfly species, 360 bird species, 1000 flowering plants etc.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Covering 33.7sq.kms of land area, Mgahinga National Park is the smallest of the 10 Uganda National Parks. It sits in the extreme Southwest, Kisoro district and shelters both the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. The exciting safari activities to expect to participate while on Uganda safari in Mgahinga include gorilla trekking, birding, volcano climbing/hiking, gorilla trekking, Batwa encounter/trail, cave exploration etc.
Mount Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park is a spectacular park of its own, lying in the Eastern part of Uganda. It is one of the 10 National Parks in Uganda established in 1992 and sits on 1110sq.kms of land area. The park shelters Mount Elgon where it takes its name and a home to one of the highest peaks in East Africa “Wagagai.” In Mount Elgon N/Park alone, there are 300 bird species to identify including lammergeyers.
Kibale Forest National Park/KFNP
If you are looking for safari park in Africa to visit for chimpanzee tracking then look no further than Kibale National Park in Uganda. Kibale lies in the Western side of Uganda, expanding up to 795sq.kms of land area which consists of tropical rain-forests, woodland, savannas etc. There are over 13 primate species that thrive in this safari park alone and they include 1500 chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, red colobus, baboons, l’hoest monkeys; 370 bird species.
Kibale Forest National Park was established in 1993 and today, it offers a range of remarkable experiences. The prime activities to engage in on Kibale Forest safari holiday include chimpanzee tracking, nature walks, birding, chimpanzee habituation experiences.
Semuliki National Park
Semuliki National Park is one of the most ideal sites worth visiting if you are looking for untapped destinations. This Uganda safari park sits in the western side of Uganda, priding itself as a birder’s paradise though it is most famous for its powerful Sempaya Hot Springs. Over 441 bird species are concentrated within the tropical rain-forests of Semuliki, plus 63 mammal species ranging from chimps, buffaloes, baboons, fruit bats, pottos etc.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park/RMNP
For mountaineering challenge, no better place is worth visiting in Africa than the Rwenzori Mountains National Park. This is one of the very few UNESCO designated sites established in 1991 and set in Western Uganda. The park sits on the land area of about 1000sq.kms and takes its name after the highest Rwenzori Mountain ranges. It is often visited for mountaineering experiences as most enthusiastic climbers challenge themselves to conquer the Margherita peak.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo National Park is found in Kiruhura, Western Uganda and it is remarkably the easier to reach safari park. Lake Mburo sits on 370sq.kms and shelters 350 bird species, diversity of mammals and reptiles including lions, buffaloes, impalas, elands, oribis, giraffes etc. The main activities to enjoy on safari in Lake Mburo N/Park, Uganda include horseback riding, game drives, launch/boat cruise, birding, nature walks, cycling etc.
