Despite the fact that Uganda is a land locked country, it is gifted by nature. Winston Churchill called it ‘the Pearl of Africa’ which is perhaps an understatement considering its beauty, riches and among all is the favorable climate. It is home to the endangered Mountain Gorilla and also a Bird and Primate paradise. The 10 National Parks and wildlife areas play host to Africa’s ‘Big 5’: Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, and Buffalo without forgetting Gorilla and Chimpanzee.
The Equatorial climate provides permanent year-round temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius yet the Rwenzori mountain range, Africa’s highest, is snow capped. Uganda is also the source of the world’s second longest river, The Nile, which starts its journey at Africa’s largest lake, Victoria, dotted with tropical islands and their sandy white beaches.
Uganda has got ten national parks. The parks offer the best wildlife experience to tourists who explore Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. To enjoy these great games, a customized safari in Uganda offers the best option to travel the pearl of Africa and experience amazing wildlife in popular game reserves as well as ecotours in Forest parks.
Uganda National Parks & other Tourist Spots
Uganda for nature lovers is a brilliant choice for a holiday safari / vacation in Africa. The diversity of the country will surprise many and if you do visit this dynamic country famously known as the Pearl of Africa, here is a list of National Parks and other places you will want to see.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
A great tourist spot for mountain gorilla tracking in Uganda. Bwindi national park is a home to half of the world’s remaining population of these gigantic apes with about 400 individuals. This is according to the 2011 census. This is the most popular national park in Uganda and is about 8-10hrs drive from Kampala, the capital city of the country.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
The park is named after Queen Elizabeth II and covers the entire Kazinga channel that connects Lake Gorge to Lake Edward. Queen Elizabeth National Park located in Western Uganda is the home of many wildlife species and a game drive here is pretty rewarding. The national park is also popular to be the birder’s paradise with about 611 bird species.
Murchison Falls National Park
The scenic view of the Murchison Falls is really stunning!! This park is situated at the northern tip of the Albertine Rift Valley. As one of Uganda’s oldest conservation places, a wide variety of animal and bird species are making their habitat in here. Various activities can be done while touring in the park such as chimpanzee tracking, game drive, and boat ride.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
This is known as ‘The Mountains of the Moon’, situated a few kilometers on the north of the equator in Western Uganda. The Rwenzori Mountains N.P is about 4,000 meters above the ground level of the Albertine Rift Valley. The presence of the glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls makes the park a very beautiful alpine area in Africa. The highest peak is Margherita peak (5109m) and takes a minimum of 8 Days. Also other short trips are available to different peaks of the Mountain.
Lake Mburo National Park
It is just 3hrs drive from Kampala, Uganda’s capital. Lake Mburo National Park is tourist spot in Uganda that is popular for its abundance in biodiversity due to the various micro-climate that the area displays. Antelope species such as the Impala is abundant in the park where the name of the capital city Kampala is derived. Other animal like Zebras and bird species abound around the park.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga is a part of a larger ecosystem , the Virunga Conservation Areas 434km sq which includes two adjacent parks in Rwanda and Congo . it rises from 2227m to 4127m above see
Level . the park which is a cultural heritage featuring in the history, folklore and traditional healing practices for local people , covers the north slopes of the three northern virunga volcanoes Muhavura ,Gahinga and Sabinyo .
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale national park, home to the host forest wildlife , is the most magnifiscent of Uganda’s tropical rainforest and one of the most rewarding areas to explore. Kibale boosts 13 species of primates , including the localized Red colobus and L’Hoest’s monkey. Kibales major attraction is the Chimpanzees, the delightful apes which are genetically the closest to Humans than to other creatures . the park is also famous for bird lovers , endowed for bird lovers, it has over 372 bird species including the endemic Black eared ground thrush. The 180km long trail for wildlife harbours mammals like the elusive forest elephants , buffalos, giant forest hogs and half dozen antelope species making it one of the most stunning parks in Uganda.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
It is regarded to be the legendary snow capped mountain of the moon , described by Ptolemy in AD150 Reaching an elevation of 5109m , it is also Africa’s tallest mountain range , exceeded in altitude only by the free –standing Mount Kenya and Mountain Kilimanjaro .
The distinctive glacial peaks are visible for miles around , but the slopes above 1600m are the preserve of hikers who rate the Rwenzori to be the most challenging of all African mountains . the best spot for the mountain climbing lovers to challenge themselves.
Semuliki National Park
Sprowls across the floor of the Semliki valley on the remote , western side of Rwenzori . the park is dominated by eastern most extension of the great Ituri forest of the congo basin . this is one of the Africa’s most ancient and bio-diverse forest ; one of the few to survive the last ice age . 12- 18000 years ago. This is one of the richest areas for both flora and sauna in Africa especially for birds.