National parks in Uganda: The finest sites to go safari sightseeing in Uganda are the country’s national parks, which are fascinating and amazing. With the greatest safari destination for the greatest safari experience, Uganda is referred to as the gem of Africa. All of Uganda’s national parks are overseen by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government institution.
Murchison Falls National Park
At 3,840 square kilometers, Murchison Falls National Park is the biggest national park in Uganda. Known for its varied wildlife and the most potent waterfall in the world, Murchison Falls, it was declared a national park in 1952. Nuwoya, Masindi, Pakwaku, Kiryandongo, and Bulisa are the five districts that make up this national park in Uganda.
There are over 451 bird species and 76 mammal species in Murchison Falls National Park. African elephants, buffalo, eland, antelope, hippos, duikers, Nile crocodiles, giraffes, and water birds like the uncommon civet are just a few of the park’s many attractions.
Visitors may enjoy a variety of activities in Murchison Falls National Park, including hiking to the top of the falls, boat cruises on the Nile River, morning and evening wildlife drives, sport fishing, hiking, guided nature walks, bird watching, hot air balloon safaris, and cultural exchanges.
There are attractions beyond the national park, such as the Budongo and Kaniyo Pabidi Forests, where you may go monkey trekking, and the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you could encounter rhinos in the wild. There are several accommodation options in Murchison Falls National Park, providing visitors with a wide range of options.
Murchison Falls National Park: Accommodations in the park include UWA campsites, Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge, Murchison Safari Lodge, Red Chill Rest Camp, Geolodges Nile Safari Lodge, Sambia River Lodge, Geolodges Shawbir Campsite, and Yebo Safari Camp. Also close by are the Masindi Hotel, Budongo Ecolodge, New Court View Hotel, and the Boomu Women’s Group Bandas.
It takes around four to five hours to drive from Kampala to Murchison Falls National Park, which is about 290 kilometers away. Any of the gates in Chobe, Paraa, Kichumbanyobo, Bugungu, Wangkwa, Mbako, and Tangi will let you to access the park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
The second-largest national park in Uganda, the total area of this national park is approximately 1,978 square kilometers. It is situated in the Kasese District in western Uganda and was declared a national park in 1952. Over 95 animal species and at least 652 bird species may be found in the park. In the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park, in the Ishasha area, savanna grasslands are home to the park’s tree-climbing lions.
Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a variety of activities, including chimp trekking, lion tracking, bird viewing, game drives, boat trips over the Kazinga Strait, and nature walks. There are opportunities for community visits, wildlife encounter excursions, and cave exploring.
some of the safari lodges to find in Queen Elizabeth National Park include, Mweya Safari Lodge, Ishasha Banda, Jumbo Bungalow, Pelican Bungalow, and Pumba Safari Cottages (Uganda Wildlife Authority) are among the accommodations that the UWA oversees for visitors to the national park. It takes around 6.5 hours to travel 379 kilometers to Queen Elizabeth National Park from Kampala.
Kibale Forest National Park
Kibale National Park is situated in Kabarole District in western Uganda. About 70 animal species, 13 primate species—the most well-known of which is the chimp—and 375 bird species call it home. It includes most of the Kibale Forest and was created as a national park in 1932. There are more than 1,000 species of birds and mammals in this national park.
Chimpanzee interactions, trekking, birding, guided nature walks, and cultural and community visits are all available to visitors visiting Kibale National Park. Wildlife includes chimps, olive baboons, forest elephants, bushbucks, sitatunga, buffalo, duiker, roast monkeys, colobus monkeys, velvet monkeys, and other primates.
Among the places to stay are Primate Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Kibale Forest Lodge, Kanyanchu River Camp, Sevitri Campground, Chimps Nest, Kibale Forest Camp, and Mantana Tented Camp. From Kampala, Kibale National Park is conveniently accessible. It takes around four to five hours to travel the approximately 308 kilometers to the national park from Kampala.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
With a total area of around 34 square kilometers, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda. Located in the Kisoro District in southwest Uganda, it is the second-best spot in the country to see mountain gorillas.
In 1991, this national park was first established. It shares boundaries with the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Activities include climbing on Mount Gahinga, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Sabinyo, exploring the Gulama cave, gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, bird watching, guided forest walks, and visits to Batwa communities.
Amajambele Iwak Camp and Volcano Mount Gahinga Safari Lodge are two of the several places to stay in Mgahinga National Park. Lodges are an additional choice. Among the hotels and motels are the Mountain Gorilla Safari Hotel, Kisoro Travelers’ Rest Hotel, Countryside Guesthouse, Bird Nest Bunyonyi Resort, and Bunyonyi Overland Resort.
Hotels are also available. The national park is around 55 kilometers west of Kabale district and 15 kilometers south of Kisoro town. By the Kabale-Mbarara route, it is also 494 kilometers from Kampala City. It takes around 8.5 hours to go from Kampala to the national park.
Lake Mburo National Park
With a total area of only about 370 square kilometers, Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest savannah national park in Uganda. It was declared a national park in 1983. East of Mbarara, in the Lyantonde area, sits this national park.
Game drives, boat excursions on Lake Mburo, horseback riding, sport fishing, hiking and guided nature walks, village visits, birding, mountain biking, and camping are just a few of the thrilling activities available to visitors to this national park.
Accommodations at Lake Mburo National Park include Eagles’ Nest, Mantana Tented Camp, Rwonyo Rest Camp, Mburo Safari Lodge, and Mihingo Safari Lodge. Kampala provides access to the national park. Kampala is about 228 kilometers away from the park.
Mount Rwenzori National Park
Spanning around 996 square kilometers, Mount Rwenzori National Park is one of the national parks that may be visited while on holiday in Uganda. It is situated in the Kasese District and was declared a national park in 1991. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is home to a wide variety of plants and birds, such as the Rwenzori Blue Turaco, Rwenzori Nightjar, and Rwenzori Batis.
Activities in the national park include guided nature excursions, bird viewing, and climbing Mount Rwenzori. Rwenzori Turaco View Campground, Luboni Community Camp, Hotel Margherita, Equator Snow Lodge, and Katara Lodge are more campsites.
Semuliki National Park
The Bundibugyo area in western Uganda is home to Semuliki National Park. With a total size of 220 square kilometers, the national park was created in 1993. There are over 441 bird species and 53 animal species in the park. In the national park, visitors may expect to observe crocodiles, birds, monkeys, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, forest elephants, hippos, potto, and bush babies. Many people visit this national park because of the well-known Sempaya hot springs. National Park Semuliki. The western Ugandan region of Bundibugyo is home to Semuliki National Park.
With a total size of 220 square kilometers, the national park was established in 1993. There are more than 441 bird species and about 53 mammal species in the park. Wildlife that visitors might expect to see at the national park includes crocodiles, birds, giraffes, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, forest elephants, hippos, potto, and bush babies.
This national park is popular with tourists because of the famous Sempaya hot springs. Activities at Semuliki National Park include hiking, game drives, birding, guided nature walks, and cultural interactions. Accommodations in Semuliki National Park include the Kirimia Guesthouse, Semliki Safari Lodge, and UWA Bandas and Campsite in Sempaya.
Semuliki National Park is approximately 465 kilometers from Kampala via Masaka, Mbarara, and Entebbe, and 180 kilometers via Mubende.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The endangered mountain gorilla species is protected at Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of two national parks in Uganda where mountain gorillas may be tracked. There are 459 mountain gorillas in the park, according to the most recent gorilla population census, which was carried out there in 2018. Only fifteen of its nineteen habituated gorilla groups are open to tourists. In the southwestern Ugandan district of Kanungu, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was created in 1991 and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
About 400 plant species and more than 350 bird species, 23 of which are native to the Albertine Rift Valley, may be found in the park. It is the source of five major rivers that flow into Lake Edward and is characterized by a series of steep hills and valleys. Activities in Bwindi National Park include community visits, guided forest excursions, birdwatching, gorilla hikes, and introductions to the Batwa routes.
Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, and Ruhija Gorilla Mist Camp. Travelers with high, medium, and low incomes are the target audience for these resorts. Additionally, campers can stay at resorts on Lake Mutanda or motels in Kisoro.
Mount Elgon National Park
This park is situated in eastern Uganda, namely in the districts of Kapchorwa and Mbale. It is 1,121 square kilometers in size and was declared a national park in 1968. Activities offered to tourists at the national park include climbing Mount Elgon, hiking to Sipi Falls, bird viewing, cultural and community visits, rock climbing, camping, taking nature walks, and mountain riding. The following lodges are available to visitors to Mount Elgon National Park: Suam Guesthouse, Kapkwai Bandas, Moroto Bandas, Pian-Upe Wilderness Camp, and Guest House.
From Kampala, the national park is around 235 kilometers away by automobile. It takes around three to four hours to get to the park.Uganda is undoubtedly a place that nature has given us. The entry point to Uganda is Entebbe International Airport. Please get in touch with Alive Africa Adventures if you would like to visit any of these national parks during your safari in Uganda.