List of National Parks in Uganda

Kasese, Western Region

Queen Elizabeth National Park

$ 40

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most popular savanna park in Uganda and the best place to see lions including the Tree Climbing lions making it the perfect destination for an Uganda Wildlife Safari. It prides itself on a great diversity of habitats that include: lakes, savannah grasslands, forests and wetlands that serve as home to the biggest variety of large mammals in the country. The park is home to 618 bird species which is the 6th highest diversity in the world and the highest in Africa making it a perfect destination for Uganda Birding Safaris, in addition to 10 primate species like chimpanzees and 95 mammals including big game. read more read less

Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park

$ 45

Uganda may be most famous for gorilla trekking adventures in mountainous rainforests. Still, Murchison Falls National Park (sometimes referred to as Kabarega National Park) is the kind of place that makes safari travellers sit up and take notice. Location of the Park Located close to Lake Albert in north-west Uganda, Murchison Falls provides the setting for a classic savannah safari featuring a familiar cast of elephants, hippos, buffalo and giraffes with lion, leopard, spotted hyena and the occasional cheetah making up the predator list. But the Victoria Nile - dividing the park into northern and southern halves - gives rise to the park's greatest draw card, the Murchison Falls. At Murchison Falls, the Nile squeezes through an 8m wide gorge and plunges with a thunderous roar, the world's most powerful waterfall, into the “Devil’s Cauldron”, creating a trademark rainbow. Wildlife at Murchison Falls Murchison Falls is notably blessed with over 144 mammals,556 bird species,51 reptiles, and 51 Amphibians. With a great number of African elephants, Murchison Falls is impressive all year round. The aerial survey noted over 900 individuals and 1,330 and is at an increase. Historically Giraffes exclusively inhabit the northern sector of the park. Buffalo populations have spiked to over 10,000 while Uganda kobs have leapt to more than 35,000. read more read less

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Nakasongola, Central Region

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

$ 40

The Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that forms part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the richest ecosystems in Africa. This park is perhaps one of Uganda’s most remarkable destinations for visitors. Although small—just 321 square kilometres—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is crucial as it is home to the world's largest population of critically endangered mountain gorillas. The park contains about one-third of around 1,000 gorillas alive today, with the remainder in the Virunga conservation area shared by Rwanda and Congo. Preserved on the edge of the Rift Valley in southwest Uganda, Bwindi was established in 1991 as part of the conservation effort to save the mountain gorillas. Three years later, this island of remnant forest—one of Africa's richest and oldest (dating back about 25,000 years)—was recognized by UNESCO as a natural World Heritage Site. The word “Bwindi” means “darkness” and taking a hike in this magnificent forest will certainly unveil to you the reason why the forest was named so. You will also be in a position to fast tell why the forest is regarded as Impenetrable. One is required to be realistically physically fit to take part in this mountain gorilla tracking & trekking adventure because it may involve climbing steep terrain. Beyond the gorillas, Bwindi is full of other life. It is one of the richest ecosystems in Africa, with 120 species of mammals, 350 species of birds (earning it the title of the Best Birding Destination in Africa by Travel Africa magazine), 200 tree species, 310 butterfly species, 88 moth species, 51 reptile species and 27 frogs, geckos and chameleons. Flora and Fauna at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Its mist-covered hillsides are blanketed by one of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforests, which dates back over 25,000 years and contains almost 400 species of plants. More famously, this “impenetrable forest” also protects an estimated 459 mountain gorillas – roughly half of the world’s population, including several habituated groups, which can be tracked. This biologically diverse region also provides shelter to a further 120 mammals, including several primate species such as baboons and chimpanzees, as well as elephants and antelopes. There are around 350 species of birds hosted in this forest, including 23 Albertine Rift endemics. read more read less

Kidepo Valley National Park

Kaabong District, Northern Region

Kidepo Valley National Park

$ 40

Kidepo Valley is in the remote northeast corner of Uganda. The park has an authentic wilderness feel and is a great destination for the adventurous traveller. It has excellent wildlife viewing during the Dry season, featuring several species not encountered anywhere else in the country. Kidepo Valley National Park lies in the rugged, semi-arid valleys between Uganda’s borders with South Sudan in the northwest and only 5km from the eastern border of Kenya, some 700km from Kampala. Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated national park. Still, the few who make the long journey north through the wild frontier region of Karamoja would agree that it is also the most magnificent, for Kidepo ranks among Africa’s finest wildernesses. From Apoka, in the heart of the park, a savannah landscape extends far beyond the gazetted area, towards horizons outlined by distant mountain ranges. The park has a very impressive mammal list. Twenty species of predator are resident, and several don't exist in any other Ugandan park (including cheetah and black-backed jackal). Lion is common and leopard also occurs. Elephants, Burchell's zebra, buffalo and Rothschild's giraffe are all regularly seen, but the black rhino has recently become extinct. Twelve antelope species are present – some of which don't occur anywhere else in the country. The local communities around the park include pastoral Karamojong people, similar to the Maasai of Kenya, and the IK, a hunter-gatherer tribe whose survival is threatened. read more read less

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

$ 40

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, specifically in Kisoro District. As its name indicates, the park was established to protect the rare mountain gorillas that inhabit its dense forests. It is also a vital habitat for the endangered golden monkey. The park holds significant importance for wildlife and has profound cultural value, especially for the indigenous Batwa pygmies. This tribe of hunter-gatherers is considered the "first people" of the forest, and their ancient knowledge of its secrets remains unparalleled. One of Mgahinga’s most striking features is its three conical, extinct volcanoes, which are part of the breathtaking Virunga Range that lies along the border region of Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda. Mgahinga is also part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, which includes neighbouring parks in these countries. The slopes of the volcanoes are home to a variety of ecosystems and are biologically diverse, while their peaks provide a stunning backdrop to the beautiful scenery. Wildlife at the park Mgahinga is home to over 76 species of mammals, including elephants, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, and buffalo. The park also hosts leopards and has a bird checklist of over 180 species, which includes 14 endemics from the Albertine Rift, notably the Kivu ground thrush and turaco. Impact and Importance of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park MGNP is a significant water catchment area. Its protective vegetation cover enhances its role in water catchment compared to the surrounding terrain. In addition to the numerous streams that flow north from the mountains, there is a crater lake on Mt. Muhabura and a swamp crater at the summit of Mt. Gahinga. Swamps also exist in the saddles between the three volcanoes, retaining water year-round, while the plains at the foot of the volcanoes are characterised by deep volcanic ash. As a result, runoff from the mountains quickly disappears underground. The primary source of the north-flowing surface water is the Kabiranyuma swamp located in the Muhabura-Gahinga saddle. The Kabiranyuma River drains this swamp and serves as a critical water source for the surrounding populations. It is notable for being the only river that does not completely dry up during the driest months of June to August. Additionally, the Ntebeko River drains the Rugezi Swamp in the Gahinga-Sabyinyo saddle to the north towards the DRC, while the Nyabirerema stream flows north from Mt. Sabyinyo into the DRC. read more read less

Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale, Western Region

Kibale Forest National Park

$ 40

Open savannah merges into woodland, tropical forest, and evergreen rainforest; creating one of the last expanses of land in Uganda to boast both lowland and montane forest. The 80,000ha Kibale Forest National Park’s biodiverse terrain is home to the highest diversity and concentration of primates found on the entire continent; ranging from L’Hoest’s monkey to the red colobus monkey, and other endangered chimpanzees. Comprised of what are widely considered to be Uganda’s most pristine tropical rainforests, Kibale Forest National Park covers an area of 795 kilometres over varied altitudes. read more read less

Lake Mburo National Park

Lyantonde, Western Region

Lake Mburo National Park

$ 40

Lake Mburo National Park is a compact gem, located conveniently close to the highway that connects Kampala to the parks of western Uganda. It is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah national parks and is underlain by ancient Precambrian metamorphic rocks which date back more than 500 million years. It’s home to 350 bird species as well including zebras, impalas, elands, buffalos, oribi, Defassa waterbuck, leopard, hippo, hyena, topi and reedbuck. Together with 13 other lakes in the area, Lake Mburo forms part of a 50 km-long wetland system linked by a swamp. Five of these lakes lie within the park’s borders. Once covered by open savanna, this supports the healthy population of Buffalos, Wathhog, bushpigs and hippopotami. Lake Mburo National Park now contains much woodland as there are no elephants to tame the vegetation. In the western part of the park, the savanna is interspersed with rocky ridges and forested gorges while patches of papyrus swamp and narrow bands of lush riparian woodland line many lakes. Lake Mburo is notably blessed with over 315 bird species and probably the best place to view acacia-associated birds, Rwonyo is a good zone to see the mosque swallow, black-bellied bustard,bare-faced-go away bird and Ruppell’s starling. A handful of birds have been recorded essentially the southern ground hornbill and black-throated barbet. read more read less

Rwenzori Mountain National Park

$ 35

Kasese, Western Region

Rwenzori Mountain National Park

$ 35

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is known for the Rwenzori Mountains. The park features Margherita Peak, which is Africa's third-highest peak and a major attraction. Established as a national park in 1991, Rwenzori Mountains National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and designated a Ramsar site in 2008. The park offers incredible opportunities to experience nature in its most beautiful forms. Its diverse plant life ranges from dense tropical rainforests and bamboo woodlands to montane cloud forests and high-altitude vegetation, all set against a stunning backdrop. Above 4,500 meters, snow and glaciers add to the breathtaking views throughout this pristine mountain range. Rwenzori Mountains National Park is especially popular for mountaineering, trekking, hiking, and climbing expeditions, whether or not one aims to summit Margherita Peak. read more read less

Mount Elgon National Park

$ 35

Bugitimwa, Mkoa wa Mashariki

Mount Elgon National Park

$ 35

Mt Elgon was once Africa’s highest mountain, far exceeding Kilimanjaro’s current 5,895m. Millennia of erosion have reduced its height to 4,321m, relegating it to the 4th highest peak in East Africa and 8th on the continent. At 4,000km² Mt. Elgon has the largest volcanic base in the world. Located on the Uganda-Kenya border it is also the oldest and largest solitary, volcanic mountain in East Africa. Its vast form, 80km in diameter, rises more than 3,000m above the surrounding plains. The mountain’s cool heights offer respite from the hot plains below, with the higher altitudes providing a refuge for flora and fauna. Mount Elgon National Park is home to over 300 species of birds, including the endangered Lammergeyer. The higher slopes are protected by national parks in Uganda and Kenya, creating an extensive transboundary conservation area which has been declared a UNESCO Man & Biosphere Reserve. read more read less