National Parks in the Pearl of Africa
Uganda is part of the East African Community and it’s a land locked Country. Uganda is known as one of the most biodiverse Countries on Earth and by this it earned itself the title of “the pearl of Africa”. Uganda is blessed with rolling plains, mountains, expansive savannas, beautiful landscapes and lush rainforests, Uganda offers a rare touch of wildlife experiences. The country has 10 national parks each with a unique story to tell, showcasing nature’s beauty and Uganda’s dedication to conserving its rich environment.
Murchison Falls National Park
This is the oldest and largest national park in Uganda. It was established in 1952 as a national park, it is found in Northwestern Uganda covering areas of Masindi, Kiryandongo, Nwoya, Buyisa etc. The park sits on 3840sq.kms. The park is under Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government organization. The park is a home to over 144 mammals including the big four game like Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes whereas Rhinos can be sighted at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary as you head to the park. Other animals include Hippos, Warthogs, Hyenas, Impalas, Uganda Kob etc. The park also has over 556 bird species including the rare shoebill stock, African Fish Eagle, Giant Kingfisher, Senegal thick knee etc. The park also has reptiles, amphibians, plant species and tree species making it easy for scientists.
The star of the Park
The World’s strongest waterfalls in the World is known as Murchison Falls. The Victoria Nile is forced through a narrow gorge, before plunging 45 meters into the Devil’s Cauldron below sending up a thunderous roar and a permanent rainbow mist which offers unforgettable views.
Access
The park entrance for Foreign Non Resident is 45 Usd, Foreign Residents is 35 Usd, East African is 25,000 shs. The park has two gates which include Northern and Southern gates. By road, the journey takes about 5-6 hours via Kampala – Masindi. By air, the chattered flight is just under one hour and you land at Pakuba Airfield which is more convenient however, there are other options like Chobe, Bugundu etc.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
The park was originally called Kazinga National Park. After the Queen’s visit, the park was named Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is Uganda’s second biggest park. It is located in Western Uganda covering districts of Rubirizi, Kamwenge, Kasese, Rukungiri etc. It sits on 1, 978sq.kms. The parks is a habit to over 95 mammal species including the big four like Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffaloes etc. Over 600 bird species like Great Blue Turaco, Gray-crowned crane, Long-Crested Eagle making it a bird paradise for bird enthusiasts. The highlight of the park is the Kazinga Channel which connects Lake Edward and Lake George. The Ishasha sector is famous for tree climbing lions.
Access
The park entrance for Foreign nonresidents is 40 Usd, Foreign residents is 30 Usd, East African is 20,000 shs. By road, the journey takes about 7-8 hours via Masaka-Mbarara road. By air, the flight usually takes 1 hour with a beautiful scenery and here, you land at Kasese, Mweya or Kihihi depending on lodge location.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
Known for having half of the World’s remaining Gorillas, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in Southwestern corner of Uganda in Kanungu district. It was recognized as the UNESCO heritage site. The park cover 321sq.kms. of the montane and lowland forest. Bwindi protects 459 Mountain Gorillas making an idle place for Gorilla Trekking Experience in the World.
Bwindi has 25 habituated gorilla groups with 9 available for tourism and 1 avaible for research purpose. Besides the Gorilla Trekking, the parks also harbor 120 mammals such as baboons, chimpanzee, l’Hoest’s monkey, 350 bird species such as blackballed turaco, black bee eater, montane oriole, handsome francoline, 400 plant species, over 200 butterfly species making the best place for researchers.
The park also Gorilla Habituation which gives guests more time with the Gorillas. It only takes place in Rushaga. It only allows a maximum of 4 people to participate in the Gorilla activity and it takes about 4 hours of adventure. The permit for Gorilla Habituation costs 1500 USD. Visitors can also engage in Cultural encounters by visiting the Batwa people who first lived in the forest before they were displaced.
Access
The Gorilla Permit costs 800 USD for foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for foreign residents, 300,000 shs for East African Residents. These permits can be booked through Uganda Wildlife Authority or aa trusted Tour operator.
By Road, the scenic journey takes about 9-10 hours via Masaka – Mbarara road.
By Air, Scheduled and chartered flights last only about 1 hour and 10 minutes. From Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro Airstrip.
Kibale Forest National Park
Also known as the primates Capital, Kibale Forest National Park is among the most visited parks in Uganda. It is found in Western Uganda, Kabarole district. Chimpanzees are special species because they share over 95% of their DNA with humans. Kibale Forest National Park has about 5,000 chimpanzee clans recorded in the whole of East Africa.
Chimpanzee trekking hours include 8:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 2:00 PM conducted at Kanyanchu Visitor Centre. Trekking takes about 2-5 hours depending on the chimpanzee’s movements and terrain. Once you find them, visitors are allowed one hour in their presence to observe their social interactions, playfulness and feeding habits hence making memories. Kibale also offers the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience which allows visitors to spend an extended period of time with a semi habituated family.
The park is also home to 120 mammal species including olive baboons, monkeys, forest elephants, bush pigs. 370 bird species with 23 Albertine Rift endemics such as blue headed bee eater, nahan’s francolin etc.
Access
The Chimpanzee Trekking Permit costs 250 Usd for foreign nonresident, 200 Usd for foreign residents and 200,000 shs for East African Citizens.
Chimpanzee Habituation Permits cost costs 300 Usd for foreign nonresident, 250 Usd for foreign residents and 250,000 shs for East African Citizens.
By road, it takes about 6 hours via Kampala-Fort Portal Highway.
By Air, it takes about 1 hour.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
This is the smallest national park in Uganda covering an area of 33.7sq.kms. It is located in Western Uganda, Kisoro district. The park was created to protect endangered Mountain Gorillas and it is also a home to Golden Monkey making it the best destination for gorilla trekking and golden monkey trekking which gives a lifetime experience. Mgahinga has one habituated gorilla group for visitors.
Mgahinga harbors over 76 mammals such as forest elephants, giant forest hog, bush pigs, bush etc. Over 180 bird species including the 14 endemic Albertine rift notably the Kivu ground thrush and Rwenzori turaco, handsome francolin among others.
The park also offers other activities like hiking Mt. Sabinyo, Muhavura and Gahinga. Batwa Community where you learnt about their lifestyles, food and some entertainment.
Access
Gorilla Permit costs 800 USD for foreign nonresidents, 700 USD for foreign residents, 300,000 shs for East African Residents. These permits can be booked through Uganda Wildlife Authority or aa trusted Tour operator.
Golden Monkey permit cost 60 USD for foreign nonresidents, 50 USD for foreign residents, 40,000 shs for East African Residents.
Golden Monkey Habituation permit 100 USD for foreign nonresidents, 80 USD for foreign residents, 100,000 shs for East African Residents.
By road, it takes about 8-9 hours via kampala-kabale-kisoro.
By Air, the chattered flight usually takes about 1:10 minutes.
Lake Mburo National Park
Lake Mburo, known as the smallest savannah park is gifted with a rich biodiversity and extremely stunning scenery. It is located in the Kiruhura area of Nyabushozi County in Western Uganda. The park occupies 370 square kilometers. positioned along the main thoroughfare that links Western Uganda with Kampala.
Despite the park size, it is the only place in Uganda where you can sight Impalas, it boasts a big number. Other creatures found in the park include zebras, warthogs, buffaloes, Elands, waterbucks, leopards, and bush pigs. The park has over 315 bird species such as African Wattled Lapwing, African finfoot, Bare-faced go-away-bird etc. Whether exploring on foot, by boat, or on a game drive, Lake Mburo National Park offers an ultimate safari experience.
Access
The Park entrance fees include40 Usd for foreign nonresidents, 30 Usd for foreign residents and 20,000 shs for East African citizens.
You can access the park by road which takes about 4 hours from Kampala city.
By Air, the chattered flight takes about 1 hour to Mbarara Airstrip.
Semliki National Park
Semliki National Park is one of the least visited National Park in Uganda. The park is also known as the “True Birders’ Haven.” It was established as a national park in 1993. It is located in Bundibugyo district in Western Uganda. The park covers about 220 square kilometers within the Albertine Rift valley.
Sempaya Hotsprings
This is the main reason that brings tourists to Semiliki National Park. Here, you will sight both the female and male hot springs. The temperatures of the boiling water rise up to 100°C which can boil eggs and matooke in minutes. A common activity for guests.
Semiliki National Parks is a home to various wildlife species totaling up to 120 mammals such as Forest Elephants, Forest Antelopes, Baboons buffaloes, Chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus, hippos. The park has over 435 bird species like Black-headed Waxbill, spot-breasted ibis, regal sunbird, bronze sunbird etc. The park has different plant and tree species, 300 butterfly species hence giving a variety to encounter.
Visitors can also participate in cultural and community encounters with the Batwa and the Bamba people who stayed in and around the forest. Here, they share their hunting technique, history of the forest and how they used plants to heal themselves.
Access
The Park entrance fees for Semliki National Park is 35 Usd for foreign nonresidents, 25 Usd for foreign residents and 15,000 shs for East African citizens.
By road, the journey takes about 4-5 hours via Kampala-Fort-Portal-Mubende road then 6-7 hours from Kampala -Fort Portal via Masaka, Mbarara, Kasese.
Kidepo Valley National Park
Kidepo Valley National Park is a hidden and remote gem located in the Northern Uganda in Karamoja district. The park is among the least visited however, it is considered as Africa’s breathtaking wilderness. Kidepo is a land of sweeping landscapes, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. The park was established in 1962 on the same day Uganda got its Independence. It covers an area of 1,442km2 hence making it to be among the largest parks in Uganda.
The park is a home to over 77 mammals like zebras, rare cheetah, warthogs, antelopes, giraffes, bush pigs, Uganda kobs, buffaloes, monkeys etc. Over 476 recorded birds like Ostriches, secretary bird, Karamojong Apalis, little bee eater, red and yellow barbet etc.
The Narus Valley is lush and green, dotted with acacia trees and seasonal wetlands while the Kidepo Valley offers an arid, open landscape where wildlife moves across golden plains. Morungole Mountains, which form a stunning backdrop to the park.
Cultural Encounters
Visitors can engage with the Karamojong people, pastoralists renowned for their traditional cattle herding, warrior culture, and vibrant dances. Their homesteads, known as manyattas, dot the plains around the park and offer a glimpse into a lifestyle deeply connected to the land.
Access
The Park entrance fees include 40 Usd for foreign nonresidents, 30 Usd for foreign residents and 20,000 shs for East African citizens.
By road the scenic journey takes about 10 hours from Kampala via Gulu to Lokumoit Gate.
By air, the flight takes about 2 hours.
Mountain Elgon National Park
Mount Elgon National Park is a majestic mountain of rugged beauty, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage. It is an extinct volcano which is dominated by the ancient volcanic slopes of Mount Elgon. It is located in Mbale district. It covers an area of 1,121 km2 bordering Kenya and Uganda. The mountain rises to 4,321 meters at Wagagai Peak, the highest point on the Ugandan side. It was recognized by UNESCO for its rich eco systems.
The park is a home to forest elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, giant forest hogs, primate species such as black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys. Birdwatchers get a chance to sight over 300 bird species, including endemics like the Jackson’s francolin, black-collared Apalis, and the dazzling Lammergeyer. Other attractions include Sipi falls, cave visits, mountain biking, rock climbing, visit to the Hotsprings etc.
Cultural
It is a home to the Bagisu people. Masaba their ancestral father is represented by the mountain hence preserving the tradition by calling it his name. One of the activity that attracts tourists is the Bagisu circumcision ritual (Imbalu) in local language, it’s one of the most important cultural norms. This activity is done after some period where young boys are welcomed into adulthood.
Access
The Park entrance fees include 35 Usd for foreign nonresidents, 25 Usd for foreign residents and 15,000 shs for East African citizens.
The journey takes about 4-5 hours through Jinja to Mbale town.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
Mountain Rwenzori also known as mountains of the moon is located in Bundibugyo district. The park was established in 1991 and later as a world heritage site in 1994. The highest point of Mountain Rwenzori is Margherita peak. The park size is 996kms.
Adventure to the highest
Rwenzori Mountains National Park is one of Africa’s extra ordinary destinations for mountain trekking and climbing. The park’s main route, the Central Circuit Trail which takes hikers through a breathtaking 6 to 9-day journey that passes through vegetation before reaching the snow line.
Another route is the Kilembe Trail which offers a slightly different path to the peaks, providing attractive views of glacial valleys, waterfalls and different tree species.
For those who want challenging trails, Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley is a lifetime experience. It involves passing through glaciers and rocky ridges, offering an unforgettable sense of accomplishment when standing atop Africa’s third-highest point.
Cultural Immersion
The Bakonzo people have called these mountains home for centuries. Their culture is deeply tied to the land, and they regard the peaks as sacred, the dwelling place of their ancestral spirits.
Visitors can experience the Bakonzo’s traditional music, dances, and folklore through community tourism programs. The Rwenzori Cultural Trail offers a glimpse into local life, with visits to traditional homesteads, blacksmith workshops, and coffee farms.
Access
The Park entrance fees include 35 Usd for foreign nonresidents, 25 Usd for foreign residents and 15,000 shs for East African citizens.
