Uganda is a land of unparalleled biodiversity, home to 10 stunning national parks that showcase the best of Africa’s wildlife and landscapes. Whether you seek thrilling game drives through vast savannahs, mesmerizing gorilla encounters in dense rainforests, or breathtaking treks through towering mountain ranges, Uganda offers a safari experience like no other. From the thundering Murchison Falls to the misty peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, each park holds a unique adventure waiting to be discovered.
This guide provides an in-depth look at Uganda’s national parks, detailing what makes each one special and how they fit into an unforgettable safari itinerary. Learn how to combine multiple parks for a diverse journey—such as pairing chimpanzee trekking in Kibale with classic safaris in Queen Elizabeth or linking Bwindi’s mountain gorillas with the raw wilderness of Kidepo. With expert insights and travel tips, this guide will help you craft the ultimate Ugandan safari with Otter Africa Safaris, ensuring you experience the very best this incredible country has to offer.
MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Murchison Falls National Park is located in northern Uganda and is the country’s largest national park, covering an area of over 4000 square kilometres. Savannah grasslands, riverine woodlands, timber, and wetlands characterise the park. Murchison Falls National Park was established as a national park in 1952, after being gazetted in 1926. Murchison Falls National Park’s main tourist feature is Murchison Falls, commonly known as “the Devil’s Cauldron.” It is an ideal place for Uganda safaris and tours.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest and oldest park, situated in the Albertine Rift districts of Masindi, Buliisa, Nwoya, and Kiryadongo. The park is known for being home to four of the big five animals: elephants, lions, buffaloes, and leopards. Even if the park does not have enough rhinos to accommodate all five animals, visitors to Murchison Falls National Park can visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, which provides a haven for the country’s endangered rhinos.
Murchison Falls National Park offers the best adventure tours to its tourists due to the diversity of tourist attractions and activities that can be tailored to their specific needs and desires when visiting Uganda’s national parks. The park is home to 76 animal species and 400 bird species, making it an excellent destination for wildlife aficionados. However, it is not just a destination for wildlife enthusiasts, but also for adventure visitors who may participate in a variety of outdoor recreational activities.
How to access Murchison Falls National Park
Depending on their budget, guests visiting Murchison Falls National Park will arrive by plane or car. Tourists travelling by automobile from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, will need up to 4 hours to reach the park.
How to Get There
- By Road: A 4-5 hour drive from Kampala.
- By Air: Domestic flights are available to Pakuba, Chobe, or Bugungu airstrips.
Tourists may visit the park by scheduling flights from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Pakuba Airfield, which is the nearest to the park. They can also land in Chobe or Bugundu, allowing for simple access to the park in an hour and a few minutes, which is faster than road transit.
Tourists can access the park through several gates positioned throughout the park, including the Chobe entrance in the park’s northern sector and the Kichumbanyobo gate near Masindi town in the southern sector. Tangi Gate is located in the Paara area, and to enter, tourists must first cross the Nile via ferry.
The Wankar gate is approximately 10 km off the main road, as is the Mubako gate along the Kampala-Pakwach route; nevertheless, travellers may enter the park by crossing the River Nile via the Karuma Falls Bridge. Even before you approach the park, there are various eye-catching features such as the Nile River, aquatic birds that may be viewed along the river banks, and many more.
Activities in Murchison Falls National Park
- Murchison Falls: The park’s main highlight, where the mighty Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge, creating a spectacular waterfall.
- Big Four Safari: Home to elephants, lions, buffaloes, and leopards. Rhinos can be seen at the nearby Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
- Boat Safaris: Cruise the Nile to see crocodiles, hippos, and waterbirds.
- Game Drives: Spot giraffes, Uganda kobs, hartebeests, and more.
- Birdwatching: Includes species like the shoebill, giant kingfisher, and African fish eagle.
- Chimpanzee Trekking: Available in the Budongo Forest Reserve.
On their Murchison Falls National Park tour, tourists will be able to see a variety of animal species including hippopotami, elephants, waterbucks, buffaloes, Kobs, Giraffes, and bird species such as the shoe bill, saddle-billed stork, Goliath Heron, and many more.
Accommodation at Murchison Falls National Park
Tourists on a Murchison Falls National Park trip will be able to pick from a variety of hotel options based on their budget. Each of the chosen accommodations, regardless of class, is capable of assuring guest contentment by providing top-notch services such as bar services, dining services, and 24-hour room services that enable excellent service delivery.
- Budget: Murchison Backpackers, Mama Washindi Lodge.
- Mid-range: Pakuba Safari Lodge, Budongo Eco-Lodge.
- Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge.
Tourists on their Murchison Falls National Park tour will be able to experience nature’s best by visiting National Parks that will provide magnificent views of the popular Murchison Falls, a variety of animals, including four of the big five, and much more as part of their Uganda tour.
MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park, but it plays a crucial role in the country’s gorilla conservation efforts. Situated in the southwestern corner of Uganda, it forms part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, which extends into Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This park is a fantastic addition to Uganda’s primate safari circuit and offers visitors a chance to track the rare mountain gorillas and golden monkeys while exploring breathtaking volcanic landscapes.
How to access Mgahinga National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is located in southern Uganda and is accessible by air and road transport.
How to Get There
- By Road: A 9-10 hour drive from Kampala.
- By Air: Flights available to Kisoro Airstrip.
Road transport: If you travel to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park by private car, you will drive from Kampala to Masaka, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro, and finally to the park. The entire trek takes around 10 hours. Mgahinga National Park may also be accessible from Rwanda to Kigali by flying to Kigali International Airport and then driving to the park via the Cyanika border, which takes 3 to 4 hours. There are other public modes of transportation where you may join a bus that departs Kampala at 7:00 am to Kisoro town, where you will hire a private car. The distance between Kisoro and Mgahinga National Park headquarters is approximately 14 km.
Mgahinga National Park is also accessible by air, with chartered flights available from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip.
When to visit Mgahinga National Park?
Mgahinga National Park can be visited at any time of year. It has two rainy seasons, from March to May and September to November, and two dry seasons, from June to August and December to February, so the best time to visit is during the dry season when there is little rainfall in the forest. Activities like gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, and hiking are best done during the dry season when the terrain is dry and not slippery.
Attractions at Mgahinga National Park:
- Gorilla Trekking: Home to the Nyakagezi gorilla group, offering an intimate gorilla trekking experience.
- Golden Monkey Trekking: Track the rare and endangered golden monkeys found only in this region.
- Volcano Climbing: Trek up Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga, and Mount Sabinyo for spectacular views.
- Cultural Encounters: Meet the Batwa pygmies and learn about their ancient forest traditions.
RWENZORI MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Mount Rwenzori is located in the Kasese area of western Uganda, bordering Congo. The mountains have also been referred to as the “Moon Mountains.” The mountain reaches an elevation of 5110 metres above sea level. Mount Ruwenzori is Africa’s third tallest mountain, after Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, and one of the continent’s four highest peaks. Mount Rwenzori is Africa’s most difficult peak to climb, thus physical fitness is required.
Mount Rwenzori was designated as a national park in 1991, and UNESCO recognised it as a World Heritage and Ramsar site in 1994. The park spans an area of approximately 996 km squared. Mount Ruwenzori features blue lakes, snowfields, alpine highland glaciers, lush montane and bamboo forests, heath, moorland, groundsels, Lobelias, and Hagenia. Mount Ruwenzori melt water represents the highest source of the Nile, the world’s longest river. In 150 AD, Claudius Ptolemy said the snow-capped mountains were the source of the mighty Nile. This mountain is a must-see when on a Uganda safari vacation.
Attractions in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park:
- Mountain Trekking: Scale Africa’s third-highest mountain.
- Nature Walks: Explore the lower slopes with stunning waterfalls and unique vegetation.
- Birdwatching: Home to over 200 bird species, including Rwenzori Turaco and Scarlet-tufted Malachite Sunbird.
KIDEPO VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Kidepo Valley National Park is located in Uganda’s far north-east, Kaabong District. The park comprises 1,442 km2 (557 sq mi) of rough Savannah, topped by Mt. Morungole (9,020 ft) and drained by the Kidepo and Narus Rivers. This Uganda national park is located roughly 220 kilometres (140 miles) northwest of Moroto, the subregion’s biggest town. Also 520 kilometres (320 miles) northeast of Kampala, Uganda’s capital. This is one of Uganda’s greatest but least-visited safari parks.
“Dodoth pastoralists” and “IK farmers” resided in the valley before the “British colonial masters” designated it as a game reserve in 1958. Its primary goal was to regulate hunting, poaching, and clearing the jungle to prevent “Tsetse flies” from transmitting sleeping sickness to humans and Nangana to animals. The wildlife reserve was formally established as a national park in 1962 by “Dr. Apollo Milton Obote,” with Ian Ross serving as the first Chief Warden. In 1972, Ian Ross was succeeded by Paul Ssali.
The park features two major valley systems: the Kidepo and Narus rivers. The valley basins range in elevation from 3,000 to 4,000 feet. The Kidepo Valley National Park’s permanent supply of water is the Kanangarok hot spring, located in the extreme north of the park near the Uganda-Sudan border. Because of the variation in rainfall amounts, the majority of the park is covered by Savannah trees, resulting in animal population variations in areas of Narus with heavy rainfall amounts during the rainy season and Kidepo basin with few animal populations due to low rainfall.
During the dry season, the only permanent water sources are wetlands in the Narus Valley near Apoka, with coupled Oases throughout the Savannah landscape serving as a popular area for wildlife tracking and watching in the game park. This is one of Uganda’s most isolated parks due to its remote location, which is 520 kilometres from the country’s capital, Kampala. The park provides a spectacular and fascinating tour to northeastern Uganda through the Karamoja area, where visitors may learn about cultures, and historical backgrounds, and explore African wilderness.
The park is home to over 77 animal species and 475 bird species. The park is home to Uganda’s largest buffalo herd and the only park harbouring cheetahs. Pian-Upe is a neighbouring wildlife reserve near the park that is home to Uganda’s lone ostrich (the largest bird on Earth). Kidepo Valley is home to one of Africa’s smallest ethnic groups, the “Kamajongs,” who are nomadic pastoralists. The Karamajongs are comparable to the Turkana of Kenya and the Maasai of Kenya and Tanzania, and they have a high value for having huge herds of cattle. These people have a distinct culture that they have upheld for ages. Among the Karamajongs, the “Ik farmers” are thought to be they are primitive and are said to have originated in Ethiopia many years ago.
The “Ik people” continue to worship the “ancient god” and think that they will eventually have to relocate from Kidepo Valley to another part of the planet. Terrill Schrock, a language scholar, claims that the “Ik people” have cultural evidence linking them to ancient Southern Egypt. Kidepo Valley National Park is home to 77 mammal species, including lions (including some tree climbing lions), elephants, buffaloes, oribi, hartebeests, antelope species such as honour reedbuck, defassa waterbucks, elands, bushbucks, bush duskier, ostriches (also in Pian-Upe), pangolins, caracals, leopards, cheetahs, bat-eared fox, striped hyenas, aardwolves, wild dogs, and hunting dogs.
The park also has great scenery and birding experiences; the southern Narus is the beginning of the amazing birder’s haven, with birds such as Hoopoe, Nubian woodpeckers, vinaceous doves, scarlet-chested sunbirds, mosque swallow, superb starlings, little weaver, singing bush larks, Abyssinian ground, Karamoja Apalis, Ethiopian swallow, African grey flycatcher, White-billed tit, Slate coloured Boubou, Red-billed ox pecker, and many other bird species in Uganda. The Kidepo Valley is home to about 475 bird species, making it Uganda’s second-highest bird population density behind Queen Elizabeth National Park, which has over 600 bird species.
The best time to visit Kidepo is at the end of the dry season (November and February) when animals concentrate on reliable water sources such as Kanangarok hot springs in the far north of the park, which supplies water to the park during the dry season. During the wet season (April and August), animals move to higher ground where they are difficult to track.
Kidepo Valley is a lovely savanna park that provides excellent value for money, and it makes no sense for a traveller to stay only one night in Uganda’s hidden jewels.
Attractions in Kidepo:
- Big Game Safari: Home to lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, and buffaloes.
- Cultural Tours: Visit the Karamojong and Ik tribes.
- Birdwatching: Over 470 species, including the Karamoja Apalis.
How to Get There:
- By Road: A 10-12 hour drive from Kampala.
- By Air: Flights available to Apoka Airstrip.
Accommodations:
- Budget: Apoka Rest Camp.
- Mid-range: Nga’Moru Wilderness Camp.
- Luxury: Apoka Safari Lodge.
This provides a real definition of old human organisation in local communities; the Karamajongs live in tiny huts surrounded by a single fence known as “Manyattas,” which is comparable to the Masai culture of Kenya and Tanzania. Kidepo Valley is accessible by both air and road. While flying to the park is more expensive, it is the most convenient and time-effective mode of transportation, providing an excellent aerial perspective of the park’s geography. The park is accessible by car via a tarmac road network, and the length of the journey is determined by the number of days spent. You may be confident that the scenery will match the diversity of African cultures, savannah grasslands, and bushes.
QUEEN ELIZABETH NATIONAL PARK
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most well-known national park, located in the country’s western region and featuring a diverse range of topography, including volcanic craters, acacia woods, savannah grasslands, wetlands, and tropical forests. Queen Elizabeth National Park was established in 1952 as Kazinga Channel National Park, but its name was changed to Queen Elizabeth in 1954 to commemorate the Queen of England’s visit to the country. Queen Elizabeth is located in Uganda’s western region and is surrounded by the districts of Kamwenge, Kasese, Rukingiri, and Rubirizi. It’s an excellent site for Uganda safari trips.
The park is located around 400 km south-west of Uganda’s capital, Kampala. Rubirizi is located outside the park’s southeastern boundary, while Kasese town is located in the park’s northeastern region. The park also contains Maramagambo woodland, which borders Kigezi Game Reserve, Kibale Woodland National Park, Kyambura Game Reserve, and Virunga National Park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park covers an approximate area of 1978 square kilometres and includes the Kazinga Channel, which links the two lakes. Queen Elizabeth National Park is a wildlife hotspot, with African leopards, lions, chimps, buffaloes, Nile crocodiles, kobs, hippos, leopards, and elephants. The Park is home to 95 mammals and around 500 bird species. Rukungiri’s Ishasha Park is home to some of the world’s most famous tree-climbing lions. The park is next to Virunga National Park, which is considered a possible lion stronghold in central Africa.
Queen Elizabeth National Park contains a variety of volcanic phenomena, including volcanic cones, crater lakes, deep craters, and more. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to a variety of animal species present in other national parks around the country, but it is most known for the tree-climbing lions, which can only be seen in Tanzania’s Lake Manyara National Park. Leopards, buffalos, elephants, Bush bucks, Ugandan Kob, waterbucks, bush pigs, reedbucks, warthogs, hippopotamuses, and a variety of other species may be seen at well-known gaming tracks.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s only park where tourists may observe animals from the air; while it is pricey, the payoff is well worth it; travellers can see the whole flora and fauna as well as predators catching prey. This always occurs very early in the morning, and the safari concludes with a bush meal and a certificate.
The magnificent natural Kazinga canal, discovered in Queen Elizabeth’s Mweya area, joins Lake George and Lake Albert. The waterway is an excellent location for wildlife viewing, particularly during the dry season when the animals congregate on its borders. During the Kazinga Channel boat trip, you may also witness a variety of aquatic birds, as well as hundreds of hippopotamuses and crocodiles.
The Queen Elizabeth National Park trip is one of the fascinating excursions that tourists may do while in Uganda. The park is located in the western districts of Uganda, including Kasese, Kamwenge, Rubirizi, and Rukungiri. The park has drawn a large number of people year after year due to the amazing vistas and attractions it has. Queen Elizabeth is the park to visit if you want to experience nature at its finest. It not only provides animal experiences, but also outdoor adventures, cultural contacts, and a variety of activities geared to keep visitors happy. The park has drawn many travellers throughout the years due to its distinctive and interesting flora and wildlife.
How to access Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Tourists may readily enter Queen Elizabeth National Park because of the area’s well-developed transit systems. Depending on their budget, tourists can either fly or drive to the park.
The park is 410 kilometres from Kampala, and travellers arriving at Entebbe International Airport, Queen Elizabeth, will travel 49 km to Kampala, taking around an hour. The park is accessible from Kampala via the Mbarara-Masaka route, and travellers may make many stops along the way, making the trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park unique, including stops at the equator at Masaka and Mpambire drum manufacturers. Tourists who visit Bwindi’s impenetrable national park may also link to Queen Elizabeth National Park via the ishasha sector, which takes around 7 to 8 hours for travellers to arrive.
Tourists may visit the park by scheduling charter flights from Entebbe to Queen Elizabeth, where Aero Link operates daily domestic flights to the park. These planes land at the Mweya and Kasese airstrips, which are very safe, dependable, and easy to use.
How to Get There:
- By Road: A 6-7 hour drive from Kampala.
- By Air: Flights available to Kasese or Mweya airstrips.
Attractions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The Uganda National Parks tour will be the most rewarding for tourists who take their Queen Elizabeth National Park tour because the park is home to over 95 mammal species, 20 bird species, and over 600 bird species, making it a top destination for bird lovers, and it is not only tourists interested in seeing the animal species who will be drawn to the park. The park features a range of different attractions and activities that can be engaged in, as mentioned below.
Top Attractions:
- Tree-Climbing Lions: Found in the Ishasha sector, these lions lounge on tree branches.
- Kazinga Channel Boat Safari: Offers close-up views of hippos, crocodiles, and elephants.
- Game Drives: Spot leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes.
- Chimpanzee Trekking: Available at Kyambura Gorge.
- Birdwatching: Home to 600+ bird species, including the African skimmer and flamingoes.
A tourist in the park will be able to choose from a variety of game drives, including morning, evening, and night game drives, where nocturnal animals such as lions and leopards can be seen as they hunt for their prey.
The lion tracking experience, which takes place in the morning and late afternoon, is another exciting activity that tourists will participate in during their Uganda National Park trip. The activity entails travellers learning more about predators in their native habitats.
The visitor is guaranteed to view a specific pride of lions thanks to radio collars located within the lions. The trip is spearheaded by a Uganda carnivore project researcher who guides a small group of tourists into the savannah plains where the lions may be spotted. Tourists should reserve in advance to avoid missing out on the activities. The exercise will allow guests to discern between male and female lions based on their physical features, such as the males having a black mane and the females having no mane. A tourist will be able to watch how the lions mark their territories in the park, such as a dominant male in a certain pride peeing on several tree stems to mark their territories and warn another pride that they will take over their area.
rival methods that males mark their territories include excavating a 20 cm hole with their hind feet, which will indicate to rival lion pride that the region has been taken over by another pride. The males can be observed stroking their manes on bushes.
Tourists on their tour during the various boat cruises will be able to see different water birds such as the great cormorant, little grebe, northern lapwing, red-necked grebe, wandering albatross, pied kingfishers who are usually seen trying to catch fish, and many more different animal species such as Nile crocodiles sunbathing along the shores, hippopotamuses taking dips in the waters, and many others.
The Queen’s Pavilion is another landmark that tourists should not miss when visiting Queen Elizabeth National Park. It was formed when the Queen of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth 11, visited the park in 1959, and the Duke of Edinburgh paid a visit in 2007. The pavilion has undergone several renovations, including the addition of a coffee shop and other amenities. Because of its historical significance, it is a popular site for tourists to take photographs when visiting the park.
Photography and filming: Tourists who want to capture and film their memories while in the park can do so while on the Uganda national park tour. For example, they can film the various herds of elephants, bushbucks, kobs, and waterbucks in their natural habitats, which can be a memorable experience on their Uganda tour.
Accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Tourists on their Uganda National Parks tour will be able to choose from various classes and types of accommodation based on their budget. Each of the housing facilities chosen, regardless of size, is focused on satisfying the expectations of visitors, resulting in visitor satisfaction with top-notch services such as bar services, dining services, and 24-hour room services, all of which enable excellent service delivery.
Accommodations:
- Budget: Simba Safari Camp, Tembo Safari Lodge.
- Mid-range: Buffalo Safari Lodge, Marafiki Safari Lodge.
- Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge, Elephant Plains Lodge.
LAKE MBURO NATIONAL PARK.
Lake Mburo National Park is located in Kiruhura District in Western Uganda, approximately 30 kilometres (19 miles) east of Mbarara, the region’s biggest town. The park is around 240 kilometres (150 miles) west of Kampala, Uganda’s capital and largest city. The coordinates of the park are 00˚37’40″S and 30˚58’00″E. It is part of the Ramsar wetland system known as the Lake Mburo – Nakivale wetland system (Designated 15th/Sept/2006). The park also sits inside the Shadow of Lake Victoria and the Mt. It is an excellent location for wildlife safaris in Uganda.
Lake Mburo was designated as a regulated hunting area in 1933 before becoming a wildlife reserve in 1963. Banyankole – Bahima residents continued to graze their cattle in the reserve until it was designated as a national park in 1983. The Obote government’s decision was intended to weaken the Banyankole, who were supporting his rebels, and it occurred during the Operation Bonanza massacre of 300,000 people. Many were dissatisfied with the government’s decision at the time since the pursued pastoralists were not compensated for their lost grazing pastures or provided additional resettling territory. The rangeland outside the par was constantly split into tiny parcels of land.
When the second Obote administration was ousted in 1985, the villagers forced the park authorities out of the park, reclaiming the gazetted area, damaging infrastructure, and murdering wildlife. The National Resistance Movement registered less than half of the park’s area in 1986. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including zebras, impalas, reedbucks, warthogs, elands, buffaloes, hippopotamus, leopards, jackals, and crocodiles, as well as over 350 bird species, including bill storks that are unique to the nation.
This is Uganda’s smallest national park, covering 370 km (100 square miles). Tourists may camp and stay in permanent tent constructions at this Uganda safari park. Hyenas, topis, and, most recently, Rothschild’s giraffes have been brought into the park; lions are rarely spotted, however, it is believed that just one may remain, leaving few natural predators. Lake Mburo lacks elephants to balance the vegetation; in the western part of the park, savanna woodlands coexist with rocky ridges and forested gorges, whereas many of the park’s other 13 lakes are covered by “Lush riparian woodland” at a 50-kilometre-long wetland system connected by a swamp; five of the lakes are on the lake borders.
The park is home to over 350 bird species, including crested francolins, brown parrots, common quails, bare-faced go-away birds, red-necked spur, southern red bishop, black-bellied bustard, African grey hornbill, green wood hoopoe, brown parrot, yellow-throated long claw, blue-napped mousebird, black-billed barbet, and many more. It also has the hidden eye-catching white-winged warbler, African fin foot, and swampy Shoebill stork.
Lake Mburo provides an incredible opportunity to observe leopards hunting, particularly during night game drives because they are much more active than during the day (nocturnal), but they also hunt during the day and hide their prey (hunt) up in the tree away from other predators, as well as to feed it to their young (cubs) or eat it later. With the lack of ferocious lions and elephants, the park provides a great setting for nature hikes and horseback riding to spot animals. Other activities include cycling tours.
Lake Mburo may be visited year-round; it is not just for visitors, allowing for gaming and sightseeing all year. During the dry season (June to August and December to February), animals are most visible around river banks, springs, and tiny drainages. During the wet season (April to May, as well as September and November), animals can be seen grazing in broad fields on new grass.
The major tale of Lake Mburo’s formation is tied to the “Ankole Myth.” It is thought that two brothers named “Kigarama and Mburo” resided in the valley basin. One day, Kigarama had a dream and shared it with his brother Mburo, advising him that they needed to migrate or move. Mburo was adamant about his brother’s ambition of migrating; Kigarama moved uphill, while Mburo stayed in the valley.
Mburo drowned one day in the flooded valley because he refused to listen to his brother. The lake was called after “Mburo” from that day forward, while the neighbouring hills were named after “Kigarama.” Before or after leaving the park, visit the “Igongo Cultural Centre,” which is located just 4 km from Sanga Gate and gives a unique display and overview of the “Banyakitara people,” who were previously the occupiers of Uganda’s Western subregion. Lake Mburo National Park features around 6 fish species, with tilapia being the dominating species, and most fishing takes place at the Mazinga fishing location.
Top Attractions:
- Game Drives: Spot zebras, impalas, elands, buffaloes, and giraffes.
- Boat Safaris: Explore Lake Mburo and view hippos, crocodiles, and diverse bird species.
- Horseback Safaris: Unique in Uganda, offering an intimate wildlife experience.
- Walking Safaris: Enjoy a guided nature walk through the savannah.
Accommodations:
- Budget: Rwakobo Rock.
- Luxury: Mihingo Lodge.
Lake Mburo is the first game park after crossing the Equator; it is also one of the attractions to see before visiting the park. The Equator passes through Uganda at latitude 0˚, with gravity water (souvenirs) and picture opportunities at the Equator signpost. Mihingo Lodge and Mantana Luxury Camp provide exquisite accommodations with outstanding service in Lake Mburo. There are three public campsites near the Rwonyo Park headquarters. Lake Mburo is accessible by air and road. By rod, it takes 4 hours to reach the park and 4 ½ hours from Kampala (the capital city).
SEMULIKI VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Semiliki Valley National Park is located in Uganda’s extreme western region; the forest spans from the Congo basin’s Ituris forest to the western arm of the vast East African rift valley. The forest is one of the oldest tropical woods that survived the previous ice age. You will see it on your Uganda safari to Semuliki Valley National Park.
Semiliki Forest is also East Africa’s unique low-land semideciduous forest. The park was initially designated as a wildlife reserve in 1932 and was upgraded to a national game park in 1993. The park has an area of 220 km squared. Semiliki National Park is located in Bwamba County, a rural part of Bundibugyo District in western Uganda. The national park was founded in 1993 and is one of Uganda’s newest national parks. It is a lowland tropical rainforest with diverse flora and animals. The Uganda Wildlife Authority also manages the park.
The park borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the Rwenzori Mountains in the southeast and Lake Albert in the north. The park borders the Lamia and Semuliki rivers, and this region provides water for numerous species. There are two hot springs, one is called Mumbuga Spring, which resembles a geyser and produces a fountain around 0.5m high.
Many animals depend on hot springs for salt. Albertine Rift Valley protects the park. Visitors may participate in game drives, bird viewing over the savannah, strolling through grassland along a 13-kilometre track, and visiting the Semuliki hot springs, which provide enough water to boil eggs and plant. Semiliki National Park is a separate environment located in the Albertine Rift.
Semuliki vegetation is primarily middle altitude wet evergreen to semi-forest. The trees in the marsh forest are evergreen. The park is home to approximately 60 animal species, including leopards, hippos, buffaloes, water, bush babies, elephants, and many more. The park has a positive socioeconomic impact on the human groups who reside nearby. The forest yields a variety of items, including vegetables, fruits, herbal remedies, bush meat, and construction materials, among others.
The population has risen by 3.4% each year. The density of agricultural output has expanded as a result of additional functions played in the forest, such as spiritual and cultural responsibilities among the locals. Semiliki National Park is home to a variety of fauna, including 27 indigenous mammal species such as pygmy antelope, odd water chevrotains, flying squirrels, buffaloes, galago, and many others. Semiliki also has a variety of primates, including Dent Mona monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, chimps, olive baboons, De Brazzas monkeys, and grey-cheeked monkeys.
Semiliki Valley National Park is home to around 441 bird species, 66% of which constitute all of the country’s forest birds, as well as 46 Guinea-Congo Biome species found nowhere else in Uganda. Birds in Semiliki include the red-billed dwarf, crested malimbe, orange-cheeked waxbill, white crested hornbill, leaf love, Nkulenga rail, yellow-throated cuckoo, African peculate, Capuchin babbler, blue-headed crested flycatcher, and many others.
The Semiliki hot springs are well-known throughout the park, and there are two of them: male and female hot springs. Bintente, the male hot spring, may reach heights of up to 8 metres, whereas Nyasimbi is the female hot spring. The locals used to cook their meals in these hot springs, and they had some strange beliefs and tales regarding their existence. Semiliki Valley National Park is bordered by many groups of people, including the Bakonjo who cultivate the Ruwenzori Mountain slopes, the Batuju livestock keepers, the Bamba farmers, and the Batwa, who hunt and gather near the forest’s edge. These various ensembles can perform local traditional dances, making your African safari unforgettable.
Top Attractions:
- Sempaya Hot Springs: Witness boiling springs with rich cultural significance.
- Birdwatching: Home to 400+ bird species, including rare forest birds.
- Game Drives: Spot elephants, buffaloes, and primates such as chimpanzees.
How to Get There:
- By Road: A 6-7 hour drive from Kampala.
Accommodations:
- Budget: Bumaga Camp.
- Luxury: Semuliki Safari Lodge.
MOUNT ELGON NATIONAL PARK
Mount Elgon National Park is located in eastern Uganda, rising to 4,321 metres above sea level. The mountain erupted about 24 million years ago and currently has the biggest surface area of any extinct volcano on Earth. Mount Elgon is shared between Uganda and Kenya, with the highest peak, Wagagai, being in Uganda. The mountain also has the world’s biggest crater, which covers an area of around 40 km square. The park has an area of 1,121 km². Mount Elgon is also a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, and the park is home to a variety of primate species and animals, including buffaloes, forest elephants, bushbucks, gigantic forest pigs, tiny antelopes, and many others. It’s a fantastic site for Uganda safari vacations.
Mount Elgon is an extinct shield volcano located on the Kenya-Uganda border, north of Kisumu and west of Kitale. The highest peak is known in the local language as “Wagagai,” and this area is in Uganda. Mount Elgon is a single volcanic peak in Kenya. Mount Elgon has a diameter of 80 km and reaches 3,070 metres above the surrounding lowlands. The cooler heights provide hot plains at higher altitudes, which serve as a home for wildlife and vegetation. Mountain Elgon is notable for having the greatest calderas in the world.
There are caverns in Mount Elgon, including the Kitum cave, Ngwarisha, Chepnyalil, and Makingeny, which are more than 60 metres wide and penetrate 200 metres. The caverns contain salt deposits, which are linked by elephants using their tusks to suck salt exposed by the walls. Hiking is the most popular tourist activity in Mount Elgon National Park; visitors may immerse themselves in the breathtaking splendour of picturesque vistas at Wagagai Peak and also explore the crater, encountering various tree species that cannot be seen elsewhere. Mount Elgon’s peak is accessible by three main trails: the Sasa trailhead, the Sipi trailhead, and the Piswa trailhead.
Trekking to Mount Elgon National Park takes around 5 – 6 days; all of the paths include camping areas along the way, as well as water supplies and toilets. Tourists are generally encouraged to bring camping equipment. Tourists who do not want to climb the top can walk for up to half a day on Mount Elgon, where they can see remarkable old Stone Age cave art, hot springs, and breathtaking vistas, making it one of Africa’s most stunning mountains. Mount Elgon has several lovely waterfalls, but the flowing Sipi Falls are the most popular. Tourists may trek three of the main Sipi waterfalls and have a picnic among the falls.
The Sabinyo and Bagishu people live on Mount Elgon’s mountainside. All of these communities have highly rich cultural beliefs and practices. For example, the Bagishu hold circumcision rites every year for young males who are considered to be nearing adulthood. The Kadodi dances are performed, and there is a lot to learn. The Sabiny also performs circumcisions on girls throughout adolescence. Mount Elgon National Park is home to approximately 300 species of birds, including lammergeyer, white-starred forest robin, Jackson’s francolin, alpine chat, Weyns weaver, mash widow bird, hunters cisticola, red-throated wryneck, black-collared apalis, and moustached green tinker bird, to name a few.
Top Attractions:
- Mountain Climbing: Hike to Wagagai Peak (4,321m) for panoramic views.
- Sipi Falls: A series of three stunning waterfalls ideal for relaxation and photography.
- Cave Exploration: Discover Kitum Cave, known for its salt-mining elephants.
How to Get There:
- By Road: A 5-6 hour drive from Kampala.
Accommodations:
- Budget: Mbale Resort Hotel.
- Mid-range: Sipi River Lodge.
KIBALE FOREST NATIONAL PARK
Kibale Forest National Park is located in western Uganda and covers an area of approximately 795 km square. The park has around 77 animal species, 13 primate species, 351 tree species, and 371 bird species reported. The park borders the well-known Queen Elizabeth National Park, establishing a 180-kilometre wildlife corridor between the Ishasha section of the park and Sebitoli in the north of Kibale. It’s an excellent location for Chimpanzee safari in Uganda.
The Kibale Forest National Park was created in 1993. Kibale National Park is the last one to have both montane and lowland forests. Kibale National Park borders a 180-kilometre wildlife corridor and is a significant eco-tourism and safari destination. The park is well-known for its habituated chimps and other primates, and the region also serves as a biological field station. There are two main groups of inhabitants in the park: Bakiga and Batooro. These groups rely on the parks for food; Kibale National Park is home to 14 species of primates, including L’Hoest’s monkey, colobus, blue monkey, black and white colobus, blue monkey, Ugandan red, and many more.
Chimpanzees are known to eat figs in Kibale National Park; other popular creatures include elephants, red and blue duikers, sitatungas, bushbucks, giant forest pigs, warthogs, buffaloes, and many others. There are carnivores such as African golden cats, servals, leopards, and mongooses. The park is home to several bird species, including the cuckoo, western tinker bird, olive long-tailed parrot, and grey parrot. Primates are abundant in Kibale National Park.
Attractions and Activities in Kibale National Park
This park is located in Kabarole district in the western portion of Uganda and spans an area of 776 km2. Kibale National Park was designated as a wildlife reserve in 1932 and became a national park in 1993 to safeguard a significant tract of forest. The park connects a continuous forest with Queen Elizabeth National Park, forming a wildlife corridor that includes eco-tourism and safari destinations. It is home to one of Uganda’s most stunning tropical forests, characterised by dense evergreen trees. Kibale National Forest’s wet tropical woods have roughly 229 kinds of trees. Cordia millenii, Entandrophragma angolense, and Lovoa swynnertonnii are three endangered wood species. The forest’s understory Palisota schweinfurthii and Pollia condensata are the most common shade-tolerant shrubs and herbs.
Top Attractions:
- Chimpanzee Trekking: The best place in Uganda to see chimpanzees.
- Chimpanzee Habituation Experience: Spend a full day with chimps.
- Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary: A haven for birdwatchers and primates.
- Crater Lake Hikes: Explore scenic volcanic crater lakes.
Accommodations:
- Budget: Kibale Guest Cottages.
- Mid-range: Primate Lodge Kibale.
- Luxury: Ndali Lodge, Kyaninga Lodge.
Bird viewing takes place at Kanyanchu in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, which is home to over 138 bird species. Several bird species can be seen while birding, including the Yellow-billed Barbet, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, White-spotted Fluff tail, Grey-winged Robin-chat, Black-crowned Waxbill, Brown-backed Scrub-robin, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Bocage’s Bush-shrike, White-breasted, Superb Sunbird, Black Bishop, and many others. This activity is completed early in the morning. This park is ideal for birding, and this excursion will round off your Kibale Safari vacation.
Hiking and nature hikes are often done at the Kanyanchu, which is located in the centre of the park. It is famous for the forest walk because of the nature of the forest, which consists of evergreen trees and deciduous trees, with evergreen species dominating the forest, where visitors can get a close look at and learn about the different fauna and flora species ranging from moist evergreen forest along the Fort Portal plateau, to dry tropical forest, which is moist semi-deciduous, and to woodland and savanna along the rift valley. Hiking and nature walks in the Kanyanchu are done early morning, when most of the primates, such as the chimp, can easily be visible, and late at night, Most of the animals are resting.
To witness nocturnal critters such as bush baby, nightjar, potto, cricket, and tree hyrax, as well as many other wild animals, tourists must utilise bright sports lights when walking at night.
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is situated in the southwestern portion of Uganda along the rim of the Western Arm Rift Valley and has an area of 331 km squared. Bwindi Forest is one of the oldest tropical woods that survived the ice era. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to the world’s surviving half of mountain gorillas, eleven primate species, 120 animal species, 200 butterfly species, 360 bird species, and around 320 tree species. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southwestern section of Uganda, near the Democratic Republic of the Congo border, adjacent to Virunga National Park, on the edge of the Albertine Rift. It’s an excellent destination for gorilla safaris in Uganda.
The park is a haven for chimps, colobus monkeys, white and black colobus monkeys like Turacos, and many more. Bwindi is home to mountain gorillas, who account for half of the world’s population. These endangered gorillas are divided into four gorilla sectors: Nkuringo, Rushaga, Buoma, and Ruhija, all of which were managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in 1964. The reserve was an animal farm designed to give extra protection for the Mountain Gorillas, which live in an impenetrable centre forest reserve with a total population of around 334. The park is a forest reserve and game sanctuary, the land is occupied by 330.8 square kilometres, and it protects a range of species, most notably the mountain gorillas, during the reclassification of The forest had a significant influence on the Batwa pygmy people, who were no longer allowed to enter the park and exploit a variety of resources.
Gorilla tracking is one of the top year-round hobbies; since its inception in 1993, it has been a famous tourist destination. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the oldest national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a plain wooded mountain with a range of altitudes from low to high in the park. It is one of East Africa’s richest faunal ecosystems, with an estimated 120 mammal species in the park, 11 of which are primates and around 45 small animals. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park does not have any mountain gorillas in captivity. These rare species were collected in the 1960s and 1970s to establish a captive facility, but no young gorillas survived, and none are known to be in captivity now. The Park is Gazetted as a national park in 1991 due to its biodiversity.
Access to the Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a 9-10 hour trip from Kampala; alternatively, travellers can fly into Rwanda and travel for about 4-5 hours, although the panoramic views from Kampala are well worth it. While visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, guests can stay in lodges such as Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Gorilla Mist Camp, Matana Tented Camp, Nshongi Camp, and many more, depending on their budget. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is best visited during the dry season, which runs from June to September and from December to February.
How to Get There:
- By Road: A 9-10 hour drive from Kampala.
- By Air: Flights available to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips.
Attractions in the Park.
Top Attractions:
- Gorilla Trekking: Track habituated gorilla families in the Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga sectors.
- Gorilla Habituation Experience: Spend up to four hours with gorillas.
- Birdwatching: Home to over 350 bird species, including Albertine Rift endemics.
- Nature Walks: Explore waterfalls, scenic trails, and primates like colobus monkeys.
Accommodations:
- Budget: Nshongi Camp, Buhoma Community Rest Camp.
- Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Rushaga Gorilla Camp.
- Luxury: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Bwindi Lodge.
Plan Your Uganda Safari Today!
Ready for an unforgettable adventure? Uganda offers a seamless safari circuit that allows you to experience the best of its national parks on a single trip. Combine gorilla trekking in Bwindi with game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park, or embark on an extended journey that includes the untouched wilderness of Kidepo Valley and the primate paradise of Kibale Forest. Lake Mburo makes for a perfect stopover to break up long drives while offering incredible walking safaris and horseback game viewing.
With Otter Africa Safaris, you can craft a customized itinerary that ensures you make the most of your time in Uganda. Whether you seek up-close encounters with mountain gorillas, the thrill of tracking the Big Five, or an adventurous trek through the Rwenzori Mountains, our expert guides and tailored safari packages guarantee an unparalleled experience. Contact us today and let us help you design the safari of your dreams!
