Uganda National Parks

Uganda national parks

Uganda is one of the Africans attractive countries, its known as “the pearl of Africa” after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill coined the phrase in reference to the country’s rich landscapes. Uganda is a country in East-Centra Africa, it borders Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania. Uganda is home to a startling array of natural wonders including Africa’s tallest mountain range, the source of the Nile, the world’s longest river and Africa’s largest lake as well as a home to the largest lake in Africa is part-located in Uganda. – Lake Victoria, also called Victoria Nyanza, has an area of about 69,484 sq km (26,828 sq mi). Uganda is also the world’s second-largest freshwater lake after Lake Superior in North America. Uganda is home to the UNESCO-listed Rwenzori Mountains National Park. The Rwenzori Mountains is the tallest mountain range in Africa and includes Africa’s third-highest mountain, Mount Margherita. The country is home to the longest world river known as River Nile and is known as the father of African rivers, it flows for 6,650km (4,132mi) and passes through 10 countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.

Uganda has ten national parks spread throughout several conservation zones. Uganda National Parks are home to a variety of attractions and reasons why many people visit Uganda in search of rewarding activities. The 10 Most Beautiful Uganda National Parks, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, and Kidepo Valley National Park. All of Uganda’s National Parks provide a true African safari experience with wildlife watching and trekking. Murchison Falls, Bwindi Impenetrable, Kidepo Valley, and Queen Elizabeth National Parks are among the best game parks in the world.

Murchison falls national park

Murchison falls national park is the Ugandans largest and oldest national park covering an area of approximately 3,893 square kilometres. stunning natural wonder situated in the northwestern park of Uganda covering districts of Kiryandogo, Masindi, Nwoya, Bilisa among others. Murchison falls national park in Uganda offers wildlife tours with about 76 mammal species including Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions, and Leopards. Almost 450 bird species can be seen in the park. Aquatic species, butterflies, reptiles, and many more species in the park. The park is a home of the world’s stunning waterfalls.

Mt Elgon national park

Mount Elgon national park is a home of the world’s largest volcanic bases 80 kilometres, Mount Elgon is a massive solitary volcanic mountain seated on the border of eastern Uganda and western Kenya in East Africa. Mount Elgon is an extinct volcano and one of Uganda’s oldest physical features, estimated to first erupt around 24 million years ago. Mount Elgon has the largest surface area of any extinct volcano in the world (50km by 80km), and the second-highest peak in Uganda. The Ugandan part of the park was gazetted in 1992, while the Kenyan part was gazetted much earlier in 1968. The entire park was declared as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Mount Elgon national park is surrounded by mountainous stunning landscape and its cool heights offer respite for humans from the hot plans below and its higher altitude provide refuge for flora and fauna. Mount Elgon is also hosting about 300 bird species, including the endangered Lammergeyer, small antelopes, forest monkeys, elephants as well as buffaloes. and is surrounded by the tribes of the Bagisu and Sabiny that you can visit for a cultural tour.

Bwindi impenetrable national park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is situated in the misty valleys Kabale, Southwestern Uganda. It lies within the Albertine Rift and covers an area of 331 square kilometres. Bwindi is mainly comprised of the montane and lowland forest and reachable on foot. The park lies between altitude 1160 and 2607 meters above sea level. It straddles within several steep slopes and valleys which make the Eastern edge of the Albertine Rift Valley. The park receives an average rainfall of about 1500mm and it is a major water catchment area, source of 5 main Rivers that flow into Lake Albert. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is a UNESCO Heritage Site. Bwindi Impenetrable national park was gazetted as national park in 1964 as an animal sanctuary mainly to offer protection to the critically endangered mountain gorillas and it was renamed Impenetrable Central Forest Reserve. The park is a home of the largest remaining world’s population of the mountain gorillas. Bwindi forest national park is alos a home to over 120 mammal species including forest elephants, 360 species of birds but surprisingly over 23 of them are endemic to the Albertine Rift, 14 not recorded anywhere else in Uganda including the white-tailed blue flycatcher, Brown necked parrot and Fraser’s eagle owl, the African green broad bill; Cream banded swallowtail, 1000 flowering plants, 163 tree species and 104 fern species.

Queen Elizabeth national park

Queen Elizabeth is one of the Uganda’s understandably national parks and the most popular tourist destination, the park is the second largest country’s national parks and was gazetted in 1952. the park is also one of the largest protected areas in Uganda, the park covers an area of approximately 1, 978 square kilometres. The park extends from lake George in the northeast to lake Edward in the southwest and includes the Kazinga Channel connecting the two lakes. Queen Elizabeth Park is known for its wildlife viewing, including African buffalo, Ugandan Kob, hippopotamus, giant forest hog, warthog, Nile crocodile, African bush elephant, African leopard, lion, and chimpanzee. It is home to 95 mammal species and over 500 bird species. The area around Ishasha in Rukungiri District is famous for its tree-climbing lions.

Mgahinga gorilla national park

Mgahinga gorilla national park is part of the largest ecosystem, the park is the Ugandans smallest national park located in the southwest province of Uganda in Kisoro district boarding volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in the democratic republic of Congo. The park is park of the Virunga conservation area covering an area of about 434 square kilometres as was gazetted as national part in 1991 mainly to protect the world’s prized fascinating mountain gorillas. Mgahinga gorilla national park is a home of 76 mammal species including forest elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, black fronted duikers, giant forest hogs, golden cats, primate species like the endangered mountain gorillas, golden monkeys and over 184 bird species.

Kidepo valley national park

Kidepo valley national park is one of the magnificent national parks in Uganda located in the remote Karamoja region in Kaabong district between Uganda and South Sudan border.  Kidepo valley national park is the country’s third largest national park and was gazetted in 1958 due to its beautiful and breathtaking landscape and abundant wildlife species. The park covers a total of an area of 1442 square kilometres and is comprised of savannah vegetation, hills, valleys like Kidepo and Narus valley, Mount Morungole among others. The park houses about 77 mammal species, 475 bird species several reptiles, and flora such as smallest antelope, cheetahs, ostriches, Karamoja Apalis are endemic to Kidepo Valley National Park

Rwenzori national park

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a remarkable Ugandan national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Rwenzori Mountains he parks covers an area of approximately 1,000 km² (386 sq mi), making it one of the largest national parks in Uganda. It lies in the south-western part of Uganda, along the eastern side of the western (Albertine) African rift valley. The park shares a border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park for about 50 km (31 mi). The Rwenzori Mountains National Park boasts glaciers, snowfields, waterfalls, and pristine lakes. Its plant life is particularly remarkable, with unique alpine vegetation. The mountains are higher than the Alps and are ice-capped.

Kibale forest national park

Kibale national park is the most magnificent of Uganda’s tropical forest and one of the most rewarding protected areas to explore. The park covers an area of about 795 kilometres and its famously known for hosting over 13 captivating primates including the fascinating chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, bush babies, pottos, mammals like forest elephants, buffaloes, bush pigs, duikers and over 375 bird species. Kibale forest national park offers a number of activities that tourists can engage in during the safari including, chimpanzee trekking, nature walks, birding, cultural encounters among others.

Semliki national park

Semliki National Park is one of the less known national parks in Uganda. It is situated in Bwamba County, a remote part of the Bundibugyo District, in western Uganda. The park covers 220 square kilometres and lies at an altitude of 670-760m above sea level.  Semliki National Park is both savanna and forest. According to Uganda Parks, it was first gazetted as a Forest Reserve in 1932 and gained its status as national park in 1993 making its the newest national park in Uganda. The forest is part of the vast Ituri Forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is the reason why the park hosts a good number of forest animals including chimpanzees, forest elephants.  Semliki National Park is both savanna and forest and the forest is part of the vast Ituri Forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is the reason why the park hosts a good number of forest animals including chimpanzees, forest elephants

Lake Mburo national park

Lake Mburo national park is the smallest national park in Uganda. The park is situated in the western region of Uganda, Lake Mburo is a relatively young lake that was formed around 10,000 years ago, it covers an area of approximately 260 square kilometres.  Lake Mburo National Park is teeming with diverse wildlife, including zebras, impalas, buffaloes, hippos, and over 300 bird species. The park is known for its population of zebras, making it one of the few places in Uganda where you can see these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Visitors to Lake Mburo national park can embark on exciting game drives to spot wildlife or experience the thrill of a walking safari accompanied by an armed ranger.