Uganda best safari parks : Uganda best safari park lists the different national parks around the country and the unique attractions found there. There are 10 national parks found across Uganda and also about 12 wildlife reserves which include Toro Semliki reserve, Katonga reserve, Ajai reserve, Bugungu, Karuma, Kigezi, Kyambura, Pian Upe reserve, Matheniko, Bokora, Kabwoya among others where wildlife species can be seen.
Best Wildlife safari parks in Uganda
Uganda is home to a variety of wildlife species including four of the big five such as elephants, lions, leopards and buffalos among others which can be seen in the national parks listed below;
- Murchison falls national park
Murchison falls national park is the oldest national park in Uganda gazetted in 1926 and is also one of the best places for a wildlife safari.
The national park is also the largest national park in Uganda covering about 3840 square kilometers with diverse habitat where wildlife species such as giraffes, lions, elephants, leopards, buffalos, hippos, Uganda kobs, antelopes can be seen during safaris.
Wildlife species in Murchison falls national park can be spotted in areas such as around the water shores of the Victoria Nile, the northern sector of the park, around the savannah and woodlands. There are over 144 species of mammals found in the park as well as over 560 bird species.
During the search for wildlife species around Murchison falls national park, tourists take part in activities such as morning and afternoon game drives, boat safaris, bird watching, chimpanzee tracking in Budongo forest reserve, hiking to the top of the falls, viewing the Murchison falls.
- Queen Elizabeth national park
Another safari park to visit in Uganda is Queen Elizabeth national park which covers about 1978 square kilometers.
Queen Elizabeth national park is located in Kasese district and was founded in 1952 and is crossed by the equator line and has a scenic backdrop of the Rwenzori mountains. Different wildlife and bird species are found in the national park and can be seen during safaris.
Wildlife species spotted around Queen Elizabeth national park during safaris include tree climbing lions, elephants, buffalos, leopards, side stripped jackals,
Habitat for the wildlife species in Queen Elizabeth national park include the open savannah, woodlands, the Kasenyi plains, the Kazinga channel, Mweya peninsular, Kyambura gorge and also around the ishasha sector.
- Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park is another place to visit during wildlife safaris in Uganda and it is located in the north eastern part of the country covering about 1442 square kilometers.
There are numerous wildlife species found in the remote Kidepo national park which is home to wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, lions, Uganda kobs, buffalos, cheetahs, reedbucks, dik dik, kudu, hartebeests, oribi, elands, klipspringers among others.
Activities to do during safaris in Kidepo national park include game drives, guided nature walks, community tours with tribes like the Karamojong and the Ik, hiking and also bird watching.
- Lake Mburo national park
Lake Mburo national park is one of the small safari parks in Uganda and it covers about 370 square kilometers.
Wildlife species in Lake Mburo national park include zebras, hippos, impalas, Uganda kob, waterbucks, elands, leopards, hyenas among others. During safaris in the national park, wildlife species can be spotted around Lake Mburo, the savannah plains and woodlands.
There are about 315 bird species found in Lake Mburo national park and activities to do around the park include game drives, horse riding, boat rides, bird watching, cycling, guided nature walks and also community tours.
- Semuliki national park
Semuliki national park covers about 220 square kilometers and is home to different wildlife and many bird species.
Attractions found in the national park include the Sempaya hot springs and also the Semuliki river as well as different primates such as black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys among others.
Best Primate safari parks in Uganda
Uganda is home to many primate species including chimpanzees, mountain gorillas, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, golden monkeys, baboons, L’hoest monkeys among others which can be seen at safari parks which include the following;
- Bwindi national park
Bwindi national park is home to the mountain gorillas in Uganda which can be seen across the impenetrable rain forest.
The park covers about 321 square kilometers and is home to many gorillas which can be seen in Rushaga sector, Buhoma sector, Ruhija sector and Nkuringo sector. Over 21 gorilla groups are found in Bwindi national park.
- Mgahinga national park
Mgahinga national park is another safari park in Uganda where primates can be encountered during safaris.
Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys can be seen during tours in Mgahinga national park which is located in south western Uganda.
- Kibale national park
Kibale national park is also known as the primate capital of the world and is home to the chimpanzees in Uganda.
The forests of Kibale national park are home to over 13 primate species as well as a variety of bird species which can be seen during activities such as chimpanzee tracking, chimpanzee habituation, bird watching, guided nature walks, and also community tours.
Best national parks for hiking in Uganda
Of the different national parks in Uganda, the best safari parks for hiking include the following;
- Rwenzori mountains national park
Rwenzori mountains national park covers about 996 square kilometers and the highest mountain in Uganda is found at the destination.
Hiking is a popular activity done in the national park to the summit of the Rwenzori mountains and the highest peak on the mountain is the Margherita peak at an altitude of 5109 meters. Some or the trails used to climb the mountain include the Central circuit trail, the Kilembe trail and the Bukurungu trail.
- Mount Elgon national park
Another popular hiking destination in Uganda is the Mount Elgon which is found in Mount Elgon national park located in eastern Uganda on the border with Kenya.
Mount Elgon is at an altitude of 4321 meters and is known for the world’s largest mountain caldera.
