1. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park 

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of the most commonly visited Uganda national parks when on a Uganda safari. The park is located in Kisoro district in south western Uganda, lying at the edge of the Great Rift Valley.

The park was established in 1991 as part of the conservation effort to save the gorillas. It covers an area of 321 square kilometers.

Today, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is famous for being home to the highest population of the critically endangered mountain gorillas.

This park has about 459 gorillas, which is about one-third of the world’s mountain gorillas, estimated to be approximately 1000. These are worth seeing on a Uganda gorilla trekking safari.

Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo are home to other gorillas of the same type.

Bwindi NP has four gorilla trekking sectors and over 25 habituated gorilla groups. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site because of its large population of gorillas and its diverse ecosystem.

Like the rest of the other national parks in Uganda, Bwindi National Park is under the management of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Amazing Things to See at Bwindi National Park

Apart from the gorillas, which are the main attraction, other highlights in the park include.

• Over 120 mammal species, including forest elephants, duikers, bush pigs, giant forest hogs, side-striped jackals, and primates like the black and white colobus monkey
• Over 350 avian species, including the 23 Albertine Rift endemics like the African Green Broadbill and Shelley’s Crimsonwing
• About 200 tree species, including African brown mahogany, Brazzeia longipedicellata, and others.
• Around 310 butterfly species
• Over 50 reptile species, including lizards, geckos, and others
• Over 27 amphibians, e.g., cinnamon-bellied reed frog, brown reed frog, etc.
• The Batwa pygmies

Fun Things to Do at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Gorilla trekking safaris occur in four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga.

• Participate in a birding safari to observe some of the 350 avian species.
• Game viewing, where visitors spend time spotting and viewing different animals in the park.
• Visiting the Batwa for cultural experiences
• Nature walking safari where you get time to see different plants, some with medicinal properties, bird nests, and other things.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Lodges

These include Buhoma Lodge, Gorilla Leisure Lodge, Four Gorillas Lodge, and Bwindi Lodge.

Best Time to Visit Bwindi NP 

The drier months (June to August and December to February) are the best time to visit Bwindi NP for interesting activities like gorilla trekking and many more. However, the park can still be visited during the rainy season for gorilla tracking, though not with much ease, like when it is the hot season.

2. Queen Elizabeth National Park 

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most famous and commonly visited of all the national parks of Uganda, located in Kasese district in south western Uganda, which awaits to be explored on your Uganda vacation.

It was gazetted in 1952 first as the Kazinga channel but later renamed as Queen Elizabeth NP in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth of England, who visited Uganda on 28–30 April 1954.

It is the second-largest game park after Murchison Falls NP, covering an area of 1978 km², and it rises at an altitude of 1300m above sea level, marked by the explosion craters.

The park is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and high biodiversity, which is evident in numerous wildlife, among others.

Interesting Things to See at Queen Elizabeth National Park

The park is famous for the following tourist attractions that are worth seeing on a Uganda wildlife safari.

• Over 95 mammal species, including elephants, hippos, African leopards, tree climbing lions in the Ishasha sector, and 10 species of primates
• Freshwater lakes like Lake Bunyonyi
• Crater lakes like Lake Katwe evaporation pans
• Vast savannah plains
• Numerous tree species, including the acacia trees
• Over 500 bird species, including the rare shoebill stork, Great Blue Turaco, and Grey Crowned Crane, are worth seeing on a Uganda bird watching safari.

Activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Among the interesting things to do are

• Safari drives, especially at Mweya peninsula, to track the different wildlife species in the park.
• Bird watching to spot different beautiful birds
• Tracking tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector
• Hiking to different water sources, like Lake Katwe, among others.
• Research at Kasenyi plains
• Boat trips at the Kazinga boat landing site

Top Accommodation Options at Queen Elizabeth NP 

These include Elephant Hub Lodge, White House Lodge, Katara Lodge, Enganzi Lodge, and Kyambuya Lodge, among others.

Best Time to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park 

The drier months are the best time to visit the park since they favour most of the outdoor activities, such as game viewing, because that is when most animals gather around water sources.

3. Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park is another popular travel destination among the Uganda national parks that must not be missed on a Uganda trip.

It is located in the western part of Uganda in Kabarole district, covering an area of 321 kilometers, and it rises between 1,160m and 2,607m above sea level.

Kibale National Park is commonly referred to as the primate capital of the world because of the high concentration of chimpanzees. This makes it an outstanding park for Uganda chimpanzee trekking safaris.

The park is home to over 1500 chimpanzees out of the 5000 that are estimated to be in Uganda.

The high population of chimpanzees makes it the best destination for chimpanzee tracking, especially in Kanyancu, where travelers enjoy following these primates as they swing through the forest canopy.

Top Things to See at Kibale Forest NP

In addition to the 1500 chimpanzees, which are categorized into 12 groups by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, other attractions include

• Other primates include baboons and monkeys like the white and colobus monkeys, among others.
• Over 120 mammal species like leopards, serval cats, African forest elephants, and bushbuck, among others.
• Around 370 bird species, including the 23 Albertine Rift endemics.
• Over 351 tree species, including Cordia millenii, Entandrophragma angolense, and Lovoa swynnertonnii, among others
• Kibale tropical forests, which present the beautiful scenery of the park

Interesting Things to Do in Kibale Forest National Park 

Interesting things to do in Kibale National Park include

• Chimpanzee trekking to see the chimps as they swing in the forest canopy, as they associate with one another
• Chimpanzee habituation, which allows you to have ample time to study the chimps as they become accustomed to human presence.
• Monkey trekking to enjoy these primates as they swing in the forest
• Birding tours at Bigodi Wetlands
• Crater Lake tours
• Nature walks to explore the park’s ecosystem, especially the plant species.

Top Accommodation Options near Kibale National Park 

Accommodation options for a favourable overnight stay include Lake Nyamirima Cottages, Chimpanzee Forest Lodge, Crater Safari Lodge, Kibale, Primate Lodge Kibale National Park, among others.

Best Time to Visit Kibale National Park 

The drier months are the best time to visit this park for safari activities like chimp tracking and others. However, minimal activities, like chimpanzee habituation, can still be done during the rainy season.

4. Murchison Falls National Park 

Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest game park, covering an area of about 3,893 km², and it lies at an altitude of 127 metres above sea level.

The park’s good location makes it home to abundant wildlife and a picturesque landscape, which makes it one of the top-visited game parks on a Uganda holiday.

This park was first established as a game reserve in 1926 and later gazetted as Kabalega National Park in 1952. Its name was later changed due to its location around Murchison Falls, which flows from the Victoria Nile.

The Murchison Falls, the main attraction in Murchison Falls NP, make it one of the most beautiful national parks in Uganda, where visitors travel to enjoy both wildlife viewing and the roaring falls.

The most captivating part of the falls is when you see them squeezing through the eight-meter gorge and falling thunderously into the Devil’s Cauldron.

The park is divided into the southern and the northern hemispheres by the River Nile as it flows across the rift valley floor, pouring into Lake Albert.

Tourist Attractions at Murchison Falls National Park 

Top tourist attractions at the Murchison NP include

• The powerful Murchison Falls, which is the park’s main attraction that is worth seeing on a Uganda adventure safari
• Over 555 bird species, including the 23 Albertine rift endemics like the Secretary Bird, Giant kingfisher, rare shoebill stork, White Crested Turaco, and Osprey, among others
• Over 144 mammal species, including elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, lions, leopards, and hippos, among others.
• Over 51 amphibian species, including frogs and toads, among others
• About 51 reptile species are present, including Nile crocodiles, snakes, and lizards, among others.

Safari Activities at Murchison Falls National Park 

Interesting safari activities include

• Safari drives, which may include day safari drives and night game drives to see the nocturnal animals.
• Chimp tracking in Budongo Forest
• Visiting the top of the falls
• Guided nature walks to see different attractions that one may miss on a game drive
• Boat cruises on the Victoria Nile River
• Bird watching to spot the different avian species.

Where to Stay Near Murchison Falls NP?

The best accommodation options include Bakers Lodge, Red Chilli Lodge, Murchison Motels, and Nile Safari Lodge, among others.

Best Time to Visit Murchison Falls NP

For interesting safari activities without disruptions, Murchison Falls NP should be visited during the hot season. However, it is open even during the wet season, especially for travelers with a low budget, since during the wet season, the costs are always low.

5. Kidepo Valley National Park

Kidepo Valley National Park, covering an area of 1442 km² and lying at an altitude between 914m and 2,750 m, is another top national park visited by travelers on a Uganda safari.

It is an isolated national park with a secluded location in north eastern Uganda in Kabongo district near the South Sudan and Kenya Uganda border.

Despite its remoteness, Kidepo Valley NP is considered one of the most beautiful national parks in Uganda, given its abundant wildlife species and the vast open savannah plains.  These make it the perfect place for wildlife safaris in Uganda.

This game park was first established as a game reserve in 1958 by the British colonial government and later upgraded to a game park in 1962.

Kidepo Valley NP is often called the remote wilderness of East Africa because it is hard to reach, separately located far away from other game parks.

Though it is remote, it is one of the few game parks offering game drives when on a wildlife safari.

Things to See at Kidepo Valley National Park

• Wild animals, including elephants, buffalo, lions, antelopes, Jackson’s hartebeest, spotted hyenas, cheetahs, and many other species
• Local communities like the Karamojong and the IK people
• Mount Morungole
• Kidepo Valley, which harbors numerous avian species worth seeing on a Uganda birding tour
• Kanangorok hot springs, which are adjacent to the Kidepo River
• Lomej hills, which are located a few kilometers from the park headquarters
• Narus Valley, which has the Narus River that acts as a permanent source of water in the area.

Interesting Things to Do at Kidepo Valley National Park 

• Game drives to spot various wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, and antelopes, as well as other animals.
• Cultural tours to have interactions with the Karamojong and the IK people, where you will study their way of life, fruit gathering, and hut building, among others
• Nature walks to see the different attractions, e.g., hills and mountains, animal habitats, bird nests, and trees with medicinal properties that one may miss during a game.
• Bird watching to spot different avian species

Where to Stay Near Kidepo Valley National Park?

The best lodges to book for your overnight stay include Katurumu Lodge, Mara Safari Lodge, Apaka Safari Lodge, Mara Safari Lodge, and Zebra Safari Lodge, among others.

Best Time to Visit Kidepo Valley National Park

The hot season is the best time to visit the park since it favors some of the commonly done activities, like safari drives and nature walks, among others.

6. Lake Mburo National Park

Lake Mburo National Park is one of the small national parks in Uganda, covering an area of 260km² between 1220m and 1828m above sea level.

It is the nearest Game Park to Kampala, located in Nyabushozi County in Kiruhura district.

Since L. Mburo is part of the park, the wetland habitats make up 20% of the park’s surface. A swamp links Lake Mburo and other lakes to form a 50-kilometer wetland system, which supports the high population of hippos, buffalo, and warthogs.

This park offers different means of game viewing, which include using safari vehicles, a boat, a bike, or a horse.

Tourist Attractions at Lake Mburo National Park     

.        Lake Mburo National Park is the only park with impalas in Uganda. Other wildlife animals include buffalo, antelopes, zebras, horses, and giraffes, as well as predators like leopards, lions, hyenas, and jackals, among others.

• Crocodiles basking on the banks of L. Mburo when on a boat cruise
• Over 350 bird species, including Egyptian Goose, White-backed Duck, Knob-billed Duck, Thalassornis leuconotus, Sarkidiornis melanotos, Alopochen aegyptiaca
• Primates are like Vervet monkeys and Baboons.
• Rubanga forest
• Lakes, like Lake Mburo, Lake Kachera, Lake Kibigwa, and Lake Kigambira, among others.

Tourist Activities to Do at Lake Mburo National Park

• Birding, especially around lake Mburo, Lake Kachera, Lake Kibigwa, and Lake Kigambira

.         Boat cruises on Lake Mburo that provide an opportunity to explore and view other attractions that are not accessible through other means.

• Horseback riding, allowing visitors to explore different parts of the park and observe various animals while on horseback.
• Nature walks to explore the stunning landscapes and see other attractions on foot.
• Mountain biking
• Community tours are mostly done when visiting the communities around the lakes.

Where to Stay Near Lake Mburo National Park? 

The best accommodations include Arcadia Rock Lodge, Kigambira Safari Lodge, and Mihingo Lodge, among others.

Best Time to Visit Lake Mburo National Park

The best time to visit this park is during the hot season, which favors most of the outdoor activities in the park.

7. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park 

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is another national park in Uganda worth visiting on a safari in Uganda.

The park is famous for being home to critically endangered mountain gorillas, although their population is smaller than that found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Mgahinga National Park is a small game park found in south western Uganda in Kisoro District, covering an area of 33.9 km², lying at an altitude between 2,227m and 4,127m above sea level.

It is the only national park of Uganda that is found in the Virunga conservation area/Virunga mountains.

The park was first established as a sanctuary in 1930, and it was later upgraded to a game park in 1991 for its great efforts in conserving gorillas.

Today, Mgahinga National Park is home to over 30 gorillas, worth seeing when on a gorilla trekking tour in Uganda.

Mgahinga National Park has one transboundary gorilla family/group, which is the Nyakagezi gorilla family. Silverback Mark and his brother Mafia currently lead this family.

Other Tourist Attractions in Mgahinga National Park

• Over 30 gorillas

.         Other primate species, including golden monkeys, white and colobus monkeys, and other primates

• About 76 mammals, including African bush elephants, giant forest hogs, buffalo, leopards, and bush pigs
• Avian species, including the White-starred robin, regal sunbird, Brown-crowned tchagra, Cape Robin-chat, strange weavers, Dusky turtle dove, and Lagden’s bushshrike, among others
• Virunga mountains

Top Things to Do at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

• Gorilla trekking to see the gorillas in their natural habitat.
• Golden monkey trekking to see these monkeys as they swing in the forest canopy
• Golden monkey habituation to spend some good time conducting research and studying the behavior of golden monkeys
• Batwa community visits for cultural encounters
• Nature walking tours to explore different parts of the park on foot
• Birding tours

Best Accommodation Options around Mgahinga NP 

These include Ingagi Park View, Amakoro Songa Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Mt. Muhabura Climber Rest Camp, etc.

Best Time to Visit Mgahinga National Park

The best time to visit Mgahinga NP is the drier months (June to August and December to February), for it is ideal for trekking through the forest with gentle giants.  However, the activity can still be done during the wet season, though with less ease.

8. Rwenzori Mountains National Park 

Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a top destination commonly visited when on Uganda mountain trekking safaris & tours. This Uganda national park, which is located in the Bundibugyo district, covers an area of approximately 996 km².

It was designated a game park in 1991 and declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 1994, and later in 2008, it was made a Ramsar site.

The Rwenzori Mountains are also referred to as the Mountains of the Moon because of the Greek explorer Ptolemy, who, due to their snow-capped peaks, which they thought, along with local traditions, that they were the source of the Nile River and shimmered like the moon.

Mount Rwenzori has the highest altitude in the country, at the Margherita peak, rising to 5109 meters above sea level.

Amazing Things to See at the Rwenzori Mountains National Park

• The Rwenzori mountains, which are worth climbing on mountain climbing tours in Uganda.
• The Rwenzori snow peaks
• Over 70 mammal species, including forest elephants
• Primates, e.g., chimpanzees, Colobus and L’Hoest’s monkeys, and Hyrax
• Rwenzori lakes, e.g., Lake Mahoma, Lake Bujuku, Lake Kitandara,
• Over 217 avian species, including the Albertine endemic birds, e.g., the Rwenzori turaco, Red Faced Woodland Warbler, the Rwenzori Double-Collared Sunbird, Rwenzori Batis

Safari Activities to Do at the Rwenzori Mountains National Park

And the top things safari activities include

• Mountain climbing
• Wildlife viewing
• Bird watching
• Community tours to villages around the park

Best Accommodation Options near The Rwenzori Mountains NP

Rwenzori Travelers Inn, Ruboni Community Camp, Geolodge Equator Snow Lodge, and Rwenzori Trekkers Hostel, among others

Best Time to Visit the Rwenzori Mountains NP 

The drier months (June to August and December to February) are the best time to visit the Rwenzori Mountains NP since the weather favors mountain climbing, which is one of the most popular activities. During the drier months, hiking trails are not slippery.

9. Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon National Park is another destination for mountain trekking safaris in Uganda.

It is an isolated national park, located in eastern Uganda in Mbale district on the Kenya-Uganda border. Mount Elgon NP covers an area of 1279 km² in Uganda, while the side of Kenya covers an area of 169 km².

Mount Elgon’s peak stands at a height of 4321 meters, thereby ranking as the eighth-highest mountain in Africa.

It is one of Uganda’s oldest physical features, with the largest mountain caldera in the world spanning 4000 km², and its eruption is believed to have happened a million years ago.

Though Mount Elgon is famous for mountain climbing safaris, the place has various plants and animals that can be seen while on your Mount Elgon hike.

Top Things to See at Mount Elgon National Park 

• Mt. Elgon and its large caldera
• Sipi falls
• Hot springs, gorges, and plunging cliffs
• Over 300 bird species, including rare species like the Baglafecht Weaver, Jackson’s Francolin, and Black-collared Apalis. Other species include the Tacazze Sunbird, Olive-naped Pigeon, and Golden-winged, among others.
• Mammal species include antelopes, Elephants, buffalo, bush pigs, waterbucks, black and white colobus monkeys, Blue Monkeys, and baboons, among others.
• Tree species that form the dense forests, which include Elgon teak (Olea welwitschii) and giant heather (Erica arborea), among others.

Fun Things to Do at Mount Elgon NP

Things to do at Mount Elgon NP include

• Hiking to the summit of Mt. Elgon
• Visiting caves like Kitum Cave, Chepnyalil Cave, Ngwarisha Cave, and Makingeny Cave
• Game viewing, especially along the slopes of the mountain
• Bird watching to see some of the 300 bird species
• Camping on the top of the volcano
• Nature walks around the mountain to see different flora and fauna
• Mountain biking. This activity was launched by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in 2012.

Where to Stay Near Mount Elgon National Park? 

Among the places to stay are Casa Del Turista and Wash and Wills Hotel, among others.

Best Time to Visit Mount Elgon NP

The dry season (June to August and December to February) is the best time to visit Mount Elgon NP since the weather favors mountain climbing, which is one of the most popular activities.

10. Semuliki National Park 

Semuliki National Park is one of Uganda’s national parks that is known for excellent bird watching. It’s commonly visited by visitors on a Uganda birding tour.

Semuliki NP is in Bundibugyo district in western Uganda. It was first gazetted as a reserve in 1932 and later established as a game park in 1933.

The park covers an area of 220 km² lying across the floor of the Semuliki valley west of the Rwenzori Mountains. A Uganda safari to Semuliki NP can be combined with a trip to the Rwenzori Mountains NP.

Semuliki NP has a lowland tropical rainforest that is one of the most biodiverse spots in all of Africa because it lies at the intersection of several climatic and ecological zones.

Tourist Attractions at Semuliki National Park 

• Over 441 avian species, including the spot-breasted ibis, Congo Serpent Eagle, and Chestnut Flamed Goshawk, among others.
• Diverse wild animals, including pygmy hippos, crocodiles, and Uganda Kob, among others
• Over 235-month species
• About 300 butterflies
• Semuliki River
• Lake Albert
• Hot springs (Sempaya hot springs)
• Primates like vervet monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and olive baboons, among others.

Tourist Activities at Semuliki National Park

• Bird watching
• Game viewing
• Primate tracking
• River cruises on River Semuliki
• Visiting the Batwa communities for Cultural tours and seeing how the Batwa have transformed since many of them were evicted from the forest.

Best Accommodation Options near Semuliki NP

These include Semuliki Safari Lodge, Kyaninga Royal Cottage, and Green Home Cottage & Campsite.

Best Time to Visit Semuliki National Park 

The best time to visit this park is during the dry season, since most of the roads leading there are dry. However, since Semuliki NP is a birder’s haven, it can still be visited during the wet season to see the migratory birds.

What to Pack for a Trip to Uganda National Parks?

The following are some of the essential items that you must travel with for a Uganda safari in different Uganda national parks.

Travel documents

A valid passport, medical certificates, driver’s license, among others

Electronics

Camera, binoculars, power bank, charger, and extra battery

Clothing (what to wear)

Both long- and short-sleeved shirts, long trousers, a sun hat, and walking shoes/hiking shoes

Toiletries

Toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, insect repellent, moisturizer, deodorant, etc.

Medications

Medicine, like painkillers and others, as prescribed by your doctor

Other items

snacks, a reusable water bottle, a notebook, etc.

Uganda National Parks (FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Is the Most Visited National Park? /What Is the Most Visited National Park in Uganda?

Queen Elizabeth National Park is the most visited national park in Uganda because of its diverse ecosystems, evident in unique flora and fauna, its open savannah, and the stunning rainforests, among other attractions worth seeing on a Uganda holiday.

2. How Many National Parks Are in Uganda?

There are 10 of the most beautiful national parks in Uganda. These include

• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Murchison Falls National Park
• Kibale National Park
• Kidepo Valley National Park
• Lake Mburo National Park
• Rwenzori Mountains National Park
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
• Mount Elgon National Park
• Semuliki National Park

3. What’s The Largest National Park in Uganda? /Which Is the Largest National Park in Uganda?

Murchison Falls National Park is the largest game park in Uganda, covering an area of 3,840 square kilometers (2,386 square miles) in the northwest of the country.

4. What Is the Best Wildlife Park in Uganda?

Queen Elizabeth national Park is considered one of the best Uganda national parks since it supports a variety of wildlife, vast savannah, wetlands, and forests.

5. What Is the Smallest National Park in Uganda?

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park in Uganda, covering an area of about 33.7 km².

6. Which Game Park in Uganda Is Famous for Mountain Gorillas? 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Kisoro district is Uganda’s game park famous for mountain gorillas, with about 459 individuals, which is approximately one-third of the remaining species in the world. The park has 25 habituated gorilla families for travelers to explore on gorilla treks.

Come on an exciting Uganda tour to uncover the wonders of Uganda national parks. Delight in the charm of tourist attractions and engage in thrilling activities. Create unforgettable memories in the pearl of Africa.