Uganda National parks
National parks are some of the most incredible and awe-inspiring places on earth, where visitors can experience the wonders of nature and immerse themselves in the beauty and majesty of the great outdoors. Whether you’re a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or simply someone looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, national parks offer a unique opportunity to connect with the natural world and appreciate its infinite wonders.
In Uganda, national parks take on an extra level of significance, as they provide a vital sanctuary for some of the world’s most endangered species, including gorillas, lions, and elephants. They also offer visitors the chance to learn about the country’s rich cultural heritage, from the traditional ways of life of local communities to the historic sites and landmarks that tell the story of Uganda’s past.
Whether you’re looking for a safari adventure, a chance to trek through dense forests in search of mountain gorillas, or simply a peaceful retreat in the heart of nature, Uganda’s national parks have something for everyone. So why not pack your bags and embark on a journey of discovery to these incredible and captivating places?
Mount Elgon National Park
This extinct volcano is one of Uganda’s oldest physical features, first erupting around 24 million years ago. Mt Elgon was once Africa’s highest mountain, far exceeding Kilimanjaro’s current 5,895m. Millennia of erosion have reduced its height to 4,321m,...
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The park was gazette in 1991 and was recognized as a World Heritage site in 1994 and a Ramsar site in 2008. Highest point: 5,109m above sea level on Mt Stanley’s Margherita Peak. The border with DR Congo bisects Mt. Stanley. The Rwenzori is not volcanic like East...
Semuliki National Park
c It is the only tract of true lowland tropical forest in East Africa, hosting 441 recorded bird species and 53 mammals. Large areas of this low-lying park may flood during the wet season, a brief reminder of the time when the entire valley lay at the bottom of a lake...
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Size: 33.7km2, making it Uganda’s smallest National Park. The park takes its name from “Gahinga” – the local word for the piles of volcanic stones cleared from farmland at the foot of the volcanoes. The British administration declared the area a game...
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls became one of Uganda’s first national parks in 1952 At Murchison Falls, the Nile squeezes through an 8m wide gorge and plunges with a thunderous roar into the “Devil’s Cauldron”, creating a trademark rainbow The northern section of...
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park spans the equator line; monuments on either side of the road marking the exact spot where it crosses latitude 00. Overview The park was founded in 1952 as Kazinga National Park and renamed two years later to commemorate a visit by Queen...
Lake Mburo National Park
Wetland habitats comprise 20% of the park’s surface The parks’ precarious past has seen wildlife virtually eliminated several times: firstly, in various attempts to rid the region of tsetse flies, then to make way for ranches, and finally as a result of...
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The Mubare gorilla group was the first to become available for tourism in Uganda in April 1993. Nine groups are now habituated for tourism, and one group for research. Spread over a series of steep ridges and valleys, Bwindi is the source of five major...
Kidepo Valley National Park
The park contains two rivers – Kidepo and Narus – which disappear in the dry season, leaving just pools for the wildlife. The local communities around the park include pastoral Karamojong people, similar to the Maasai of Kenya, and the IK, a hunter-gatherer tribe...