Lake Mburo National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda
Mount Elgon national park
Kidepo valley national park
Mgahinga gorilla national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park
National parks of Uganda are the popular tourist destinations around the country. Uganda is an East African country which is also referred to as the Pearl of Africa. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is in charge of managing the 10 national parks of Uganda as well as the wildlife reserves found around the different parts of Uganda. The national parks in Uganda to visit during Uganda safaris around the country include the following;
Murchison falls national park
Located in the north western part of Uganda, Murchison falls national park is a famous safari destination in Uganda. Murchison falls national park is found in the Albertine rift valley and it is the oldest and largest national park in Uganda. The national park used to be referred to as Kabalega national park by the locals. There are over 76 wildlife species and about 450 bird species which can be seen when visiting Murchison falls national park.
Some of the wildlife species found in Murchison falls national park include elephants, lions, leopards, buffalos, hippos, crocodiles, giraffes, antelopes, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons among others.
During a safari around Murchison falls national park, apart from seeing the wildlife species the beautiful Murchison falls are a major attraction in the national park formed where the river Nile forces its way through a narrow gorge forming a 43 meters waterfall. Activities to do during safaris around Murchison falls national park include game drives, boat cruise to the bottom of the Murchison falls, top of the falls hike, viewing of the falls, chimpanzee trekking, birding, hot air balloon safaris as well as spot fishing among others. Park entrance fees for Murchison falls national park is 45 USD for nonresidents, 35 USD for foreign residents, 25000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Bwindi national park is located in the south western part of Uganda.This national park is famous for gorilla trekking done in the 4 sectors of Bwindi which include Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Bwindi national park also has over 360 bird species and also butterflies. Other primates found in the Bwindi forest include black and white colobus monkeys and l’hoest monkeys.
A gorilla permit in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park costs 700 USD for nonresidents, 600 USD for foreign residents and 250,000 Ugandan shillings for East Africans to engage in gorilla trekking. Gorilla habituation permits cost 1500 USD for nonresidents, 1000 USD for foreign residents and 750,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
Bwindi national park is also a destination where gorilla habituation is carried out during tours in Uganda as well as bird watching, cultural tours and also hiking.
Kibale national park
Kibale national park is also referred to as the primate capital of the world and it is located in the western part of Uganda. Chimpanzees are a major attraction found in Kibale forest national park. The park consists of tropical forest and woodland. Kibale forest is also home to 13 primate species which include black and white colobus monkeys, red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, l’hoest monkeys, baboons among others.
Chimpanzee trekking, chimpanzee habituation, bird watching, guided nature walks as well as cultural tours are among the activities to do around Kibale national park.
Birding in Kibale national park is another activity which tourists take part in when visiting the destination. Over 375 bird species can be spotted around the Kibale forest and areas such as Bigodi wetlands.
Chimpanzee permits in Kibale national park costs 200 USD for nonresidents, 150 USD for foreign residents 150,000 Uganda shillings for East African residents and chimpanzee habituation permits cost 250 USD for nonresidents, 200 USD for foreign residents and 200,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
Kidepo valley national park
Kidepo valley national park is a safari destination which is located in the north eastern part of Uganda.
The national park is known for its vast savannah and wilderness and also the 2nd largest number of giraffes in Uganda. Other wildlife species which can be seen during a safari around the national park include zebras, lions, leopards, giraffes, cheetahs, warthogs, buffalos and many others.
The cultural experience during a Uganda safari to Kidepo valley national park is also exciting and involves interactions with the Karamojong and Ik people who live in the local communities around the national park. The Ik live in the mountains and the Karamojong are pastoralists who depend highly on their livestock such as cattle for survival.
Safaris around Kidepo valley national park involve exploring the is vast savannah plains, valleys of the destination. Over 475 bird species can be seen in Kidepo valley national park during a safari.
Park entrance fee for Kidepo national park is 40 USD for nonresidents, 30 USD for foreign residents and 20,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
Queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park is another popular safari destination in Uganda and it is also the 2nd largest national park which is located in the south western part of the country.
The national park was founded in 1952 was later named after the Queen of England. Queen Elizabeth national park consists of savannah plains, forests wetlands and lakes.
There are many attractions found around Queen Elizabeth national park such as the tree climbing lions which can be seen in the ishasha sector, the Kazinga channel, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest among others.
The Kazinga channel is found where lake Edward and Lake George meet. Queen Elizabeth national park also offers views of the Rwenzori mountains during a safari.
Wildlife species which can be seen around Queen Elizabeth national park include elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, antelopes, chimpanzees, hippos and many others.
Activities which are carried out around Queen Elizabeth national park include morning and afternoon game drives, boat rides on the Kazinga channel, lion tracking, chimpanzee trekking, bird watching, cultural tours among others.
Park entrance fee for Queen Elizabeth national park is 40 USD for nonresidents, 30 USD for foreign residents and 20,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
Lake Mburo national park
Lake Mburo national park is a safari destination which is located in the western part of Uganda.
The national park consists of Lake Mburo, savannah plains as well as woodlands.
Wildlife species which can be seen duringa safari in Lake Mburo national park include zebras, impalas, oribi, waterbucks, leopards, hippos, reedbucks among others.There are also over 350 bird species at the destination.
Lake Mburo national park is a short drive from Kampala and activities carried out around the park include morning and afternoon game drives, guided nature walks, bird watching, boat rides, horse riding and also cultural tours.
Park entrance fee for Lake Mburo national park is 40 USD for nonresidents, 30 USD for foreign residents and 20,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
Mgahinga national park
Mgahinga national park is located in the south western part of Uganda at the border of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is also carried out in Mgahinga national park. Other activities done around the destination include golden monkey trekking, hiking, birding and also cultural tours with the Batwa community.
The national park consists of bamboo forests, montane forests, moorlands, heath as well as alpine zone.
Golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga national park costs 60 USD for nonresidents, 50 USD for foreign residents and 40,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans. Park entrance fee for Mgahinga national park is 40 USD for nonresidents, 30 USD for foreign residents, 20,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
Semuliki national park
Semuliki national park is a Uganda safari destination located in the south western part of Uganda.
Tourists visit Semuliki national park to see attractions such as the Sempaya hot springs. The Sempaya hotsprings consists of the male and female hotsprings. Activities which are carried out during safaris around Semuliki national park include visiting the hotsprings, bird watching, guided nature walks and also cultural tours.
Mount Elgon national park
Mount Elgon national park is located in the eastern part of Uganda. A major attraction in the national park is Mount Elgon which is also referred to as Mount Masaba by the locals. Activities to do around Mount Elgon national park include hiking and cultural tours. Park entrance fee for Mount Elgon national park is 35 USD for nonresidents, 25 USD for foreign residents and 15,000 Uganda shillings for East Africans.
Rwenzori mountains national park
Rwenzori mountains national park is located in the south western part of Uganda. Climbing Mount Rwenzori is the main activity which takes place at this destination. On Mount Rwenzori, the highest point is the Margherita peak which is at 5109 meters. Other activities done around the destination include cultural tours and nature walks.
Mount Rwenzori is a snowcapped mountain and it is also referred to as the mountains of the moon. Different routes are used for hiking Mount Rwenzori and it takes between 8 to 12 days to hike to the peak of the mountain.
